[nagdu] people who persist in petting

[Julie McGinnity]

Hi guys.

I'm curious.  What do you all do when people persist in petting your
dog.  I do not allow people to pet Brie, and generally, this is not a
problem.  I just tell whoever is asking (or petting anyway) that she
is working, which means I do not allow people to pet her.  I can
usually leave it at that.  But there are a few people who I see at
church and school who say things like "I know.  I'm going to pet
anyway."  In fact, one of those lovely people decided to pet Brie
while we were crossing the street.

I don't want to be rude and create a problem, but I'm not sure how to
tell them in a polite way that I don't want them petting my dog.  I am
also not sure if they would even listen at that point.  Part of me
also wonders if it's even a problem, since Brie doesn't generally get
distracted by this.  She only gets distracted by people she knows, and
those people know better.  What do you guys do?  I know I'm kind of
obnoxious when it comes to people petting my dog, but when she is
working, she is my mobility tool, not a dog on display for others to
play with.


-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16