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08-02-2014, 11:22 PM | #1 |
Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member | 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.
__________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube Last edited by alaskayorkie; 08-02-2014 at 11:25 PM. |
Welcome Guest! | |
08-02-2014, 11:48 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,865
| 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...
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
08-03-2014, 12:59 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska
Posts: 3,299
| 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. |
08-03-2014, 03:52 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: west long branch, n.j.
Posts: 4,457
| 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? 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!
__________________ Joan, Bubba and Sissy-BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS breathe in, breathe out, move on -jb |
08-03-2014, 04:34 AM | #5 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | 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 ! 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.
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
08-03-2014, 06:37 AM | #6 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts/Florida
Posts: 2,614
| 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?
__________________ LD that's me and Pasquale "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you!" |
08-03-2014, 06:59 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| 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!
__________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car |
08-03-2014, 07:17 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama
Posts: 17,674
| 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. |
08-03-2014, 07:27 AM | #9 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| 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!!!
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
08-03-2014, 08:27 AM | #10 | |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Quote:
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.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy | |
08-03-2014, 08:38 AM | #11 | |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Quote:
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!
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy | |
08-03-2014, 09:03 AM | #12 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| 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.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
08-03-2014, 10:07 AM | #13 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| 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
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
08-03-2014, 10:10 AM | #14 | |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Quote:
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.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew | |
08-03-2014, 10:22 AM | #15 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| 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
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
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