Patting A Dog You Don't Know

[Merlin]

Patting A Dog You Don't Know
( Especially useful for chow owners)
http://www.merlinshope.com/2010/index.p ... icleid=125

[Merlin]

Chowling, that's not necessarily the correct interpretation
Not wanting to be touched by strangers is not limited to chows.
Sharpei, Akitas , Saymoyeds and quite a few other breeds fall into the same category, and I can tall you conclusively that not all dogs can be bribed with treats.

Asking the owners permission is paramount and the good owner will show the visitor where and how to address the dog and again, if the dog doesn't take the first step forward, it's better not to push and consider leaving the dog alone instead.

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[Merlin]

All depends how well any breed is socialized and/or the dog's innate personality

I'm not trying to dispute you but whether you have 7 or 70 chows isn't the issue here and it's even possible that your chows come from a loving healthy past, not an abusive one, or neglectful starving one, or some type of other baggage. I was simply pointing out that it's not limited to chows. There are loads of dogs, no matter how socialized are not going to want to be touched by strangers, and it's that very thought process that gets people bitten, and it's still the dog that has to take the initiative.

Each dog no matter how well bred or how well socialized is an individual and they don't all like the same things.
That's quite a fact.

[Merlin]

Let me tell you, if I had a dime for every person who just never noticed the dog backing away from them, I'd be a trillionaire!
As for kids... well, stupid is as stupid does. Everytime a parent tells their kid to, "go touch the doggy", I'd really love to have a squirt gun full of soapy water to squirt them right in the eye. ( The parent of course) I think that would make me feel good.