DO you let strangers/kids pet your dogs when your out on a walk?

[bendyfoot]

I do let strangers say "hello", but I never feel obligated to allow them if I'm not comfortable, and I educate them on proper greeting if they need it...for example last week a neighbour came by the house with 4 young children, who immediately started reaching out for the top of the dog's heads...now this is perfectly safe with ours, but it makes Jaida a little nervous. So I showed them all how to calmly hold their hands low with the palm up and let the dog sniff, then move up to the head for pats once the dog is finished sniffing. They picked it up immediately and changed their approach. Sometimes it's easier talking to kids than their parents (this mom was totally not annoying, she just didnt' know).