Is it rude or weird to ask to pet random dogs? (Lincoln: landlord, live in)

[squirrels]

Whenever I see a dog tied up outside I stop to pet him or her and sometimes keep them company til their people come back, and nearly every time I see someone walking a dog I ask if I can pet them. If you live in Lincoln Park and regularly walk your dog in the Clark/Belden area, chances are I've petted your dog at least once :3

I've never had anyone say no and they're usually pretty chatty about it, but I wondered if people might think it's weird or impolite.

Sue me, I love big cuddly doggies.

[stan4]

No...I think it is nice.

[SubconsciousMe]

I do too and I'm guilty of this myself :-) I really want a dog but our landlord won't allow it, so I enjoy other people's dogs. I don't approach without permission, if headphones are in, or I just get a "leave me to #### alone" vibe from the owner though. So I try my best to be polite about it

I think it's nice. At my old complex, I even had treats for other people's dogs...

[andrew61]

I think it would be more impolite to pet someone's dog without asking.

I never pet strange dogs that are tied up outside businesses while the owner is inside, but sometimes I do make eye contact, wave my fingers a little, and say "Hello, Puppy."

[glass_of_merlot]

I would never walk up to a dog and start petting it without asking. You don't know the dog or the owner. What if the dog you walk up to bites you? That's just stupid.

[orange3324]

IMO, it works like this:

1. If you approach the dog, you should ask to pet it
2. If the dog approaches you, go ahead and pet it

I have a female Samoyed so I am approached all the time. My dog also approaches nearly everyone who passes as well. I generally live by the rules above. Or I will say "Quinn, say hello to him/her" which gives the person the green light

[marothisu]

Whenever I'm with a friend with a dog on the street, random people pet it. I don't think it's rude or weird. I think it's pretty normal.

[gomexico]

I don't pet dogs which are tied-up. To me that's a no-no. When I encounter a dog I think I like that's being walked and when the dog shows an interest in me, I ask the owner if I can pet the dog. Mostly the owners say yes, but there are times they say no. I approach the subject as I approach dealing with someone's child. Cautiously, until permission is given. (No petting of children, though!).

[NARFALICIOUS]

I walked up to a cute girl and her dog, I tried to pet her. She got mad; I don't know why

[UrbanCheetah]

Originally Posted by NARFALICIOUS

I walked up to a cute girl and her dog, I tried to pet her. She got mad; I don't know why

Haha