[Chooriwrocafn]

I allow people to pet my dogs all the time I do not have an issue with it and as far as someone stealing your dog while your walking it is very unlikely. if you leave the dog alone outside that is the time the dog will most likely be stolen.
Do not get a gun chances are you will get shot with your own gun.
People go thru the BS concealed weapons class and think now I will carry a gun but the fact is learning some basic gun handling and shooting a few targets will not prepare you for shooting someone. Guns give many owners a false sense of security and that owner will put themselves in situation because of the false sense of security that they normally would not. Maybe you should take some self defense classes this will help you build strength and real confidence and also teach you how to avoid most situations and how to defend yourself enough to possibly get away from the ones you cant.

Amen, Thank you! Guns are not for everyone, you have to have more than just the class they give you with a CCW!

[ringsarcle]

Amen, Thank you! Guns are not for everyone, you have to have more than just the class they give you with a CCW!

I 100% agree. I've been around guns all my life due to my family. We're hunters and advocates of personal firearms. Pistols(GUNS in general) are NOT for everyone. Especially concealed since you can carry them around. Much more of a risk. Like I said OP, find your self a nice park around town or even a nice neighborhood you feel same in.

You'll be surprised how quickly a dog will jump up in defense of his/her owner. Even from dogs you would never expect to do such a thing. They love you too, remember that. They know before we do when things are getting bad most of the time.

[Thifiadardivy]

I learned how to use mine in the living room. I stacked up a row of books, loaded it, pulled back the sliding thingy and shot off 15 rounds. The books were toast.

I tried that with my .270 rifle also. ... unfortunately the bullet went through ALL the books (several big thick text books), through the house, outside into some undisclosed location...

Lesson learned? Only shoot pistols in the house. Also... Rifles are crazy strong!

you sure picked the right user I.D....

to the op, if you are as small and weak and scared as you say..
how are you going to stop them from petting your dog?
are you putting us on?

[DJkillos]

For the most part, if someone sees me out walking a dog and they have the curiosity to approach me and start talking, I'm more than happy to allow them to pet whichever dog I'm walking. Nothing better than a short educational session and some good pr to change people's minds about these dogs.

The only dogs I wasn't too fond of allowing strangers to approach were my Dogo and my Fila and my Shar Pei/Cane Corso mix. None of those 3 really cared about people and were quite aloof and wary of people they didn't know. Not to mention that me greeting someone was one thing and me allowing a stranger to put their hands on a dog that didn't want hands put on it were completely different things.

Now, if you know you own a skittish or fearful or aggressive dog, then you need to keep walking. We don't need any more negative headlines.

[CarmenSanches]

Well that's up to you, I'll allow people to pet Ace and Scruffy. Because Ace is very gentle, Im usually very proud when he meets new people. Scruffy just dgaf.

[VIAGRA-VIAGRA]

I generally don't let complete unknowns pet mine. I haven't had any where it would be a problem as far as the dog's reactions, but these days you just don't know. I'm more concerned with protecting my good dog from nasty people than I am about protecting nice people from my good dog.

If it was left up to her we'd never get back home from our walks as she'd be pestering everyone we saw along the way and if we didn't see anyone she'd want to go find out where they all went.

[Zoxeeoy]

I'm a petite female that lives in ghetto hell. I also wear steal cap boots and I'm not afraid to use them. When I'm walking.... I'm WALKING.... I'm talkin' power walking. Someone would pretty well have to run after me to pet my dogs. I just avoid eye contact as I'm not out to show my dogs off, I'm out to work them. There are occasions where I will stop to talk to someone, and if they are sketchy.... which is pretty well everyone around here, and make any attempt on my dogs..... well... they will get a taste of my boots. I'm in pretty good shape for an old broad and I fight dirty. Never hurts to make implications that your dog is friendly but also smart and knows a real threat, although.. I've never had to actually SAY that... it's usually the sketchy person telling me that I bet they would protect me because most the sketchers here are all cracked out so they scare themselves off the dog.

[rouletteroulette]

I learned how to use mine in the living room. I stacked up a row of books, loaded it, pulled back the sliding thingy and shot off 15 rounds. The books were toast.

I tried that with my .270 rifle also. ... unfortunately the bullet went through ALL the books (several big thick text books), through the house, outside into some undisclosed location...

Lesson learned? Only shoot pistols in the house. Also... Rifles are crazy strong!

I would put you in the category of "shouldn't have a gun." I think most people should arm themselves. You are not one of them.

[DagoIgnog]

I'm a petite female that lives in ghetto hell. I also wear steal cap boots and I'm not afraid to use them. When I'm walking.... I'm WALKING.... I'm talkin' power walking. Someone would pretty well have to run after me to pet my dogs. I just avoid eye contact as I'm not out to show my dogs off, I'm out to work them. There are occasions where I will stop to talk to someone, and if they are sketchy.... which is pretty well everyone around here, and make any attempt on my dogs..... well... they will get a taste of my boots. I'm in pretty good shape for an old broad and I fight dirty. Never hurts to make implications that your dog is friendly but also smart and knows a real threat, although.. I've never had to actually SAY that... it's usually the sketchy person telling me that I bet they would protect me because most the sketchers here are all cracked out so they scare themselves off the dog.

Geez Zoe, you sound like me in 10 years. It's just too hot for boots this time of year.

[rouletteroulette]

no like steal my dog as i am walking them

---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 AM ----------

i dont own a gun and im not very strong

Well, firstly, I expect that any dog I own is going to put up a fight against somebody trying to harm me or them.

Secondly, I weigh about 90lbs, but I have been described as freakishly strong for my size and I'm one hell of a scrapper. If I'm going to be walking in a place where I do not feel is completely safe, I carry a legal blade, which I am trained in. I also suggest learning self-defense. Preferably beyond just a couple hour seminar (though, I do teach those). And, if you feel you have it in you to shoot to kill and don't live in a ridiculous state like NJ, get a CCW. If you're scared of everything and don't feel like learning how to protect yourself or getting a gun, pick up a can of mace.

That being said, I do not generally let people pet my dogs unless I'm in a social setting. If we're on a walk, we're on a walk, and we're not stopping. Especially if I'm walking Mick. He goes on training walks. I take Sinead to an outside bar sometimes, and she makes tons of friends there. Tonight, I was walking her at the lake, and I stopped so a bunch of kids could pet her. She adores kids, I don't have any, and it's a good chance for people to see that not all pit bulls are what you see on the news.

[Zoxeeoy]

Geez Zoe, you sound like me in 10 years. It's just too hot for boots this time of year.

Ya... I think we'd get along pretty good. Hey... what can I say... I'm an ex Windsor/Kingston girl. Grow up with Detroit as your neighbour and then live in a pennitentiary town and you get a bit of an attitude.

[rouletteroulette]

Ya... I think we'd get along pretty good. Hey... what can I say... I'm an ex Windsor/Kingston girl. Grow up with Detroit as your neighbour and then live in a Pen town and you get a bit of an attitude.

I think all three of us would get along pretty well.

[Zoxeeoy]

No doubt!

[DagoIgnog]

LOL, I think we'd need to bring MJJean into this mix too.

[Brewpralgar]

I let people pet my dogs. Nick & Rosie love people, but I'm fairly certain they'd turn on anyone that tried to get to me or them.

[gDGwm8BC]

Always be aware of your surrounds, always!!

I agree with most comments.... get some bear mace and keep it with you in one hand, leash in the other hand. Also, if you avoid eye contact, that should ward off some random stranger walking up to you to try to pet your dogs.

If you want to allow someone to pet him, consider a quick trip to PetCo or PetSmart, but still, always be aware of your surroundings and with who is where.

[rouletteroulette]

Always be aware of your surrounds, always!!

I agree with most comments.... get some bear mace and keep it with you in one hand, leash in the other hand. Also, if you avoid eye contact, that should ward off some random stranger walking up to you to try to pet your dogs.

Yep, be aware. And not acting like a friendly person does wonders for keeping people away. I only act friendly when it's a situation where I'm fine with my dogs interacting with people. They're also very good at ignoring people and will walk past without a glance.

[TOD4wDTQ]

Always be aware of your surrounds, always!!

I agree with most comments.... get some bear mace and keep it with you in one hand, leash in the other hand. Also, if you avoid eye contact, that should ward off some random stranger walking up to you to try to pet your dogs.

If you want to allow someone to pet him, consider a quick trip to PetCo or PetSmart, but still, always be aware of your surroundings and with who is where.

Very well said.

[nerrttrw]

Slight hijack, I would like to see all of your "permission slips" to exercise your first amendment rights...

[smifatv]

I decide with whom my dogs interact with. They are social but IMHO, how they act is one thing, letting complete strangers actually pet them is another.

i agree.

---------- Post added at 04:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:06 PM ----------

Always be aware of your surrounds, always!!

I agree with most comments.... get some bear mace and keep it with you in one hand, leash in the other hand. Also, if you avoid eye contact, that should ward off some random stranger walking up to you to try to pet your dogs.

If you want to allow someone to pet him, consider a quick trip to PetCo or PetSmart, but still, always be aware of your surroundings and with who is where.

You took the words out of my mouth!!!... be AWARE of your surroundings. Spoken from experience... being aware of your surroundings is the best protection you have. no one has tried to steal mine, but there are those that would love to i'm sure. mine isn't super sociable tho...he waits for me to engage and then he says hello. it's ALWAYS under my terms. same goes for who you let in your home.

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

I'm a petite female that lives in ghetto hell. I also wear steal cap boots and I'm not afraid to use them. When I'm walking.... I'm WALKING.... I'm talkin' power walking. Someone would pretty well have to run after me to pet my dogs. I just avoid eye contact as I'm not out to show my dogs off, I'm out to work them. There are occasions where I will stop to talk to someone, and if they are sketchy.... which is pretty well everyone around here, and make any attempt on my dogs..... well... they will get a taste of my boots. I'm in pretty good shape for an old broad and I fight dirty. Never hurts to make implications that your dog is friendly but also smart and knows a real threat, although.. I've never had to actually SAY that... it's usually the sketchy person telling me that I bet they would protect me because most the sketchers here are all cracked out so they scare themselves off the dog.

YES!!!!! it's called "walking with a purpose." people pick up on your vibes. i'm petite too and in a sketchy area...hell, i live in one of the most dangerous cities in the US... but things happen everywhere. i can definitely hold my own, when that anger switch hits...scary....but the way you carry yourself says A LOT... if you look like you won't take crap and your dog isn't pulling you all over the sidewalk, you will look less likely like a victim and more like too much of a hassle. if someone threatens YOU it's more likely your dog will be YOUR protector

---------- Post added at 04:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

Amen, Thank you! Guns are not for everyone, you have to have more than just the class they give you with a CCW!

Definitely! ....I have a gun, but I my dad taught me everything I know growing up about them. I'm comfortable with them and know how to use them. If you have never owned a gun, choose a different route. It's more likely you'll shoot yourself. My dad always said, "Never pull out your gun, unless you're prepared to use it." If someone were to come in my HOME that would apply. (unfortunately a few folks have had come by in the middle of the night unannounced before... and they don't do that anymore...) Likelihood of someone stealing your dog off the street...nil. Likelihood of someone stealing him from your house or yard... much greater. You don't have to have a gun to protect yourself. But I sure wouldn't give up mine