Good Questions: Kinder Beware of Dog Signs?

6-12-good question.jpg Hi there,

I just got a new puppy and eventually must put up BEWARE OF DOG signs. I absolutely think BEWARE OF DOG is harsh and offensive...and can be said in a nicer tone. Does anyone know of a sign I can buy or a message I can make to warn others but not sound so authoritarian?

Thanks,

Joanna

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Joanna,

Our suggestion would be to get a French enamel sign like the one shown above. This one is from The French Number Co., but we've also seen white ones with plain black graphics like the ones shown here.

We thought that George sold them, but they don't. Does anyone know a store that does? Or have other suggestions?

Comments (17)

I think you've just given George a great idea!! :)

I've seen a "Warning, protected by [insert dog breed here] Security System" doormat - not quite as classy as the French of course.

I might have to pick up that "Hamster Vorace" sign.

I'm curious - why do you have to put up a "Beware of Dog" sign? Is it a rule in your building?

Maybe I have a less-refined visitors, door-to-door sales people and service personnel, but isn't Francais a bit presumptuous?

How about something like this:
http://www.remmeer.com/affectionate-dog-warning-sign-p-857.html

I remember someone in my family had a handmade sign (I believe it was carved into wood) that said "Be wary of the dog." I liked it. Got the point across, hinted to etymology (always a plus), not too bossy.

that's funny - my cat's (roxy) nickname is meatwad - i should put up a sign saying "vegetarians beware - protected by a meatwad" ;-)

Wow, I pity the poor person who doesn't know French.

We were given a sign that reads (pretentiously, I know, I know):

Chien Bizarre

Even non-French speakers love it. Particularly when they meet our incredibly friendly Yorkie.

Great question! And one I've been pondering myself. As the caretaker of two large American Staffordshire Terriers, I need a sign.

But not for the seemingly obvious reasons.

One dog is so mellow and laid back that she generally can't be bothered with, you know, people. The other dog is an excited tinkler. Does anyone make a sign for that??

(But seriously, I need a sign for the back fence just to give nefarious folks a heads-up.)

What about one of those signs you put in your window to let firefighters know that there's a dog inside? That lets people know about the dog, but indirectly, so it doesn't sound bossy/ominous.

I think the French sign would not make any sense to those who do not speak French. Since the purpose of having the sign is actually to warn people about a dog rather than have a cute-looking sign, I'm not sure this solves the original problem.

Hello,

Just wanted to say that The French Number Co will make any size or colour sign and in any language. If you can decide exactly what it is you would like your sign to say - e-mail mailorder@thefrenchnumber.com and we will do a layout for you, so you can see what it would look like.

Hope we can be of help to you.

How about "Dog on the premises"?

Lets pople know of the dog's existence, but doesn't include any scaremongering or unduly worrisome wording...

Go to www.KnobNots.com. They have breed specific door signs that are a friendly and humorous beware of dog sign. They also have breeds I've never seen anywhere else. The signs look like hangers and they say they won't scratch the door and are portable. At $3.50 a sign, it's an inexpensive way to get the message across.

Susi