[nagdu] How do any of you deal with small children wanting to touch your guide dog

[Julie J]

I think you did fine.  I used to have a harder time telling people no, but 
in recent years it's getting a whole load easier.  Usually I tell people 
that Monty really doesn't appreciate petting from strangers.  I tell them 
it's a lot like a stranger coming up to them and giving them a hug.   It's 
rather intrusive, but that's just my dog.  Lots of dogs enjoy attention from 
strangers.

If I do have the time and Monty seems amenable I will ask the person to hold 
their hand out to him to sniff, palm toward themselves.  I then allow Monty 
to approach the person.  This generally keeps everyone calm and happy.  If 
Monty approaches and is comfortable the person can gently pet his neck or 
behind his ears.

He is a very large dog that looks rather intimidating.  I don't get too many 
walk by petters.  Even if they try to pet without asking Monty will just 
dodge them.  I find it funny, but the other person tends to get annoyed, 
which I find even more amusing.

HTH
Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brittney N. Mejico" <brittneymejico at verizon.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:29 PM
Subject: [nagdu] How do any of you deal with small children wanting to touch 
your guide dog


Hi everyone,
The other day this lady got mad at me for not letting her 4 year old touch 
my guide dog.  I kind of felt bad afterwards, do you think It was rong for 
me to tell her no?  I tried to be as polite as Possible.  Do any of you have 
any tips on what I should next time that happens again.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>