Little dog/Big dog people

ORIGINAL: miranadobe

Do the small dog owners who pick up their dogs when a large dog approaches realize that they're often exacerbating any potential problem? They've now made their animals all the more interesting, less able to communicate their dog body language (because they're held up), and as a by-product, made the human even more of a target in any potential interactions btwn the dogs?

 
Good point..  I grew up with big dogs, but am currently owned by a small dog. (he thinks he's big)  His best buddies are larger dogs.  It has never occurred to me to pick up my dog in the wake of meeting a large dog on our walks--and we meet and greet many.  I have had many large dog owners cross the street when they see us coming (I'm sure from past experiences) Usually I will let the owner know he is friendly, and more often than not, they will then come for an introduction.  My little guy is very well behaved at home and in public.  I think sometimes we see small dogs that are "terrors" simply because their owner has not taken the time to train them properly, nor have they taken the time to properly socialize them with other dogs. 

I'm with you - I think that an intelligent and aware owner can tell the difference between an aggressive dog off leash or on, with an incompetent owner and a well-trained dog walking calmly with their owner.
If you can't and you instinctively pick up your dog because my large dog is walking  in the same vicinity  - I am offended.

What you are assuming is I haven't trained him, I cannot control him, he is a savage, going to attack your dog and neither of us is to be trusted.
Sorry there is no other message to be taken

I also agree that breed assumption makes a difference too.  The people that think Bugs is some giant lab are like - look at that gorgeous lab.  The ones that think he is a dane think he is a sweet puppy.  The ones that think he is some mutant pit bull cross the road.  We've gotten the mastiff thing, boxer cross, etc. those too generally illicit crossing the road or picking up small dogs.  My neighbor has a similar sized GR and everyone loves him and assumes he is harmless ( which basically he is except food aggression) no one picks up their little dog for him.

Those of you that have had bad experiences with large dogs ( or at least ones bigger than your own) should be able to see that you are acting on those experiences and painting with a broad brush.  That is prejudice.  Prejudice is harmful and the people/dogs you accuse of being dangerous when you have no indication that they are, are of course offended.
Just as you are when it is said that many small dogs are untrained and annoying when yours is not.

I also agree  (mirandobe) that the small dog owner's first instinct should be to train their dog as many large dog owners do to step aside and wait.  Or to ignore other dogs.  I have Bugs trained that when we are on trails or in crowds we step aside and wait for people that are clearly uncomfortable in his presence.  I always step aside on trails and have had many people ( none with dogs mind you) say thanks.

tzu mom
"I think sometimes we see small dogs that are "terrors" simply because their owner has not taken the time to train them properly, nor have they taken the time to properly socialize them with other dogs. "

that is exactly what I have been trying to say

maybe i get overly defensive, but i feel like i can't even go in a pet store without getting some kind of comment about my "mean" dog.

See I can't even relate to that because even with all the big dogs I have had, I never once had anyone comment to me about them being mean, if I did I would get defensive, no need for people to make stupid unfounded comments. But with all the comments here about nasty little dogs, I find myself getting defensive because honestly I don't see many nasty little dogs, I don't see many nasty big ones either.

I guess I live in an area where most of the dog owners are responsible. I do have a lab across the street that barks all darn day and drives us nuts, he does get out a lot, but he's not mean, just very hyper, he actually jumped right over my head once, I had just braced myself for the impact as he was running toward me and he actually jumped right over my head. I was relieved and amazed. Right now he is the only dog that bothers me in my whole neighborhood. I have had people from other neighborhoods walk their dogs around my block and their dogs have tried to get at my dogs, I pick mine up because I am protecting them. I see so many people getting pulled by their dogs, how am I to know they can control it when the dog is growling and pulling their owner across the street. I will not assume they will stop in time, my dogs can't afford for me to assume.. Luckily it doesn't happen often. I like to walk my dogs late at night so I don't run into many other dog walkers which is good because sometimes I am in my pj's.[]


I pick my small dogs up when any big dog is coming at them, no breed discrimination. If they are walking on the other side of the road, I just keep my eye on them and if I see the dog straining to get at them  and making some headway  I pick them up. I an amazed that anyone would get offended by that, it's not like I am picking them up and shouting  big dog big mean dog!.

 I just keep my eye on them and if I see the dog straining to get at them  and making some headway  I pick them up. I an amazed that anyone would get offended by that, it's not like I am picking them up and shouting  big dog big mean dog!.

your actions are saying big mean dog - and if the dog is clearly straining to attack your dog it makes sense.  But iirc you are the first one to say that you pick them up because a large dog is acting aggressive ( I think that is what you are saying)
Curious how big does the dog have to be?  30lbs - 50.... 80.....?  Where is the cut off for whoa better pick mine up

Regarding those comments in the pet store or out in public.....I've taken to talking to Tyler (or whoever) loudly enough that anyone close by will be aware that he's coming.....I typically say something like "lets not scare anyone Tyler.  Not everyone wants to be friends with a big boy like you"  Nine times out of ten they stop look and say "well, of course I do".

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Regarding those comments in the pet store or out in public.....I've taken to talking to Tyler (or whoever) loudly enough that anyone close by will be aware that he's coming.....I typically say something like "lets not scare anyone Tyler.  Not everyone wants to be friends with a big boy like you"  Nine times out of ten they stop look and say "well, of course I do".

 
I find it ironic you say that cause that is what I do and it normally works. I have "mean" dogs with me all the time as I have a hunterway dobbie X and I walk friends dogs for them and they are all "mean" dogs from a GSD to a ridgeback X.

See I can't even relate to that because even with all the big dogs I have had, I never once had anyone comment to me about them being mean

 
When i had a lab i never got any comments like this. I guess it's a breed thing. I feel like some people love love love gsds, but i feel like there are a lot who despise them and wont give the individual dog a chance.
 
 
good idea, Glenda. i should try this. You'd think a wagging tail and panting tongue would be enough, but i guess it's not

I don't bother when I have more than 2 with me.  3-6 gsds running loose through the woods has scared more than one "hunter" staking out a spot into an abandoned deer blind![sm=devil.gif]

I love all dogs, big and small, regardless of breed.  I do not discriminate against any of the "dangerous" breeds, only dangerous owners [].  The only time I pick up my dogs is if I feel the dog is not directly under the owner's control.  Unfortunately Gypsy and I had to learn this the hard way.  We were walking through my subdivision and on the other side of the street a man was walking a Great Pyr. mix and another large mixed dog.  They were both on leashes so I wasn't worried.  However, as soon as they saw Gypsy they ran towards her and the guy dropped their leashes and lost control of them.  One of them grabbed Gypsy by the neck.  Luckily my sister was there to help, she got the dog off of Gypsy and I picked her up.  Gypsy was fine, no injuries of any sort...she just puffed herself up and we walked back home.  She has no problems with large strange dogs coming up to her, and neither do I as long as they are polite. 

There are three reasons that I pick Molly up when we meet a large dog. The first one happened a few years ago. I lived next door to a older couple with a Toy Poodle. They liked to sit out in chairs in the early evening and have their dog on a long rope with them to play in the yard. As it was cool out I had my windows opened. I heard the most horrible scream. I looked out the window and a big dog was in their yard and was shaking that poor little dog like a rag toy. The owner of the big dog was their along with the older couple. The owner tried to get his dog to let go of the little dog. The little Toy poodle didn`t make it. When I talked the the couple they said that it happened so fast they didn`t have time to grab up their dog. The owner of the big dog was running behind his dog trying to catch it when it went into the yard and attacked the small dog. #2 When Molly was about 6 months old we were out in our yard. All of a sudden a large Black Lab came at her out of nowhere. I scooped her up and put her inside my jacket and turned around and slowly walked to the house. I did not look back. #3 not long after that we were out in our yard again and the neighbors dog came out of their house on a leash. He lunged and the leash came out of the owners hand. Again here comes another big dog at us. Yes I scooped her up again. Molly has a lot of small dog friends and they get along great. I can`t just leave her on the ground to see what happens with a big dog. The scream that little Toy Poodle made I will never forget and I hope that kind of scream never comes out of Mollys mouth.

Do you all pick up your dogs around ANY large dog...like, even a golden retriever or other "friendly" breed dog?

Yes!!

And if there's a small dog on a long lead (like a flexi) I'll pick Rascal up for that, too. I'll pick him up if the other dog owner and I haven't discussed our dogs meeting and/or if either dog seems to be not well under control.

your actions are saying big mean dog - and if the dog is clearly straining to attack your dog it makes sense. But iirc you are the first one to say that you pick them up because a large dog is acting aggressive ( I think that is what you are saying)
Curious how big does the dog have to be? 30lbs - 50.... 80.....? Where is the cut off for whoa better pick mine up

 
I really don't care what my actions are saying to the owner of an aggressive dog, I don't want their problem to become mine so if their feelings get hurt because I pick up my dog to protect them, no skin of my back.
There really is no cut off weight, if any dog is coming after mine, I would pick it up. I just haven't seen any on leash little dogs coming after mine. If it was an off leash little dog coming after mine I would pick them up because I can. I can't imagine letting another dog of any size try to hurt mine when it can be avoided.
 

See, I am the cautious one....when I take Rumour to Petsmart, who weighs in at ...ding ,ding 109 lbs at this time, and very fit.....I usually go early in the morning on the weekends, not a soul around....all I hear is...."Oh, look, he looks like Rin Tin Tin"...ok...whatever....but, I know people are scared of him, but he is as peaceful as can be......but then I go in by myself and see the owners of very misbehaved little dogs, usually on a flexylead, snarling and barking at everyone, and most owners don't even pay attention to their behavior.......a little unfair....ya think?

as I said in my post you quoted - if the dog is acting aggressively, sure.
It's the posts inferring that it is standard procedure to pick up your little dog because a large dog is approaching that rankles.  If the large dog is just walking along and you grab your little dog up the message you are sending is thats a big mean dog, period.

As stated, I have dogs of both sizes, and only pick up the small ones around loose dogs or those clearly not under control. However, I think it's silly to be offended by another owner picking up their dog so they feel secure that it's out of harm's way.  I have a Chow, and it would never occur to me to think ill of someone for picking up their dog. After all, they don't know my dog.  The fact that he's at perfect heel and loves small dogs might be little consolation to them, not for me to judge.  (it should be stated that if I take all three out together, people rarely act frightened, I assume it's amusing to see a large black fluffy dog surrounded by wee little ones)
 
People pick up toddlers all the time around rowdy dogs. No one ever says 'well, that's making that child more of a prey object, keep him on the ground!'