The reason why is that dogs are living creatures like us who have preferences about what they want to do, how close they are comfortable being to other people, who they want to say hello to and who they would rather avoid… and when owners hold out their dog to you to allow you to take it in your arms, that act is lacking in respect for their dog. It’s a living thinking creature, not a teddy bear.
Small dogs often get picked up and carried around and passed from person to person and you find a lot more issues with aggression and snarling and biting among small dogs for that very reason. Caused by their owners doing that to them (it’s their only defense to try and stop the other person grabbing them or even the owner picking them up).
Think of yourself for a minute and imagine being lifted up in the air the distance of 5 times your body length by someone – and then imagine being thrust into the arms of someone who you don’t know extremely well at that height and you’ll get a sense of why it’s not right.
Dogs, no matter the size, should always be asked: “may I pet you”…. If the dog comes to you and stays by you while you are petting it then it has given it’s answer… and if it’s a small one and you want to pick it up then after petting for minute and the dog not trying to pull away you could lift it up a little bit and see what happens….. if it wriggles then it’s asking to be put down and you should respect that.
Many possible reasons, depends on the dog. A possessive dog will defend "his/her" property. A fearful dog may react thinking it's protecting itself. Or, if the dog is injured (or seriously matted) pain may cause a nip or bite.
Also depends on the situation. Are we talking in a business (grooming, day care, boarding) situation? Friends dog that you know? Stranger's dog you just met on the street?
If i'm ever in the position where i have to take a dog directly from an owner, i ask them to hand me the dog butt first. Many times if the owner is the one handing off (as opposed to me reaching in and grabbing), the dog is "okay" with it - and butt first means if the dog is going to bite chances are it will bite the owner and not me because the owner's hands/arms are in that position. Other option is i ask them to put the dog on the floor and walk away so i can either lead the dog away or pick it up if i feel comfortable doing so.
I feel most comfortable with the owner setting the dog down and walking away, obviously. Most owners are willing to do this once i explain my reasoning, especially first time clients. But again, i am a groomer and i'm dealing with dogs i don't know well personally. If i have a friend with a dog that's friendly and knows me, i have no problem taking the dog directly from them. I would NEVER take a strangers dog directly from their arms in a day-to-day situation (IE just met them.)
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The reason why is that dogs are living creatures like us who have preferences about what they want to do, how close they are comfortable being to other people, who they want to say hello to and who they would rather avoid… and when owners hold out their dog to you to allow you to take it in your arms, that act is lacking in respect for their dog. It’s a living thinking creature, not a teddy bear.
Small dogs often get picked up and carried around and passed from person to person and you find a lot more issues with aggression and snarling and biting among small dogs for that very reason. Caused by their owners doing that to them (it’s their only defense to try and stop the other person grabbing them or even the owner picking them up).
Think of yourself for a minute and imagine being lifted up in the air the distance of 5 times your body length by someone – and then imagine being thrust into the arms of someone who you don’t know extremely well at that height and you’ll get a sense of why it’s not right.
Dogs, no matter the size, should always be asked: “may I pet you”…. If the dog comes to you and stays by you while you are petting it then it has given it’s answer… and if it’s a small one and you want to pick it up then after petting for minute and the dog not trying to pull away you could lift it up a little bit and see what happens….. if it wriggles then it’s asking to be put down and you should respect that.
Many possible reasons, depends on the dog. A possessive dog will defend "his/her" property. A fearful dog may react thinking it's protecting itself. Or, if the dog is injured (or seriously matted) pain may cause a nip or bite.
Also depends on the situation. Are we talking in a business (grooming, day care, boarding) situation? Friends dog that you know? Stranger's dog you just met on the street?
If i'm ever in the position where i have to take a dog directly from an owner, i ask them to hand me the dog butt first. Many times if the owner is the one handing off (as opposed to me reaching in and grabbing), the dog is "okay" with it - and butt first means if the dog is going to bite chances are it will bite the owner and not me because the owner's hands/arms are in that position. Other option is i ask them to put the dog on the floor and walk away so i can either lead the dog away or pick it up if i feel comfortable doing so.
I feel most comfortable with the owner setting the dog down and walking away, obviously. Most owners are willing to do this once i explain my reasoning, especially first time clients. But again, i am a groomer and i'm dealing with dogs i don't know well personally. If i have a friend with a dog that's friendly and knows me, i have no problem taking the dog directly from them. I would NEVER take a strangers dog directly from their arms in a day-to-day situation (IE just met them.)
It depends on the situation.
If you know the dog well, know it's temperament, etc. and the owner told you that it's okay, there is no problem with it.
If you don't know the dog, it could become aggressive towards you. That's when approaching ANY unfamiliar dog.
Then it's just a different story if the owner hasn't given you permission.
It's rude, inappropriate, and dangerous.
You should never even reach to pet a dog without first asking the owner and they tell you it is alright.
dog not trained and socialized, will bite
dog scared, will bite
not properly held, will fall
Ridiculous! Don't believe that.
huh?