Letting him walk

[Lammermoor]

Hi, this is my first tread!

My boyfriend brought Howard home a couple of months ago, he was 3 months old and I did tons of puppy research and all has been going very well, He is already toilet trained, yay!!

I live in the busy centre of a big capital city. There are tons of people and cars everywhere. Howard is very small, only 700 grams and being a puppy he runs up to everyone weather they see him or not.

My common sense tells me that one must NOT put such a little dog down in busy places like that. There are restaurants, with stressed out waiters running around, there are stupefied tourists, there are cars racing by. People walking around with aggressive untrained bulldogs, etc. So he stays in my purse or on my lap in areas like that. I take him to quieter places where it is safe for him. I always put him down to visit with FRIENDLY other dogs, etc.

One man in a near by restaurant has been harassing me ever since I got him. Before he wanted me to put him on the ground before the vaccinations were done, the vet had said no. EVERY DAY he harasses me about it. Now the shots are done, but I find it too unsafe there to put him on the ground.

He does not listen to me that the dog runs on the ground alot, but in other areas that are quiet. And now he has even made signs saying "Free Howard" and is talking about forming a facebook group about it.

I just can't believe this. I feel like getting a restraining order.

But I am looking for some info from more experienced yorkie owners. I think my common sense is right and he would have a broken leg from being stepped on or worse within 5 minutes of being on the ground in such a wild place. Am I right? Or should I let him go for it and learn the hard way that when you are smaller than someone's foot, you stay away from said foot...

Feedback please!!

Thanks!

[cummins]

Do NOT put him down as he will get hurt or worst killed.he is yours and you have the right to do as you are doing now, listen to your heart

[Harrysmum]

Firstly, good morning and welcome from the UK!

I personally think you are quite right not to put him down in such a frantic place - my goodness, I won't even drive where you are, let alone put your little tiny baby down....

I think you're quite right also to save his proper walks for when you get to open, dog-friendly walking places or parks...

As for that man - just avoid going to his restaurant, you have thousands to choose from, and I certainly wouldn't give him my custom - the rude, nasty, stupid man.... Sally + Harry x

[Lammermoor]

Thanks, I felt sure that my common sense was right! That man in the restaurant is the brother of my boyfriends friend who also works there. That is why we were there so much. And it is right AT the entrance to my building. Anyway, now we have agreed not to go there at all. I step outside and walk in the opposite direction!

[PackOf1]

Originally Posted by Lammermoor

Hi, this is my first tread!

My boyfriend brought Howard home a couple of months ago, he was 3 months old and I did tons of puppy research and all has been going very well, He is already toilet trained, yay!!

I live in the busy centre of a big capital city. There are tons of people and cars everywhere. Howard is very small, only 700 grams and being a puppy he runs up to everyone weather they see him or not.

My common sense tells me that one must NOT put such a little dog down in busy places like that. There are restaurants, with stressed out waiters running around, there are stupefied tourists, there are cars racing by. People walking around with aggressive untrained bulldogs, etc. So he stays in my purse or on my lap in areas like that. I take him to quieter places where it is safe for him. I always put him down to visit with FRIENDLY other dogs, etc.

One man in a near by restaurant has been harassing me ever since I got him. Before he wanted me to put him on the ground before the vaccinations were done, the vet had said no. EVERY DAY he harasses me about it. Now the shots are done, but I find it too unsafe there to put him on the ground.

He does not listen to me that the dog runs on the ground alot, but in other areas that are quiet. And now he has even made signs saying "Free Howard" and is talking about forming a facebook group about it.

I just can't believe this. I feel like getting a restraining order.

But I am looking for some info from more experienced yorkie owners. I think my common sense is right and he would have a broken leg from being stepped on or worse within 5 minutes of being on the ground in such a wild place. Am I right? Or should I let him go for it and learn the hard way that when you are smaller than someone's foot, you stay away from said foot...

Feedback please!!

Thanks!

Welcome to YT!

Im sure there are more experienced yorkie owners here than me but, to put my two-cents in, I agree with your decision of not putting Howard down on the ground specially in such a busy place. You let him walk in your home and other places you feel that he's safe from being stepped on so I dont see any harm if you keep him in his bag or on your lap in areas that are too busy.

I will pass on to you the first few comments I got when I wrote my first thread on this forum... "You are responsible for your yorkie.. His life depends on you" That guy who's harrassing you about your puppy probably just have too much spare time on his hand. Maybe you should also put up a sign for him like... "Read a Book.. it's good for you" hehe

[gracielove]

I totally agree with the way you are dealing with your little guy. The man at the restaurant needs to back off. Does he own the place? If not I would ask the owner to tell him to mind his own business. If he is the owner or manager I would find another place to eat. The guy sounds like he is over the edge.

I don't live in a big city but I am still very careful about where I let Gracie down. It only takes an unguarded second to change your baby's and your life forever.

[Lammermoor]

Originally Posted by PackOf1

That guy who's harrassing you about your puppy probably just have too much spare time on his hand. Maybe you should also put up a sign for him like... "Read a Book.. it's good for you" hehe

Ha ha, I was thinking of making a sign for him and paying some gypsy kid to go stick it on his back...my sign thoughts were harsher than yours though. I am still entertaining the idea!

[Yorkiemom1]

Here is a thought....maybe he wants to STEAL your baby!!!! You pay very close attention to your instincts and gut feelings...DO NOT put your baby down on the ground....I can PROMISE you, something heartbreaking WILL happen...not a matter of "if" , but a matter of "when". DONT EVEN GO THERE!!! YOU are all that stands between your baby and all the craziness in the world....you have to make the right decisions or YOUR BABY will be the one that pays for it!!

[LoALAnna]

After reading this thread, I have to ask the OP if she has her baby on a harness and leash. It is imperative that any time a pup is outside of its home, especially in the city, it need to be restrained for its own safety! That way, suspicious characters (like the man described above) can't just pick up and make off with your puppy, not to mention any foot traffic that could step on him.

[FidoTheYorkie]

Never hold a dog when another dog comes to say hello.
If you see the dog isn't friendly, just turn and walk the other way (if it is in a leash), try to never hold him unless it's really really neccisary, cause if you hold him up while he's in your hands he thinks you are saving him from the other dog, and that the other dog is bad.

It is very good for him to be in stress, it is very important at this age, if you don't teach him how to behave in those places then he will be scared there later and afraid of the noise.

Just because he's small, don't treat him like he's so fragile, a dog is a dog ! and it's supposed to be raised as one.
Let him walk by himself (In a 1-2 meter leash , not a flexi leash) , except if you sence danger (loose dog for example), just walk the other way and if the dog would come running up to you barking and growling then you can take him up, but try not to, it makes him scared and makes him really bossy if you always hold him.

[FidoTheYorkie]

And the man that is asking why you don't put the dog on the ground etc., beware of him, he could steal the dog.

[Yorkiedaze]

Stick with "your" common sense and don't pay any attention to those who can put your baby in harms way.

[Lammermoor]

Of course he is on a harness and leash!

As to "letting him be a dog" He is 700 grams and just got his last shot a couple weeks ago. Before that he never went on the ground as the vet said no. He is learning and is a puppy. I don't know if you live in a big busy city, but it is really wild here. Very very dense amount of people who just don't see him and he is a baby and runs under all the feet. He would be squashed in about 1 minute or less! That's why he stays with me in the bag or in my arms until I find a quieter spot for him.

"letting him be a dog" Is the argument of the man in the restaurant. Dogs usually are larger than 700 grams (about ONE pound)

I put him on the ground to meet small and medium dogs, and lab type dogs if the owner says they are not aggressive. There are a few bulldogs in my area that are aggressive and growl at him. He stays in the bag when I see them.

[DBlain]

welcome to Yorkie Talk and congrats on you puppy, Another thought but LOL the man in the restaurant will have a lot to say about this; get a pet stroller. They are very popular here in the states. A lot of us have them and they are easy to find on line. This way when you want to have you puppy in a crowed area you will have a safe you can put him him. I went to a big pet event with 1,000's of dogs in all sizes and lots of people, I could not believe the amount of people that had their dogs in strollers, some of the dogs were even about 25 lbs. I also went to yorkie rescue league luncheon and it was the same thing, lots of people had their dog in strollers, this way when your puppy has had enough you can put him in that for his safety. It's like a small bed that has been built in to stroller.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by Lammermoor

Of course he is on a harness and leash!

As to "letting him be a dog" He is 700 grams and just got his last shot a couple weeks ago. Before that he never went on the ground as the vet said no. He is learning and is a puppy. I don't know if you live in a big busy city, but it is really wild here. Very very dense amount of people who just don't see him and he is a baby and runs under all the feet. He would be squashed in about 1 minute or less! That's why he stays with me in the bag or in my arms until I find a quieter spot for him.

"letting him be a dog" Is the argument of the man in the restaurant. Dogs usually are larger than 700 grams (about ONE pound)

I put him on the ground to meet small and medium dogs, and lab type dogs if the owner says they are not aggressive. There are a few bulldogs in my area that are aggressive and growl at him. He stays in the bag when I see them.

You are so right about what you are doing. The first time I took my Gracie to a family event one of my sons was there with his Lab. That dog is so friendly and laid back and had been to my home and was great with Gracie. For some reason when I took Gracie outside at this event the Lab got all excited and wanted to stomp on Gracie. He acted like she was a toy to chase! It may have been the difference of being outside but I had to pick her up to protect her and he still wanted to get to her! You cannot be too careful with these little dogs. Sometimes even the nicest of dogs will get the idea they are a toy. You cannot be too careful.