Kids Should Ask Owners For Permission Before Petting Dogs: Reddit Users Discussion

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kalila courban
Feb 4, 2022 6:00 PM EST

How many of you see a cute dog passing by and are immediately drawn towards him? You find yourself getting closer and closer until you are right next to this doggo. As you extend your hand in an attempt to pat just a little bit of this doggo's super impressive coat of awwdorable floof, his owner stops you right there. "Excuse me, I would really appreciate if you consulted my first before petting my dog. He can be very anxious and does not always respond well to strangers."

And you're like, oh sh*t, he's so right. This brings us to today's viral reddit discussion: Parents should encourage their children to ask permission from dog owners before petting their dogs. It's just a basic courtesy. Most of the time the answer will be yes! OP says: "On a serious note, it teaches a lot about consent, boundaries, and bodily autonomy. And I appreciate it." The honest truth is, no one knows a doggo better than his owner. And you never know how a doggo will respond to your attention! We agree with OP here and always encourage people to follow this simple courtesy! It goes a long way and dog owners truly appreciate it so much.

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  • 01
    Font - A Posted by u/AnUnrulyLlama 12 hours ago 3 1.5k To the parents whose kids ask if they can pet my dog before petting her, thank you. Y'all killing it. (Fluff] On a serious note, it teaches a lot about consent, boundaries, and bodily autonomy. AndI appreciate it.
    via AnUnrulyLlama

    We hear ya, OP and we are here to amplify your voice a bit, so even the peeps in the back can hear you loud and clear. It's just a matter of simple courtesies and respect! ASK PERMISSION. Most of the time the answer will be yes, and even when it's not, it's usually for a very good reason.

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    Font - 444_ForForFor · 9h Yes. My pup is the sweetest, gentlest soul on earth but he weighs 120 pounds at 8 months old. We're still working on "don't jump!". I always let kids approach to pet but asking gives me a chance to a) inform them and their parents that jumping up is a possibility, and it can seem scary to littluns and b) get a tighter hold on the leash to minimize potential pounces and enforce training. I so appreciate when they ask.
    via 444_ForForFor

    Another reason it is so important to ask permission, no one knows a doggo better than their owner. Their owner will be able to tell you if their doggo is prone to jumping, anxiety, or is just plain old shy.

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    Vertebrate - Mis fiTs
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    Font - Banannya - 11h I have 3 kids. 2 are preteens and one that's autistic. My oldest don't care about dog petting BUT my youngest ALWAYS likes to ask me if it's okay to pet someone else's dog. I always tell him to ask the pet owner if it's okay. Of course, his speech is delayed, so I know what hes asking so I will ask for him. Most of the time we get yes. Oothers we get a no. And when we get the "no" answer, I tell him the puppy is tired. They don't want to be petted right now. And then I hug
    via Banannya
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    Font - DoglandDog2andMe · 9h As a person with three dogs, two of the three sometimes don't want to be pet. Often, it's not about the specific kid. It's because there are too many kids around -- Dog1 gets overwhelmed when there are too many kids about. For Dog2, it can be that she's near or over threshold due to seeing other strange dogs. You can also tell your son that the other dogs are shy -- that's true of Dog1. And sometimes it may help if you tell your son that dogs may be scared but if he'
    via DoglandDog2andMe
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    Font - Daciana_Days · 6h People around here get so surprised when I insist my kids ask first and also give dogs space before patting them. They'll all like ITS FINE, my dog is nice! Ok cool, but I didn't know that until we asked and I like my children keeping all their fingers I've actually bought Velcro patches for my dogs harness that say "in training" and "ask to pet" because it's so uncommon for people to ask around here.
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    Dog - Summer
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    Font - EndoShota · 11h I get a lot of kids ask to pet my dog, and the answer is always yes, but I always appreciate when they ask. The only people who have pet my dog without permission have been adults.
    via EndoShota
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    Font - 98739879 · 10h YES! Oh man, the other day a bunch of adults were crowding my puppy and I was making space for him (he's a bit shy). This nice young boy, maybe 8? Came up and asked "Excuse me sir, could I pet your puppy?" I almost died on the spot I was so grateful. After I said yes and told him my puppy was a little shy, he approached my pup "correctly" (neutral posture, hand low and slightly out, letting my pup approach at his own pace) and my puppy ate it up. Gave him so much confidence
    via 98739879
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    Font - WolfinLambskinJacket · 10h I own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.most parents pick up their kids and change side on the road. My Jekyll often doesn't understand and seems offended. Those parents who not only stay, but ask and pet him together with their children, make him so happy his smile literally go from ear to ear (those who know Staffys know what I'm talking about...their HUGE smile is something to die for)
    via WolfinLambskinJacket
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    Dog
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petting dogs informative adorable pets kids Fluffy interesting discussion doggos Reddit
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