Please read my story-big dogs
 

I am no longer enjoying my daily walks with Pao because there are too many big dogs out unleashed especially since the weather is nicer. I am getting really really worried just bringing him out and he is so used to walking every day that I feel bad if I can't bring him out but bringing him out stressed me out.

First, across the street to the left, there is always an unleashed German Shepard. His owner always let him out when he is out in the front doing stuff and it could be for a good few hours sometimes. I am scared he would charge at us anytime. Next, there is a medium sized black and white dog further down the street (not sure what he is) that is also left outside unleashed when his owner is out there doing stuff. Today, he barked at us from across the street and I quickly lift up my Yorkie and good thing he didn't follow. Next, there is a Rottweiler on the same side of the street. He is not friendly at all, and even though his owner uses a leash when bringing him out for a walk, he growls and tries to charge at every dog he passes by on the other side of the street. I feel like the owner cannot really control him if he uses all his strength to break loose. Yesterday I was out for a walk with my little one and the Rottie owner came back with his dog in his car and he saw me and yet he has to bring his Rottie over to my side. Why can't he walk to the other side? I had to carry my boy and went home fast because of this but I thought it was rather ignorant and rude as a neighbour.

I think the neighbours with small dogs can understand how I feel but the ones with the big dogs think I am over-reacting especially the Rottweiler's owner. I really dislike the expression I see on their face when they think I am over worried I think it is rather disrespectful. Do you have neighbours like this? What do you do? I don't think I can go talk to him because I don't want to be anywhere near his Rottie! I was nearly bitten by one when I was younger so I really don't want to go near it, sorry that I used it but it is very aggressive.

As someone who has owned very big dobies and now owns Yorkies, I have to say that I would never have put someone's tiny baby in jeopardy that way. We don't always know how our dogs are going to react around others. That's just the nature of them.

I can understand that 100%- I would take pepper spray- what ever to protect my self!!!
I really don't know what the thing is to protect owners and their small ones- just know any one out walking their small dogs needs to have a protection plan!

I am actually thinking of bringing a golf club while walking my Yorkie. I don't know what everyone might think when they see that but I really don't feel safe at all!

Pepper-spray can!! In hand and ready!

we have the same problem! There are dogs everywhere here and i can't walk Layla. It is illegal in Canada to carry pepper spray (my dad is a police officer and thus i know :p) but i did buy some "dog spray" (which is pepper spray in disguise) and while it too is illegal.. shoudl you use it for self defense... it is ok.. (go figure) HOWEVER>.. should you use it and it get in your pups lungs.. he would need medical attention immediately. so. i'ts kinda lose-lose... i feel for you.. we have the same problem

I didn't know pepper spray is illegal but thought a lot of women carries it for safety? Something is better than nothing because if he charges at me, I am done as I am only 5 feet 2" and the Rott might be like 6 feet tall if standing on 2 feet and he is really huge-all muscles!

Responsibilities
 

As a current owner of a 5 lb Yorkie and a 70 lb lab/pit mix, I never, never let EITHER one of them off leash without close, close supervision. And then it is in an enclosed space. I also trained T.J. (the big dog) to come to me when called, and keep him on a leash when meeting new dogs. Stanford (the little one) takes his walks off leash, but with me walking right beside him. Of course, he is older, and does not "dart off" like a younger dog might do. And I know the neighborhood: who has a dog or cat, what they are like, indoor or outdoor pets, etc...
We have lots of loose animals here, so I empathize with you. Alabama leash laws out in the sticks are non-existent. New Orleans was worse by far, however.
I view it as my responsibility, as my pets guardians, to maintain not just their safety, but the safety of other pets and people as well. If either one of them bit someone or another dog or cat, and they were off leash, I would consider it my responsibility that the occurrence happened. Most of my neighbors feel that "dogs will be dogs", and "they are supposed to be outside and unfettered." And then they complain or are heartbroken when one gets run over, or in a fight, or has 10 puppies or kittens.
That, my friends, is THEIR responsibility. Few will admit it, however.
Matthew

well that's where the law is tough... it is illegal to have it.. however if you use it in self defense... that is not illegal... it's stupid... but i suppose if you conceal it and only bring it out if you needed it.. you'd be safe.

I hear you, and we are having similar problems. We live near a lake that has a walking trail around it. We only live two blocks from the dam, and our baby enjoys walking up there. She pulls me right up there when we are out. But the last several times we have gone, there are big dogs unleashed. The law is to have them on a leash when they are up there, but I have called Animal Control, and they just can't be there all the time. I feel bad because I am afraid to walk her in her favorite place:(

I guess I'm lucky in our neighborhood we walk our dogs and all the big dogs are on a leash. It has been nice for a few years.

One time about 13 years ago we had a Lab/shepard mix (Dallas) and walked him and a large black Newfoundland ran out of his garage barking and growling. Our Dallas jumped on him and put him on the ground and held him down by the neck. Dallas was still on his leash with me holding it! Dallas didn't even break the skin but it was scary. Our vet said it sounded like our boy was trained. He was a rescue we got at the pound so we never did figure it out. He never did anything again but we were always super careful just in case.

You never know what can happen with a big dog and even with the best training they can attack if provoked. A little Yorkie barking can provoke a big dog easy.

I always carry a big branch of a tree like it is a walking stick....;)

I just can't walk my Sassy at all because of unleashed larger dogs. We tried again a couple of days ago and didn't even make it a block. Too many, too big and I am just too frightened. Not for me but for Sassy. I would lose my mind if anything happened to her and I just can't risk her.

It makes me angry, but there is nothing I can do. Our 'animal control' is pathetic. Even if I called, they wouldn't come for days. Truly.:mad:

Have you tried calling animal control on the loose dogs? Maybe video them loose too.

I totally understand you! I live in development and a lot of people have big dogs here. Most of them are ok thou have leash on. Once I saw a guy walking with a big dog without a leash in our community. I told him to put his dog on the leash, there are kids playing here and other people have their dogs out because next time I see that I will report him. I think its just irresponsible on the owner side. It doesnt matter what size is my dog I would always have it on the leash. I would go to dog runs if I felt my dog needs exercise and run or I just run with my dog on the leash. I was just wondering if you call to animal control, how fast are they really gonna come?

Well...there is a reason why I don't want to do anything at all about the one dog that bothers me most.

When my eight year old granddaughter was her visiting for the summer, she made friends with the daughter of the folks that own the dog. One day, after playing, she came home very distressed because of the way they treat him. They yell, hit and kick.:mad: I didn't see it myself and so if I reported it, it would not do any good. Our animal control is worthless. Big scandal there. One of the ones in charge was caught selling the animals to places that use animals for experimentation.:mad:

So.....I tried my best to help my granddaughter with it. There weren't any other little girls for her to pal around but she was not allowed at Dolly's house any more. I told her that if she ever witnessed the abuse again to speak up and tell them that God expects us to treat His animals kindly and to not hurt them.

So with all that in my mind, I cannot bring myself to even complain to those folks. I am afraid it will cause further mistreatment. This is an aggressive dog and it is probably that way because it is mistreated.:cry: