I am a lot more protective now than I was yesterday even! I keep getting worse and worse. But oh well, I'd rather be too safe than sorry.

What dog camp?

I am about the same. . . He was such a tiny guy when I got Galen. And he still is. I am very cautious of what we do, he eats, people around him and other dogs. Also being on Yorkietalk for 6 months before he was born and another 13.5 weeks so 9 months, wow didn't realize I waited that long lol . . Being on here, you read so much about what happens with other dogs. Makes you put in place rules to live by. . You can never be safe but you can try.

Galen plays with larger dogs who has been around him his whole life with me. Depends on the dog though. Even my sisters dog Bear, a Neopolitan Matiff, is not to come near Galen. Her first dog she owned. Even though she says he is harmless and won't hurt him. Her dog is not constantly around a tiny dog even though she insists he has . . at a street fair ! :rolleyes: . . . And the dog chases rabbits . . Have you seen Galen do zoomies !!:eek: . Am I going to risk it ??. . NOT ON HER DOGS LIFE ! ! Because I don't know what I would do if he did anything to Galen. My sister thinks I am silly. But my dog my rules ! :cool::D

I thought I would add to this thread, I realized I have become more protective when on Halloween night, while walking my little sister and cousin around trick-or-treating and a loose little dog (<20lbs) came darting out of the fence (I was out in the street while kids were at their door) right towards Jackson. Very briefly, I allowed the 2 dogs to interact, but I wasn't 100% comfortable with the other dogs body language, and decided to 'helicopter' Jackson up into my arms by his harness. I didn't really even wait to see the dog's intentions, I just felt the need to diffuse a possible situation.

My mom looked at me like I was crazy: "That dog didn't even do anything!" but the reason I think I was so quick to yank Jackson up into my arms was from past experiences. I've had at least 10 incidents where I thought the dog was going to be friendly and nice and then quickly changed it's attitude and tries to start a fight. Jackson WILL defend himself if need be (but has never started anything and is very polite in public with other dogs), and I guess it just wasn't something I felt like dealing with. For about 30 seconds after I continued walking, the dog is following me out in the middle of the street and the owner couldn't get him back. He apologized and I just blamed it on my own dog "oh, he can be questionable with other dogs. I didn't want your dog to get hurt".

The last time I saw a little dog charge out of a neighbors house as I was standing in my friends front yard with Jackson on leash, I ended up on the ground because the other dog full-on attacked Jackson (for literally NO reason) and I had to separate them.

In earlier times, I might have ignored the other dog, and even let it approach or let the 2 interact. I used to be very lenient about who I let Jackson meet, on leash and off. But there's just been past incidents that, yes, they do make me slightly nervous to just... allow or put my trust in another dog that I don't know from Adam. I mean, I used to bring Jackson over on the big dog side of the dog park ALL the time and not even think twice about it. Now after seeing too many incidents between big dogs, I can't imagine what would happen to my little 18lb'er (and that's big compared to a lot of other Yorkies) if a dog decided they didn't like him.

This is how I am with Jackson now. I was aboslutely fine with Jackson being around a Rottweiler that I used to dog sit, I began watching him when he was 8 weeks old. My close friends has bigger dogs that Jackson interacts with a lot. My grandma's dogs, while they are obnoxious and Jax doesn't LIKE them, I don't mind having him around them because they truly are harmless and just giant goofs and Jackson knows how to put them in their place or protect himself. Her old Lab was great with him. My uncles Chocolate Lab is super docile and Jackson loves him. My aunts Pit Bull is now almost 14yrs old and can hardly move, and has never hurt a fly, so I don't mind him being around him. Etc.

Certain dogs I am more careful with or cautious, and others I just don't like Jackson to be around. IME I have learned what type of dogs Jackson likes, or will tolerate, or plain just is uncomfortable around. So I won't put him in those situations.

I think we're very similar in what we used to allow and what we allow now. You have to go with your informed instinct, and I think your example showed that you did that very well. I've had some bad experiences, and I now try to plan for the worst-case scenario based on my experience. Jackson is the machoest Yorkie I know, and I have no doubt he can defend himself against any 25-pound dog. But larger dogs are everywhere. And a large dog has a huge advantage in a fight. That's why heavyweight human fighters aren't allowed to fight lightweights.

I love that this poll has gotten so many votes. Thanks to all who have weighed in. If nothing else, it shows YTers are thinking about it. :)

Yep! I, too, we have pretty similar ways of raising/owning dogs. I really think Jackson would love to live with you guys and Eddie and Jillie (if I was there too, LOL :p)

Another thing I've somewhat changed on is on and off leash privileges. He's not unreliable and also not a bolter, but he also doesn't have that natural tendency to 'check in' like I see a lot of herding dogs do. I don't mind him off leash in certain environments (ex, certain beaches and parks around here w/ nothing around), but usually I just prefer a long line for peace of mind. I also can usually take leash off for photo ops or let leash drag in certain type environments and trust him.

But again, as a pup, or when he was under 1 year old, I look back and can't believe what I used to do. I used to just let him outside, off leash, and I would stay in the house (while it was dark outside mind you!) with the 90 acres of unfenced farmland behind us. My step-dad convinced me of it because that's how their dog was, and I am so thankful nothing bad ever happened and thankful I quickly realized that was not something I was comfortable with. I can't believe I used to do that, even if only for a very brief period of time. Live and learn.

I am way more protective. I used to walk my dogs around the neighborhood and I passed a couple of houses that made me nervous because of big GSD's who went berserk and tried to jump the fence when we walked by. I always prayed that they would not be outside. But most of the walk was nice and quiet.

But now the loose big dogs running the streets is way out of control. I don't dare walk in my neighborhood any more. It is so sad. It is even scary walking in the park because of all the people with big dogs who feel that the leash laws are not meant for THEM. Grrrr

Yeah, I worry a lot more than I used to.

I have maintained my overprotectiveness which was due to inexperience, initially, but experience confirmed I was right to be cautious.


Teddy is lucky his feet ever hit the ground outside. Between my clumsy feet, other dogs, kids and other people, it's a wonder he's ever been outside at all!

I have always had my eyes wide open since the day we got Shelby. I know it is good for them to socialize, and we do have opportunities to do so. At the RV parks and campgrounds there are lots of dogs. We take walks, but also use the stroller.... I can't take a chance with 3 and be quick enough if I am by myself. When hubby is with me, it's much easier. 4 eyes is better!

I am more protective than when I first got Couver. When he was a puppy, I would take him to the all dog park and he walked around with the big dogs like he ran the place. I let him play with all sorts of dogs and I cringe now, thinking about what could have happened to him.

We now occasionally visit the small dog park, but it's not as big of a deal to me because he has his sister to play with and some of my friends have small friendly dogs they can play with.

I had an experience about a year ago with Khloe that changed my view. We were walking out of my grandparents' garage into the driveway to hop in the truck that was parked. I had not leashed the dogs and we weren't even out of the garage before I heard the neighbor dogs come running across the cul-de-sac at us. I was able to pick up Couver and my mom was able to pick up her dog, but Khloe was too far away for me to reach. The two large dogs (pit bull and lab mixes) came running and both were chasing her around in circles as she was screaming her head off. The owner was shouting "They are friendly!" from across the cul-de-sac as we were chasing and trying to catch her. She ran around the entire cul-de-sac, leading the dogs on a wild goose chase. I was frantic and my grandfather grabbed a small strip of wood and in an attempt to stop the dogs, swatted at the dogs. Eventually Khloe saw that the front door of the house was open and she darted inside. One of the dogs followed her, but she was able to hide under some furniture and the dog ran back out. It was the most frightening minute of my lifetime and I am lucky that Khloe survived. Those dogs were not friendly and they were after her like they would be a squirrel. After that experience, I am more aware of my surroundings. I don't let them out of my arms unless they are in a fenced area or where I can see for a long distance to ensure that I can get to them before a dog or other predator can.

It's just not worth it.

Great answer. I can totally see how one terrifying experience can change your mind.

Lucy's experience was a real eye opener!

Cali has never been in a situation to be attacked by another dog, but after the hawk attack of several years ago, how unbelievably fast it happened, and the year of overcoming the anxiety that followed I totally agree -- it is just not worth it to be complacent. I almost lost my little girl and I never, never, want to be in the that position again -- so caution is the word. She still gets to have good time, do agility and play with friends but all with caution and always with supervision.