Rant: Will little dogs ever get any respect?
 

I've pretty much given up. When I fell in love with little dogs, I started out trying to change people's minds about them. It seemed everyone I ran into considered them less than "real dogs."

I took mine to countless obedience classes and performance classes. I got them registered as therapy dogs. I competed with them in agility. They're 2 of 7 Yorkies in the country who have their nosework titles. I posted pictures of them on Facebook and videos of them on YouTube romping around like big dogs in the snow. I show them off like a bazillionaire shows off his trophy wife.

I think I did all of this because I was trying to show people how truly remarkable little dogs are.

But the reason I'm tossing my hands up in defeat is because my city is building dog parks without fences separating little and big dogs. It's a cost-cutting thing, and I've been unable to convince anyone that it's a dumb idea.

Instead, they're offering "little dog hours" at the parks. Our first fenced park designated six hours a week as 25-pounds-and-under hours. I figured it was better than nothing.

What I wasn't prepared for were the cries of protest from big dog owners. They didn't see it as a safety issue, they saw it as pampered little dogs not being able to hang with the big dogs. They saw the little dog hours as a closure for them, and they said it was against their civil rights! If little dogs couldn't cut it, they should stay home. Next time, they said, get a real dog!

I thought it would go away, but a full year after one park designated those hours, there's a meeting to discuss extending the hours to a new park that's being approved. Our newspaper ran a story on it, and the comments on the story are horrible.

Little dogs get absolutely no respect, and I don't think they ever will. I guess all we can do is appreciate them in seclusion.

Sorry but Shauna's comments have me ROTFLMBO! Seriously sad situation... only asking others to share. Joshua needs to get a life if those 6 hours of little dog time a week have a negative effect on his dogs. Makes me think he lives at the dog park.

That's it though, until one owns a small dog... they will remain clueless...

Where's the new park going to be? I gave up on the dog parks, now I take Joel to the the Valley of the Moon and walk him around the trails. He likes it the same and still gets to interact with dogs and people.

We have a large beautiful dog park here. It has separate, fenced large and small dog areas. My two little ones play with the large dogs on the other side by racing back and forth along the fence but having seen a small yorkie attacked by a larger dog when the owners took him on the other side, I would never take mine on the other side of that fence. It was not play, it was an out and out attack with the yorkie ending up with an injured back leg before they could be seperated.

If Anchorage has six parks already, why can't at least 2 be designated as small dogs parks? Oh but then the closest location would be the argument.

I guess there never is an answer that pleases everyone:
Why should people who don't have dogs pay for dog parks? :D
Why should people who don't have kids pay for schools?
Why do we have to pay taxes for the sewerage facility when we have a septic tank?
Why should people who don't have cars pay for roads?
Why do we have to pay for tv service, it used to be free? And on and on. And on.

Move down here! I love our dog park!

I hear you, Mike. I often feel like my dogs aren't really seen as "real dogs" bc of their size. Well, that's news to them :p! Bc they sure are ALL dog.

What a bummer about the dog park - it's too bad they can't just find the funds to fence off an area so that all dogs can go, all the time.

When Pasquale was younger I use to take him to a dog park. It didnt have little dog hours nor was it separated by a fence for small dogs. I thought I was doing the right thing by trying to socialize my dog. My vet told me that the most injuries they have come into the office happen at dog parks...as soon as I heard that bit of info. I stopped taking him. I feared for his safety, especially around the bigger dogs.

What I find funny is after reading all the comments was the people that were against it kept bringing up cost. What happens when your big dog injures my little dog? Don't you think the cost is going to be more?

I have a very well trained and dedicated service dog, a Yorkie, who I was told by the service dog school was the fastest learner they had ever had. When we go to get on the plane we always get pulled to the side while the German shepherds and the goldens march right on the plane. I instead, am quizzed about my "service dog". So why should there be a difference here? Well, in addition to having the hearing that I don't have, she is cute and small and therefore can't be a REAL service

They always treat us like we are trying to get by with something -- how excited do you think my Yorkie service dog is to be crammed in with a bunch of smelly noisy people for a 6-7 hour plane trip?

Frankly the Europeans are more sensible about it!

It's really sad that small dogs are discriminated against.

Perhaps one reason is that too many small dog owners attempt to sneak their dogs places where dogs simply aren't allowed. I read thread after thread, post after post where even YT members use purse like doggie carrier to smuggle their pooches in a variety of venues where there are highly visible signs stating that ONLY Service Dogs are allowed. SO, untrained small pooches miraculously become "service dogs" that assist owners with emotional disorders.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have my Lacie trained/certified/registered as a service dog as I do suffer from severe anxiety in crowds. But until and if she is properly trained and certified, I will respect the "no dog" policies.

Sadly so many people say they don't like little dogs and disrespect them as trivial but you hear so many say they felt that way until they got one or lived around one and then most change their minds and come to love the little tykes. Just like a lot of people don't care for babies or kids until they have their own.

Any sophisticated society protects the fragile, innocent, disadvantaged in size or abilities from those who would hurt them or have an unfair advantage and always makes special rules and laws to give them a chance at a better life and keep them safe.

Just ask those big dog owners if they are willing to put their money where their mouth is and sign up for them and their group of buddies to play a 60-minute-game of football with an actual NFL professional team with no holds barred and call it fair and even - or would they want some special rules and "pampering" to save their hides from wrack and ruin trying to hold their own with a whole squad of highly-skilled, 6' 6" battle-hardened hulks, some possibly amped up on HGH?

Or would they step in the boxing ring with the heavy-weight boxing champion of the world with no special rules or shortened ring-time to protect them, the underdog?

Would they enter a contest to solve a series of math problems in a given time-frame with Stephen Hawking if their life depended on them matching his abilities?

Would they want their children to be treated as adults on the playing field with adults or in life or cut some slack and special rules in place to protect them?

Little dogs do need protection from huge, out-of-control big dogs, some of which are dog-aggressive. If owners of little dogs knew that the big dogs were obedient, under control of their owners and not totally running wild, maybe they wouldn't need special hours to keep their smaller pets safe. Big dog owners take the position that all should be equal with dogs in dog parks when they don't think smaller, weaker animals deserve a slice of the pie but with special protections. Yet when they are put in the position of underdogs, I'll bet they would squawk out for help and special rules to give themselves a fair shot!

Keep fighting for the rights of the little guys to have some time in the dog park to themselves, safe from the big dogs!!!

Mike, I share your frustration. I'm not even asking for a park. All I want is to be able to walk my little dogs outdoors without fear of being attacked by large, off leash dogs.

Our area is seeing an increasing number of small dogs killed on their daily walks by large, loose dogs. Some people respond to the newspaper articles with comments that little dogs should stay inside because they can't hack it outdoors and they look like a snack.

You have accomplished so much with Eddie and Jillie to demonstrate the abilities of small dogs. Unfortunately, there are many hearts and minds that will never be changed until or unless they have a little dog in their lives.

One more comment . . . I have to drive 6 miles each way just to take my dogs walking. I do it daily, sometimes twice a day. We can't even walk in our nice neighborhood.

Doesn't sound far to drive, but the cost of gas and the mileage on my car adds up.

The places we go to walk are not guaranteed to be free of loose dogs. People seem to be obsessed with their dogs being off leash, even in areas with busy streets.

I've had large dogs charging at me while I scramble to pick up Max & Teddy. The owner of the large dog often just stands there and laughs. Infuriating!

That's terrible. I hate the stereo types little dogs get and the nasty comments. I honestly personally love everyone who has tried to show there not those stereo types like your yorkies and Jackson,Brits yorkie and just everyone who shows how smart, well trained, and fun the little guys can be. I don't think my yorkie is any different then someone's lab just smaller and maybe more attitude but she listens, is very smart, does tricks and goes potty outside. My dog would play with the big dogs happily in fact she likes them better then small dogs but it's me who will not allow that unless I really know the dog. I feel kinda bad for people who hate on little dogs because most of them are simply going with stereo typing and what they have heard. I also feel bad for them because there missing out on the love from a small dog and how really awesome they are. I also feel bad for anyone who has to bash and say nasty things about other peoples things because normally there just bitter people who have to bring others down to feel better about themselves.

The honest truth is all it takes is a simple walk down the street to realize some big dogs see little furry things like Yorkies and Poms as prey, cuing predatory behavior. I'm sure the big dog owners would understand more if they had to walk their big dogs among still larger animals such as mountain lions/cougars who saw their dogs as prey and apt to come for them at any time. Then they might understand what it feels like to have something you feel like you're putting in jeopardy by just venturing out with your tiny dog!

Any city that makes a park for dogs who doesn't recognize that some of the larger ones will see the little ones as prey isn't very dog-savvy and might need to check with the ASPCA on the subject of how some large dogs might react around smaller dogs and take all the precautions they can to give the little guys a break and keep them safe.

Dog Parks | ASPCA

Predatory Behavior in Dogs | ASPCA

I guess like cat people and dog people there are 'big dog' people and 'little dog' people! I get frustrated when people let their big dogs run loose and they can't understand that my little dogs are afraid of their strange, big dog charging toward them.


I can't believe that they are making a fuss about the dog park hours though; maybe the small dog owners should start screaming for MORE hours or a park of their own.


I was heartened by my walk last night when a very fit young man stopped and said he wanted a dog just like Lucy. IF anything, I would have had him pegged as a 'big dog' person.


So, little dogs are appreciated by all the best people.

I heard on some TV show the other day that toy dogs owners are more intelligent than the owners of larger dogs! I tried to fine a source for that statement online as it was just a line someone tossed off during a show and this is the closest I can get.

Dog Breeds Match Owners Personalities - Prevention.com

:thumbup::thumbup:

Great to see you on YT!

It's good to be back! Between 2 dogs, a teen-ager (now in college) and 92 year old Father (recently passed), I did not have time to breathe.


Now I have too much time - but isn't that how it goes.

I am very sorry to hear your father passed. 92 years! I hope that I am blessed to have my dad around that long.

I can't believe your son is now college age. Where does the time go? Hope the doggies are doing well.

*sorry Mike to hijack your thread for personal business. Ban me for it. :D:D

Some of the comments on that article... *smacks head*

Honestly, it's very rare that I find a dog park around here that DOESN'T have a separate small dog/big dog section. I find it amusing that some people think it's such an odd thing???

I did used to let Jackson on the big side, but as he's gotten older (and I ;)) I don't do it anymore. Jackson stopped having fun, he was too nervous with certain types of big dogs (he doesn't like bully breeds, and their play style) and it simply wasn't worth the risk anymore. I saw too many fights and questionable behavior. I think I was maybe naive when he was younger. OR, a lot of times the dog was not being aggressive, just simply trying to play... but very obnoxiously. Jackson doesn't appreciate it and will stick him for himself, which is what scares me.

He is a very well behaved, well trained dog. It has nothing to do with 'training' as some commenters said. It's literally a safety issue. I am fine with Jackson playing and hanging out with big dogs that I know and trust. A bunch of unknown dogs loose together in a big thunder-dome style fenced in area? Umm, no thank you.

As the years have gone on, I've kind of become somewhat indifferent on dog parks in general. I used to LOVE them, see nothing wrong with them, etc. To be honest, I've had mostly positive experiences at the dog park (on the small dog side).

But I've seen way too many clueless people who walk in, and either don't understand dog body language at ALL or maybe are looking a little too closely into it, or a bit of both.

There's two extremes, really. You have the people who allow their dogs to just run wild, humping everyone, jumping on everyone, growling (not playfully), etc, who are all "oh they're just dogs! Let them play!" Then the other end of the spectrum, person walks in with their dog, won't take them off the leash, a dog goes up to sniff their dogs butt and they immediately pick them up off the ground and think the other dog was being aggressive. LOL...

I do not think it's a great place for puppies, especially in crowded parks. It can often make or break a dog liking other dogs or traumatize them. And people have this idea that ALL dogs must love ALL other dogs, when that's simply not the case. Some dogs simply aren't 'dog park dogs' and there is nothing wrong with that.

I occasionally bring Jackson to our dog park still (used to a lot more when he was younger). We have two close ones, and frequent one more than the other. The one we go to is regulated and in a state park, so there are park rangers, etc, available close-by. Most people here tend to follow rules, and sometimes can be a bit snobby, but sometimes it's better that way. I am very good at reading canine body language and I also know my own dog very well. If he is not enjoying himself, we leave. If I see a questionable dog, we leave.

I definitely find the small dog side to have less problems overall and *I* feel a lot more ease only having small dogs under 25lbs or friendly elderly big dogs.

It doesn't seem like a far fetched request to me to have fenced in areas for both!

And for little dogs not being REAL dogs... pshhh... it always amuses me because most of the time it comes from people who have huge, fat, lazy giant dogs who don't do anything more than sit on their couch and chill in their backyard anyway. But your dog is more "real" than mine (who hikes, swims, runs, etc, with me?) because he's 80+lbs? Ohhhkayyy. ;)

so typical all that's said. Frustrating for small dog owners. They are big dogs in little packages. It's funny that my Yorkie could out walk a s**tzu and a golden both who were younger than he. They'd drop back and he'd look back at them, up and me and kind of make a nod forward. Always cracked me up.

a bunch of narrow minded idiots, people like that

Thanks for the commiseration. It's sad that so many of us have simular experiences.

The story glosses over that fact that 5 of the 6 current "dog parks" are unfenced. Our city of 300,000 only has one small fenced park.

They're in the process of approving a second official fenced park -- Valley of the Moon park, which my little dog group turned into an unofficial dog park because it was fenced and no one was using it as a ballpark.

Have you tried seeing about raising the money, or getting the materials and work donated for the fence for the park, and maybe seeing about a discount on admission for small dogs for doing this. Also check with your local Boy Scout group to see if anyone is going for eagle Scout and needs a project to works towards his goal. There are many ways of getting the fence put in at no cost to the city/county, you just need to see what can be done, and who is willing to help. I love all dogs, but am a Yorkie man through and through. Good luck with the fence issue.
Cheers Quad & Gina:aimeeyork

Good ideas, thanks! My big fault in all of this is I haven't been on the ground floor to discuss planning and funding. I work nights, and that's when these meetings are taking place.

You're absolutely right, though. If you want something done right, do it yourself!

Unbelievable. It's not a "pampered" dog issue, it is a safety issue.

Sheldon is my first little dog, but I had the opposite problem with my Bullmastiff foster. He was a pup, but a BIG pup when I first took him to the dog park. He was doing just fine when I had some guy feel the need to tell me he was "too small" for the big dog side of the park (they are separated here). It pissed me off so I looked at him and told him, "This dog will be around 100lbs at maturity (he was already 26lbs at this point), and he is way too big to be in the small dog section. Mind your own business". He then proceeded to tell me that I should keep my puppy at home until his size was more appropriate. Lol...meanwhile, his two dogs were terrorizing the other dogs and he didn't get off his bench seat once. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and laugh at him.

Oh I get comments from narrow-minded ignorant people about my small dogs all the time. I brush it off now. They don't know the love of a little guy or girl, until they own one! Its their loss! I personally just love all animals. They all have so much to give and teach us!

We see that ignorance all the time at dog parks. We pulled our little dogs into a corner at far end of field for safety, and one medium size dog came ôver and played too rough. Owners saw it but were seated on a bench on the other side. I walked over and talked to them, and they said they thought the meetup was about socialization. They didn't realize they had to assist in the socialization sometimes. It's frustrating when the owners don't even try to learn. They left in a huff.

Alaskayorkie, you ask a really interesting and thought provoking question.

The question is bigger than just the park issue. Although, I completely understand your frustration. My humble advice, would be to use the surrounding beauty of Anchorage as a place to take your dogs. Who are obviously total bad asses.

But your question is really good, there is a group of people who view small dogs as inferior or as you said "not real dogs". Many of them are men, who have either never lived with a small dog or with any dog at all. As a man myself I know that some people think its ridiculous I have little dogs. Its some kind of stupid macho thing. I honestly don't give a %$@# what those people think. I have found that once these type of people get to live with small dogs for a while they change their mind, big time.

Pound for pound a Yorkie is every bit as capable as many other big dogs. Mine have chased Cattle from my property, they catch and kill lizards that are really, really fast, and they are incredibly good watch dogs. Just in a small, portable, package.

If you haven't read the book about "Smoky" the war dog. I highly recommend it.

The good news is there are lots of people like you and me that love little dogs and understand how important they are and will speak up to protect them.