Article by Nicole Skeehan of Philly Unleashed: https://spotonfence.com/blogs/training-tips/dogs-who-cant-play-with-other-dogs.
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Excerpt:
It’s tempting to be embarrassed about that, too. My dog isn’t a "cool dog". He’s a dog with a distinct personality and likes and dislikes. He’s growled at people for picking him up. Also embarrassing. But he’s never growled at me for picking him up, and we have a special cue for it when I do. Everyone else has done it without his permission, and he let them know.
It can feel particularly embarrassing when:
* Your dog is particular about other dogs or doesn’t like other dogs or
* Your dog doesn’t like all people or most people or
* Your dog has triggers that have to be managed.
I get all of that. I’ve experienced it with not only Jeeves, but with other dogs I’ve lived with. He’s the one that taught me that I need to advocate for him. If I had told the people not to pick him up, he wouldn’t have had to use his voice to do it. He doesn’t have to be okay with just anyone grabbing him.