My dog is a 'Meeter and Greeter'

oldgoat (I don't like calling you that!) please post a puppy photo. You will please us all! Which breed are you getting? You sound like perfect dog owners. Waiting until you had the time to give to new pup. Wish everyone was like you. Wait to fall hopelessly in love!

He was actually crispy! Yuk!

breeze what you describe is exactly what we do of if we can divert our path before we get close we do, it doesn't seem to make any difference and for some reason our walks seem to coincide even though we vary the times. Maybe the dog does it to lots of people but my OH seems to think the poor dog has it in for him.

Yesterday we went out and as we reached the park the heavens opened so we ran to shelter under a tree (no lightening thank goodness) and a gentleman with a dog joined us much to OH's dismay but the dog sat down by his owner although it was obvious he wanted to say hello and OH eventually relaxed and the dog approached calmly for a stroke, it was so nice for a change.

Well you're doing the right things (no staring, moving body slightly away), so I guess it could be that the Husky isn't getting what it needs (lots of running) and is frustrated and over excited. Probably not getting the stimulation it needs from it's owner. They are beautiful dogs but people often forget, when choosing a breed, what a breed may have been designed for. There are so many unfortunates in rehoming centres, or being put to sleep, because unlike oldgoat, they don't research the breed before they purchase (then purchase from responsible breeder). I guess you can only try to avoid and at least it is on a lead. Most dogs, if you ignore them, will ignore you. I sympathise with your OH. I really do.

Must remember to only ever book holiday cottages that stipulate 'no dogs'.

I would advise against a border collie, even though they're great fun and very clever. But their main instinct seems to be to protect their owner and family. Another one we had was worse, he wanted to attack people we met. I think he had been illtreated as a puppy.

You can still take dogs into schools, homes etc. They do need to be registered and healthy etc etc. The term is a P.A.T dog, pets as therapy. There is also a scheme to help reluctant readers to read to dogs!

Collies are fabulous, in the right hands. They are highly intelligent but difficult if they don't get lots of mental stimulation and exercise. In the right hands! Wow! There are dogs that are far more 'protective' than collies (don't get them mixed up with sheep protecting dogs and sheep herding dogs). Collies are trained to work with sheep, so herding, so they can be snappy around ankles as it's their instinct. They are not bad dogs. Just like a lot of other breeds, misunderstood if you don't understand what they're bred for and know what you're doing. Jings, look up www.tripadvisor. gingerbreadcottage. witch.com. Think you'll find something suitable.

breeze. We are hoping to get a schnoodle
puppy whose mother is a miniature poodle and the dad is a schnauzer. We are going to look at the puppies in a couple of week's time but the owner says she won't let us have one if she doesn’t like the look of us!
My GN nickname by the way is the name my son affectionately calls me. Nice.

Better old goat than what my son sometimes calls me - 'old tart*. It's supposedly affectionate.