"I have a German Shepherd and I'm sorry"

 I just grin, wave, and yell out thanks for moving out of the way!

Awww!  Kenya sounds like a real sweetheart.  I wish we lived closer, I think Kenya and Misty would have fun together.  They sound very similar in their personalities.  But I did notice you mentioned about the Tzus flipping around in the yard at Kenya and what if your dog was aggressive, this is probably why the people walked across the street, just to play it safe.  I've seen so many people on our walks that have a larger dog, (Misty's still a pup, so bigger than her) and when we pass on opposite sides of the street, they're barely able to control their dogs.  So, the passerbys on your walk, may have been fearful, that if they walked down the same sidewalk as you, you might not have been able to control Kenya, 'cause let's face it, she's a nice size dog, and it would be scary if she would lunge.  I also live near a park and when I used to go for walks there w/ my kids and people were walking their dogs I would ask if their dog was friendly, and they'd tell ya, Yes or No.  Usually if it was "no" they would move out of the way.  I'm used to GS, my sister had one for (oh, geez, I can't remember exactly) more than 10 yrs. (until she passed, the dog that is) and have friends who have a very alfa female GS, so they don't bother me.  I've had people cross the street with their little dogs too, only to find out, it's not because of my dog, it's their dog that don't like other dogs.  LOL  But Kenya is beautiful, and it's usually the other people, not you or Kenya. 

At least it was an interesting walk!  LOL

BEVOLASVEGAS

I understand completely.  Up until this week, I've been living in a small apartment with two dobes, so long walks/runs were a must.  The sidewalks would clear, & people acted as if the dogs would attack if they got closer than 15 feet from us.  Strange? yes, but unfortunately, it's a fact of life.

I was walking Kenya on the campus once and this gorgeous blue dobe approached.  The lady stopped and started telling me "oh it's ok, he's nice..."  I smiled and said "oh I think he's beautiful, and I know what you mean, we get attitude ALL the time!"
 

honestly, I'd prefer them to stay far away. Better than the people who run up and manhandle your dog without asking first.

I also wanted to add that to me, there seems to be 2 types of people regarding GSDs. Half of the people i meet are afraid, and tell me that Kaiser will eventually turn on me, and the other half say that they are amazing dogs and don't just think of the guard dog/police dog aspect. I tihnk a lot of people forget about seeing eye dogs, search and rescue, therapy dogs, etc...

RidgebackGermansShep

I also wanted to add that to me, there seems to be 2 types of people regarding GSDs. Half of the people i meet are afraid, and tell me that Kaiser will eventually turn on me, and the other half say that they are amazing dogs and don't just think of the guard dog/police dog aspect. I tihnk a lot of people forget about seeing eye dogs, search and rescue, therapy dogs, etc...

I agree, although I'd add a third camp: the "that CANT be a purebred GSD b/c it's too small/short/not black and tan!!!" people. 

I've had much better luck going to pet stores.  Last weekend we went to the pet store and Kenya made a dog friend all by herself (this guy had a fat boxer mix and we just sort of let them approach each other and follow each other around). 

Part of the problem is that German Shepherds really are not as popular around here and the AKC makes them out to be.  I've only seen two other people in this part of town walking German Shepherds.  Our police force uses Czech GSDs (which I supposed resemble Kenya to someone unfamiliar with the lines) and there's a lot of people in our neighborhood who are scared of ALL animals and especially hate anything resembling the police, if you get my drift.

I just wish more people would give a dog a chance.  I can understand if someone is genuinely afraid of the breed (I was bit in the face by a GSD when I was 3 but luckily don't remember it), but some of the people that cross the road have even bigger dogs so I know they aren't scared of dogs.  Then they give you the stink eye like "ugh, I can't believe I had to cross the road for your dog!" and glare as you go by.  My favorite are the people that actually excuse THEIR dog getting all riled up b/c "she doesn't like mean looking dogs."  Hello!!! When is it EVER ok to let your dog discriminate when to get all defensive just based on a dog's looks?  I know some dogs don't like other dogs that look a certain way (Kenya doesn't like dark dogs that are larger than her), but that doesn't mean your dog is excused for going nutso! 

I just moved to this town.. I have seen a total of gee, maybe five dogs on my walks (Walk everyday for 1 month), and everyone crosses the sidewalk. Cadis likes to stalk, he loves to herd, and I think that freaks people out. People with children? Cross the street before I get there. When I was playing fetch with Cadis in a large field there was a man with a huge chocolate lab. Cadis went up to visit with the dog and the man jumped back SO far. I was running over and I said "He's nice, he's just a puppy, sorry!". All 35 pounds of scary scary puppy. ;)

Cadis would love to play with other dogs. Only 1 out of Five let Cadis visit with their dog. She actually came out of her house so they could meet, lol.. (Weird mix too, Beagle x Catahoula.) She was from the same city I was from.

There was also a man with two pretty pitbulls. But they were also across the street and pulling him almost across the street to see Cadis, and that made me nervous. He shouldnt be walking two if he can't control them!

Sorry you are getting attitude with Kenya. It really does stink. I'd say 99.9% of the people we meet while walking Rosco move away, cross streets, say nasty thing, etc. It kills me and is so hard to keep my mouth shut with some people. Just once I want to rip into some idiot , but that would just add to the breed stigma.

 

RidgebackGermansShep

Someone freaked out yesterday in a PET STORE because i was letting Kaiser sniff their sheltie...

 Whoa!  I'd freak out if someone was letting their dogs sniff mine too.  My dogs are still getting used to big dogs and they HATE being sniffed.  They are the sniffers not the sniffees.  I dislike people thinking their dog needs to meet mine. 

Additionally, I think many people may not dislike the breed so much as have had experiences with rude people who don't make efforts to control their dogs.  I have experienced many people like this - often with small dogs - who make no effort to reel in the retractable leash and have no control over their dog.  Since many people are crossing way ahead of you it may be more of this type of thing than hating the breed.  I didn't really know people were afraid of GSDs.  The ones I have met have been very nice dogs.  I almost kept one I rescued from the side of the road, but my old cat at the time could not get used to her and I didn't think it was fair.  Luckily I found her original owners.  She was an incredible dog.

well they shouldn't have been standing right inside the door of the pet store if they don't like other dogs. I might've gotten a bad reaction out of kaiser if i would've jerked him away from the other dog. Personally, i don't think people should have unfriendly dogs in a petstore, or dogs that they don't want around other dogs...but that just my opinion.

I figured that would be the response to my post.  But honestly I wouldn't call my dogs "unfriendly".  They are rescues who are undersocialized sure, but not unfriendly.  They are still getting used to the big world out there and still get a bit intimidated.  Just because I am in a pet store with my dogs doesn't make it a free for all.  There are still leash requirements and it's not a dog park.  I could say the same thing about your Kaiser.  If you can't keep him from sniffing other dogs (without jerking on him) he shouldn't be in a pet store.  Not everyone's dog enjoys being sniffed or meeting other dogs and yet are fine being around other dogs.

You know I thought about this over night and through the day today. There is no reason for you to say your sorry for anything. You are not responsible for other people's actions, just yours and your dogs.

I just realized that I have never apologized for having a german shepherd or any dog for that matter, and I am 43 years old. As a child, yes a child, I was allowed to walk an attack trained GSD in one of the worse parks in the city of Chicago. Word was out, I was avoided at all costs and I never thought one moment about it. Guess it is why I do not care what people think or say. This is my dog, deal with it or move along. To be honest they should be more wary of me than the dog, my bark and bite would be much worse than his.

So, walk with pride, you have no reason not to. Oh...and as for sniffie's at the local pet store, quite frankly, if you take your dog in there you should expect to have some being sniffed and sniffing to happen. Getting all in someone's face about is really over reacting IMO.

mudpuppy

honestly, I'd prefer them to stay far away. Better than the people who run up and manhandle your dog without asking first.

It's is weird - I am in California and our good friend has a GSD who is HUGE!  He is also of dark coloring which makes him look a bit more "fierce" for lack of a better word.  I have never seen anyone react with anything other than admiration and immediatly going up to ruffle his ruff and pet him.  Must be the area I guess.  When we are houseboating we bring him out with us to the restaurant and he is passed by many people.  Not too many pass by without stopping to admire this dog.  Here he is in our houseboat (the little dog is my Chi, Bow Wow):

Truley

Oh...and as for sniffie's at the local pet store, quite frankly, if you take your dog in there you should expect to have some being sniffed and sniffing to happen. Getting all in someone's face about is really over reacting IMO.

Dog park - Yes.  Pet store - No. IMO.

It amazes me that people get all riled up over people and children wanting to pet their dogs without asking, yet those same people think nothing of letting their dog meet your dog without asking.  Unless you are in a leash-free dog park the polite thing to do is ask the owner.  Sorry but to do anything else is rude and asking for trouble.