Rate your dog in friendliness with strangers

[mvd]

Poll question: Rate your dog in friendliness with strangers

1 is the least friendly, and 10 is the most friendly. I rate my dog Reba a 10: she never bites, likes all kinds of strangers (even infants and mailpeople), and will lick them. She just wouldn't think of a stranger much differently than her owners.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Our dog Jessie,"Hey, let me show you where they keep the cool stuff, if

you'll give me some FOOD!" Honestly, you sit there on the couch and she's right there,putting her head on your knee, looking soulfully deep into your eyes.

[beanball]

7. My

dog must be related to your dog.

[Richardo]

29. I was forced to fire one of our dogs because he got into the burglar's car

....as reported by our neighbor across the street.

We kept him around (on a generous pension), but we no longer entrusted our household goods to his care in our absence. :D

[Crewleader]

2. I voted the one on my Min Pin..Scooby _Doo

he's such a watch dog thinks he's that big doberman but once he gets to know ya but at first he would protect me and go for you with all his teeth!

Now Max my german shepherd would wash your face...and lean on you for pets! :-)

Sam is too old and sleeps all the time, poor guy!

Good to see you friend! :hi:

[mvd]

8. Hi, Crew!

Great to hear from you! Hope you are doing well. Not much new to report with me - wish there was. :hi:

My dog Reba is part German shepherd (we think so at least - she's a pound dog) - and she's the same way! Barks at the door at least - that's nice to know.

[Gloria]

9. LOL--My min pin does the same thing (voted a 1 for him)--

he wandered for 8 months until I finally lured him with food over the span of two weeks...turned out to be about a year old. Vet had doubts, but has turned into a wonderful guy--sweet, is with me all the time,....but if he doesn't know you--watch out! Hates kids on bikes, too!

Tico, an adoptee, a little chi, nips at the pants legs...and growls a lot to let you know if he doesn't want to do something....yet, is always on this back asking for belly rubs.

Toro, the oldest and from a good home, got him at the proper age---barks a lot, but is friendly and not one to bite or nip.

What a crew!!!!

[Piperay]

23. Hey Crew!

GREAT to see you my friend! :hug: :hi:

My dog is so friendly all he will do is lick anyone to death. :-)

[Catch22Dem]

3. Black Lab Female

I'm not sure she even knows HOW to bite. She's the most loveable dog I've ever known.

[janx]

4. This is for BOTH of them. One is pictured in my sig.

I've *never* even seen him growl at a human. He growled once at another dog who came after him, but that dog ran away.

He is a weimaraner named Huck. Note he wears a Dean button in the pic.

But if you come for an overnight visit, watch out--he'll jump in your bed if he's in the room. And he'll snuggle up to you with full body contact.

Our other dog, Finn, is a golden, and she never gets mad either. She's more polite and only jumps up on the bed when invited.

There are certain words it is best not to say in front of these dogs--SQUIRREL, or even anything that sounds like SQUIRREL, being one of them.

[tridim]

10. Ahh the 'S' word..

My dog is young and just discovered squirrels this past summer. She'll sit at the back door for hours watching the neighborhood squirrels dig up nuts. When I let her out they run up the tree and taunt my dog, then sneak down and run up another tree. It's really funny to watch, and I think both of them enjoy it. So yes, the 'S' word is one she's definately stored in her puppy brain.

[janx]

11. Pretty soon you won't even be able to say words that

SOUND like that word!

We have bird feeders. One was outside the kitchen window for awhile, but an SQ would inevitably come and Huck would go crazy.

Once he jumped up onto the kitchen counter (weimies can jump very high)--I thought he'd go through the window to get at that SQ!

So I had to move the feeder.


You bet that word is embedded in her little pup brain...or if it isn't yet, it will be! (Like BONE, and WALK, and OUT, and RIDE, and FOOD, and...)

[tridim]

13. "Foo foo"

prompts her to rush to her bowl, spin around in circles like a bucking bronco, sit authoratively and present an enthusiastic "high five" paw wave type thing. "Bye bye car" drives her nuts. She's at the door in miliseconds. Of course she'll do anything for "milk bone" or "ice cream", or "pretzel", or "berry", or "treat", or "ice", or "cheese", or "ham", or even "tomato". She knows her food! I love watching puppies learn.

[mvd]

12. Yes, if you have multiple dogs, take an average

n/t

[Punkingal]

5. Traveler is a golden retriever......

and he has never met any living creature he is not ready to love.

[tridim]

6. I have to give her a 10

My dog is all about love. She loves every human and every other dog. Only problem is, when she tries to kiss people she gives serious, wet tounge. That's about as friendly as it gets. :P

[Shanty Oilish]

14. Our 2 Kuvaszok have better sense than I

They are leery of strangers. If they could talk: "Oh well. All right. But you really shouldn't let them in."
Sometimes I think they should have been seeing-eye dogs. When I take a walk they are likely to step suddenly between me and any rock, hole or tree as if I can't see it perfectly well. All in all they treat me like a hopeless incompetent. Just as well they can't talk, then. :)

[mvd]

15. Interesting story

I'm always interested in good stories about dogs.

[leftofthedial]

16. Rusty barks, snarls and looks real scary

and then licks your hand and tries to get you to pet her.

[disgruntella]

17. I don't have a dog, but

If this were a "Rate Yourself In Friendliness With Strange Dogs" - I would probably get a 2. I don't think I have ever fully gotten over my childhood fear of dogs. Even when they're friendly. It's almost embarrassing to me at this point, but it's such a gut reaction I don't see it changing any time soon.

So if I ever meet any of your dogs and I clench up, here is my message to the dogs: "It's not you. It's me." :)

[Rhiannon12866]

19. How scary is my dog to you, disgruntella? Just a test...

[disgruntella]

20. lol

If it ran up to me and started barking, you might be surprised! ;)

I hope it's clear I didn't mean to be bashing dogs or dog owners. Like I said - this fear of mine is beyond logic. And embarrassing!

[Rhiannon12866]

34. I promise he wouldn't run up to you and start barking!

He would hide behind me if you even looked in his direction! It's too bad that you can't meet him as it might help you with your fear. He is eight pounds, has few teeth and I promise he would be more afraid of you than you would be of him...
:scared:

[roguevalley]

36. lordy. that dog rocks the casbah

my five dachshunds sound worse than they are. They live to lick. Toes especially. :)

What is it with sheep dogs and dobies going for your crotch with their noses? I love that about them. :)

[Rhiannon12866]

42. I hope that was a compliment, roguevalley !

Dachshunds, huh?! They are extremely cute! My cousin has a little long-haired sweetheart named Alexandra. Pix?:D

My little guy is quite timid with people, but tends to go off on other dogs. He doesn't realize he's only eight pounds. The other day at the vet's he went after the biggest German Shepherd I have ever seen! Scared the hell out of me!
:scared:

[Rhiannon12866]

18. What should I do if I have more than one dog?

They are definitely not the same as to friendliness and I can vote only once.:shrug:

[mvd]

28. Just take an average

If your dogs are a 10, 4, and 7, you could vote a 7.

[Rhiannon12866]

35. How about a 10 and a 2? LOL!

The little one is only friendly if his sister is friendly first.:shrug:

[Richardo]

33. Count your lucky stars...!

"What should I do if I have more than one dog?"

That's my point of view, anyway.

I must say, all six of ours fall into the 8-10 zone. Good "parenting" I guess!

[Rhiannon12866]

41. I agree. I loved having two. They loved it too.

Actually I recently lost my #10 friendly cocker spaniel, my sweet Sheena. I am having a lot of trouble accepting it. I tried everything and she was such a brave girl. My little guy misses her terribly. He would go up to people if she did it first. He looked to her for everything. His friendliness level got up to a four or five if she was around. Now it's probably at a one. He is quite timid and often scared.;(

I agree that good parenting is essential. My guys have all been good dogs, but all have been rescue, so hard to know what previous experiences have shaped their temperaments. Of the six dogs I have had in my lifetime, this little guy is the only one I would say was not friendly. I have had him less than a year and he's just very scared, especially without Sheena.
:scared:

[DemExpat]

21. I gave my Jack Russell a 4......but could have been 5 or 6....

He is FINE with strangers, even coming into the house, as long as they don't try to pet him....

On that issue I give him a 1.

He is so cute, little, white - people want to pet him before asking his permisssion.....


DemEx

If I get another dog (Mikey is 14 now) it will have to be one that loves children - for in case I get some grandbabies!

[ComerPerro]

22. I have a Scottie

And he is rather old. Senility is setting in...

He has always been weird around people. He usually likes them, I would give him an eight. But every now and then if he doesn't want to be bothered, he will let you know.

[Rhiannon12866]

24. I love Scotties

I don't suppose that you have a photo? My dog, whom I loved and lost at 18 1/2, was a Cairn Terrier. I love the spirit of terriers and would love to see your little guy.:-)

[theHandpuppet]

25. My Scottie....

... is very friendly but is also a great watchdog. She waits for a cue from me, and if it's apparent that the stranger is no threat to me, then she's all kisses and tummy rubs. If, however, she perceives a threat to me she is fearless. Like most Scotties, she is owner-focused and how she reacts to strangers depends on how her human reacts to them.

[Richardo]

32. Barney should be Cujo, then...

Like most Scotties, she is owner-focused and how she reacts to strangers depends on how her human reacts to them



I SO want to adopt that dog and get him away from that putz. I MEAN, MY GLORIOUS PRESIDENT, Mr. Ashcroft, sir!

[Rhiannon12866]

38. That poor little dog! I love terriers and have had two in my life

I'd like to adopt him, as well!:cry:

[Hubert Flottz]

26. If they're carrying Watch Tower propaganda their shit is weak!

My dawg hates JWs, preachers, salesmen, meter readers, mail men and Repubs of any kind! He loves kids!

[LWolf]

27. I gave my dog a 6.

She's territorial. When people approach, she barks. And runs to sit at my feet, between me and the possible intruder. She's 5 months old now. When she was younger, she barked from between or behind my legs.

She really wants to be your friend. If you will crouch down low and say something nice, she'll come out wiggling and make friends with you. If not, she'll continue to bark and to stay in front of me so that you cannot approach.

She hasn't a mean bone in her body; she takes direction from the cats and hens; but she is territorial.

She's an australian shepherd.

[FlaGranny]

30. I would have given my 7-year-old puppy

a 10 except that in the 7 years I've had her, she has disliked two different people. I have no idea why. Also, she will growl at a 2-year-old who's pulling her tail or ears or poking her in the eye. She has NEVER bitten or threatened to bite. She can be quite intimidating to strangers because she does bark loudly. "Dog people" aren't fooled by her barking though, because she's wiggling her behind in the pet me dance while she's barking. She's also trained to bark furiously on command. If I want to scare someone away, I open the door a crack and give her the bark command.

[Bake]

31. My lhasas are the Defenders of the Estate

They will go absolutely NUTS if anybody comes in the house, or if they see someone on the sidewalk. The Muffin (mother of the two puppies we kept) is ferocious -- the neighborhood kids all know to steer clear of her. One of the kids, Adam, told a new kid "Hey, pet Muffin on the nose. She LIKES that." I rescued him just in time. This came after Muff had tried to bite Adam in the crotch -- fortunately, he was wearing his baggy pants down past his butt like the kids do, and all she managed to grab was cloth.

Bebe, on the other hand (Springer spaniel), is friendly but she's just so BIG. She's more apt to knock you down and lick you to death. When I come in, she starts at the end of the hall, gets to full speed in about two steps, leaps from 10 feet away, and hits me before she lands, usually about crotch level. She's just a big ol' lump of love!

Bake

[roguevalley]

37. there isn't a dog made that I don't love. Being afraid of dogs

is more common than you think and usually was a childhood trauma. Don't be embarrassed, honey.

My sister raised dobermans and now has a shar pei/dogge de bordeaux
(probably called a freedom weiner now) which is a french mastiff. Her late dobie, Pagan, was an awesomely big and frighteningly beautiful dog -black and tan- who liked to eye stalk you, if you know what I mean. He would look at you and get still, then stalk you. When he caught you, he would leap up and kiss you.

One day a Jehovah's Witness couple came and wouldn't leave. They actually followed my mom around the house and until they saw Pagan coming out to see what was what. <Did I mention we babysit family member's dogs? Sigh ... :)

The doberman eyeballed them, lowered his head and began to move on them. They probably needed depends when they stopped running. :)

Did I tell you I adore dobbies?

[gyopsy]

39. Snappy gets a 10

He doesn't really bite. His name isn't in context. :)

Schnauzers are a terrific breed and he's never given us any trouble with neighbors or mailmen but they do have a tendency to bark but that's only because they're excited. If you pet him, he'll be quiet and wag his tail.

[populistmom]

40. Is there a 1/2 or 0?

My dog is very protective of us and very unfriendly. She's a cute, fluffy white American Eskimo who needs massive doses of Paxil! I keep her away from visitors because she tries to bite them, never us, just anyone who comes over.