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08-24-2008, 06:11 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 76
| Walk Safety Issues? I've been taking Pixel for walks this summer and am still very aware of the safety issues little dogs face. I watched the neighbourhood for a very long time before venturing out with my precious little girl. I watch everyone and everything while we're out on a walk, and don't take her anywhere that I haven't walked along without her to investigate first. Still, I know that accidents happen. We can't control everything. So, I'm looking for any plausible advice here: what does everybody else do to be sure their babies are safe while out for a walk?
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08-24-2008, 06:26 PM | #2 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pennsauken , NJ
Posts: 4,068
| My issue is big dogs without leashes. I carry mace. I won't be a victim b/c of an irresponsible dog owner.
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08-25-2008, 01:52 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta
Posts: 186
| Spike and I spend most of our time in the local off-leash park, where he dashes around quite happily from one smell to another. It's certainly not a busy park, but we do run into the occasional person with their dog(s), and so far, no problems. Because of his size, one of the things I wanted to do from the start was to make sure Spike could stand up for himself. That didn't mean I wanted him to be able to beat another dog in a fight. Being 4lbs, that probably wasn't going to be very likely. What it meant was that when he encountered another dog, he would meet the dog and interact with it, and I would only intervene if I though Spike was in danger. So far, it hasn't happened. The worst thing you can do is pick your dog up everytime another dog, person etc., comes over, because dogs naturally are pack animals, and they need to work out who is boss dog, pack leader, etc. Most of the time this is achieved with no argument whatsoever. If you pick up your dog, however, I find that he/she is more likely to be bullied by the other dogs, because he hasn't been given the opportunity to assert himself at all. Anyone who has watched the "Dog Whisperer" might have seen this theory put into practice. Spike makes it very clear when he doesn't like another dog's behavior by growling or barking, but never biting or otherwise being aggressive. Most of the time it is simply when he encounters a really energetic dog who desperately wants to play and won't take 'no' for an answer! I make sure I stand close by, and will often keep my feet about hip distance apart, so Spike has somewhere 'safe' to go if he needs it. Other than that, I let him get on with it, and so far, so good. Last edited by daniellealberta; 08-25-2008 at 01:54 AM. |
08-25-2008, 04:48 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | I can't take all of my 4 out much as I am too afraid that should another off leash dog appear I couldn't gather them up quick enough. Just Saturday I was driving home in my subdivision and a lady was walking 2 dogs on a leash, one German Shepherd and a large mix and walking behind her by about 40 feet was another german shepherd not on a leash. I have no idea if they are fiendly but would not want to find out, My husband bought me a Mace on a key chain for Mother's Day and said this is for protecting the dogs!! So maybe some mace. I also try and walk them when thier are the least chance of others being out. Dinner time/after work and early mornings seem to be busy times.
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08-25-2008, 05:11 AM | #5 | |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oliver Springs, TN
Posts: 683
| walking Quote:
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08-25-2008, 05:18 AM | #6 |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | It's never ending stress watching out for all the things in apartments - glass - burrs - other dogs - cars - I don't even let mine walk on the grass anymore unless I walk it barefoot first - I Keep a VERY vigil eye out for other dogs when we walk and have my leashes wrapped around my hand in case I have to make a fast move and airlift them. When I see someone with a big dog - I go the OTHER way fast. I have certain routes too that I take and avoid the busier places where people trash it up.....I swear - people that live in apartments need to TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEIR HOMES - I can't tell you how many beer bottles etc I see on a daily basis - who does that ? I walk mine at 8 am and then again at 6 pm
__________________ Last edited by red98vett; 08-25-2008 at 05:19 AM. |
08-25-2008, 06:00 PM | #7 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 76
| Thanks I certainly appreciate the input from everyone. Thanks. I understand exactly what everyone has been saying. I honestly don't think I could "get over it" if my precious little one was hurt (or worse) by another dog while out with me. Pixel is my first Yorkie; I've always been the one walking a Shepherd-lab mix -- always well-controlled and leashed!!! I started taking Pixel to the off-leash park in late spring, but she's such a submissive little suckie baby that she was always being chased, nipped at and the like. I hated it. She hated it. She would start shaking when we turned onto the road that led to the park. I've never felt so guilty in my life! I tried to let her sort things out, but she'd always just whimper around my feet and climb onto anyone's lap to get away from the other dogs -- I'd walk a few steps away from her to draw her out, and she'd just go leaping into the arms of any other person available! Recently, I've been dog-sitting at my Mom's place. Pixel has been getting along fantastically with Amber (Pomeranian-Sheltie mix) and Heidi (supposedly a "mini" long-haired Dachshund, but is pretty much full size). Amber is very docile, but Heidi is a rambunctious fireball who constantly wants to play and will not be ignored. After a couple visits, Pixel started "standing up for herself" against Heidi -- not fighting, but voicing her objections rather than wimping around my feet. So, I took her back to the dog park this afternoon for a trial there. She was fine while she was the only one in the park, but became a whimpering pile of goo as soon as other dogs came. She ran, crying, while they chased and nipped at her. It's totally different if she's out on her leash with me. I always avoid big dogs -- walk the other way, cross the street etc. -- but she has met a few smaller, docile dogs and has been fine with them. Our neighbour has a lovely Pomeranian who's very friendly and sweet with her, and she's met a friendly Pug, a couple Poodles and the like while out. So I have a conundrum. She hates the dog park, which is safer for her, but she loves the neighbourhood walk, which is potentially unsafe.
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