[KPoos]

and people looked at us like we were lunatics. What is wrong with the people around here? We don't have dog parks or anything like that so for socialization I decided to take Harry with us to Lowes. We weren't there long and I'm very strict with him about getting too far away from me on lead when we are out in public. I think he really enjoyed himself just looking at everyone and he is very good about letting someone pet him if I say it's okay.

 

[Teresa]

*sigh* some people are just not 'dog people'... and leave it at that.
Just like some people arn't 'kid people'...
as many times as I had taken all six of my kids (when they were small) out in public to places like Lowes, you bet I got some dirty looks. My kids have come to call it "Mean-Muggin'."

 

[KPoos]

Hey fellow big family mom, I have 5 and trust me I know those looks and I don't care. With Harry I just kept on walking and kept my head up looking at what I wanted. He bothered no one, didn't pee on anything, and stayed with me. Besides I could have been training a service dog, they don't know why I was there.

 

[Spencer]

We used to take our greyhound to Home Depot/Lowes and would get the same looks... I think it is because they're waiting for you to get in trouble for having a dog in there. People don't realize that you can take your dogs into places like that. We've taken Pierre inside Home Depot, and people were gaga over him - but he's also a tall toy/tiny mini.

 

[KPoos]

We used to take our greyhound to Home Depot/Lowes and would get the same looks... I think it is because they're waiting for you to get in trouble for having a dog in there. People don't realize that you can take your dogs into places like that. We've taken Pierre inside Home Depot, and people were gaga over him - but he's also a tall toy/tiny mini.

Oh I saw this lady walk out of Home Depot once with her maltese and she wasn't getting ugly looks. People literally avoided us and went in a different direction when they saw me coming with Harry.LMAO

 

[Spencer]

How weird!! Maybe because he's a big dog. We always get sidesteps with TheGrey... partially because he is big (we've had people with kids that are afraid of dogs - something I DON'T understand - cry and do everything they can do get away), and partially due to misconceptions about the breed. Everyone assumes greyhounds are mean. Not sure why. But I mean... I've never heard of a mean poodle... it's not like Cujo was a poodle in the book/movie. lol

 

[KPoos]

Most of the kids I heard were "look at the puppy" but for the most part adults were eyeing me like I was going to set loose a rabid dog on them.

 

[Marian]

I was afraid of dogs as a young child. It stemmed from the time the little long haired chihuahua named John Brown bit me on the face. I was only trying to give it a hug! I liked dogs before that, but that one incident made such a negative impression on me that, in my little child's mind, it was best to avoid all dogs. And then, of course, there was the dachshund incident, but that was later. It didn't help me get over my fear any faster.

 

[Mandycasey'smom]

In my Home depots your nt allowed anymore because a Rotti bit someone so now NO
kinda sucks I would love to live in a dog friendly place

 

[Teresa]

Hey fellow big family mom, I have 5 and trust me I know those looks and I don't care. With Harry I just kept on walking and kept my head up looking at what I wanted. He bothered no one, didn't pee on anything, and stayed with me. Besides I could have been training a service dog, they don't know why I was there.

I don't get the looks so much anymore, now that half of them just go and do their own thing (teens and preteens), but when I drag around the youngest two and the very littlest one is a constant talker. Yes I mean a constant talker and if she's not talking she's SINGING--- I still get those mean muggin' looks..lol


I think it's the size of the dog, as well. I keep thinking there are more 'little dog' people out there, than 'big dog' people.
You should see things when I bring my Saint and Pyre out in public at the same time! They are calm, gentle, no pulling on the coupler/leash and they stay so close. They hold very still for anyone petting them, including children, but I get the same reaction.

Maybe it IS the Kujo-Syndrome? lol

 

[Marian]

I think it's the airplane crash syndrome: you only hear about the big dogs who bite people.

 

[Teresa]

I was afraid of dogs as a young child. It stemmed from the time the little long haired chihuahua named John Brown bit me on the face. I was only trying to give it a hug! I liked dogs before that, but that one incident made such a negative impression on me that, in my little child's mind, it was best to avoid all dogs. And then, of course, there was the dachshund incident, but that was later. It didn't help me get over my fear any faster.

I think that's a common reaction. My husband was terrified of dogs when he got bit as a child. His parents adopted a dog just to get him over the fear.


However, I was a weird kid..lol


I was attacked by a German Shepard. I was walking down the street with a few friends and he jumped the fence, then targeted me. He knocked me to the ground. I flung my arms over my face for protection while he kept me pinned down. Going for my throat, he got my upper arms before the owners rushed to pull him off.

37 stiches later , I'm sobbing in the hospital and all I could ask was "What's going to happen to him? I'm so sorry, so so sorry!"

I was more worried about the dog. hwell:

 

[Teresa]

I think it's the airplane crash syndrome: you only hear about the big dogs who bite people.

Yes! I definatly agree.

In a conversation with an AC friend about how many calls she gets for big dogs running loose, compared to tiny dogs running loose, she explained......"It's not that the big dogs are any more dangerious or will hurt someone any more then a little dog, it's just people will hurt themselves trying to get away."

 

[Spencer]

I was more worried about the dog. hwell:

Same here. At 7 I was attacked by a cocker spaniel. She was old, I was going in for a hug from behind and startled her. I got bit on the nose really bad and they were afraid I would have horrible scarring. My nose is just fine, and I was more remorseful for scaring the dog than I was scared or mad. And I went home to two cockers, as well! Also was attacked by a dachshund (those dogs are hunters and are vicious if they need to be!) about two years ago and have some scarring on my hands from fending him off.

He was immediately upset with himself after he attacked me, and went to his crate. Still bleeding and still in pain, I coaxed him out to love on him to make sure I hadn't hurt him in the process of defending myself. JG lives with my aunt now (I was borrowing him for a bit), and still has vicious moments (we think there is something wrong with him upstairs) but he is the sweetest, loving boy when his switch isn't clicked "on".

After all that... I've never been afraid of dogs. I honestly think it's just how you handle it as a person, but it still wierds me out when people's kids are so afraid of a dog walking by that they are screaming and crawling all over the place trying to get away. We had this happen with ProblemChild when he was an adorable little puppy... needless to say, he probably thought the poor kid was crazy, too!

 

[wishpoo]

Well, not all people love dogs or animals in general for that matter. I adore all living creatures (even most of the bugs LOL), but I can understand if somebody does not :rolffleyes: Many never had a chance to grow up with any kind of pet and animals are strange and dirty and smelly and possibly dangerous things for them.

There are also so many irresponsible pet owners who do not take time to train their dogs so they behave obnoxious in public places or they do not clean after their dogs or let them run loose in places where there is a leash law - so people get annoyed and than generalize that "all dogs are this or that" .

Tiny dogs are usually carried as a baby , or in a purse, or in a cart and look like plush animals- so even people who do not particularly like dogs do not find them as "doggly" as a big dog LOL - I think that is the reason they more readily smirk at a big dog :rolffleyes:

I , for example, just do not trust Pitts - period :scared:. If one is near me I make a HUGE U-turn or detour and do give a look LOL. On the other hand - I would probably run in front of the bus to save any other dog without even thinking twice LOL

 

[Olie]

Well, not all people love dogs or animals in general for that matter. I adore all living creatures (even most of the bugs LOL), but I can understand if somebody does not :rolffleyes: Many never had a chance to grow up with any kind of pet and animals are strange and dirty and smelly and possibly dangerous things for them.

There are also so many irresponsible pet owners who do not take time to train their dogs so they behave obnoxious in public places or they do not clean after their dogs or let them run loose in places where there is a leash law - so people get annoyed and than generalize that "all dogs are this or that" .

Tiny dogs are usually carried as a baby , or in a purse, or in a cart and look like plush animals- so even people who do not particularly like dogs do not find them as "doggly" as a big dog LOL - I think that is the reason they more readily smirk at a big dog :rolffleyes:

I , for example, just do not trust Pitts - period :scared:. If one is near me I make a HUGE U-turn or detour and do give a look LOL. On the other hand - I would probably run in front of the bus to save any other dog without even thinking twice LOL

I do fear Pits ONLY when I see the Pit walking their owner -THIS SCARES ME. We have a new one in our neighborhood. A sweet looking one too, but am walking with a cane and less lately because the owner is not controling the dog.

 

[KPoos]

I also think it has to do with his color. If he would have been a big white poodle people would have oohed and awwed over him but because he was a big black poodle he looks scary. It's very much in the perception of what you see and what your brain tells you it is.

 

[Harley_chik]

You guys that don't like pits have no idea what you are missing out on. (I'll leave at that so we don't get off topic.)

I think size plays a role. I have one of each and it's really a different experience taking the little guy some where. I carry him; he won't sit in the basket and he will mark if he's on the ground. I have complete control over him if I'm carrying him though. I have to admit I would be very shocked to see a large dog in Home Depot or Lowe's either one. But it would be awesome. People in TX can be weird anyway. I wonder how many people though you should've just left him in the back of the uncovered truck. (rolls eyes) I can understand why big dogs aren't as accepted in public. Responsible pet owners are definately in the minority and while people do usually carry their evil little Chihuahuas, you see people being dragged around by large dogs all the time. How many dogs do you know that never leave yard b/c they were never leash trained? Color could've played a role too. I thought the idea that people were prejudiced against black animals was ridiculous, until I found out no one wanted Addy as a kitten b/c she was black. I can't imagine; she's the most beautiful cat I've ever owned and so easy going. Their loss. Good for you for being a good pet owner and hopefully changing some minds about Poodles.

 

[KPoos]

Oh and around here people don't understand that poodles come "in the big size." They think he's a cross because in their minds poodles are small and that's it. What they don't realize because they aren't educated on the subject is that the standard is the reason they see a little poodle.

I have seen too many people with dogs in the backs of trucks. It's just not a community that enjoys living with dogs unless the dog is small. I think Austin is a good community for pet lovers. I believe there is a dog park there but I could be mistaken. Harry's breeder says there is a dog get together at this enclosed area and she takes Harry's sister there to socialize. I'm going to take him when our weather clears up.

 

[puppylove]

Ok - funny little Pit story.

As you may or may not know I recently attended a Poodle Romp at a local park...about 50 poodles, mostly rescues and mostly standards.

There was one big brown guy who's about 4 and nothing is known of his background except he came in ungroomed and unsocialized.

Well, things were going pretty well, a few minor scuffles occurred but small stuff. Then from across the park a huge 150 pound mastiff came strolling over to check out 'our' side of the park. Well Big Brown Guy decided he just didn't like him and jumped him. Unfortunately Mastiff's dog companion was a Pit, who immediately came running over to defend his buddy. Of course, 8 or 10 poodles ran over to get involved. We looked on horrified, grabbing our dogs, as the fight ensued. Jackson was in the general vicinity and although he's a big chicken I ran towards the melee to gather him up. It seemed like all I could see was a swarm of dog parts, with that big brown guy (with his new foo-foo haircut) sometimes three feet in the air above the havoc below. The poor Mastiff was trying back out of the situation and the pit was getting his butt kicked by all those poodles.

As happens in most dogpark fights, all ended with no injuries. Big Brown Guy got hauled off to his car. Poor Mastiff and Pit were taken back to the other side of the park by their owner.

At the time it was very scary but every time I think back on it I want to laugh at the sight of those fluffy bracelets, tailpom and topknot up in the air and the poor Pit wondering what happened to that flying dervish he wasn't quick enough for.