You shouldn't touch other people's dogs without asking. Full stop. Do you go around petting other people's heads, or touching other people's kids? Then, why do you touch other people's pets without asking for permission? Muzzles are uncomfortable for dogs, and in 99% of the situations they are unnecessary unless imbeciles go around putting their hands where they shouldn't.

Some people act faster than you can warn them, so I agree, ask first...and RESPECT THE ANSWER.

No. It is up to the people to have some common sense and ask. Even a normal dog might bite sometimes. Never touch one without asking.

It can happen with any dog though, not just protective ones. If anyone, person or animal, is spooked, they might react violently out of scare. Hence, don’t just go touch people or pets out of the blue.

People just need to ask. Maybe they don’t want their friendly dog jumping on people. Maybe their dog is terrified of strangers. Maybe their dog is overprotective. If you have a dog that is just plain aggressive, then yes, stay away from or muzzle them. But if they’re just minding their own business and a stranger invades their space, it’s the stranger’s fault.

It's not your right to touch other peoples property. You don't slid your hand down a Jag F type cuz it's cool, it's not yours, you don't pick up a stranger's child (unless there's a need for it) it's not yours. This is a huge problem in the guide dog community people just randomly trying to pet a working dog. Always ask, and they can just say no, the owner doesn't owe you an explanation.

Parents should always advice their children to ask first before Petting a dog. We were raised the same way.

Nope. Dont pat strange dogs without asking.

i don't think you should use a muzzle on a dog at all. just tell people that your dog does not wish to be petted. if they do not respect that, your dog may unleash it's wrath upon them.

I understand what you're saying about being responsible for your dog's behavior. The person approaching a strange dog is responsible for their own. Ask before you pet. Take 'no' for an answer without getting offended. If you're the kind of person that likes to pet strange dogs learn how to approach and pet (with permission) to minimize stress for the animal. And, please, don't call or imply a dog is aggressive unless it actually is; that word can get a dog killed when repeated enough, especially if the dog looks a certain way.

Do you like being touched without asking first? Or having your children touched? Why would it be different with a dog??? Do you also pet wild animals, like bears, because no one told you not to when you where close to the bear? I'm so tired of this kind of people! Get your own dog if you enjoy petting mine without asking me!!!

That comes from the same logic as: If you're someone with "boundaries" who doesn't like to be grabbed, molested or assaulted, then it's up to you to warn people or take precautions when you're out in public. Take responsibility for your own actions. You're an adult. No one should have to warn you not to run around touching other people, their stuff or their animals uninvited.

No, unless you think it's appropriate for a stranger to come touch you up out of the blue, you do not under any circumstances approach a pet and do it either without asking the owner first.

Put a yellow ribbon on the leash. That is the universal signal to approach a dog with caution. Of course, ALWAYS ask before petting a dog, and let the pooch sniff your hand first.

he is fine unless strangers get in his business and pet him. you wouldnt walk up to a random kid and pat their head (hopefully) so dont do it to a dog either.

NO! Aboslutely wrong! You don't get to touch other peoples animals without asking They don't need to muzzle a dog because you're too stupid and entitled to ask first You just don't get to touch them without permission. If you do and they bite your face off that's on YOU

Not really .. don’t touch strange animals . Period . Any dog no matter how friendly can bite if feeling threatened. It’s not up to me to warn people not to touch MY dog .. jusr don’t touch my dog

Any dog can bite unexpectedly, even if they've never bitten before. Some little kid comes up and pulls your sweet dog's tail, it's not your dog's fault if he bites. That s**t hurts. If you're approaching the dog, it's on you to ask whether the dog is amenable to being petted.

Yes, but also people people shouldn't just go pat it without asking. Responsibility to both :)

It's also okay to ask the owner if they can pet their pet. It's not public property. Dog owners who assume that everyone is okay with their dog invading other people's space should also be aware that that is not okay.

Amen! I assume all dogs bite, because on a few occasions they have bitten me.

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Absolutely. A child will be most likely to not ask first, and if you allow your dog to go out in public, fully knowing that there is a chance your dog will harm someone, then perhaps you do not need a dog. Get a cat.

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Agreed, if the dog is that dangerous, the owner needs to take extra precautions, if a small child pets the dog without asking permission and gets bitten, it's the dog owner's fault.

Same with my dog. He is a rescue and he was scared of everything. Took me a year or more to make him feel relaxed in the street. He is still scared of people, and it takes him a long time to trust a person. It kills me when people not only try to pat him but to pick him up as well, because he is small and adorable. He looks at me with a terrified face, and I've had dreadful arguments with friends and acquaintances. Just leave him alone. You won't "cure" him by frightening him and making him feel helpless.

Dogs are living creatures, they don’t have a set program. My dog was the sweetest thing in the world - I mean that, once a bird landed IN HER MOUTH when she was yawning and she just sat there, looking at us for help, not daring to move an inch. And yet she once nearly bit me because I (being a child and thinking myself funny) scared her from behind. She stopped the moment she recognised me, but still in that initial second of shock, she was ready to defend herself. Plus, a green badge or the like would encourage people to be even less careful when approaching your dog.

I agree. My dog has a bright yellow warning harness on him. In the UK it is being encouraged to use yellow as a warning - a lot do not know this yet though. It is a work in progress! My dog would never bite a person, he loves people and is wonderful with children, but he is scared of other dogs and overreacts to scare them off. Experienced owners can see what is going on, a lot of sound but the wrong bark to mean aggressive, but new ones don't always. He is never off lead in public either. He can run where I know there are no risks. People always ask and I always say yes because even though he is a traumatised rescue he is still so very affectionate.

Some people wouldn't pay attention, believe me. Also, in some cases the problem is not whether the dog is friendly or unfriendly. Some dogs don't enjoy being touched by strangers, because they have been beaten and don't trust people. Gaining a dog's confidence is a very long process and one person's stupid reaction can ruin weeks of hard work. I wish people understood animals have "personal space", too.