Who pets your boerboel?

[Marco]

I was wondering how many here allow just anyone to pet their boerboel pup or dog.  When taking your boerboel out on walks do you allow others to approach, and pet?  While in a pet store how do you react to this?  If you do allow please explain why you feel this is good for them.  If not please explain why you do not allow this.  Please share your thoughts, as always discussion like this are very helpful to members here.  I always like to post articles I have read on the matter, and here is one

 

 Who Pets Your Puppy

[Lee May]

I do not allow strangers to pet my dogs or give treats ant the pet store. My dogs are first family and secondly working dogs. They except what and who I allow to touch them but this is a fine line. Socialization is still key it's all how you go about it and what you want from your dog. Being a good citizen should be top on anyones list. Peace 

[Marco]

Thanks for your reply Lee, you are always very helpful to everyone here.

[Lynn Carradine-Hailey]

I allow strangers to pet my dogs but it's always on my terms. I will stop them in their tracks if they get down on the ground or baby talk,etc. I want a social animal but I have my boerboels for working dogs so it's always petting with guidance. I have the same rules for my American Bulldogs and that way I can be out and socialize my dogs without someone ruining the trip or giving my dog a negative experience that I would have to fix later.

[Tokkie Ysel]

Hi Marco,

We usually start taking our pups to a nearby farmer's market after they had their 2nd shots which includes rabies. The market is open to anyone with dogs to come and walk their dogs. There are lots of food stalls as well. We started about 7 years ago with Mafuta and Lakha, a brother and sister. They almost grew up at the farmers market. Because it is a Boerboel people to tend to ask if they can pat your dog, but yes, I do allow anyone to pat them under my supervision. When children don't know how to pat, we show them how to. Treats we prefer to give ourselves. If people want to give them a treat, they can give it to us and then we will give it to the puppy/puppies. We are currently taking our young ones to the market again. What we have found doing this is that because it is neutral territory, the dogs enjoy the socialization and because it is a fun ride they can't wait till it is Saturday. What we did however learn is to be on the lookout for insensitive dog owners who do not have proper control over their adult dogs and just walk into the face of the pups (because it is a Boerboel their dogs must be dominant) and because their dog shows dominance, the Boerboel won't back down. We won't allow our pups to become engaged in this type of interaction and pull our pups back, closer to us. In 2007 we took Mafuta to the World of Dogs and Cats when it was here in Durban. We had a stall there. He was almost 80%  blind and because of his socialisation as a pup, he never showed any aggression when people patted him, and believe me everyone wanted to pat Mafuta. When Mafuta was back at him, in his territory, he became the "watchdog" again. I don't see any harm in anyone patting the dog as long as you as the owner is aware it is happening and it is under your supervision.

[Jennifer]

Tokkie I can relate comepletely.  We have an arts/farmers market here that we have been taking Shango too since he was 11 weeks.  Socialization is key especially for a younger couple such as my husband and I who currently do not have any children but plan to do so in the near future.  It is places like these that allow Shango to experience children under our supervision as well as all the hussle and bussel of activitiy that he would not expereince at home.  I have watched him many times observing and absorbing the activity of running children, strollers, peple passing by, ect. and not once have I noticed him to seem unconfortable (especially since he has another 4 legged companion walking with him showing him how to act.)

 

As for patting as mentioned in the posts above only upon my approval.  Typically I do not let my dogs sniff other dogs, due to the fact that at least here it seems that there are more owners with little control of there dogs than there are ones with.  But it is nice knowing that Shango is still getting the socialization he needs without going nose to nose!  

 

It has always been my philosophy the greatest guard dog is a well socialized one because they have been exposed to the good so that they will be able to pick out the bad!

[Marco]

Thanks for everyones responses. Its good for people to think about things like this which may be overlooked. My opinion has always been that it depends on what role your dog will play. If your dog will be all family dog, or all working. Also with large dominant breeds more percausion should always be taken. Some of the strangest things can happen where a dog can respond for reason we are not aware of at the moment. Its a risk you may not want to take by allowing strangers to pet your dog. Next thing you know your have a lawsuit on your hands, and having to put your dog down from something that could have been avoided. People must always ask to pet Kenzo, then I will make the decision based on several things.

[Phil Harris]

I have spent a lot of time socializing my dog. She is a natural guardian of the house and vehicle, but is very friendly when folks are invited in. If someone wants to pat the dog, I ask them to wait until she is calmly sitting, no high pitched squeeling, and no rough housing. She loves attention and will sit quietly while being patted. If she gets excited and stands up I end the social and make her calmly sit, then she can get pats again. I have found this to be a valuable training exercise, and also I am able to be a breed ambassador with my Boerboel and American Bulldog. I have always found that with the proper training I can have a good guard dog who is also able to behave well in social situations. I think Boerboels are a natural protection dog, but part of their psyche is to accept new people who are invited in by the owner.

[Tokkie Ysel]

Marco, I read your comment. From the experiences we had at the farmer's market, it is not really the patting that poses a problem, but people with dogs such as Staffies, Pitt Bulls who want to see if and how your dog would react to their dog. However, to agree with your point on who to pat your dog, one thing I also learnt is to read my own dog's body language at such a social interaction place, and never to let anyone pat my dog and my attention is somewhere else and this is very important to do. Your dog will tell you when he/she doesn't like a specific person touching them. They seems to know instinctively, and their body language change. If you know your dog, you will know immediately. I just pat the dog re-assuringly and turn the head away in my direction, without really offending the person who was touching my dog. 

 

I am not sure whether I am correct in my statement here, but for me it seems that Boerboels who have been socialized at places such as farmer's markets have more confidence and do make out better watchdogs when they are back at their own places.

[Savas Pilarinos]

Well, until a month ago I let everyone pet my BB, though even a lot of ppl said : What a beautiful dog, only 1 from 10 came close. And I think I've done a good job in socialization. Though Last month his character is changing a bit more, he is 10 months old now. He is not that suspicious of ppl. But if the other is afraid of him he will keep an eye on him. When I let someone pet him always I say don't pull his lips and stuff that might be unpleasant to him. Actually sometimes i forget. 

Once a guy try to pet him, but he was petting on his head so fast like he thought it was a Golden retriever or so, and he pulled his lips and Ermis bit him a little in a don't bother me kind of way... I guess it was more my fault than the other guys..

 

I wish I could let more ppl pet him. Though not easy to approach him.. And sometimes i worry too what will happen, cause he is not small.. A bite from him can do damage... 

Anyway I guess this thing is different in each dog. For example I've seen mine get in guard protect mode. So I'm not worried to spoil him or make him too friendly.  And I know I've done a good job since even if my other dogs bark to other people that pass by the house Ermis is just watching and I know he wouldn't allow anyone that he doesn't know to enter. Or when walking he doesn't care for ppl, I mean he sees them but pays no attention, so I know he is not afraid of them, or aggressive. Though one thing worries me, when like 5 kids came around him he backed up like in fear. not lowering the tail. but this worries me that it might become as his getting older a defensive backing up while preparing to attack if needed... I should have taken him in bigger crowds and meet more kids too.. Other than that he is very stable, very friendly if the other is friendly.. And I'm glad.. 

WIth kids i'm always careful when they pet him. I tell them not to rush, put their hand in front of him so he can smell/get to know them better, and while talking to him in a friendly manner pet slowly.. And always have my arm ready holding the leash with the chocker and my other arm below his neck so if he tries to bite, i'll push his head away..

 

Sorry for proly getting out of the subject some times........

[Aescleah]

as a pup i let alot of people pet zeph but as she got older it bothered her more and its more a stresser for her then something fun and people get all all loud and wierd we just look at each other and go ewww niether one of needs that so my goals are for her to  ignore people and anyone who comes near us is a training  opportunity we spent alot of time socializing when she was little and thats good enough for me though there are those few people actully only one so far she thinks are very special and she will want attention from that person i let her get get away with that but thats about it 

 

Ashley

[Lisa Tiro]

I have read that with guarding breeds you should not allow random people to pet your dog or treat them. Also when walking them in public to keep their attention on you by treating them when people are approaching. That way they are not afraid when there is a lot of people around, they look at you for a treat or a toy. I am trying to do this with Axel.

Also Savas, it sounds like you are projecting fear on your dog through the tightening up of the leash. That may be why he bit or may be why you are afraid now. If he is only 10 months old I would do something about this behavior before something else happens. My Bella was an angel until she reached 11 months old. Then she started randomly attacking other dogs and eventually people. I didn't feel comfortable taking her on walks anymore because as you said, a bb can do great damage. I bring my new pup now to playgrounds with schreeching children of all ages running about and I stand with him on the other side of the chain link fence. This way he is getting used to all the noises associated with kids but both are safe. If someone approaches on the other side of the fence and puts their fingers through it's just enough for him to sniff.

Good luck!

[Teresa Brewer]

It is up to Ovita who gets to pet her. If she is happy and moves forward to greet the person, and if she knows them like the girls at her vet's office, she will smile at them. If she moves away or gives the BB rumble sound, then I tell them to back away from my dog, she won't bite them but, I will. I know and trust her judgement about people. As for children, she is always up for a pet from them, she loves children and is very gentle with them, but I only let this interaction occur with my supervision. If the parents are not supervising the child, or seem worried, I will not allow the interaction. If the child is excited, I discourage it by saying we don't have time.