lovemesideways Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 There are a number of videos on YouTube, of small dogs "protecting their mummies or daddies". The little dogs behave in highly aggressive fashion, trying their best to bite the approaching camera person. Sometimes the camera person is the owner, everyone's laughing at the little dog who looks terrified. Growling, snapping, something even frothing at the mouth a little. Am I the only one who doesn't find this at all amusing? I see the same behaviour when I am out with my dogs. Working hard with my partners GSD Rogue, who has dog aggression issues that come from fear, and a little dog charges us. Thankfully we're on the outside of a fence and I was able to make it a positive experience. The owners response? "Oh he thinks hes a big dog, ha ha". No, this isn't funny. Your dog is a dog, no matter the size, and both they and everyone else has the right for you to treat them that way! "She just loves her mommy. And she's 2 pounds for Christ sake. Get a sense of humor dude" "Ummmm love her!!! She does the same thing my Rocky does. They love their mommies!!!" Would it be so funny, if my 36 kilo GSD defends himself against a little dog, and kills it with one small snap? Would it be funny, if that little dog bites a child, instilling a life long fear of dogs? Yes, a small dog biting you can be just as scary, doesn't matter how small they are. Is it funny, that the dog is probably terrified. Living in a constant state of fear and anxiety? I just don't get it, I really don't. /Rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 No argument from me . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 My daughter was bitten on the face by a maltese. She was doing everything right, she asked the owner whether the dog was ok to pat and then offered her hand for the dog to smell as she has always been taught. All seemed OK and she took a step closer to reach to pat the little dog on the back and it leapt forward and bit her. The owner did seem a little shocked but he didn't take any steps to correct the dog or apologise, didn't even ask if she was ok. Makes it hard to teach your children to do the right thing by other peoples dogs when other people have so little regard for their animals behaviour and emotional stability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Attack Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I see this a fair bit in my line of work, and with a fear aggressive midget of my own its no laughing matter! I find small dog owners tend to view aggression as funny/cute, where as large dog owners think it's awesome that their dog is "protecting" them. Some people are just stupid, and you KNOW it's not only small dog owners. I tell people it's a reportable offense now, and don't particularly care if they get upset. My dog's safety comes first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Nope. Not funny at all to me. And as you described, no fun at all for the little dog to experience that sort of fear either. I had a first hand experience of the phenomena when visiting my sister interstate. She asked me to walk her 2 Chi's while she was at work. Her female Chi has issues (has bitten my sister numerous times) the male is as happy as Larry. While I was walking them, the female suddenly lunged, growling and barking at a woman. I apologised and moved on quickly, but the woman laughed and thought she was 'cute and hilarious.' When I told my sister about it, she agreed that if a dog as big as mine (boxer) did the same things, it would be no laughing matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Aggressive or "protective" behaviour in public is not acceptable from any dog - no matter it's size. It is NOT funny when a little dog decides to provoke a larger dog - just as it's not funny when a larger dog snaps back and injures the provoking dog. There are no different sets of rules for small or large dogs - ALL dogs in public are supposed to behave in an appropriate fashion towards humans and other animals. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion 01 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Definately far from being funny.. I would be horrified if my dogs did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It's not funny, these people are idiots, the world is full of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) I don't think it's funny and I despise owners like that. The notion that you don't need to control your dog just because it's small and "wont do any damage" and you can just pick it up is ridiculous. My lab was rushed by an off leash chihuahua when he was just a pup and bitten on the nose, the owner just laughed "poor big puppy afraid of a little dog", for the rest of his life he was always afraid of small dogs and even when walking on the other side of a park to one he would attempt to hide himself behind me. I'm very thankful his fear didn't escalate to aggression, but for many other dogs it would have. Edited May 7, 2013 by LisaCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) I just don't get it either?? Why is it funny?? As you said often the dog is really really stressed out and they think that is funny?? I find it annoying, upsetting and frustrating! More than once I have had small dogs hanging off my large dogs and people thought it was funny as the big tough dog wouldn't fight back or defend it's self. Very very frustrating. Edited May 7, 2013 by OSoSwift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It's not funny, these people are idiots, the world is full of them. Yup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It's not funny, these people are idiots, the world is full of them. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It's not ok of any dog, no matter the size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adnil444 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Couldn't agree more here - I also have a dog that has some issues due to having 3 little fluffies go for her and I wouldn't allow her to go back at them - I did though, I hoofed them away. Up until then she had no issues with small dogs. It is never funny and a dog is a dog is a dog regardless of size, breed etc and all should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It's never ok - unfortunately some people are just ignorant and won't change. Would the same people think it's funny if they faced the same from a large breed? - doubt it...double standards and stupidity... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdashdot Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Honestly, small dogs worry me more than big dogs a lot of the time. Cleo was rushed and nearly attacked by a JRT that ran out of a house when we were on a walk. The owner ran after it and got it just as it went in to bite her. She doesn't trust all dogs now. I will now shoo and protect Cleo from any dog that approaches (off lead). It's horrible to not trust dogs when I love them so much but I wont risk Cleo getting hurt or her retaliating and then being branded as the "bad dog" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henrietta Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) As a small dog owner whose own dog is fear aggressive, yes it is frustrating to see other owners downplaying their dog's anti-social and, at times dangerous behaviour. I manage Abby so that she is not put into a position where she will display aggression and I have managed to run into very little trouble. I certainly don't find the behaviour that she is capable of funny and I truly don't understand how anyone can. I know you are aware that these dogs' owners are not all the same, but just from someone who has a dog with behavioural issues please know that I am quite confused and bewildered as to how it's funny. I've spent a lot of time, money, effort and tears trying to get my dog to where I'd like her to be in terms of behaviour and really it comes down to good management for us. For example, Abby is simply not allowed around children. Ever. She isn't allowed to socialise with other dogs unless they are friend's dogs that are suitable in temperament and demeanour for her. I don't even subject my adult visitors to her unless they are good friends who want to get to know her and then it's a process. Well worth it for the end result, but sometimes it's so bloody tiring. I have a 12 year old staffy x who is the complete opposite - confident, friendly, great with children and all people and very tolerant of other dogs (she is always well supervised and I also chose her playmates wisely). But all in all, a very easy dog who I am almost proud to take out in public. It sounds silly, but I think I took her good nature for granted until Abby came along. The experience of having Miss Abby is not something that I'd like to go through again, as much as I love her and as much as it's made me a better owner (I think!) Edited May 7, 2013 by Henrietta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) Nope not funny at all. In her old age Zoe has started getting a bit aggressive when we walk past strange dogs, I think some of it stems from her losing her eyesight and feeling less confident, so I always make sure I stop and let people with dogs pass or give them a wide berth. Moose is fine when walked on his own. Also not funny when a big dog tries to go for Moose when we're out walking and it's owner laughs and makes comments about Moose being dinner. Edited May 7, 2013 by moosepup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantis Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It annoys the hell out of me, when small dog owners think it's funny that their dog gets in the face of a big dog. They are so stupid that they don't realise their little dog could get hurt or die, if the big dog reacts. Worse thing is that the big dog will get the blame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It annoys the hell out of me, when small dog owners think it's funny that their dog gets in the face of a big dog. They are so stupid that they don't realise their little dog could get hurt or die, if the big dog reacts. Worse thing is that the big dog will get the blame. Threaten to make little dog airborne. My guess the owners will suddenly lose their sense of humour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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