Uh, is it rude to not immediately acknowledge the dog? - Page 3

[RubyWild]

I was attacked by a dog as a child, so I'm not really a fan. I do not say hello to them. I've had people say, "You're not really a dog person, are you?" and I acknowledge that and appreciate that they are okay with me being standoffish. I'm not usually afraid of them, although I can't stand German shepards since the attack, I just don't like being near them.

[Sailor]

I actually think it's a mark of bad training when I come into someone's home and their dog is jumping all over me. Especially when they're not doing anything about said dog and expect me to greet the dog happily. As in "oh, yes, I love getting your paws all over me and my clothing. Please keep going." I don't care if they allow their dogs to jump all over them, but it bothers me when they expect me to be OK with it.

I always ignore dogs upon first entering someone's house. If they're jumping or generally in the way, I ignore them until they stop. At which point, I'll greet them. It's automatic with me. I grew up in a house that always had 5 or 6 BIG dogs. No one in my family would come through the door and go greet dogs immedietly. It's second nature to me, now. I think a dog should know it's status in the pack. And it's status is NOT as high as me or any other human in the house. Therefore, any greeting I may do with him/her happens last and only after the dog is calm.

[PuppyFluffer]

And when dogs are treated just like Sailor says, they are most always mannerly and respectful of people!

[MamaCAS]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I think a dog should know it's status in the pack. And it's status is NOT as high as me or any other human in the house.

Bingo. IMO, the dog is better off being treated like a dog and not a child. And way more pleasant to be around.

[Dar]

I should clarify... my dogs would never, ever jump on people... but Nana does sort of pace in the background and watch the new person, so I prefer that my friends acknowledge her. She's sort of an anxious dog, in general...

And I have referred to Nana as my daughter's "sister". It was a joke, really...

dar

[mama ganoush]

Originally Posted by Sailor

And it's status is NOT as high as me or any other human in the house.

not married, i'm guessing?

[NiteNicole]

And it's status is NOT as high as me or any other human in the house.

Yes, but if it's my house the dog rates higher. Sorry. He lives here. For the record, I have a well behaved small dog. He doesn't jump on people, hump legs, siff crotches (he'd need a ladder anyway), bite, or drool. He's not even a big shedder. But he lives here. If you have some big fear of dogs or want consider your comfort more important than the dog's feelings (meaning, if you are one of those people who gets all snappy because the dog is in the room and looking at you or sniffing around your shoes), you probably won't like coming to my house. He does bark, but this has developed since we had the baby and he seems to just be on high allert if anyone (new) is getting too close to her. I think this is OK as he isn't growling or acting aggressive, just barking at to get our attention. Once we tell him it's ok, he settles.

I like my dog. I like him better than a lot of people - and he likes everyone. He might like them from afar, he might quiver with excitment and hope for some attention, he may sit three feet away and do all his tricks in hopes of a little acknowledgment but he's a good fella. I don't get why some people are so bitter towards ALL dogs and the people who love them. It seems like the same kind of bitterness you see from the anti-kid people.

[MelanieMC]

well, I've got friends who do this too, yet once I pet their dog (usually for longer than I want to) they are still jumping all over me. Also - and I'm not saying this is true for all dog owners - a lot of ppl with inside dogs don't realize how badly they smell. I babysit for one family who has a boston terrior that lives inside and eveytime I go over it jumps all over me and claws me, and this goes on the first 30 min. I'm there - everytime! They just laugh and everynow and then call her down. Anyway, she sleeps on the parents bed, and if I even go near their room I feel sick.

So, my point is, just b/c you choose to have a dog live in your home doesn't mean that when you invite me over I should have to fuss over said dog and allow it to scratch me and make me stink like them. I realize it's their house, but seriously, if my dog did that I would put her up before ppl came over. I just think it's rude to allow a dog to jump all over ppl.

[MamaAllNatural]

Sorry but...all dogs need to be "inside dogs." They are pack animals and it's cruel to make them live outside and totally not natural. I agree that you shouldn't have to pet or even be near anyone's dog but "outside dogs" should be outlawed IMO.

[Kristine233]

Originally Posted by KBinSATX

Sorry, if you don't have time to be friendly, then don't come at all.

See, and I'd rather not go at all, lol. I don't like dogs touching me... AT ALL. I have a dog (like I said) but even he makes me shudder. Dog hair creeps me out and I feel dirty all over after petting a dog (even a small non-shedding dog). I'll say "hi" or aknowledge the dog, but you can't get me to touch it, lol.

BTW, my dog and I have an understanding. He knows I am not a dog person. I allowed him because the rest of the family are big dog people. He won't touch me or lick me or jump on me, he respects my boundaries. (the rest of the family is fair game). But he is more attached to me than anyone else, because I do talk and interact with him. And because the rest of the family crawl and lay on him, lol. If all dogs were as understanding of my "dog-ick-phobia" I'd get along with them fine.

[StrawberryFields]

As a dog owner, I think that it is totally impolite to allow your dog to lollygag around your guests and beg for their attention. Unless I absolutely know that the person enjoys my particular dog (my mom, our siblings, etc.) I lock her in her crate when a guest arrives.

[Viola]

Originally Posted by NiteNicole

Yes, but if it's my house the dog rates higher. Sorry. He lives here.
...

I don't get why some people are so bitter towards ALL dogs and the people who love them. It seems like the same kind of bitterness you see from the anti-kid people.

Well, you've just said your dog rates higher than a guest you've invited into your home. Honestly, I don't really know what you mean by that. Since your dog is well-behaved, perhaps this is moot. But if your dog wasn't well behaved and was being bothersome to a guest, would the fact that the dog rates higher change how you deal with the behavior? Or do you just mean that you love the dog more so he means more to you than most humans. That I can understand.

I like dogs and I am friendly and respectful to them. My kids like dogs and I always talk to the humans about their dogs and ask if we can pet them, and maintain a good distance before that. I just have a serious problem with people who put their dogs on the same level as their children. So maybe I am one of those people who comes across as a dog hater.

[~member~]

I don't remember where, but I remember reading something about ppl who need pets. They are ppl who cannot form healthy attachments to other humans, but because they are alive and need to feel loved, needed, and wanted, they get pets to fulfill those empty parts they cannot get with other human beings.

Not a bad thing, but it does make sense when you meet a person who holds their pet above you, a human friend/family member.

Personally, I won't visit a dog owner unless their dog is well-trained or else locked up. Yes, I was a dog owner and do have love for dogs, but I have witnessed too many attacks from seemingly 'harmless, safe' dogs.

[mama2toomany]

My dogs have this thing... when someone comes in the house they sit right by the door... they don't jump or wig out... just sit there ... and Bear will sit there until u say Hi... So I often tell visiters to say HI Bear... and then he gets up on his old bones and goes and does his own thing in the next room... I see nothing wrong with it... Its his house too and he is just sitting there being nice to ppl...

my general rule is if u don't like the dogs... don't come over

[Katana]

Everyone who knows me, knows I am not a dog person. I adore my cats.

But, as most of my friends and family have dogs, I have made my peace. As long as they are not jumping on me, or don't smell like they just rolled in something horrific, I will pet them, and say hello, for a couple of seconds.

I am fortunate that most of my friends have well trained dogs who know, at least with me, an eager face is much more welcome than crazed jumping and clawing.

[Sailor]

Originally Posted by mama ganoush

not married, i'm guessing?

Guilty. Though, I will be moving in with my boyfriend when my lease runs out (in a few months). And, I have to admit, I'm not sure how Roark (my GSD) will take the transition. He's been the only love of my life for so long now.

[griffin2004]

Originally Posted by oceanbaby

I have two different friends who will interrupt me at this point and say "Um, the dog is trying to say hello to you!" Like they're reprimanding me for not immediately acknowledging the dog when I entered the room.

I'm the biggest dog lover ever born. I feel you are under NO social, moral, legal, or ethical obligation whatsoever to EVER acknowledge the dog if that's your preference. A dog who is jumping on guests isn't a very well managed dog, imho...

[MamaAllNatural]

ITA w/Trish...but then maybe I've always been partial to her, though she might not remember me!

I'm going to do a spin off poll btw...just for fun...if anyone wants to check it out.

[littleaugustbaby]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty

I have the opposite problem, I tend to spend too much time acknowledging the dogs and ignoring the friend. They have to say "Hello! I'm standing here waiting for you to say hi to me!" Well not really, but they might think it.

I always knew you were secretly a dawg person.

[Mamma Mia]

Sometimes it helps dogs behave better and be less excited if they are greeteed right away. My dog used to jump up and I figured out that it was because he wanted to be at the level of excitement. (By figured out I mean I read it in a doggie book once.) So I encouraged my guests to kneel down and say hello, give him a sit/shake type command and give him a treat. It really, really helped. That may be all this is, but I'll admit I haven't read the whole thread. I just wanted to write that before I forgot.