[Affolfembonge]

People freak out over Cesar too whos the sweetest guy ever.
he too becomes very depressed when people jump back or wont touch him.

i can understand not trusting an owner who says "oh hes/shes nice!" some owners keep there dogs inside jsut with them and rarely take them out around new people or who dont have many vistors, so the dog is sweet and freindly to the owner, but isnt used to new people and sometimes react out of fear or uncertianty by nipping.biteing,growling ect towards new people.
i wouldnt ever trust an owner telling me the dog was freindly, i would trust the dogs behavior.

[Aztegjpl]

I go by both. If the dog is acting relaxed and friendly and the owner says this is the case then I will pet and love on the dog. If the owner says the dog is friendly and the dog isn't acting comfortable I will pass with a smile.

I was at the city park walking the trails when I met 3 people walking an APBT and a couple of mixes. I'll never forget them, the APBT x Jack Russell mad the list of fattest dogs I have ever seen. Of course, I went over to chat and see if the dogs wanted some petting. They did, lol. I thought for a moment there they were going to kidnap me and make me their petting slave.

After I moved on I came across a man walking one of those genetic nightmares. What looked to be a Frankenstein of blue dog with terrible elbows, shoulders, legs and so on. I felt so bad for the poor dog I wanted to pet him in sympathy. Like seriously, this dog was such a mess I imagine just moving was painful. I asked if he was friendly, owner said yes. I chatted for a few minutes, waited for the dog to show some interest, got what I thought was the all clear, went to pet him and got growl-snapped at. Never mind, man, you have a nice day!

I totally understand why people would be a bit hesitant to pet a strange dog, but you've gotta see Ike in action.

Other than being emotionally sensitive, he is a born manipulator. He wants petting and adoration and he knows how to get it. When we have him out for walks or the pet stores and he sees people coming he either stands or sits in a very relaxed manner, raises his ears, whips out the "bully grin" complete with tongue hanging a bit over one side, wags his tail and gives puppy eyes. If the human comes over he will give a lil sniff as a matter of form and then proceed to look up adoringly while leaning against a leg if the person is sturdy or nuzzle their chest and cuddle if they are small or elderly.

If there is a person we didn't notice who looks like they might want to pet a dog he will literally stop moving, sit, make eye contact with my husband or myself, toss his head toward the person to indicate he wants them to pet him and refuse to move until they either pet him, reject him, or go out of sight.


It's pitiful. He's an attention whore. Even if the person is cautious with strange dogs Ike know how to throw out the friendly dog vibe.