[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Britster

I wanted to add -- I think protecting our dogs is our natural way of being. There's nothing wrong with it. I would never allow Jackson in a pack of Pits, but I wouldn't allow him in pack of Golden Retrievers either (meaning 3 or more dogs). Golden's, the family friendly dog, have reached #3 (somewhere around there) on the bite list. Most are more willing to go up and pet a Golden than a Pit. It's all a bit stereotypical but I also understand peoples concern. I've allowed Jackson to play with my aunt's Pit on numerous occasions and all is always good. I keep a close eye simply because of the size difference (70 some pounds versus 13lbs). Jackson loves big dogs and gets along with them. He doesn't antagonize them, esp. if he doesn't know them, so bottom line is: I trust my own dog and I make judgment on what other dogs to trust by reading body language. Jackson has been "attacked" (with no wounds or scars) 3x in the small dog area of the dog park, but while in the big dog side (which we almost never do, only if there's 3 or less dogs) everything is always fine. I've allowed him to go up and meet any big dog he wants to if the other dog is calm and under owners control. A Rottie owner in Petco was so thankful I allowed her dog to meet Jackson and thanked me for it because she is trying to socialize him and be responsible but many have this fear. Dogs sense that. If you're confident about what you're doing and entrusting these animals, usually all goes well. Obviously proceed in anything with caution!

Callie likes bigger dogs aswell I think its because they dont think that they are small lol. Callie has never had a bigger dog have a bad reaction or attack her or anything but has had some small dogs in the small dog area of the dog park growl and lunge at her for just being close. Any dog at the dog park or anywhere that seems aggressive I just remove myself and Callie but I do let her go up to bigger dogs as well as smaller dogs after asking if its ok with the other owner and stuff. I just know to make sure if there playing that it doesn't get to rough because not just a bigger dogs bite but just them stepping on or jumping on Callie could hurt her even if it was in playing not being mean or such. Sometimes I overreact to certain things because I have anxiety and depression so I dont go out much and Callie is really all I have and I know it would be soooo sooo hard for me to live if something happened to her so I sometimes am overly careful with EVERYTHING.