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03-27-2005, 04:39 PM | #1 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto
Posts: 371
| How protective are you? Npw that Sheila has had all her shots and spring is arriving we go out for lots of long walks. I guess because of her being in daycare and her temperment she is a very friendly dog and has no fear of people or other dogs. She is very friendly and just wants to say hi or play. These are traits I want my dog to have and why I spent the extra money socializing her as a puppy. Now here is the problem. She is 2.2 pounds and VERY cute. I live in the centre of downtown Toronto and so there is no avoiding other people and dogs when I go out. She gets so much attention it isn't even funny. That I have no problem with, if my dog can put a smile on peoples faces then the world is that much beter IMHO. A few times though people have actualy picked her up! Like most yorkies she can squirm and I hold my breath every time they do. Trust me, I don't let them but it happens so fast. What should I do? I don't want to freak out because then she is at even more risk of being dropped. Should I just say to everyone she meets, it's ok you can pet her, but please don't pick her up? Most people don't, they know better but there are afew that do and they almost always say "oh I have a yorkie" or "I have a toy" etc, etc. Am I just being over protective? The next question is other dogs. Toronto is a huge dog city (allowed on public transport, leash free parks, etc) and lots of dogs are off their leashes even out of the leash free parks. With the other toys I don't worry, but med-large I tend to pick her up. The owners almost always appoligise and say their dog is friendly. I know most dogs are friendly, should I relax a bit and give them the benifet of the doubt or continue to pick her up? As always any advice is much appreicated. Last edited by Harbinger; 03-27-2005 at 05:03 PM. |
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03-27-2005, 05:05 PM | #2 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Suburbs, Chicago
Posts: 54
| Well as far as people approching you, I would definetley let them know that it is okay to pet her, but you would prefer it if they would not pick her up, to me it is pretty bold of someone to pick up a dog they dont even know! She is your dog, and I would definetley go with your instinct, you would never want something to happen to her, same goes for the leash thing, I would definetley pick my Snickers up if another bigger dog approched him, they maybe friendley, but you never know what might happen, even just in being playful a bigger dog can really hurt a little yorkie, especially one as small as yours!! Do what you feel is most comfortable, you obviously are hesitant about these things, so always go with your instinct! Just my opinon
__________________ Cara |
03-27-2005, 05:53 PM | #3 |
Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,719
| Harbinger, I agree with russell04, trust your instincts. You, just as all the rest of us, have a lot invested in your pet, financially and emotionally. As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as overprotective in the situations you describe. And I would add an extra word of caution. In the city where my sister lives, she has told me stories twice in the last few months of people reporting their Yorkies stolen. Our little babies are becoming very popular, especially those that are tiny. You're a good dad, go with your gut! Good luck!
__________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri! |
03-27-2005, 06:08 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Midwest
Posts: 20
| I agree with everyone above! I too have had strangers grab Bailey - even out of my arms! They say "Oh, he's so cute!" and bam - they're holding him! I know they are just admiring, but iheartyorkies is right - there are more and more instances of people dogknapping! It's scary! Our babies are very trendy and pricey right now, so be careful. And I agree too that it's ok to be a little firm and protect your little one. Whether it's insisting he wear a sweater in the cold (my personal thing!) or asking a stranger not to pick him up! You're the parent - and love him the most - so screw anybody else! (and I mean that in the nicest way!) ~Kelley |
03-27-2005, 06:31 PM | #5 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC
Posts: 697
| I Agree! I absolutely agree with everyone, especially Bailey's Mom my words exactly! I couldn't have said it any better. Your not being over protective or paranoid. I take my male to the "BarcPark" down here it's completely enclosed/fenced in, packs of dogs of all sizes.....unfortunately he is very out going and goes up to every dog with no fear! He will growl or even snap at another dog, if he feels he has too? I do not promote aggressive behaviour and that's not what he is doing. He is just letting them know his boundries. I do stay very close and I reassure him that I am there by saying "It's OK. I'm here" if he feels unsafe or unsure of the situation he jumps up in my arms. I cannot change his personality nor do I want to. I just keep a sharp eye out for him, sometimes you have to anticipate what might happen and be prepared to react in any situation? Be ready for anything, expect the unexpected! After all it's up to do what's best for them. |
03-27-2005, 07:14 PM | #6 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| Harbinger- First your right your Sheila is a little doll. It's because she is so tiny and cute that some people want to pick her up. I don't think it is rude for you to ask anyone to pet her and not to pick her up. She's your baby and you have the right to treat her as such. As far as big dogs approaching her if it was me I would continue to pick her up. You just don't know if you can trust what someone elses dog is capable of. You could tell anyone that questions it that Shelia can get intimidated by larger dogs. That lets you off the hook.
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
03-27-2005, 07:59 PM | #7 |
Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD
Posts: 2,985
| I am so protective I border on paranoid. I have a sign that I put on the cart at PetSmart OR anywhere that I take my babies. It has a "STOP" sign and in large print says...MOM SAYS ASK BEFORE YOU PET ME !!!! I absolutely DO not want strangers petting my dogs without asking or in the wrong manner. I would NEVER walk a Yorkie without a harness and leash. If necessary to make a quick rescue from harm, you can grab the baby up by the leash and harness very quickly. Sure you would not want to make a habit of yanking your baby up that way but then drastic situations call for drastic measures. Has your baby had giardia and other types of vaccines? Please be careful of standing water, poop, and scraps of food.. Don't relax and don't give them the benefit of the doubt..Consider any stranger-hooman or animal- a threat at first. You can always change your mind and back off but if you make a misjudgement your baby could be at risk. OMG, just lissen to me.... |
03-27-2005, 09:18 PM | #8 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there
Posts: 2,693
| I would never go up to somebody and just pick up their dog, what are people thinking? My son is crazy about allll animals and even he knows to ask before you just go up and pet somebody elses dog. And dong give other people the benefit of the doubt, you need to put the welfare of your yorkie first!!! |
03-27-2005, 10:59 PM | #9 |
YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 6,238
| I know how hard it is to say NO to people, but if this was your human child, would you just let any stranger pick them up? Of course not! It takes a while, but you can get used to saying NO, as I do often. If Yoda is on the ground, and someone comes to pet, that's fine, but if they look like they want to pick him up, I say, please don't pick him up. We sorta run the other way when a child comes too, because children can sort of "slap" and paw away with their hands, which can be a bit terrifying for a Yorkie. As far as picking them up when other dogs come around, it's better to be safe than sorry, and I feel that's a smart thing to do, as there's a lot of dirty and not-so-well-behaved dogs around. There's nothing wrong with picking Sheila up if you are not comfortable with the situation, and one can never really tell how another dog will react to a small cute 2 pound Yorkie! It's okay to be overprotective, she's your baby! And you definitely want to avoid anything bad that can happen if you can prevent it. We always make sure there's no people walking around a corner really fast because Yoda loves sneaking around corners, and someone walking fast could really hurt him with just a small kick. |
03-27-2005, 11:24 PM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 113
| I know the feeling, every time Nemo and I go out someone ask if they can pick him, I never understand why, I would never just pick up or ask to pick up soemone's dog, I loved the sign idea maybe I should do the same thing, my husband tell me am too over protective but, am sorry this is my baby and just to make someone happy for a second by picking up my baby. and risking him getting hurst, no way. sorry if I sound rude but am sure many will agree with me is just plain rude of people to walk up and just pick them up, yes they are beautiful and very cute, but they need to keep their hand to them selfs, ohh what about kids, I always get kids asking me if they can pick my baby up and I have to tell tell gentle no am sorry, you can't then I have the mother or father give me the dirtiest look. is so hard to keep our babies form atracting attention |
03-27-2005, 11:44 PM | #11 |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
| I don't think you are being overprotective at all. They can be hurt so easily and it is up to us to keep them safe. What if the stranger isn't used to holding a squirming bundle of energy and they drop her on her head?! I'm sure they would feel bad but it's your dog hurt not theirs. If a stranger doesn't understand that, it is their problem. As for other dogs, I would pick her up. Just think of how many stories you hear about a perfectly friendly dog that has never attacked before biting (or worse) children or dogs. It isn't worth the risk.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW |
03-27-2005, 11:57 PM | #12 |
The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California
Posts: 2,010
| Hm. Overprotective is my middle name. I think most of us are with our Yorkies. I get critisized a lot (not here) for my policy with my children and the dogs (no unsupervised contact, absolutely no holding) -- but my motto, with everything, is better safe than sorry. It was hard for me to get used to telling people "no" when I first got Sandy. She's a rescue and iffy around people she doesn't know if they get up in her face. She's never bitten anyone (that I know of) but I can tell when she gets uncomfortable. In the cart at Petsmart she tries to burrow into my chest when she doesn't like something, or she starts shaking and whimpering. I think it's good that we are all responsible dog owners here. Everyone has the animal and other peoples' best interest at heart. With Tia, I let people know that she is very squirmy so it's best if they don't hold her. That seems to get a good reaction from everyone. What consistantly floors me is the way people let their children run up to strange dogs in all places. My children know better than that. (no, I'm not a perfect mother by any means) We had one kid (about 6?) run up to Sandy in Petsmart and the Mom was busy chatting with someone else. I had to tell him, pretty sternly, not to get into Sandy's face. I felt bad, but it was the best thing to do in the situation, I think.
__________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.*Aimée, Sandy, and Tia*.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) |
03-28-2005, 12:12 AM | #13 |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
| aimee, I applaud your policy. Right before Christmas a couple my sister knows lost their new yorkie because they left him unsupervised with their young child. The child hit it in the head and it had to be put down.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW |
03-28-2005, 12:18 AM | #14 | |
The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California
Posts: 2,010
| Quote:
__________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.*Aimée, Sandy, and Tia*.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) | |
03-28-2005, 03:32 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc.
Posts: 9,031
| Harbinger ... everything you have already been told echoes my sentiments as well! You cannot be too protective. While we were home visiting last week, I let Toto fall from my arms on a tile floor!!! I was carrying too many things and thought I had a secure hold on her ... scared me spitless! Fortunately all it did was scare her but I know it could have been much, much worse! We have only let one person [a stranger] hold Toto. We were shopping in PetSmart and Toto was in the cart .... I noticed a really sad looking older lady who kept looking at her. She finally approached us and asked if it was OK to pet her ... we said it was and began a conversation with her. Seems her Yorkie baby of 17 years had died the week before and she said Toto reminded her so much of hers. On impulse, I asked if she would like to hold her and she was soooo grateful. Toto didn't wiggle or anything ... just snuggled in her arms as if she knew. I thought the lady was going to cry but looked so happy. She thanked us and said we would never know how much that meant to her! I said this to say .... go with your instinct! We always scoop Toto up if she's on her leash walking and another dog or child approaches. After we "feel the situation out" we might let her back down to socialize, but it's always better to be safe than sorry! Sounds like you are a very good Dad to Sheila ... you will know what's best!
__________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein |
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