I don't care what size your dog is... he or she is still a dog. They have natural instincts and it's hardly going to do them any good if you constantly scoop them up when you see a dog bigger than yours walking towards you.
Yep - I had "one of those" days and on top of it all - "one of those walks" where my dog was minding his own business, sniffing grass - praying I'd let him find that hedgehog or hare....and these two ladies saw me with their white dogs about the size of a baby's pillow - scooped up their dogs to shuffle past me.
I was sending a text message to a friend and looked up and when I saw they were up ahead and coming towards me, I tightened my grip on Loki's leash (just so he doesn't pull me) and put my phone away. I tried to smile until I saw suddenly your dogs were in your arms and you were both giving me looks of disgust for - what?! For having a bigger dog?! Shockingly - they do exist!!
I hate to be prejudice here - but what is with female dog owners?!?!?! I am one - and maybe I understand dog behaviour a bit better than you two - but honestly, the most my dog would do is sniff your dogs' rear ends. Because that's how they greet each other. You don't need a degree or any special education to know this information...it's just common sense.
Just because a dog is bigger than yours doesn't mean it'll bite yours...or kill it....
If my dog was the type to bite - he'd have a muzzle on and not a harness. And I probably wouldn't take him out around 10:30pm, when most people are getting their last walk of the night (and last pee-break for Fido) before going to bed....
I totally understand if your dog just had surgery (pretty sure they didn't) and had a cone on....or if your dog was vicious - well I certainly hope you have enough common sense to put a muzzle on your dog - regardless of the time you're out!
But seeing as you were about 100 meters away - if that, and nobody's dog growled, barked or got their fur lined up along the backs of their neck - I think it's safe to say - they would've been civilized and sociable.
I rarely have issues with male dog owners and their dogs - big or small....even with the language barrier. I just smile and say "Loki's Hyv�� (good) ja poika (boy) and friendly!" - and my body language, and Loki's, is enough to encourage a man and his dog to come over.
But female dog owners - I have no idea what the heck is your problem. (This mostly applies to female dog owners of smaller breeds or puppies...)
I hate to break it to you small-breed owners (nothing against the breed at all!) - but they are still dogs. They have 4 legs to run away if they don't like Loki (or me), they have a voice to bark a warning and they have natural instincts to be curious and want to meet other dogs.
So if you see me and this dog (see photo below) - please don't treat him like he has a disease because he's wagging his tail and eager to meet you and your dog. Loki's one of the friendliest and most patient dogs I know ( he has to be to deal with our almost 2-year old who climbs and jumps on him regularly):
And in case you're wondering what would happen if the tables were turned - I'd love it for a bigger dog to meet my little dog (if I had one). If there was an issue - then I'd step in between or keep walking by...if not - why should size matter?
It's a shame the Finnish attitude of "keeping to yourself" is smothered upon their dogs.
**Update: There is a possibility that these dog owners I bumped into tonight had good justification from running past Loki - as my husband informed me, after the fact, that Blue had growled and lunged at some "little white dog" - but we're not sure if it's the same owners or not. Loki was with Blue and only acts "aggressive" if Blue does - I guess to impress the older brother?
I apologize if that is the case- but still hold my belief that if the dog is not lunging towards yours in anger - you shouldn't be carrying your dog.**
Yep - I had "one of those" days and on top of it all - "one of those walks" where my dog was minding his own business, sniffing grass - praying I'd let him find that hedgehog or hare....and these two ladies saw me with their white dogs about the size of a baby's pillow - scooped up their dogs to shuffle past me.
I was sending a text message to a friend and looked up and when I saw they were up ahead and coming towards me, I tightened my grip on Loki's leash (just so he doesn't pull me) and put my phone away. I tried to smile until I saw suddenly your dogs were in your arms and you were both giving me looks of disgust for - what?! For having a bigger dog?! Shockingly - they do exist!!
I hate to be prejudice here - but what is with female dog owners?!?!?! I am one - and maybe I understand dog behaviour a bit better than you two - but honestly, the most my dog would do is sniff your dogs' rear ends. Because that's how they greet each other. You don't need a degree or any special education to know this information...it's just common sense.
Just because a dog is bigger than yours doesn't mean it'll bite yours...or kill it....
If my dog was the type to bite - he'd have a muzzle on and not a harness. And I probably wouldn't take him out around 10:30pm, when most people are getting their last walk of the night (and last pee-break for Fido) before going to bed....
I totally understand if your dog just had surgery (pretty sure they didn't) and had a cone on....or if your dog was vicious - well I certainly hope you have enough common sense to put a muzzle on your dog - regardless of the time you're out!
But seeing as you were about 100 meters away - if that, and nobody's dog growled, barked or got their fur lined up along the backs of their neck - I think it's safe to say - they would've been civilized and sociable.
I rarely have issues with male dog owners and their dogs - big or small....even with the language barrier. I just smile and say "Loki's Hyv�� (good) ja poika (boy) and friendly!" - and my body language, and Loki's, is enough to encourage a man and his dog to come over.
But female dog owners - I have no idea what the heck is your problem. (This mostly applies to female dog owners of smaller breeds or puppies...)
I hate to break it to you small-breed owners (nothing against the breed at all!) - but they are still dogs. They have 4 legs to run away if they don't like Loki (or me), they have a voice to bark a warning and they have natural instincts to be curious and want to meet other dogs.
So if you see me and this dog (see photo below) - please don't treat him like he has a disease because he's wagging his tail and eager to meet you and your dog. Loki's one of the friendliest and most patient dogs I know ( he has to be to deal with our almost 2-year old who climbs and jumps on him regularly):
 |
| Loki is my younger dog (he turns 4 in December 2011) and is a neutered male. He's very friendly and only growls if your dog appears aggressive first. He is a mix of husky, labrador, Springer Spaniel (not sure) and collie. |
It's a shame the Finnish attitude of "keeping to yourself" is smothered upon their dogs.
**Update: There is a possibility that these dog owners I bumped into tonight had good justification from running past Loki - as my husband informed me, after the fact, that Blue had growled and lunged at some "little white dog" - but we're not sure if it's the same owners or not. Loki was with Blue and only acts "aggressive" if Blue does - I guess to impress the older brother?
I apologize if that is the case- but still hold my belief that if the dog is not lunging towards yours in anger - you shouldn't be carrying your dog.**
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