What to do when someone asks to pet your black terrier.

Astra Fidelis RAFAELA - author Krzysztof Kwiatkowski

It's a simple question: "May I pet your dog?" But for many black Russian terriers owners, it's not so simple to answer. On the one hand, you don't want to be rude or unapproachable and say no. On the other hand, you don't want to put your dog in a situation where he or she might feel uncomfortable or even threatened. So what's a dog owner to do? The problem with "May I pet your dog?" is that it puts the owner in a difficult position.

 

Petting by strangers - a very good way to socialise a black terrier.

If we are at the stage of socialising your puppy or junior black Russian terrier, frequent stroking by strangers is one of the most important methods of socialisation towards people. Frequent walks in areas with lots of strangers are a great place to effortlessly find lots of strangers willing to stroke your black terrier. Usually, the black Russian terrier, by its unusual and impressive appearance, is much more willing to be stroked by strangers than other breeds. But you must be absolutely sure of your black terrier's reaction before allowing strangers to stroke your dog. This is very important, as dog aggression towards people is always an unpleasant event that can have certain legal consequences and, in some countries, can even lead to the euthanasia of the dog. Of course, you must also have a valid rabies vaccination before allowing someone to pet your black terrier, as the fact that you have a rabies vaccination is one of the first things checked if a human bite were to occur. 

 

Important: If you're not sure how your Black Russian Terrier will react to being petted by a stranger, it's best to say no.

 

What to do when someone asks if he or she can pet our black Russian terrier?

If you find yourself in a situation where someone has asked to pet your dog, there are a few things you can do: 

  1. Assess the situation. Is your dog comfortable around strangers? Does he or she seem tense or nervous? If so, it's probably best to say no.
  2. Explain that your dog is not used to being petted by strangers. This will help the person understand why you're saying no.
  3. Offer to let the person pet your dog if they're willing to wait a few minutes while you get your dog comfortable with them. This shows that you're still interested in being friendly, but that you're also considerate of your dog's needs.
  4. Thank the person for asking and let them know that you appreciate their consideration.
  5. If all else fails, simply say no and be firm about it. Remember, you don't owe anyone an explanation. Your dog's comfort and safety should always come first.

 

If you have a black Russian terrier, it is best to be cautious and if you are unsure of your dog's reaction it is better to refuse if someone asks to pet your dog. Black terriers can be aggressive to strangers in extreme cases if they feel threatened, so it is not worth taking the risk.

Conclusion

It's important to be mindful of your Black Russian Terrier's needs when someone asks to pet them. While it may be tempting to say yes, it's often best to err on the side of caution and say no. This will help ensure your Black Russian Terrier's safety and comfort. If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to say no, there are a few things you can do: explain that your dog is not used to being petted by strangers, offer to let the person pet your dog if they're willing to wait a few minutes while you get your dog comfortable with them, thank the person for asking and let them know that you appreciate their consideration, or simply say no and be firm about it. Remember, your dog's safety and comfort should always come first.