Teaching Public Petting Etiquette
Abi has learned to be calm around strangers , young and old, and waits for me to tell her that it's OK to approach someone she doesn't know. She has learned so much from this interaction. I want this interaction to continue. Here is our problem: Abi is 11 mths old and is matting as we speak. It has really become an issue in line grooming to keep her at her best. I take pride in brushing her before we go somewhere where I know she will encounter new friends- in- the- making. But...the first thing someone does is take her head into their hands and rub into her fur. End result...MATS! I start to cringe since I can see the mats forming. I have found myself lately not taking her everywhere with me because I dread all the mats that I will have to encounter when we return home. Question: Do you tell people how to pet, or not to pet, just deal with the mats, or leave them home more  ? Abi loves the attention but I dread the mats. How do you all handle this petting/ matting issue? What is the best way to handle petting etiquette? |
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nothing in puppy class covers that issue does it?  |
| wow that's a hard one, my sheepies are shaved. I know someone can help you though |
| For general walks & outings I let the public pet a they wish as long as they are being sensible around the dog. At shows, I nicely ask people to wait until after we are done being judged & to come back at that time & they can pet all they want. Part of owning an OES is accepting the facts that: A: There are always mats somewhere, even teeny-tiny ones & B: The public can't resist touching them. They look like big, stuffed animals. Grooming some part of my dogs each day is just part of my schedule. I may not groom out the entire dog but I will do the head, or the right hind quarter etc. |
good point marilyn - I can never resist a pet or a pat when I pass my own either  |
| Sheepies are beautiful and everyone wants to touch them. I understand and will continue to both enjoy the attention and deal with the matting. I just wish there was a compromise. Maybe her coat will be easier when she's in her adult coat. |
| I'm SO relieved to read this! I brush Tonks out pretty thoroughly, and the next day there will be mats in places I swear just brushed! Luna on the other hand is mostly mat free... |
| My question....how do you brush....COTTON????? (PLEASE REFER TO AVATAR...)
I love Heart's coat...but hate to (try) to brush her..It is almost impossible to line brush ---very hard to part. I think I do a good job, ie...mats and what I cannot get out, my fabulous groomer handles. I am waiting, waiting for her big girl coat to come in but my breeder tells me it may take another year or so!!!!! |
It is very hard. Guinness has some mats from his adventures at sheepiepalooza. I know he is hot too but looks so cute I will try and brush him tomorrow. Just a side note try having a therapy dog that dozens of folks rub him the wrong way  and have your group walk in a parade when children are lined the street wanting to pet your most beautiful sheepdog and some "fool" has come before you selling, of all things. cotton candy  |
| in my experience people ask before they pet, so you could just say she is a little nervous so could you just stroke her very gently!
My yorkie doesnt like people approaching her, young kids in particular seem to think it is Ok just to pounce on her and pet her, so I usually say "be careful sometimes she bites  " she doesnt but it stops the kids  |
| She is matting so badly because of her adult coming in and this is something that will eventually change.
I'm sure Abi loves to be petted, and of course the first thing people encounter is her head, so I think you'll just have to deal with it for a while... 
We used to have to brush Frank every other day at that age. We can now do one day a week without any mat issues. Talk to your breeder about it. Ask her what she usually does with her dogs at that age. A lot of breeders will shave a dog down at that age and just let the adult coat come in really depends on the coat. |
| I feel your pain! We just shaved Tucker because the adult coat + puppy coat matting was getting so bad. Before we shaved, though, when someone would ask, "Can I pet your dog?" I would say, "Sure, just pet him like this (demonstrating) so he doesn't get all tangled". People can tell that they mat easily (It's usually one of the first things they ask), so this seems to make perfect sense to them, and most people are more than happy to oblige. |
| Yup, people usually ask so I tell them "don't scrub them, they'll get all knotted, just pet them". |
| Archie has always matted easily. He turns 9 tomorrow! and his coat is a bit harder now, but he still mats more easily than Sherman or Sophie or Merlin.
As for strangers wanting to pet my dogs, I always advise caution, especially to children. It isn't because I dont' trust my dogs but because I know that not all dogs are trustworthy and I want kids to exercise caution around dogs, as well as exercise good manners. A false sense of security, coupled with exhuberance can be disasterous with the wrong dog. I do suggest how my dogs like to be petted (scratched behind the ears) because I want the dogs and the people to enjoy the experience. I am not fussy about my dogs being in perfect coat--heck, they never are. My routine is to brush one or two of them while I watch television at the end of the night. The boys aren't that keen about it, but Sophie loves the attention. |
| I thought this thread was about not kissing your boyfriend in the street
Good point though, when people want to stroke Rufus I usually say "he likes this" and show them how to stroke him. I usually direct them to his side because he likes to (gently) hold your hand in his mouth if you try to stroke his head the kids get worried about that |
Quote: At shows, I nicely ask people to wait until after we are done being judged & to come back at that time & they can pet all they want.  Glad we passed the OES etiquette test. 
We went to the local dog show last summer and were talking with a lady showing her dog. We made no attempt to touch the dog (OMG show sheepies gorgeous). We were asked if we wanted to pet her and said we'd love to if we weren't going to mess her up! |
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