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Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1  You have need to be protective of your baby....you have the smaller dog and the potential for serious injury or death resulting from an encounter with another dog, is a very real concern and one you must CORRECTLY and appropriately analyze, evaluate, and take appropriate action to prevent injury to your dog.
I am not a beliver in exposing my dogs to all the neighborhood animals, along with their fleas and God only knows what other things carried/spread by strange dogs, back to my home and yard. What your dog has never seen, he does not sit and dream about, feeling abused or like he is missing out on the wonderful adventurous life of a street smart dog. He only knows/remembers/misses what he has been exposed to....jogging around the block twice a day is YOUR idea of fun, not his.....dog parks and "visiting" with every unknown strange dog in a 15 mile radius, is YOUR idea of a fun time, not his.....running alongside you, on 4-5 inch tiny legs, as you bike around the 5 mile park trail, is a ball for you, not his idea of a great way to start his day, it is yours.....now once he gets out there and sees what all he can get into, he will add those adventures to his memory banks and a great time will be had by all.....but do not feel like you need to expose your dog to other vicious dogs where he may get severely injured or even killed, in order for him to be the best he can be!
If you enjoy doing those activities, your dog can join you and once he has done it, he MAY love it, unless of course he experiences a traumatic encounter....but YOU must be ever vigilant and protective and realize other dogs can kill your dog, and strangers love to steal Yorkies, as the resell value is great with very little effort on the thief's part, and they move quickly. It is imperative you think well ahead and outside the box.....you have to be way ahead of possible situations in order to protect your dog that depends on YOU to keep him safe. I have had to chase down "sweet people" that adored my little dog and wanted to hold him....they then broke and ran with him clutched tightly in their arms...I got my dog back in the parking lot, but NO ONE touches my dog when we go out in public....all you have to say is "He bites, dont touch him!" I never let people handle my son when he was a baby, and no one handles my dogs when we are out.
There are people out there that will say, "OMG!! She is so scared of things that may not ever even happen!!!" True....but my dogs do not KNOW hanging out car windows as we drive around town....my dogs do not know getting passed around crowd in public areas.....my dogs do not know running the streets, without a leash and ID collar on....my dogs do not know not taking treats from strangers.....I would never forgive myself if something happened to one of my babies because of something I had not realized was a danger, and allowed them to be put in harms way....and I sleep very well at night....so far! I may very well loose a dog to something I have not thought of first.....that will devastate me, and I just do not want to be in that place! |
Yeah- this. Almost. I'm not experienced like Yorkiemom, however, my little gal is afraid of no one and nothing. She tries chasing the feral cats in our neighborhood, she goes after big dogs with excitement. As careful as I am, there are still the owners of dogs in our complex who let them poop and off leash, as if they are above rules. She's contracted Giardia from the dude in the condo right in front of us, I'm almost CERTAIN of it. He loves leaving the bombs on the grass, and they are HUGE and tar black. He's done this right as we watch, too. Right in front of our condo, and the rest of the people on our lane. Myself and husband, along with a few other people pick them up.
I've had one woman with two very fat and HUGE chihuahuas just unleash her dogs and ask leashed owners I hope YOUR dog is friendly- that's just two examples. I'm a nervous wreck by the time I'm done walking her, and I've taken to leaving the complex, something dog friendly, to walk her now.
Random people think my puppy is a toy for their enjoyment, and scoop her up before I say No. Then act totally offended that I've said no. It's a never ending battle. I am in agreement with keeping them AWAY, unless in a controlled environment (like obedience training for me) or, if you don't do that, better to keep them safe.
These little guys do NOT know they are small. It's a great trait, but nerve wracking when you have bigger dogs milling around. Also, if that isn't enough, I'm a court tv addict- youtube. I can't tell you how many yorkie cases I've seen attacked by other dogs.
We are their protection, and people just don't think sometimes. Better to be safe than sorry for sure.