am I being overprotective??

[yorkieskater]

Am I being overprotective? I've taken Sparks to two dog parks. The first one, he hated (which is weird because he was the boldess dog in his litter and gets a long great with all dogs and people). They have a little dog and big dog section. There is never any little dogs there so I took him over to the big dogs because the little dogs were over there playing. I think these big dogs think that he is a toy or something because they keep cornering him and he doesn't like that. So I stopped bringing him.
Today I went to a new dog park. Upon first arriving, he ran around with the dogs there: big dog (almost pit pull looking head), beagle, and schnauzer. The big dog was playing differently with Sparks. Snapping more. Sparks got scared and kept hiding under my feet in my long coat. The dog would not back off. The owner did nothing really. I picked Sparks up. The dog kept jumping on me (all the way up to my shoulders) and instead of sniffing...was snapping...kind of...like trying to bit sparks out of my arms. But with the schnauzer this dog was rolling around and playing really nice. So I thought maybe I was being overprotective and let sparks down again to let all of them work it out. Sparks kept being cornered by two of the dogs and this big one was SO rough. He kept pawing at any of the adults to pick him up. Finally he started snapping at the big dog...was really bad...so I said this is enough and went to pick him up and had trouble getting him because the big dog was being very active. I'm lucky I didn't get bit. The owner did nothing to help but just kept saying "she's playing"...but it didnt look that way to me and Sparks was not having fun. On walks, visiting people's houses...sparks LOVES to play with people and other dogs. The beagle and schnauzer he had no problems with until the schnauzer helped the big dog to corner him...but still..the only one Sparks snapped at was the big dog. He has lot's of big dog friends too.
So is it me? I just don't feel comfortable with some of these big dogs.
suzie

[eringabrielle]

I had similar experiences when we first got Biscuit. The big dogs were just way too rough with him, now he is very weary of big dogs, he doesn't like them one bit. We now live next to a park and there is almost always someone there with a huge dog not on a leash. I always pick Biscuit up because in an instant anything can happen. These people will always say the same things to me too "oh they are just playing". IMO it doesn't matter, accidents happen and dogs can turn in an instant.

Although I too thought I might be being too overprotective in the beginning, now I realize, nothing is worth risking his safety, so.... better safe than sorry when other dogs are being aggressive. I think you're just being a good Mama

[HighlandYorkies]

....i always say better safe than sorry !
....we have a big dog too, and my three are fine with her, but unknown large dogs are a no no with me, and I always lift all three of mine if i see any coming, as i don't want mine hurt in any way - they are all 4lbs in weight, and it would be all too easy !

Debra x x x x

[simplyyorkies]

I don't feel you are overprotective. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your dog and if other owners allow their dogs to snap and corner dogs then YOU need to step in and remove your dog.

The bigger dog may not have hurt yours but it seems you gave the dogs the opportunity to resolve it and the situation only accelerated. Just like humans not everyone gets along. Maybe try posting at the dog parks or other areas that accept flyers that you are looking for a play group with other small breed dogs. Think of the friends you'll make and your pups will all enjoy the exercise at their level.

[blondflava]

I don't think you're overprotective at all! Dogs have different personalities and the same dog might not get along the same with Sparky as with another dog... I don't even take Pepper to dog runs as I would be very afraid to let him off leash. The only place I trust other dogs without leash running around is daycare...
I don't even trust other dogs on leash anymore now, I'm always ready to pick Pep up, after a big dog lounged loose after him the other day

[pea496]

When we are at the park, I keep Conner leashed so that I can scoop him up at a moment's notice. There are always large dogs at the park. The owner always say they are friendly, but one was not. That's when I learned my lesson.

[Punkin&Piper]

Better to be safe than sorry

[mapetty]

I definitely don't think you are being overprotective. I never let my girl off leash unless we are in our house or my mom's house. I am scared to death that something might happen. She doesn't even get to be loose in our own yard because we have a big black lab that thinks she looks like a great snack. Today at the dog show though, there was a great dane that was the friendliest guy you could have ever met. He just sniffed Summerlin and sat down next to her. I almost died when he walked over to where she was laying, but I had already seen him around and he seemed pretty calm, so I didn't snatch her up right away. She started licking him to death and he just sat there and let her. You never can tel how dogs are going to react to each other - you have to use your best judgement. That's all you can do as a mother.

[LullaBelle]

There is this nice beach where ppl can let their dogs run. I always keep her on a leash b/c I know she would run off, but there are usually big dogs there and one time there was this big, and I mean big like Irish wolf hound big dog and Bella is only 7lbs. This big dog after I picked up Bella tried to jump on me. That is an act of dominance and I ( a petite woman) stood my ground and backed that dog off.
With Bella in one arm and my other arm extended I put my foot forward and advanced the big dog with my hand in a sort of open clawed manner. Fingers bent and spread wide so it resembles a mouth. And forcefully pushed on his neck. To a dog that resembles a bite and by my stepping forward I asserted my dominance over him. I didn't even stop to think that I could have been bitten by this dog but it really worked and the big dog backed off. I guess my mommy attitude came out and all my focus was on making sure Bella was safe. His owners were like "oh hes just curious" but no strange dog has a right to invade your space with out your permission, you never know if they are just curious or if they are aggressive. If you are steadfast,calm and assertive you will always have control over a situation.
You should watch 'The Dog Whisperer, Caesar Milan' . He has some very excellent advice for any dog owner.

[yorkieaddict]

My rule is that if the other dogs mouth can fit around mine than I do not let them play. Accidents can happen too fast and you just do not know the other dog. I attend a Yorkie meetup group mainly because of the equal size of the dogs. Be careful at the dogpark it is at your own risk. I have heard too many sad stories.

[yorkieskater]

My aunt has a black lab who is a great dog. I do not worry about Sparks with her at all. In fact, she was eating...sparks went up to her...I tried to call him off...and she back away from her food. She has nothing in her that would hurt anything. She won't even chase a squirrel.
Anyways, I was watching them yesterday together. Sparks is even careful around her. I think the big dogs have run him over too many times. He likes her and likes to be chased, but ducks from her tail swinging and will get up high a lot and crouch around her. He doesn't appear scared...just careful. He likes it when she lays down. He gives her kisses and tries to play with her when she is on the ground.
Other dogs we've met on walks, no problem. And I don't want there to start being a problem beacause of bad experiences.
The more I think about this dog at the dog park...Sparks was being cornered (bad) and then when I picked him up...this dog was all the way up on me..up to my head!! And the owner did not keep him off me. I should have left sooner. I should have known better.
I'm not going back to dog parks.
We start intermediat obediance next sunday. I did talk to the trainer of the class and she is trying to get a small dog play group together to help keep the dogs socialized well but I don't know how she is coming on that.
suz

[Raja's Mom]

Wow, you're so nice. If I picked up my boy protectively and that dog was jumping ON ME trying to get my baby, I would be screaming at it's owner to control her d*** dog. And don't get me started on what his daddy would do... we don't mess around.

There's a dog we often pass named Gunner and he's huge and hyper. His owner is always saying "he's friendly!" but once their leashes got tangled which caused Raja's harness to tighten around his neck. I got a little hot headed and told him "i don't care if your dog runs off! drop your leash or i'll control your dog my own way!" I was sooo ready to kick that mutt in the face, he was choking my boy! Another instance, Gunner was pulling his owner and jumped up onto me. I was wearing white and he smelled HORRIBLE. That was last straw, I told him I didn't give a damn if his dog was "friendly" and he would be keeping Gunner SO far away from us from now on.

Some people are so inconsiderate... ugh