Issue at the dog park

[AlyHope]

I love taking Gracie out. We go to the park,pet supermarket, starbucks,
and I know I am bound to run into people who like her and want to pet her.
Which I have no problem with! The problem I ran into was today at the dog park.


Gracie was running through the field (doing her little rabbit hop through the grass lol) and a young guy...( maybe 13-15 years old) walked up to her and picked her up.
I don't know if I was just being a paranoid mommy, or what. I got kind of irritated after he started to walk off with her and asked him to please put her down. He got annoyed and cursed at me!

number one, I dont want my 3 pound dog accidently dropped.
number two, I dont bring her to the park so she can be held. She gets plenty of that at home.

I was just interested on how everyone else felt about that situation.


was I right to ask him to put down my dog?
I didnt mean to come off rude I was just nervous.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Oh, it would have scared me, too. I would be scared the young boy might just take off with my dog at first, I think, as it would be so shocking. No doubt he meant no harm & wasn't aware of proper dog etiquette with others' dogs but these days I fear our first reaction is shock & worry when someone picks up our dog & starts walking away with it in their arms! And his language was totally inappropriate with an adult woman!

[evil_soma]

That was rude on the kids part. If anything he should have asked you first, it's a dog park not a toy store. I would have done the same thing you did and asked him to put my dog down. I swear kids have no manners these days. Soma gets really anxious and squirmy when other people hold him so it's rare I let someone pick him up or hold him without a reason. He loves everyone and will gladly sit on their lap or next to them, but something about being held is only for mommy.

But back to the subject, you were not wrong or rude. That kid was rude.

[Millies mamma]

I would have been cursing at the kid, sorry no you are not rude. Peopl have these little dogs stolen all the time, so you were right to tell him to put her down. To me it wouldnt be any different than when my skin kids were babies and if a stranger were to pick them up

[AlyHope]

yeah he really was a rude kid. Gracie gets very squirmy at times, even in my arms. just trying to look out for her. Thankfully my german shepherd Apache protects gracie for the most part. If she had been at the park today that kid would have thought twice about touching apaches sister. Sadly, Apache got very sick from the TOTW food recall, and is still recovering. until shes better, no park.

[chachi]

There is no way I would go for someone picking one of mine up without asking first

[MY OSCAR]

You were totally within your rights and not rude at all.
I don't let anyone, even adults , pick up my dog.

[Joyce Adams]

Originally Posted by chachi

There is no way I would go for someone picking one of mine up without asking first

[mugwee1]

You were not rude. That was your right to tell him to put her down. Why didn't he just stand there and hold her? Why was he walking away with her? I would of done the same.

[AllDogBoots]

His behavior was totally inappropriate and you were correct in telling him to put Gracie down. When it comes to my dogs' safety, I'll be as rude as I need to be if I can't get my point across.

I hope Apache starts to feel better soon

[GeorgiesMomma]

You are totally right and he is totally wrong. If someone picked up Georgie without my permission I would have been really really irritated. You weren't rude at all. I agree with you completely.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by AlyHope

yeah he really was a rude kid. Gracie gets very squirmy at times, even in my arms. just trying to look out for her. Thankfully my german shepherd Apache protects gracie for the most part. If she had been at the park today that kid would have thought twice about touching apaches sister. Sadly, Apache got very sick from the TOTW food recall, and is still recovering. until shes better, no park.

Sounds like my Boxer Coco and my Georgie....no one messes with him when his sister is around I hope Apache feels better sweet girl.

[Lovetodream88]

I wouldn't want any one picking Callie up they don't normally because she is 16 pounds but if they did I would be worried about it because they could drop her or take off with her plus she gets a bit scared if someone other then me or my parents pick her up. I know my dog park has a rule that says no kids in the dog park and your a kid until 18. I would have found his mom after he cursed at me and let her know.

[AlyHope]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Sounds like my Boxer Coco and my Georgie....no one messes with him when his sister is around I hope Apache feels better sweet girl.

It amazes me how much apache loves her and will protect her. She understands Grace is a dog and part of our family. Because trust me... anything that small outside (duck, squirrel) is dinner in apaches eyes. Apache loves nothing more then to chase those poor ducks.
& Thanks! She is getting better by the day. Lots of pedialyte, Benebac and TLC. (:
Even though the recall is lifted I took her off TOTW and started her on a new food called Canidae-Pure Elements. She seems to like it and Its another grain free high quality food.

Thank goodness I dont have gracie on TOTW. if she had gotten as sick as apache it would have really given me a heart attack. Apaches 80 Lbs, and has a great appetite so it was easy to get her to take meds and drink water... and so on. Gracie on the other hand is sooooo picky and 3 pounds.

I still have grace on the food that the store forced me to buy with her... Health Extention.. Its okay food but I plan on switching her over to a better food soon.

[AlyHope]

I feel so much better about the situation. He should have asked! as for him walking away..that would never be okay.