The AUDACITY of some dog owners!!
 

I was walking Teddy around my apartment complex instead of the lake like I usually do because the latter has too many distractions, and unfortunately our (well...my level lol) of training isn't to where he can walk pleasantly on leash with so many people, dogs, etc...anyways this man had two huge dogs on a leash (one was lying down and the other one was standing and pulling forward) and as I was getting closer to him and the dogs I asked if his dogs were friendly. He said that yes that they were, and so I kept walking their way. Teddy, who is incredibly social stopped dead on his tracks and lay on the ground and wouldn't budge. Usually, Teddy tries to pull ahead because he loves greeting all dogs, and people so I thought that this was pretty strange. I took a step closer and all of a sudden both of his huge dogs started jumping, barking and fighting EACH OTHER AGGRESSIVELY. I quickly started walking Teddy in the other direction, while the owner started yelling at me "sorry about that!" while SIMULTANEOUSLY SPANKING HIS DOG! I AM STILL ANGRY as I type this. If Teddy had not hesitated and ran up to them as he usually does (well try to because I never let Teddy get close to another dog unless I think it's okay, what I mean by pull ahead is that he makes the gesture to do so and keeps pulling...) I am quite sure that they would have pounced him! It's not as if he was surprised by their behavior, HE SPANKED THE DOG! Which clearly means, this is not the first time! What on earth was he thinking saying that it's alright for an 8lb dog to approach his 80lb aggressive dogs?! SERIOUSLY!?!?!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

He may not have known they were going to do that and they may normally not be aggressive dogs.

I don't think spanking is a response an owner would give to a dog that is behaving out of the ordinary. His reaction was not one of shock.

Teddy must have sensed something with these dog's that is why he stopped. So, I say good boy Teddy.

The owner must have known it may happen as well, with the reaction he had at spanking them. Seemd they have done this before.

Glad all was Ok with you and Teddy.

OMgosh, that is so scary, it could have been a deadly situation. So sorry this happened to you both.

So glad, Teddi read those signs correctly. Your little guy was crouching to protect you both. Good job reading you dogs signs too!

Thank God Teddy is so smart or who knows what would have happened. Cudos to him for sensing a big problem looming.

I never trust large dogs around my babies....no matter what their owners say!!! It's just better to be safe then sorry!! I always pick up my girls as I pass any dogs...even little ones...sometimes they can be the most aggressive..:rolleyes:

Oh wow how scary, glad Teddy is ok :)

I do not think that he was trying to mislead you when he said, "He said that yes that they were" . I just got into a conversation about this tonight with my sister-in-law. For all he knew about his dogs, concerning your dog, was that it was OK to approach. I am sure he was not setting you up. Thank God that Teddy has a sixth sense that we as human do not. As for the "spanking" of his 80lb pooches, I just don't know. I mean, some of us here only probably weigh somewhat a little over.

I can only ask, what you would have done if you would have had them dogs who weighed 80lbs a piece or together for a combined total of 80lbs? I do know that I would have been upset with them and probably would not take them out again without a muzzle.

I am glad to hear that Teddy is alright.

I just think that as a dog owner, you are well aware of the temperament of your dogs, how they behave around other dogs etc. If he has even a small amount of doubt about how they are going to react (which in hindsight, he DID hesitate when I asked that question) then he should simply say no I don't think they're used to playing around other dogs. Also, they were barking and fighting each other...whether it was "play" or not, it was pretty clear that they are not gentle by any means. Teddy LOVES playing with big dogs, in fact at doggie day care and when I take him for walks at the lake he prefers approaching larger dogs, getting on his hind legs to reach their faces. I do not think it is a coincidence that Teddy hesitated, in the same way the dog owner hesitated in giving me the "okay." I've had people before tell me flat out "no, sorry my dog plays a little rough," or "my dog isn't well socialized with smaller dogs," etc...I've heard it all, because simply the owner KNOWS their dog. Personally, I think the owner just didn't want to admit that his dogs were not under his control. They were both wearing choke chains, and get corrected through "spanking" which is a clear indication that he does not have full control over his dogs.

Thank you everyone....I'm still thinking about it...those dogs were pulling so hard that if he would have lost control of their leashes, I don't know what would have happened...from now on I'm walking the extra half hour to the lake and try extra hard on working with Teddy on distractions. I haven't had any incidents there...

Please don't get me wrong by what I posted. You said nothing in your original post that he was "hesitant" That should have been a clear indication for you to go the other way. I am sorry if I came off the wrong way!

No I'm not offended at all! I'm just still angry. I didn't post it originally because something triggered my memory while typing...you are absolutely right that I should have ran the other way when he hesitated, I was just paying more attention to Teddy who suddenly started lying on the ground and I figured his hesitancy was incidental...I didn't relate the two until the dogs started fighting each other...then everything subconciously clicked and I started to walk the briskly towards my apartment. Thank you for caring!

I am glad that Teddy is OK(and you for that matter)