When is it okay to pat someone else's dog?

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When I was at a sports event someone I knew but not very well came over to talk to me - just about an administrative matter. They brought their dog with them and he was right up close to me sniffing me, wagging his tail, trying to get my attention. I bent down a little and patted him while we talked but the owner seemed annoyed so I stopped. The dog kept trying to get my attention though.

I know it wouldn't be appropriate to touch someone's child so I wonder is it the same with dogs? It seemed to me I'd be mean not to pat him seeing as he was trying so hard to get my attention. I wouldn't have patted a complete stranger's dog. My family don't mind if I pat their dogs though. Where is the line in the sand?

Unless the dog has a work vest on (e.g. a service or seeing eye dog for the disabled) or is a police / rescue dog on duty, and the dog is being friendly towards you, I don't see where there should be any problem with it - unless the owner specifically asks you not to pet their dog. Maybe that guy was just in a hurry or having a bad day.

I met a dog once, who wasn't wearing a work vest & wanted to say hello..so I offered my hand to sniff, and the owner barked at me that this is a working service dog, on duty...
So confusing, ouch.

That was the owner's fault, for not putting the vest on the dog, and for the bad attitude as well.

My dad told me that you should always, always ask the owner's permission before you pet their dog. Some dogs love attention from strangers, but not all. Some dogs are very selective about the people they allow to touch them, and others may only warm to people if you introduce yourself the right way (which the owner will be able to tell you).

In that sense, dogs aren't all that different from people.

Usually wise to avoid the ones that are barking and snarling at you.

Just a FYI and all.

Always ask the owners first before you touch them.

Unless the dog is clearly showing signs of being irked it is impossible to judge a stranger's dog as either no threat or a dog which will pose a threat.

I would always tell people to err on the side of caution by asking the owner if it is OK to touch a strange dog. The owner normally knows the dog better than anyone else.

I was once going into a supermarket and I saw a small dog (Chihuahua), I stoped and said "nice dog" and then the dog let out one of the nastiest noises I have ever heard from a dog. I am sure that this cute looking dog was a greater threat than some of the mastiff dogs I have encountered.

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Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

If it's a stranger then I ask but I probably would have just pet the dog in that situation too since you know the person. Seems odd that they didn't like it.

I always ask the owner first.

I agree with you guys.. ask if it's ok to say hello no matter how eager the dog is.

Dogs are some of the best people you'll meet!

If the dog doesnt snarl at you when your about to pet it or bite you.

I figure it's more between you and the dog. I'd always ask but only because the owner might know something I don't.

OP, I think the owner was mostly annoyed that you were distracted and he wanted your full attention. That would be my guess.

I don't see a problem with patting the dog, especially if it wanted your attention. Some people just have their ways of doing things and if they don't say anything them tough on them for getting annoyed that you broke their unspoken rule.

I live in dog walk central (not actually called that) but the whole community is pretty laid back about dogs. We all walk them, we stop and let our dogs sniff each other. I see so many dogs that I hardly stop to pat them anymore.

I don't think you broke any rule by patting the dog. It's perfectly normal. I think your friend or whatever just had their own problem with it. And yeah, if you can clearly see a vest or a person with glasses walking a dog, don't pat. Unless it's me because I just have light sensitivity and my dog's vest says 'ROCK STAR.'

I'll never ask if it's ok to pat someone's dog, unless it is to ask if the dog is friendly.