I don't think they should be offended at all if you pick your dog up.
Sometimes I am annoyed that people assume it's okay for their big dog to come over to mine. Biscuit is agressive with big dogs, he just had too many bad experiences with them. so when I see a big one (and they usually aren't on a leash) I pick him up right away. The big dog owner always says "Oh- he/she is friendly" and I say" well mine is not". I just feel that people should maybe ask if it's ok for their dog to come to my dog first.
Bad things can happen very quickly if the dogs decide they don't like each other-to me it's a safety issue.

I have had dogs all my life so I'm pretty good at reading dogs body language. if a dog approaches us no matter what size & seems friendly & interested in play. I will hold Logan back & ask the owner if it's alright if they play, then the owner will say yes or no. if they say no we walk away end of story. Logan is a bigger/sturdy yorkie that plays with my mom's weimereiner all the time so I'm not has worried about him as I would be with a little one.

I have a story about kids, I take Logan to Lowes everytime we go. The one near us encouraged us to bring him. He rides in the cart & loves the attention. Well the last time we went we passed a family with a little boy & girl, well the little boy ran up & tried to pet him once on the head & then ran back to his parents, he petted a little hard & Logan looked up at me like what was that. And the dad reprimanded him & told him when he meets a new dog he needs to let the doggie smell him first before petting. so then he told him to go back to the dog & let him smell him first. I know Logan would never in a million years hurt anyone, but it made me smile that the parent was trying to teach the child the correct way.

I ALWAYS pick up my Yorkies when around large dogs for good reason. On more than one occassion I have had large dogs come after my small dogs when walking them on a leash and I now walk with pepper spary which I have had to use. I had a Lab/Pitpull mix to jump up on my back while I was shielding my two Yorkies in my arms to my chest. I really try to steer clear where I know big dogs live and if someone is walking a big dog, I will cross to the other side of the street to give the big dog his path.

Another time I took one of my Yorkies across the street to visit my neighbor who had a very nice gentle lab. I thought her lab would be fine around my Yorkie but that wasnt the case, the lab went after my dog which shocked both of us and I think it was a respect thing between little dog to big dog. My Yorkie thinks he is as big as a lab and refuses to give the respect that is needed to the bigger dog and the big dog felt like she needed to put him in his place.

I ditto that! Amazing who these little squirts think they are!;)

If I'm alone with Max, I sometimes pick him up because he has fear issues around some other dogs and I don't want him to freak out. The behaviorist that I worked with said that since Max feels anxious around other dogs that I should not force him to go up to other dogs to say hello and play. She compared his anxiety to the anxiety a person who is afraid of heights might feel if he/she were forced to stand on the edge of a cliff.
What offends me is that some people with big dogs just let their dogs come right up to Max without even asking if it's ok and sometimes I don't have time to scoop him up. The one day I walked out my front door (I live in a townhouse and the sidewalk is a few feet from my door) and BAM-a Lab was sniffing up on Max before I could react. Of course, Max freaked out because we were up against my door and cornered in a sense. The woman had the nerve to give me dirty looks because Max started his high pitched barking and lunging. She never should have had her dog's lead extended the way she had--I thought it was incredibly rude and inconsiderate. :thumbdown

I wouldn't be offended. We pick up Penny or go to the other side because she is a pain in the butt with other dogs while we are on walks. I do it so the other dog owner (and dog) will not be annoyed.

I am very sorry if they are offended but I rather that, than have a dead dog on my hands. I speak from experience. My little Chihuaha was killed by a German Sheppard "that wouldn't hurt a fly". You NEVER know what can trigger an attack even from a dog that has no history of aggression.

To be quite frank I couldn't give a flying rats patoot if anyone gets offended when I pick up my babies. I have a responsibility to my yorkies, NOT a total stranger with a big dog. ;) I don't know these people and don't care if they get offended, it's a personal choice for them to make.

I agree with what others said. My guy isn't "small" as in tiny, but small enough. Generally, however I pick him up because he thinks HE is the MAN! He has too much attitude to big dogs sometimes and I think the big dog must be saying...Yeah right, get a grip little man!!! When we are at the dog park however I do not shelter my little dogs, they run with all the big dogs and get along just fine. Generally once the big dogs sniff em a bit they take off. Now, if my dog was just a wee little Yorkie, I might feel a bit differently. Man I love dogs!! all of em..

Kathy

this may sound like a dumb question, but do they allow dogs in home depot? little ones i mean? I am new to the dog owning world and would love to take mine places more often with me in a little dog purse, but i don't know about policies at different places...

It depends on the store. Ours does so does Lowes and menards but I have heard other people on here say their home depot didnt

No I would not get offrnded, but then again I know how it feels to be protectective about our small ones.

Defiantly not. I of all people would understand. Gus's attacker was a so called friendly German Sheppard. I beg to differ,,, but I have always been very cautious when it comes to big dogs around my babies. Even with my cousins Lab, (the sweetest gal you'll ever meet) I am very careful. She gets so excited and even with simple play can hurt these little ones.

I try to take mine in anywhere that doesn't sell food or clothes. The first time I took mine to Lowes I had him in a bag & the workers told me he could ride in the cart that they didn't mind. Just give it a shot. The worst that can happen is they will ask you to leave or not bring it next time. P.S. I won't take him in anywhere where it clearly states no dogs on the door.

I wouldnt be offended, i have one of each a small and a large and see both sides. Ive had people pick up their little ones when they see my lab and i just politely tell him he wouldnt hurt a fly and let them decide whether to put their dog down again or not. I also pick up my Pippa when i see bigger dogs and just joking say shes not friendly lol