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In reply to the discussion: Does Everyone Else Ask Permission to Pet a Stranger's Dog? [View all]RockRaven
(14,783 posts)As a rule, however, I think one should always ask. Some dogs are very anxious/nervous, some are very protective/defensive, and just because these dogs do not do well in encountering new humans does not mean that their owners do not take them out in public.
Just put yourself in the dog owners position. Imagine you have one such dog yourself. Imagine the stress and worry every time someone tries to pet your dog -- that the dog will be distressed, that they will react poorly, that they will injure the petter, that they will be harmed in turn, that you will yourself be embarrassed, that you will encounter legal liability, etc, etc.
There are many, many worse ways to be impolite than being enthusiastic about meeting a new dog. It is certainly not the worst faux pas, or even universally a faux pas at all. But it is more considerate of the doggo's personality to acknowledge they might not want the attention, and also the human will probably appreciate being recognized too.