Why are most dog owners fine with people petting their dogs?

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This is something I noticed in the last 5 years: most people out walking their dogs are totally fine with strangers asking to pet their dogs, and then doing so. Emphasis on "asking"; the same owners don't like it when you start petting their dog without as much as brief eye contact (with the owners).

So, when I'm out hiking or simply walking through city streets with friends, and I see a cute puppy or a friendly dog on someone's leash, I politely ask to pet it. Usually, the owners says yes. That's when I extend my hand to let the dog sniff me, pet it for about 10 seconds, compliment it on its friendliness, appearance, and/or fur texture, say "thank you", and we part ways. Of course, when the owner says no, I graciously say "no problem", and no harm, no foul.

I'm curious: why are dog owners so gracious with letting people pet their dogs? I'm not complaining! I like dogs, and I welcome every opportunity to pet one. But it's their dog, and they're basically allowing strangers to touch a pet that belongs to them, even with permission. What's the psychology behind it? Do they find it flattering when people show admiration/interest in their dog? I'm aware that it's good for a dog's mental health to meet new people, and maybe the owners know it too, but still. Or do they say yes out of reluctance or social obligation?

The dog has a mind of it's own, and the purpose of the walk is for the dog to have a good time.

My old dog absolutely loved interacting with people. I guess that's the same for most dogs. They love attention. She often seemed disappointed if people walked past her without saying so much as a hello.

We want our dogs to be happy. Petting them makes them happy.

She stopped and lay on the ground on front of a guy smoking outside of a pub one time. "She wants you to say hello," I told him.

Hi dog, he said. And she got to her feet and wagged her tail all excited.

"You're a weird dog," he said as she bounced away

Some dog owners don't understand that some people don't appreciate it when their dog jumps on them and then gets their dirty paw prints all over their clothes, even if the dog is friendly. In fact, the dog owner often thinks they're a garbage dump of a human being for trying to stop the dog from doing so.

The owners also tend to think people who are afraid of dogs are stupid or bad, even if they know that person has had really bad experiences with dogs.

Go figure, if it's a cat people will say what a horrible demonic evil creature it is and totally get away with it, even when that cat is one of the sweetest, friendliest kitties in the world, but say anything negative about a dog and suddenly you're Hitler. Who actually liked dogs.

I expect you are correct about the owners being aware.
Dogs are social animals & the petting interaction is socialization.



Given the nature of human society and psychology there likely are a few people who do exactly that.

The posts make sense. Like I said in my first post, it's good for a dog's mental health to meet new people. And when strangers ask to pet someone's dog, they fit into the "new people" category. In the end, the dog gets to meet a new person and enjoy being petted, the stranger gets to play with a friendly dog, and the owner benefits from a healthier dog. So in the end, everyone gains something and comes away better off from having met.

As for cats, I like cats too. And I pet them when I visit someone who has cats in their home. With the same introduction measures, like letting the cat sniff my hand first. But... dogs get walked in public, cats don't. So your average non-pet person doesn't get much exposure to cats.

On the overall, yes. There are a few people who teach their cats to walk on a leash.

For example,

I get to pet a cat that most visitors to that house never see. I had a free-range dog in the city that never got in trouble, and after two years, every other person I met already knew and liked my dog.
One time, a security guard with a big dog was hired to move the warming-up people out of a bus station. They were pretty successful at intimidation until my friend ignored the guard, knelt down, and greeted the dog with a happy "Hello, puppy!" Nobody had called him "puppy" since his happy days, so they were instant friends.

Oh that's good!

If someone responded with 'no piss off' whenever someone asked to pet their dog they'd be worse than Scrooge.

That's not necessarily true. Maybe the dog is sick. Maybe the dog is skittish with strangers. Maybe the dog has PTSD and will bite a hand that gets near it. Strangers don't know the dog as well as the owner does. The owner should refuse politely, but they're well within their rights to do so.

The few times I was turned down, it was very reasonable. Usually it was something like "no, he's not friendly". Although one time, the owner actually said "no, she has PTSD".

Though probably not within the situations being considered in that, the following is related to the "no, don't pet" aspect of the conversation;


One Human’s Tragic Mistake Reminds Us Why We Should Never Pet A Service Dog
Written by: Regina Lizik
July 10, 2015
https://post.bark.co/fun/do-not-pet-service-dog/
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While visiting her father at work, another human began petting Flynn. Flynn wears a giant “STOP” sign on his back. Hailey also told the person to stop petting her dog.

Hailey says:

“The only time somebody should ever approach Flynn and I is if I am unconscious and/or having a seizure. Besides that, nobody should try to pet or get near him.”

This may seem like an overreaction to most people, but for a person with a disability, a distracted service dog could mean imminent danger.

Although the other human meant no harm, her action nearly resulted in tragedy. Because Flynn was distracted, he failed to give Hailey proper notice of her seizure. By the time he was able to alert her, it was already too late. Hailey fell to the ground, sustaining a serious rug burn to her head.

“My service dog is my lifeline. I don’t say that to be cute. He helps keep me alive just like life support. If he gets distracted this happens. If he gets distracted I can die. Do not pet service dogs. Do not call to service dogs. Do not taunt service dogs. Do not talk to service dogs. Do not do anything to service dogs.”
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News for Caregivers
You really want to pet the service dog. Here’s why it’s so important not to
Life-changing canines are trained to play a vital role for people who depend on them, without distraction
By Lauren J. Mapp Staff Writer
June 15, 2021 6 AM PT
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ca ... -heres-why
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Service dogs are a vital tool for the approximately 500,000 Americans who are partnered with them, and when out in public, they’re working diligently to keep their human handlers safe.

That can mean keeping people with limited vision from walking into oncoming traffic or helping someone in a wheelchair pick up an object. For dogs paired with someone living with an invisible illness like post-traumatic stress disorder, service dogs use calming techniques when they detect signs of anxiety.

But despite the important role these dogs play in the safety and comfort of their humans, it doesn’t stop some people from trying to distract or play with them when they see one.

“A lot of times, having a service dog kind of puts a spotlight on you when you’re out in public, and not everyone loves that,” said Kaitlyn Sacco, a trainer with Paws for Purple Hearts.
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...
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What is — and isn’t — a service dog

When it comes to dogs and the way they support humans with various physical, mental, developmental and emotional conditions, there are two types: service dogs and guide dogs.

Service dogs are specially trained to work with and perform tasks for people living with a physical, mental, sensory, intellectual, learning or psychiatric disability, according to Guide Dogs of America. Their training includes physical tasks such as learning to pick up objects, opening doors, turning light switches on and off, and it may also include behaviors aiming to disrupt symptoms of anxiety and stress.

They can also be trained to accompany children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to reduce stress, anxiety and meltdowns, said Zack Gittlen, marketing and outreach manager for Guide Dogs of America.

“They might nudge their nose into the child’s leg or rest their chin on their lap, and they’re there for a grounding sensory response,” Gittlen said.

Guide dogs are specifically trained to work with those who are blind or have limited vision by helping them to avoid traffic, navigate elevation changes and avoid obstacles.

People with visual impairments take classes with an orientation and mobility instructor and then are evaluated to ensure they’re able to navigate using sensory awareness before being paired with a guide dog.

Most often, but not always, service dogs are either golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers or a mix of the two breeds.

“They are the perfect temperament for this type of work,” Sacco said. “They’re not too independent; they’re not too assertive; they’re very eager to please and loyal, and easy to train.”

Service and guide dogs are considered necessary medical equipment, akin to a wheelchair, crutches, an insulin pump or other necessary health care tool. They are allowed to go to any business that is open to the public, according to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. This includes — but is not limited to — grocery and department stores, restaurants, hospitals and medical offices, hotels, taxis, theaters, zoos and parks.

Conversely, emotional support animals — used to ease feelings of anxiety and depression through companionship — don’t qualify as service animals under the ADA. They may be denied access to public places, including planes, per a December 2020 decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Under state and federal law, tenants have the right to have an emotional support animal in their home if it “eases the effects of a person’s disability by providing comfort,” according to Disability Rights California.
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...
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If you see a service dog wandering alone, its handler may be in trouble. Follow the dog back to its owner to make sure they’re OK.

Always remember that guide and service dog teams legally have the right of way. If you’re driving, don’t honk or yell at a working guide or service dog and their handler — this can distract the dog and put the person at risk.
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^^ Aye, there are dogs who only want to protect their escort from all other beings, being simple-minded and/or trained that way. Service dogs are expected to keep their mind on the job, and need rehab when they retire, which is not very effective. However, there are also very wide variations in how well individuals are received by dogs. One I knew barked a lot at most visitors, even well known ones, but when I arrived, even her fur stayed flat. Rather often, I know more about what the dog is thinking than the owner. Some people treat a dog like an automaton/slave. Dogs are much happier when we appreciate their senses and abilities. They can think of ways to help us that we could never teach in a year as a dumb routine. We don't deserve dogs.

I agree. I absolutely never pet a service dog or a guide dog. In the US, at least, most such dogs wear a vest saying "service animal; do not pet" or something similar. The most I did is verbally compliment a service dog to the owner---I said: "that's a beautiful dog"---but that happened only once, and the owner seemed to like it. She (the owner) wasn't blind, but had some other impairment, so I knew she could appreciate the dog's beauty too. I wouldn't say it to a blind person, because I'd know he/she can't see the dog.

If in doubt (like when talking to a person with a potential invisible disability), there's nothing wrong with asking: "Is this a service dog, or can I pet him?" While I find "wokeness" cringeworthy, this is one "woke" element that's a good thing. Pet owners will appreciate your polite request, and disabled persons will appreciate your knowledge that you can't pet service dogs.

Last edited by Aspie1 on 12 Jun 2022, 8:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I dunno, but I guess it's been answered in this thread. I'm not a hands on person with most animals, whether domestic or not, unless they so happen to be in trouble of some kind. Especially unknown ones. Horses are an exception as it's safer when you're close to them, hands sensing their movements, giving you early warning and providing some protection to you; this is something I learnt anyway.

My old dog, yes (not mine, just handed off to me), but that was rarely as he didn't really like it. I never let anyone near him outside of those he knew as he was far too protective, which is a good trait depending (he gave them adequate warning anyway). I liked his personality there.

For what its worth I don't mind my pooch getting patted but try and steer away from other dogs (particularly bigger and aggressive breeds) as their behaviour can be unpredictable.