That's exactly what I don't want. He senses I am tense when I pick him up as soon as a dog approaches him. But today I was just overwhelmed with all the bad experiences and carried him. I just couldn't take another dog barking at him.

I base my decision on the other dog's temperment. Size doesn't really matter to me. We never, ever greet dogs we don't know.

I took cheerios with me, he loves them but completely ignored them when we were outside. It was really funny when he went potty, I give him a cheerio and he just looked at it like "what is this?" And turned his nose and kept walking. The grass was more exciting :).

I should try chicken next time, lets see if he ignores that ;)

LOL, the grass. My boys aren't treat motivated outdoors either. Max might do a few tricks for treats on the driveway, but then it is over.

Oh girl, get something good! Jax would look at me as if I was crazy with a Cheerio, too, haha. He enjoys sharing them with me in bed at night, but yeah, in any kind of distracting environment, they do absolutely nothing for him! Moreso than the food though, make yourself exciting!

Hahaha this made me laugh! And I needed it after all this frustration. I'll try something better than a measly cheerio tomorrow :)

That's the problem. Bentley freezes and waits for them to pass by closely. If he'd keep walking I wouldnt have to pick him up. But I'll take treats with me tomorrow and hopefully he will keep walking.

I am already looking into a Yorkie meetup in my area for socializing purposes.

What would I do without this forum!!?? ;)

Are there any puppy play groups/classes by you? We have a couple that are run by trainers who supervise puppy play so it doesn't get out of hand. That way Bentley could get used to bigger dogs in a better environment.

I hope you can find a meetup or playdate. That would be great.

If you are passing by the other dog closely, keep Bentley on your side that is opposite the other dog. In other words, you would be between him and the other dog. (Of course if the other person is giving their dog tons of leash, move away or pick up Bentley).

Keep your feet pointing forward at all times in the direction you want to move. If he sits or doesn't want to move, say "Let's go" cheerfully and move like you are going to take a step. You can also employ the treat when doing this, holding the treat in a forward position. I agree with Brit about trying a really yummy treat, but it doesn't always work for all dogs (like mine).

If he doesn't respond, wait a moment and try again.

I would use a regular leash when training and not a retractable, if you aren't already.

I am guilty of tensing and telegraphing negative signals through the leash. I need just as much training as my dogs. Try to be confident and cheerful.

My yorkies play with their 95 pound adopted brother but never other larger dogs. I only trust by own with them. They were raised by a 120 pound golden so they don't fear what is bigger than them in the slightest which equals trouble for them!

Our son has a boxer who is great with our to and visa versa but this last week we puppy sat for our grandaughters, on has a chi and one a pom chi mix. Their dogs were great and Laddy loved them but they were a little to playful for Kyra and bless her little 3lb heart she became the aggressive one lol. I am very careful with mine and don't allow them around bigger dogs we don't know really well.

NO! And I think that is what my problem is. I think my babies can sense my fear and it's what causing them to be nervous and skittish around others. But I have good reason! When we were little my brother was bitten so bad by a Irish setter. They say if it weren't for him being the chunky kid that he was he would have for sure not be with us today. The bite was to the throat and came too close to his windpipe. Mind you he was teasing the poor dog and the dog probably had had enough. I did not see it happened but the image of my mom holding his neck with his skin over lapping her hand when he came in will NEVER leave my mind. Then my 3lbs Gus was attacked by a German Shepherd and was almost killed. pierced lung, fluid in chest cavity, lacerations on chest, thighs and buttocks and pulled though when even the doctors said it didn't look good. This dog lived in a home with kids and 2 other dogs (a tiny 2lb Chihuahua and pug mix) and had never showed aggression towards anyone one before. Gus was in our own yard and this GH ran from across street and attacked him for no reason at all. They were fined and did pay for the bill. But again about 2 weeks after this he got out and killed a puppy who was playing with its skinkids. Then again at one of our Yorkie meetups at the dog beach in Long Beach, we were walking on the shore and a boxer lunged at him and even though I was able to pull him up before it got ahold of him, Gus did get a small tooth scratch on his chest. It always scared me to see little dogs around big dogs but like I said for very good reasons.

PS if you are in Cali and in the IE area I would love to set up a playdate. Our babies are the same age.

After having an attack on my little Shih Tzu a few years ago I don't take any chances. If I see a dog heading toward Gracie and I she gets picked up and I head in the other direction. Also learned to carry a big pop out umbrella to defend her if need be.

A few weeks ago I had a Chi come running at us full tilt (no leash) with the fur on it's back standing up and teeth bared. Their dog was "friendly" also. People do not realize what their pets will do when outside the home. Most people do not properly train their dogs to come or sit or down on command and have little control over them even on a leash.

Our little dogs many times incite the prey instinct of these strange dogs. It just is not worth taking a chance.

I live out in the country in a wooded area. We have about every kind of wild prey bird and beast that lives in the north east yet the only time we have had attacks are when I am in town or on the hiking trails in our parks. I have learned to only go to the park early in the morning before a lot of people show up with their dogs or later in the afternoon. Gracie loves it there but I am on my guard constantly.

Katie Scarlett had a few interactions with bigger dogs at puppy kindergarten and other training classes. They were all good experiences but both I and the bigger dogs owners were nervous. KS is very social and thinks she is as big as they are until she got right up to them. Now, I am very hesitant and usually do pick her up if we are out on a walk or in public and I see a medium to bigger dog we do not know just to be safe. But even when she's on the leash, like at the pet store for example, I've noticed many large breed dog owners who either steer clear or hold their dog away from us. I've been told they are just nervous and taking precautions. I only let KS play with little dogs when we go to the park or have company in our home though.