OVER-friendliness?

It would only bother me if you LET her come up, without asking. Neither of my dogs is particularly friendly, when they're on a leash (Emma is leash aggressive and Teenie is bitch aggressive), so people allowing their obviously friendly dogs approach really bothers me.

She is still a puppy, though, and hasn't learned self control. The puppy sillies don't bother me, at all[]

Let me preface this by saying that I share my home with six german shepherds.  I do rescue and fostering, so I'm truly a dog lover.  BUT, I am seriously annoyed when a strange dog comes barrelling at me and jumps on me.  Size doesn't matter, its rude.
 
Your dog needs some serious training and the best place to start is with a positive reinforcement training class.  She can be a wonderful girl if she's given the proper guidance.
 
 

She will get better as she gets older and you train her more and more!  I love pups but I don't think it would be a good idea to let her just walk up on other dogs because my dog for one does not like other dogs.  On the other hand, my other dog LOVES other dogs and would play all day long!  I wouldn't really care if it was a puppy and my dogs were both nice but I really don't like off leash untrained pups running not because I don't like them or because I think they are ''bad''.  But because I am afraid that my dog might get mad and snap!  I'm really just afraid for them and think they might get hurt!  Your girl is really really CUTE!!!

Sounds just like mine! Of course, no one on this message board is the type that would be highly offended by such behavior, but I try to remember that there are people out there who are afraid of dogs.
 
I try to make sure mine doesn't jump on people. She's small so she wouldn't scare anyone bigger than a toddler, but sometimes her paws get dirty. If she does jump up on someone I apologize just in case, but no one ever seems to mind.
 
If the person is speaking to the dog or showing other signs of friendliness, then don't worry about it. Personally, I'm proud of my super friendly dog. She charms everyone she meets! I'm only embarrassed when she's unfriendly towards someone (usually men in hats).

That's what Riley does to me and it Really is embarrassing.  It's like, he turns into an unruly puppy all of a sudden.  The people seem to encourage him, as well.

ORIGINAL: cairnterriers

The people seem to encourage him, as well.

 
i think this hits the nail right on the head.  your puppy IS cute, and small, and people tend to get all screechy and moon-eyed over small cute puppies.  puppies like when people are happy about them, so they go where they see happiness...
 
personally, i don't get MAD when dogs jump on me, but i don't think it's appropriate behavior, either.  what makes me MAD is when people allow their jumping dogs to continue the behavior uncorrected. 
 
you didn't mention other dogs, so i assume she's only doing this with people, and in that case, it's not all that dangerous.  but if she's approaching strange dogs, i would really, really, really keep a tighter leash.  my dogs aren't normally aggressive, but sometimes leash+small dog+excited=nip.  i don't really think you want rosie, my 65 pound pit, nipping little cocochanel.  i would do everything i could to prevent this, as long as YOU were also doing everything YOU could to prevent it.  get what i'm saying? 
 
YOUR behavior dictates how annoying it is....  since you seem aware, i don't think it's that big of a deal.  she's a pup, and with age and training, she'll get better about it.

Nikki was an overly friendly pup, and now at 12 years she still is.  However she is much better mannered about it.  Half the training involved teaching other people that despite her size NO it's not ok for her to jump on people (she's a shih tzu) and we never let her approach people without invitation...because after all dogs don't discriminate, the adults may not care about a small dog jumping up to kiss them, but a three year old may be terrified! 

However, I have to ask is it that you wish your dog would only be so friendly with you?  I know that sounds strange but some people don't like for their dog to be so people oriented, and perfer a bit more loyality and aloofness with strangers.  I only ask b/c you made mention of wanting to tell people (albit half jokingly) that she bites...so just to me (and please don't take offense) that seems a bit like jealousy.  When we got Nikki we knew straight away that she'd probably happily go home with anyone that gave her a good butt scratch and a stuffie lol, but we desired a very people oriented/friendly dog....some people want them to be ok with strangers but not quite so lovey dovey.

Baby also loves all people, there are no strangers in her life.  I did with help from others teach her not to jump, and finally taught her how to sit and ask nicely for attention, that is working with her, but Rex still can't sit still, and he is now 2 years.  He wags his tail so hard and fast that I think he could crack someone's kneecap!  Winter here in Maine, is not a time to teach better behavior, but as soon as the snow FINALLY leaves we will start going out and about alot more.

I think it's fine, but will the lady talking on her cell phone pushing the stroller with on with the dog, who happens to be dog agressive in the other...just try to avoid this situation.

ORIGINAL: the_gopher

Nikki was an overly friendly pup, and now at 12 years she still is.  However she is much better mannered about it.  Half the training involved teaching other people that despite her size NO it's not ok for her to jump on people (she's a shih tzu) and we never let her approach people without invitation...because after all dogs don't discriminate, the adults may not care about a small dog jumping up to kiss them, but a three year old may be terrified! 

However, I have to ask is it that you wish your dog would only be so friendly with you?  I know that sounds strange but some people don't like for their dog to be so people oriented, and perfer a bit more loyality and aloofness with strangers.  I only ask b/c you made mention of wanting to tell people (albit half jokingly) that she bites...so just to me (and please don't take offense) that seems a bit like jealousy.  When we got Nikki we knew straight away that she'd probably happily go home with anyone that gave her a good butt scratch and a stuffie lol, but we desired a very people oriented/friendly dog....some people want them to be ok with strangers but not quite so lovey dovey.

Interesting point. I was a bit jealous when I first got my dog, but now that we've bonded I know that I'm the one that she really loves. She may flirt with other people, but she's coming home with me! I've had friends say, "I thought she liked me, but it turns out she's like that with everyone." I call her a slut. []

I think it is very important to NEVER let your dog go up to and greet other dogs or other people while you are walking the dog. It will make your life so much easier if you insist from day one that your dog learn to ignore strangers that you may be passing by. If a stranger ASKS you if they can pet your dog, or have their dog meet yours, and if your dog is sitting quietly and is accepting of strangers and strange dogs, then perhaps, if you feel like it, you can give permission for an interaction to occur.

The best way to answer your question is with another question:  Would it be OK if my 100lb dog did that?  If the answer is no, then train, train, train.

The good news is that your dog IS friendly.  Now you need to train your dog to be polite about it.  Many of us have dogs that ARE NOT friendly in specific situations and would love to simply train a "Sit and wait" as a default behavior.

She's small so she wouldn't scare anyone bigger than a toddler,

Not necessarily true! I've encountered several people just in the last couple of weeks who were absolutely terrified of my papillon. (He weighs 8 pounds, after a large meal.) He didn't have to do any more than walk towards them, look at them, and wag his tail and they became extremely uncomfortable.

Even if the rambunctiousness doesn't bother you, you can train a great canine ambassador by going to training classes, looking up training methods, and teaching your dog to be an exemplary citizen. She will calm down a bit as she gets older, but you can help her along the way with puppy classes! (She is quite adorable.)

thanks guys for your suggestions and comments!
 
when it gets warmer, I think I will enroll her in obedience classes.
 
she's actually very well behaved around even little kids, has no desire to be "top dog" or have any aggression problems.  she just is way too friendly that she will follow a stranger home. 
 
she doesnt go up to dogs like that at all.  when she was younger, i took her around my friends' dogs, so she's been around both big and small dogs.  she knows she's a puppy and plays the submissive "I am a puppy, please love me" role.  She lets the other dog come up to her first and sniff her, while she stands perfectly still and submissive.  Then when the other dog decides she is only but a little puppy and no threat, then she acts like a goof ball.  But when she gets too rowdy for the "adults", she's been reprimanded by even a 90lb doberman, and even a 65lb solid muscle bull dog.  It's awesome to see the dynamics of dogs when they're together.... esp. the bull dog with her... the bull dog had a litter before, and was so gentle with coco...even when she walked around coco, you can tell she was being extra extra careful.  but when coco got too much, she didnt hesistate to growl at coco, who would calm down right away.
 
It's just people that she's annoying around.  As soon as she sees a stranger, or anyone for the matter, she puts her ears flat against her head, wags her tail like it has it's own mind, and jumps on them and tries to lick 'em non stop. 
 
i've picked her up, refused to let her come meet a guest in the house right away (by leaving her up stairs...i have an open balcony, and she can go up the stairs, but is too scared to go down it...), told strangers to ignore her, etc.
 
it's embarrassing for me cause she gets wayyyy too friendly....even when guests leaves, she will run to the windows, and cry and whine after a stranger, or if the guests lets her out by accident, she will run to their car and jump in their car....LITERALLY.
 
It's kind of hard to discourage, as these people encourage it.  They think it's so adorable and cute, or they willl pet her, or pick her up, and give her the attention.
 
*sigh*