People Who Don't Train Their Little Dogs

[Dolly]

Little dogs like that would just terrify me if I saw one loose while walking my big dog. Normally he doesn't pay much attention to other dogs, though he might look their way if they're barking. But he has strong protective instincts, and if he thought the little dog was attacking me (or if it was ) I honestly don't know what he'd do. I'm sure he'd bark and growl at it, but if it didn't run away . . . ugh. I need to start carrying doggie pepper spray or something.

Luckily the little dogs around here are at least properly confined or trained. There's a little Norfolk Terrier down the street that's often in the front yard, but NEVER leaves it! And there's a guy who hangs out in his front yard with his Chihuahua, but whenever the little Chi runs over towards me he scoops him up and jokingly tells the little dog not to go and hurt my big one.

 

[Bahamutt99]

But that doesn't give anyone the right to use physical action on someone else's pet. If the dog is flat out attacking you or your dogs that's different because it is in self defense.

No offense, but if a dog runs out within kick range, they're also close enough to rush in for a bite. What about the scenario I described in my last post where I'm walking a DA dog? Is it better to let the little dog just run out and get chomped and say "oops?" I can't speak for everybody else, but I'd rather the accusations get leveled against me than my dog.

People need to obey the leash laws. Period. If a dog runs out at me and the owner isn't right behind or taking action to get their dog back, they forfeit their right to expect courtesy from me. I wont kick or otherwise hurt a dog that's not behaving aggressively, but I will try to scare "overly interested" dogs away by any means necessary. I have a right to walk down the street without being harassed, attacked, threatened or otherwise molested by dogs. (Or so they write it in the laws.)

 

[Dolly]

No offense, but if a dog runs out within kick range, they're also close enough to rush in for a bite. What about the scenario I described in my last post where I'm walking a DA dog? Is it better to let the little dog just run out and get chomped and say "oops?" I can't speak for everybody else, but I'd rather the accusations get leveled against me than my dog.

People need to obey the leash laws. Period. If a dog runs out at me and the owner isn't right behind or taking action to get their dog back, they forfeit their right to expect courtesy from me. I wont kick or otherwise hurt a dog that's not behaving aggressively, but I will try to scare "overly interested" dogs away by any means necessary. I have a right to walk down the street without being harassed, attacked, threatened or otherwise molested by dogs. (Or so they write it in the laws.)

Well said. And honestly, if a little dog came running at me with my big dog, the little guy would be much better off getting booted aside or scared off by me than "chomped" by my big guy. Its certainly not an ideal situation, but it would be for the best. Not all big dogs are angels that will tolerate a strange little dog harassing them.

I do love little dogs though! They just make me so nervous when they're left to their own devices by negligent owners.

 

[Doberluv]

But that doesn't give anyone the right to use physical action on someone else's pet. If the dog is flat out attacking you or your dogs that's different because it is in self defense.

No offense, but if a dog runs out within kick range, they're also close enough to rush in for a bite. What about the scenario I described in my last post where I'm walking a DA dog? Is it better to let the little dog just run out and get chomped and say "oops?" I can't speak for everybody else, but I'd rather the accusations get leveled against me than my dog.

I agree. I wouldn't wait till the dog was in full on attack already biting my dog or me. That could spell disaster. No, if the dog is that close and coming at you aggressively you most certainly DO have the right to protect yourself, your dog or that dog from being eaten alive by your big dog. (or whatever) And by whatever means. If a big dog was charging me aggressively and I thought he was going to attack me, and I had a gun on me, I'd shoot it. Sorry, but I would have the legal right to do so. I love dogs but I love myself and my own dogs better. LOL. (I'd rather use pepper spray. I'd hate to kill a dog. But I'm just saying if that's all I had and I feared for my life or my dogs life, I'd do it. Big dogs can kill...even some medium dogs.) A little dog....well, that would be over kill. Pardon the pun. Kicking it away would do.

 

[krisykris]

No offense, but if a dog runs out within kick range, they're also close enough to rush in for a bite. What about the scenario I described in my last post where I'm walking a DA dog? Is it better to let the little dog just run out and get chomped and say "oops?" I can't speak for everybody else, but I'd rather the accusations get leveled against me than my dog.

People need to obey the leash laws. Period. If a dog runs out at me and the owner isn't right behind or taking action to get their dog back, they forfeit their right to expect courtesy from me. I wont kick or otherwise hurt a dog that's not behaving aggressively, but I will try to scare "overly interested" dogs away by any means necessary. I have a right to walk down the street without being harassed, attacked, threatened or otherwise molested by dogs. (Or so they write it in the laws.)

In my experience any dog that I've seen out w/o a leash has never been aggressive towards me or my dogs.. i've had a few run up to me... chase or bark at me and my dogs but i've never felt the need to physically touch a dog other than to grab a collar to check for an id tag.

What happens if a dog gets out and their owners aren't aware of it, and the little dog gets injured? It might be your right to protect yourself, but if it was your dog.. I think you might feel differently.

 

[Cheetah]

These dogs that attacked my legs were without leashes lol...

My dog Eevee has been attacked by loads of dogs that were not on leashes (big and small). People were being idiots and letting their aggressive dogs just run all over...

 

[Doberluv]

In my experience any dog that I've seen out w/o a leash has never been aggressive towards me or my dogs.. i've had a few run up to me... chase or bark at me and my dogs but i've never felt the need to physically touch a dog other than to grab a collar to check for an id tag.

You were lucky that this was your experience. However, it does happen sometimes that dogs rush up and aren't just prancing around yapping. Some dogs are seriously aggressive and so rude in doggie language that it elicits an aggressive response from the other dog. And the problem is that even a dog which comes barking or snarling and gets too close to someone holding a GSD or Rottweiler or in my case, a Doberman or any number of large, strong breeds, who are often very protective and dog reactive can come unglued to fight back and it is NOT easy to hold onto a big, strong 100LB or more dog who is lunging at the end of the leash.

It's not right that people allow their dogs, big or small to run around loose tormenting other people and their dogs who are on leashes. And if the only way to protect yourself, your dog or the other person's dog is to kick it, then so be it. If a vicious dog was rushing toward you and looked like he was ready and willing to bite, had gnashing teeth, are you saying that you wouldn't kick it out of the way? You would just stand there and let it bite you or let your 100 LB dog kill it because it got too close and you couldn't hold onto your dog? It's not always easy. Rushing, yapping, snarling little dogs can p!ss off another dog and the owner better hope that the person holding the leash of a big 100-150LB dog can hold onto it.

 

[Bahamutt99]

What happens if a dog gets out and their owners aren't aware of it, and the little dog gets injured? It might be your right to protect yourself, but if it was your dog.. I think you might feel differently.

If my dog got out and somebody kicked her, it would be my fault. I would owe my dog an apology and a fat knucklebone. It is far better than what could happen to her if she hurt somebody, or chased livestock. I'd rather a kick than a bullet or a euthanasia needle. People need to be aware. There's no excuse for not knowing where your dog is at.

 

[krisykris]

You were lucky that this was your experience. However, it does happen sometimes that dogs rush up and aren't just prancing around yapping. Some dogs are seriously aggressive and so rude in doggie language that it elicits an aggressive response from the other dog. And the problem is that even a dog which comes barking or snarling and gets too close to someone holding a GSD or Rottweiler or in my case, a Doberman or any number of large, strong breeds, who are often very protective and dog reactive can come unglued to fight back and it is NOT easy to hold onto a big, strong 100LB or more dog who is lunging at the end of the leash.

It's not right that people allow their dogs, big or small to run around loose tormenting other people and their dogs who are on leashes. And if the only way to protect yourself, your dog or the other person's dog is to kick it, then so be it. If a vicious dog was rushing toward you and looked like he was ready and willing to bite, had gnashing teeth, are you saying that you wouldn't kick it out of the way? You would just stand there and let it bite you or let your 100 LB dog kill it because it got too close and you couldn't hold onto your dog? It's not always easy. Rushing, yapping, snarling little dogs can p!ss off another dog and the owner better hope that the person holding the leash of a big 100-150LB dog can hold onto it.

I understand what you mean.. but by the time a little dog got within 'kicking' range... wouldn't the bigger dog already be close enough to snap at it?

 

[Love That Collie]

LoveThatCollie, ROFL on Jasper! Are you sure he's not my friend's Jack Russell? I won't even LET Tosca near him. Why should she take that crap just because she behaves better? The last time I took my dog there, I was absolutely amazed she didn't just turn on that little chit.

LOL ToscasMom, JASPER!! ***grits teeth and shivers at the thought!***
Chloe (6 months old) hasn't met Jasper yet. Oh God! But I still have that letter on my computer. Bailey had the look on his face like, "oh, Mom he's just a little ankle biter!".......yeah, MY ankles possibly! And THEN Jasper got Bailey's tail and Bailey's like: "WHAT the H%$L!!, why'd you do THAT?"

Seriously, February of 2005, I walked up to a door, knocked, the lady came to the door to answer it, I heard 2 dogs. She cracked the outer storm door to answer the door to me. The dogs burst through the crack of the door past her, went STRAIGHT for my leg. BOTH of them bit my leg, through my winterweight jeans in the SAME place on my leg. (tag teamed me) before I could say anything or even react, that's how quick it came on. These dogs were not big, about 25 lbs each. But bit THROUGH my jeans they did! The police came, and they ascertained that one of the dogs had NO vaccinations whatsoever since 2003!!! None. And this was NOT a home that was a dump or anything nor was it in a bad neighborhood but both the dogs were vicious even to the police office who threatened to shoot them if they bit HIM as they were acting vicious when the officer arrived. So, you never know what kind of care an owner of a dog you don't know has taken of their animals. That's why I carry my Mace or Pepper Spray. And I tell you what, they next encounter with Jasper WILL illicit my sending that letter to the owners (my neighbors) with the warning I have already put in the letter that I WILL spray him the next time. I think that's MORE THAN FAIR of me at this point.
This dog is absolutely crazy!

KrisyKris you are MORE than lucky you have not encountered an aggressive little or big dog while out on your walks and do be careful and thoroughly assess the dog before grabbing it's collar to check for ID. If I had done that with a Rottweiler that was charging me (no growl no vocal sound) then I would have been seriously hurt or killed had I not Maced him and dropped him like a sack of rocks. I hated to do it but it was me or him and I didn't have a dog with me. Some people don't know when a dog is charging them and when they are just rushing up to investigate and that can lead to serious injury.

Doberluv is absolutely correct. You would have the absolute legal right to protect yourself from an aggressive dog, no matter what the size. And you don't WAIT for it to bite you then it's too late. You should see our mail carriers in my county, they have all kinds of protection hanging from their belt, almost everything except a revolver! Here, law enforcement do NOT distinguish size of dog if it's aggressive. Meaning that just because it's little doesn't mean it can't hurt someone, they know different.

 

[ToscasMom]

OMG LoveThat.

I carry HALT too. I would have NO problem spraying anybody's dog coming at me. None whatsoever. I don't care what size the dog is. NO WAY I am going to tangle with the dog, check its ID or anything of the sort.

As for my friend and her Jack Russell. Well, forget it. I invite her over and tell her not to bring her dog and I rarely go there anymore. I know she knows it's because I can't stand her snarly dog, and I know she knows others feel the same way. Now it's either up to her to do something about it, or one day somebody will get hurt and she will learn the hard way. It is NOT cute!

 

[FoxyWench]

its people like that that make me VERY angry! its THOSE people that give all us good little dog owners a very bad name.

 

[Doberluv]

wouldn't the bigger dog already be close enough to snap at it?

Yes, probably...better to have pepper sray. I'm lucky I don't live in a populated place...don't run into that at all. You have been lucky.

 

[krisykris]

I guess I have been. I've had to catch two stray dogs in my neighborhood that were both much much bigger than mine. They never seemed aggressive although one was really bark-ey and overly excited. There are a lot of dogs here that are off leash. There's a chi next door to me that is always let out in the front yard to potty w/o a leash, and a big black mix of some sort that's always out front unchained as well.

Maybe I should start carrying pepper spray just in case.

With only two dogs, they were easy enough to scoop up if there was trouble, but with three it could be more challenging.

 

[Bahamutt99]

I understand what you mean.. but by the time a little dog got within 'kicking' range... wouldn't the bigger dog already be close enough to snap at it?

Well, if you're like me, you reel your dog in right by your side when loose dogs come around. And I try to keep myself between my dog and the other. Like I said, I'd rather it fall on me than my dog. If I kick a pushy stray, I will likely have more rights than the dog if it got to the point of police intervention. If my dog grabbed the other dog and went to town on it, there could be serious repercussions for her. I wont let her near unless I'm seriously fearing for my own safety. (I have no illusions about who is more capable of handling a potentially dangerous stray. She's built and bred for that.)

I remember reading 2 seperate stories within the last year about off-lead small dogs that ran up to on-lead big dogs and got mauled, and the courts actually sided with the owners of the small dogs. Its a gross perversion of "justice," but it happens.

 

[MisssAshby]

I agree 100%.

My husband and I live in an apartment while we look for a house. Policy is not to take your dog out without a leash (common sense and respect for others IMO). We have a neighbor in the building over who has a Yorkie.

She will open the door and the dog just runs loose, attacks other dogs when they go out to potty, attacks people walking up the sidewalk. My husband I have both kept this dog from being ran over many time. She will run after whoever she chasing (this includes the parking lot, garbage can (which is covered with skunks and raccoon's -- we have a huge field behind us), etc.

So, I had finally had enough and called the office and made a complaint. She doesn't pick up after her dog, and no leash. They put a note on her dog stating that if she didn't contact them within 48 hrs she would be evicted. Suddenly, the dog is gone now. Grrrrrrrrrrrr --- it made me so mad. (This is why I put up with it for 6 months before calling, I knew she was that type).

Since Christmas we have seen the dog over there again along with 4 other dogs who all do the same thing. Now, she takes them to the other side of the building so we can't see them from our side. We were not the only ones who complained. Her dog attacked a 8 week old puppy who was outside playing on a leash with her owner.

/I'll step off my soap box. I can't stand people who don't want to be responsible for their pets --- they are like having children.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

We had a husky approach us in the dark last month. I had Cider reeled into my side. Stupid owner kept walking. Sort of called his dog and kept going. Didn't look back to see if it was coming. Got within 5 feet of me and started to snarl. I was really appreciative. I walked backwards slowly away from it...

Seems I find more off leash dogs at night than any time else, and they are always more questionable personalities.

Anyone who carries spray who has no issue using it. What do you do if the owner is 30 feet away in like a human park.. and pays no attention to their nasty dog coming way too close for comfort. And possible subsequently doing harm to you, your pet... Do you warn them spray the dog if it gets bad... do you worry that the owner might have a fit if there is one to be seen?

 

[Bahamutt99]

Do you warn them spray the dog if it gets bad... do you worry that the owner might have a fit if there is one to be seen?

If I had spray, I wouldn't worry about the owner. They'd be next if they thought they were going to do something cute. :yikes:

 

[Dani]

Many months ago, I was on my way to school one rainy morning, and these two min pins charged at me, snarling and barking. I stepped of the sidewalk to avoid them, but if they had attempted to bite I would have been forced to knock them out with my umbrella lol.

*I wish to add that in addition I would have kicked their terrible owners lol.

 

[Love That Collie]

If I had spray, I wouldn't worry about the owner. They'd be next if they thought they were going to do something cute. :yikes:

Yep, I'm with you Bahamutt. They'd be next.

MafiaPrincess, do what you have to to protect yourself and your dogs. Especially if it's a larger dog. If the dog keeps coming then spray. I have usually tried a few commands to a dog that I thought was going to come too close, like NO, STAY, SIT, etc...if they keep coming then spray. I never let a large one keep coming and get too close if their body language is not blatantly friendly.

ToscasMom..........how old is Tosca now and about how much does she weigh now?