If you are scared someone may try to snatch your dog, follow the advice OmgRobyn's advice... Get a concealed carry permit, mace, some kind of defense... I don't have to worry about it, because nobody it stupid enough to try petting my GSD And I only walk my other dog with him... I live in a less-than-perfect neighborhood and I'm a small female, I carry legal weapons and of course the 85 pound stranger-aggressive GSD... If someone makes you uncomfortable, and you are seriously thinking they're about to try something just tell them no, say he/she is in training and can't be distracted by strangers... To the average Joe, it sounds a little weird, but most know nothing on dog training and will accept it.