[Liljah]

So today, I took an easy day and deiced to spend some time with Shane, since he is now feeling better. He has been couped in the house because of his leg. So I took him to a local college campus. It is where I attended undergrad. It is a beautiful place, over looks the river (in case Shane wanted to swim, he could), nice lush grass, and great place to meet new people. Some people have known to bring their dogs on campus, but I figured as long as they have their do on a lease (which they had to since it is a public area), and I have mine, I can control the situation. Oh, fate had different plan for me today.

I am walking around with Shane, letting him explore, so I loosen up some slack on the lead . Next thing I know, I hear this tiny yapping sound. I turn...it is an incredibly adorable, little miniature yorkie! I won't lie, you just wanted to pick him up and snuggle him to death. After I was done swooning over the dog, I realized, he was coming straight for us. Oh boy...Shane is going to think that is his lunch. I am watching from about 60-70 feet away. Thinking maybe they have a retractable leash on this dog. Dog is running...running, still running, OMG HE IS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR ME!

At this point, I am thinking 1. They are too far for me to shout and scream at them to grab their dog and 2. If I did shout Shane will be alerted, see that mini foo foo coming towards us and go ballistic. So I every so slightly, pulled back the slack on Shane's leash so he wouldn't be alerted and started to walk/jog Shane in the other direction, away from princess (that is what I called the dog, since she was such a princess!), hoping the owner realize their dog is not within their range and grab him.

Wrong again. I turn and I see the owners following BEHIND the dog, and the dog still CHASING ME, with a big GERMAN SHEPHERD! They are getting closer and I realized I may have to shout at them.

I am still walking and looking behind me, and I go "PLEASE GRAB YOUR DOG!" The happy couple, just laugh and say "Oh it's ok, she just want to meet him!"

THAT IS GREAT, but my dog doesn't! At this point, Shane had turned with me and saw princess...hackles up, teeth baring, barking, jumping, and me trying to be calm and assertive. I continue to walk Shane the other direction and I am thinking if this dog get's any closer to me, I am going to have to KICK her away!

Again I yell "You need to grab your dog, because mine is not dog friendly!" The couples finally see my problem, see Shane's aggression and finally grab princess. I am thinking "thank god!" Spoke too soon...the couple are heading towards me...with princess in hand, yapping away and a big old grin on their face.

I know they mean no harm, I know they want to see Shane and see two dogs play and romp around, but I know there is going to be a huge liability if they bring that dog near me. I asked them "please don't bring the dog here?" The couple stop dead in the tracks and the guy says to me say in a condescending tone "sorry, thought maybe they like to meet, Didn't realize he was such a sensitive fellow" and walked away.

I should have let Shane eat princess.

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Snack time!!!!

It is sad and rude of people to assume every dog wants to interact and play. Glad it ended well as I know you would have been upset if Shane had hurt the dog.

 

[zyppi]

Feel your pain!

A few days ago a woman with two little Schipperkies was on the property where we exercise Sofie and Jack. Private property...

We call out to find out which way she's headed and she gets huffy ( she doesn't even belong there) and starts charging toward me with the two yappers pulling her along.

I had to get very assertive - read angry.

She never understood I was looking out for her pups.

 

[Guest]

I'd have replied. "Not every dog wants to meet your dog. Keep this up and you'll get your dog killed."

 

[Crabtree]

Originally Posted By: GSDadI'd have replied. "Not every dog wants to meet your dog. Keep this up and you'll get your dog killed."

The problem with saying something like that is they would probably take it that you threatened their dog.

After all, if they let 'Princess' run after a strange big dog in the first place, they're not exactly playing with a full deck.

 

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: crabby

Originally Posted By: GSDadI'd have replied. "Not every dog wants to meet your dog. Keep this up and you'll get your dog killed."

The problem with saying something like that is they would probably take it that you threatened their dog.

After all, if they let 'Princess' run after a strange big dog in the first place, they're not exactly playing with a full deck.

I see what you're saying. But I think the words "Not every dog" would make it clear that my dog alone would not be "threatening" poor Princess but many dogs.

 

[StGeorgeK9]

I had someone ask if I took Ava to the dog park very often today, I had to tell them sadly no, just because of this issue. I love all dogs and while Ava is a gem, not all owners are responsible....its sad. I'm glad it worked out for you. Everytime I go anywhere with Ava I'm prepared for some cute little ankle biter to stick its head in the lions mouth............ **sigh**
Its a shame to, because then people walk away saying "yep there is another of those vicious GSD's"

 

[Liljah]

Originally Posted By: BetsyI had someone ask if I took Ava to the dog park very often today, I had to tell them sadly no, just because of this issue. I love all dogs and while Ava is a gem, not all owners are responsible....its sad. I'm glad it worked out for you. Everytime I go anywhere with Ava I'm prepared for some cute little ankle biter to stick its head in the lions mouth............ **sigh**
Its a shame to, because then people walk away saying "yep there is another of those vicious GSD's"

I know, I am sure that is what they thought when they say Shane aggression came out. I am trying to work on the aggression, but I have to work with it in a control setting. Not some dog running towards us, that is 10x smaller than Shane, and the owners were very oblivious!

But that dog was so freaking cute! Omg, she was so small!

 

[midnight804]

I have experienced similar problems. There are some irresponsible chiuahua owners in my neighborhood who "don't believe in leashes" and i keep having to yell at them.

These two little fluff balls cant weigh more combined than one of my dogs poops yet they're both sure they can take him out. Everytime we walk past their yard and these dogs are outside they run up to us snarling and growling and whatnot.

I keep telling the owners that my boy is cool and under my control and on a leash, but then I remind that if their dogs do ever run up to him and bite there only so much I can do and most of that would be after the incident. Sometimes peoples ignorance is shocking.

 

[StGeorgeK9]

I took Ava to petsmart yesterday to have her "nails" done. While in the store she would bark her head off at dogs at a distance, but not the ones closer. She had a fit wanting to go see a couple poodle mixes and I know the owners thought she must be mean and vicious...Until I walked into the groomers and they were there in this cramped little space. Their dogs went off and Ava was a gem (except her tail kept hitting the lady in the back of her legs in front of us). I just wish she would not get so excited when the dogs are further away from her, its like she says HEY HEY OVER HERE!!!! ILL PLAY WITH YOU!!! But out of a GSD's mouth it sounds more like I want to have you for dinner I think.........

 

[sklippstein]

Originally Posted By: BetsyI had someone ask if I took Ava to the dog park very often today, I had to tell them sadly no, just because of this issue. I love all dogs and while Ava is a gem, not all owners are responsible....its sad. I'm glad it worked out for you. Everytime I go anywhere with Ava I'm prepared for some cute little ankle biter to stick its head in the lions mouth............ **sigh**
Its a shame to, because then people walk away saying "yep there is another of those vicious GSD's"

This is exactly the reason I do not take Lola to the dog park, I know that she is not dog friendly and I will not take the risk of a little dog getting hurt because of this. I wish she were dog friendly because I would love for her to romp and play with other dogs.

 

[sklippstein]

Originally Posted By: BetsyI took Ava to petsmart yesterday to have her "nails" done. While in the store she would bark her head off at dogs at a distance, but not the ones closer. She had a fit wanting to go see a couple poodle mixes and I know the owners thought she must be mean and vicious...Until I walked into the groomers and they were there in this cramped little space. Their dogs went off and Ava was a gem (except her tail kept hitting the lady in the back of her legs in front of us). I just wish she would not get so excited when the dogs are further away from her, its like she says HEY HEY OVER HERE!!!! ILL PLAY WITH YOU!!! But out of a GSD's mouth it sounds more like I want to have you for dinner I think.........

Betsy, this is the same with Lola......she is not dog friendly on leash walks outside, but good as gold when I take her shopping at PetSmart. She can walk right past another dog within a foot and there is no growling, no nothing, a sweetie, but once outside.......different dog erupts.

 

[SashaLuvGS]

Hey Liljah, I saw you were from NY. Where did you go to undergrad?

 

[Heidibu]

Originally Posted By: LiljahI should have let Shane eat princess.

I'm really sorry...I don't wish any harm on anyone's lil' princess. But, I nearly busted a laughing gut when I read this.

Some people just don't have a clue. Read the body language princess people!