Question for you small dog owners?

[huskylord]

When those of you who do take your dogs for walks see a medium or larger sized dog being walked coming towards you, do you automatically bend down and carry them or cross over to the other side of the street?


I'm really tempted to pick up and carry my 80lb lab every time this lady sees us and picks up her minature poodle.

[nyik]

No, usually the on-coming owner + dog will shift, as will I.

Meaning, on-coming walk will guide their dog to be on the right, I will also guide my dog to my right. This makes it such that the humans are in between the dogs to prevent confrontation.

dog
<= human
human =>
dog

[amz155]

I don't have a very small sized dog--my smallest is about 20 lbs. But I wouldn't pick my dog up. I don't see the point of it. The dog is out for a walk and it needs to learn how to walk by another dog. Its not like a dog that's larger than my dog is more likely to show aggression vs a dog that's smaller than my dog. I see people do this at the dog park too....they pick their dogs up when their wee dog is around big dogs.

[Purgatory]

no I do not pick up my small dog when a bigger dog comes by, I just tighten the leash and keep my dog on the opposite side of me.

if the other dog is off leash though and coming at me I will pick him up..

[PrettyJade]

I have 20lb dog and have never picked him up or avoided walking by other dogs, whether they're bigger or smaller. I have also let my puppy greet and be greeted by other dogs as well, this is good for them. They are social animals and he's learned to look to me for permission before greeting another.

[rob444]

I have a small dog. I find that most big dog owners know their own dog well enough and act accordingly. So if the big dog is friendly, they will just walk as normal and even let the 2 dogs meet and sniff each other (my little dog actually really likes most big dogs). And if the big dog is aggressive or hostile towards other dogs, the owners will know this and ensure they walk then dog well over to the other side of the sidewalk and hold a short leash when passing.

In fact the only problems i've ever encountered with ignorant owners having their dogs lunge or snap at my dog when walking past and them not caring about it... have been with other small dog owners!

[Stock R]

"It's not you, it's me". Small dog owners like that need to pick up their dog cause they know they're uncontrollable. I once had a lady tell me to "CONTROL YOUR DOG!!!!CONTROL YOUR DOG!!!".... Oddly enough, my dog was sitting 3ft away from her and her small dog was yanking on the leash, yapping and going wild. Of course, it was my passive controlled dog that was the cause of the issue right?

Our boy is 30lbs and very pick-up-able as we do it all the time with him at home but we would never pick him up to go around another dog. We either let them sniff it out, or just tighten the leash and put a gap in-between.

I know what you mean though. 80lbs is a bit much, but 60lbs, I'd be tempted to pick them up and let them know how silly it is.

[TheRequiem]

I have a small dog. I find that most big dog owners know their own dog well enough and act accordingly. So if the big dog is friendly, they will just walk as normal and even let the 2 dogs meet and sniff each other (my little dog actually really likes most big dogs). And if the big dog is aggressive or hostile towards other dogs, the owners will know this and ensure they walk then dog well over to the other side of the sidewalk and hold a short leash when passing.

In fact the only problems i've ever encountered with ignorant owners having their dogs lunge or snap at my dog when walking past and them not caring about it... have been with other small dog owners!

Pretty much my experience as well. Some people are really inconsiderate with their aggressive little dogs. They don't lock the leash or reign in, just let them run wherever. No wonder the dog is a little *****.

[ji2o0k]

I have a small dog (9lbs) and I don't pick her up when larger dogs are approaching.

As others have mentioned, I usually direct my dog and I to walk more towards the right with me being closest to the centre.

My dog is so cautious and skiddish around other dogs and people anyways. When she sees another dog (doesn't matter how large), she will lie down on the ground on her tummy.

As the dog/owner get closer, she will remain on her belly until the other dog/owner is really close and then spring to her feet running around in....I keep the leash tight so she doesn't spook the other dog.

After running a bit, she calms down and proceeds to try and touch noses with the other dog...but remains on high alert if there are any sudden movements, she is out of there...lol, it is pretty funny actually.

She wasn't always like this....it was her last set of shots at the vet during her 1st year that did this....she was really friendly to strangers and other dogs (would greet them) but after the shots, I think she was traumatized by the vet and now really really cautious with others...

[setell]

I have a small dog (~13lbs as he’s in his fat stage ) and my dog is a social butterfly. He have no issues playing with a wee 6 week old yorkie to a great dane. Needless to say I’ve taught my dog to never cower and to greet every dog with manners. He will go up to them and say hi to every dog he runs into but he’s learned as he ages that there are jerks out there from humans to dogs. He knows which are the rude aggressive dogs now and will back away.

I actually find some small dog owners give fellow small dog owners a bad name. My dog isn’t yappy, nor aggressive towards other dogs. He is a very pleasant dog and super happy to be around because I’ve worked hard to have him reached this stage. When I walk him and we run into another dog on the sidewalk I will let him greet the other dog. I don’t have to reign him in or move as he knows that if he’s leashed he has to walk within a certain distance from me. We normally walk in a park leash free and he have no issues fending for himself while I supervise when he sees other dogs.

So yeah, I do not carry my dog what so ever during our walks. He is a dog and will listen to my commands and behave in the way I want him to

EDIT: Just remembered my dog playing with a husky at the dog park. Such a funny sight. LOL

[Heero01]

I cross the street

[AudiDude]

I've had many dogs and can tell you that small dogs are more likely to be aggressive towards big dogs. It's almost like they feel they have to prove something and while they are busy getting all aggressive, the big dogs usually ignore them. Same as when I do house calls, a small dog is way more likely to attempt to attack than a big dog.

[jandumm]

I have a small dog (9lbs) and I don't pick her up when larger dogs are approaching.

As others have mentioned, I usually direct my dog and I to walk more towards the right with me being closest to the centre.

My dog is so cautious and skiddish around other dogs and people anyways. When she sees another dog (doesn't matter how large), she will lie down on the ground on her tummy.

As the dog/owner get closer, she will remain on her belly until the other dog/owner is really close and then spring to her feet running around in....I keep the leash tight so she doesn't spook the other dog.

After running a bit, she calms down and proceeds to try and touch noses with the other dog...but remains on high alert if there are any sudden movements, she is out of there...lol, it is pretty funny actually.

Sounds like your dog is exhibiting stalking behaviour....and it's something you probably want to try and deal with for your dog's safety. It is a predatory behaviour and can be interpreted by other dogs as a threat.

http://www.nsnews.com/life/Stop+your...124/story.html

[ji2o0k]

Sounds like your dog is exhibiting stalking behaviour....and it's something you probably want to try and deal with for your dog's safety. It is a predatory behaviour and can be interpreted by other dogs as a threat.

http://www.nsnews.com/life/Stop+your...124/story.html

oh man....thx, going to read up and try to correct this...

She has only started doing this recently, I was wondering what the heck she was doing....thx jandumm!!

[emmsmama]

I only pick up my dog if the other dog isn't leashed (which drives me nuts), otherwise I just tighten his leash to bring him closer to me and I let the dogs sniff each other if the other owner wants to let the dogs do that as well.