[nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy

Tue Apr 29 11:41:23 UTC 2014

Generally I just say, "No, but thank you for asking." I smile and make it 
seem like them asking was a wonderful thing.  Then I move on.  Standing 
there will encourage a discussion or debate or whatever, moving on indicates 
that you don't want to discuss your no petting rule and it also reinforces 
that you need to get stuff done and don't have time for petting.

I do allow petting on occasion.  If I do I let the person know it's up to 
Monty if he wants to be petted.  I give Monty his release cue and let him 
approach if he wants.  Usually he will give the person a perfunctory sniff 
and he's done.  Every now and then he will back away from the person, which 
is kind of embarrassing, but they get it that he doesn't want to be petted. 
He's not very into meet and greet with people though, so this works.

Last week I was in the grocery store and there was a Mom with about four 
kids.  The kids wanted to pet Monty and asked their Mom.  Usually parents 
just say the dog is working and leave it alone, but this Mom went on a 
complete tirade.  I thought the kids were perfectly well behaved in asking 
their Mom first if they could approach me to ask if they could pet, but Mom 
really lit into them.  Then she was on to another topic and how horrible the 
kids were and on and on  and on.  So about four isles later I asked one of 
the kids if he would like to pet the dog.  It made the kids day.  I can't 
remember the last time I've offered petting to a kid, but I really felt bad 
for them.

When I talk to people about guide dogs or if I'm doing a presentation or 
something, I always stress that dogs are different and people are different, 
but asking is always okay.  the answer might be no but politely asking and 
respecting the answer is good.  It's interesting that I rarely have issues 
with kids.  It's adults that have issues with self control.

Julie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Darla Rogers
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 1:36 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy

Thank you Raven and Michael; I believe, and several others have also states
this practice, just not to allow it while we are out working.
I don't owe the general public anything; if they want to pet a dog,
the shelters are crying for volunteers to socialize their dogs; on the other
hand, if it raises money for my school. <tongue firmly in cheek>
Very Gratefully,
Darla & Handsome Huck

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 12:40 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy

Hi,

I do not permit anyone to pet Africa while she is in harness.  If people
want to pet her and I have the time I will remove her harness and then allow
petting.  If I do not have time I politely explain that while the harness is
on she is working and cannot be petted and that I do not have time to remove
it now.  Especially when people go along with my wishes I thank them very
much.  If people still insist on petting Africa I will get more stern.

Best,

Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla Rogers
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 10:22 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy

Hi everyone,

                The Handsome Huck is a people magnet and peo9ple are magnets
for him; there is some petting--last time going through a revolving
door--and I used to let him sit and be petted, but I don't believe this is
in the best interest of our working relationship?

                Any ideas?  Strategies?  Explanations?

Darla & Mister Socialite

Darla J. Rogers

djrogers0628 at gmail.com

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