No, not really, I can't think of any dogs I've been afraid of. I've known certain ones were potentially 'dangerous', but not afraid of them, persay. I try to be respectful of a dog's personal space and only let it approach me if it feels like it, and I don't really pet other people's dogs a whole lot, I just admire them. That being said, I really love dogs, *all dogs*. Like, to the point where I'll be riding around in the car talking to someone, and stop mid-sentence when I spot a dog and be like 'LOOKATTHEPRETTYDOG' as if I have just seen a unicorn or something.
Fear of dogs (that aren't yours)?
- Thread starter houlahoops
- Start date
I am not scared of dogs, but saying that I do have a moment of fear when strange un leashed dogs run up to me and Teagan when we are walking, but I mostly get on the defensive and get ready to scream at it or boot it in the face.
I am not going to lie, but when I am in a dog park and I see a bully dog running around I have a moment of distrust and leave right away.
But If I had a bad experience with a dog like getting attacked or bitten I am sure I would have a fear of strange dogs.
A few years back I was rammed into a wooden fence by a horse and it took me a while to get over my fear of strange horses, I am over that now though.
I am not going to lie, but when I am in a dog park and I see a bully dog running around I have a moment of distrust and leave right away.
But If I had a bad experience with a dog like getting attacked or bitten I am sure I would have a fear of strange dogs.
A few years back I was rammed into a wooden fence by a horse and it took me a while to get over my fear of strange horses, I am over that now though.
I am wary of black labs, I have been bitten by three so I'm not so much a fan. That said all three were owned by asshats, I accept that it was the three different owners faults, but man alive I am just a bit more uneasy around them. They don't keep me out of the dog park, I am just unlikely to pet them.
Maybe because that's how Mia feels when people are pushy and try to pet her? It seems like you're very, very in tune with her.
As to the OP, I'm fine with strange dogs for the most part - I'll ask to pet any friendly-looking dog. I've been around enough truly unstable dogs in the past that I'm not 100% trusting.
As far as loose dogs on walks, though. . . no. Not at all. I will fsck your dog up. I had to deal with a loose dog chasing Middie earlier this week, and a husky mix coming up to all three and inciting them to madness and barking last night. DO. NOT. WANT. If I am out and about, especially with my dog, your dog can stay away. If it doesn't, I will verbally correct and then physically correct if necessary. We have been attacked too many times on leash for me to assume that stray dogs are friendly.
As to the OP, I'm fine with strange dogs for the most part - I'll ask to pet any friendly-looking dog. I've been around enough truly unstable dogs in the past that I'm not 100% trusting.
As far as loose dogs on walks, though. . . no. Not at all. I will fsck your dog up. I had to deal with a loose dog chasing Middie earlier this week, and a husky mix coming up to all three and inciting them to madness and barking last night. DO. NOT. WANT. If I am out and about, especially with my dog, your dog can stay away. If it doesn't, I will verbally correct and then physically correct if necessary. We have been attacked too many times on leash for me to assume that stray dogs are friendly.
I do get very protective over my dogs, so if there are other dogs around, I am always a little on edge if I don't know them.
When I'm alone? I am sort of like a little kid with dogs. I have to restrain myself from going "HI PUPPY! I LOVE YOU!". Of course I would never do that- I hate it when people do that to my dogs.. but that is how I feel. I feel that I can understand dog behavior enough to know when there is a risk of being bitten, but I have never been bitten by a dog so that is probably why I don't think about it much.
Especially if I see breeds I love... big fluffy dogs (Leonbergers, Newfies, Pyrs, etc) or some small dogs (pugs, paps, bostons, frenchies, poms) this is me.
I can't control myself.
When I'm alone? I am sort of like a little kid with dogs. I have to restrain myself from going "HI PUPPY! I LOVE YOU!". Of course I would never do that- I hate it when people do that to my dogs.. but that is how I feel. I feel that I can understand dog behavior enough to know when there is a risk of being bitten, but I have never been bitten by a dog so that is probably why I don't think about it much.
Especially if I see breeds I love... big fluffy dogs (Leonbergers, Newfies, Pyrs, etc) or some small dogs (pugs, paps, bostons, frenchies, poms) this is me.
I can't control myself.
I'm very rarely frightened of dogs, but I admit I am wary of GSD's and collies. GSD's just never seem to be well trained and bark and lunge towards me or my dogs, and it does make me wary as they aren't small! Sure most of them are friendly, but I just always make sure I'm on my guard with most of them.
Collies, because the majority are farm 'stock' living in pet homes. Under stimulated and they just can't react normally. There's only one collie I like and that's Freuchie who I look after sometimes, but even he is under stimulated.
Collies, because the majority are farm 'stock' living in pet homes. Under stimulated and they just can't react normally. There's only one collie I like and that's Freuchie who I look after sometimes, but even he is under stimulated.
I dont find myself *afraid* of others dogs, per se, but I definitely dislike other peoples pets almost instantly, mostly with good reason, because theyre illmannered, overfed, underworked, untrained assholes. dogs AND cats. so I can definitely come off as not an animal lover, but I absolutely AM. Just not jerk animals! :rofl1:
No, not afraid, but I think people are always suprised with how little I interact with their dogs given how into dogs I am. I always offer a hand for sniffing and then let the dog dictate what happens next. If he wants lovin I'd be more than happy to give it, but most dogs don't want a complete stranger rubbing their hands all over them, so I don't. The dogs owner doesn't usually know anything about dog body language so they just assume I'm the one not interested in their dog.
I do have some nervousness because of how Tucker is. I am always very polite and respectful of any dog that isn't screaming ZOMG I love you!, kneeling sideways, not trying to pet, chatting calmly, no direct eye contact, that sort of thing. But honestly I think everyone should do that, it's called not being rude. I also find at the shelter when walking the dogs I just assume they are all dog reactive even though I have no reason to believe that. Last time I was there I was going to take a puppy outside and there was a family just outside the door. I immediately went to pick up the puppy before realizing it wasn't Tucker so wasn't going to bite anyone and greeting people was probably a good idea for the puppy, especially since he's up for adoption.
I do have some nervousness because of how Tucker is. I am always very polite and respectful of any dog that isn't screaming ZOMG I love you!, kneeling sideways, not trying to pet, chatting calmly, no direct eye contact, that sort of thing. But honestly I think everyone should do that, it's called not being rude. I also find at the shelter when walking the dogs I just assume they are all dog reactive even though I have no reason to believe that. Last time I was there I was going to take a puppy outside and there was a family just outside the door. I immediately went to pick up the puppy before realizing it wasn't Tucker so wasn't going to bite anyone and greeting people was probably a good idea for the puppy, especially since he's up for adoption.
Oh, if we are talking about dogs around our dogs like on a walk...hell no. I don't want anything to do with that. My dog always ends up being snarked at. I WILL get on the defensive if it isn't a super happy looking dog. There's a jerk down the street that his dog has been loose a few times and it always trots up, snarks, and my dogs get halfway in a fight with it.
I'm also a fairly good judge of dog 'language' and pretty much subconsciously act accordingly. I do love to say hi to all the dogs.
I'm also a fairly good judge of dog 'language' and pretty much subconsciously act accordingly. I do love to say hi to all the dogs.
I think that's probably part of it. Since getting her, I let the dog start any and all interaction. I won't go pet a dog but if a dog goes up to me, I will pet it.
But I think even before Mia I was not one to go up and pet all over someone else's dogs. I admire them, especially while they are working. I definitely squee all over them in my head (sometimes out loud if it's certain breeds).
It also might be the fact that most the time I run into dogs, I also have my dogs with me and my dogs are dog reactive.
But I think even before Mia I was not one to go up and pet all over someone else's dogs. I admire them, especially while they are working. I definitely squee all over them in my head (sometimes out loud if it's certain breeds).
It also might be the fact that most the time I run into dogs, I also have my dogs with me and my dogs are dog reactive.
I only fear or am wary of a dog if that dog gives me reason to be. I work at a boarding kennel and I volunteer for FOHA, so I spend my life interacting with dogs I barely know. Most dogs won't bite you. Most dogs don't want to bite you. I rarely ever get bitten, and when I have it was either a freak accident or the dog is unpredictable and wrong in the head. I was bitten at work two days ago, but that was because one dog was trying to fence fight with the other and my leg happened to be in the way, and I was redirected on. I have a nice bruise now.
Dogs approaching me offleash while I'm walking a dog? NO. Keep your dog the fsck away from mine.
Dogs approaching me offleash while I'm walking a dog? NO. Keep your dog the fsck away from mine.
I couldn't put up with that it would totally screw up Buddy & all the progress I have made with him & it would **** me off.
I would tell him if he can't handle the dog or interact with it my way then don't do it at all! Buddy has issues with men & is learning to trust men thanks to living with Mauricio & boarding with my parents (my dad is a harmless animal loving person but he is over 200lbs, has a beard & is almost 6ft 3 so is very intimidating to some animals) but I had a friend like that & I told him that if he couldn't interact with my dogs my way the best thing he could do is ignore them if they came up to him, soon the dogs, who got nothing from him soon left him alone.
I would tell him if he can't handle the dog or interact with it my way then don't do it at all! Buddy has issues with men & is learning to trust men thanks to living with Mauricio & boarding with my parents (my dad is a harmless animal loving person but he is over 200lbs, has a beard & is almost 6ft 3 so is very intimidating to some animals) but I had a friend like that & I told him that if he couldn't interact with my dogs my way the best thing he could do is ignore them if they came up to him, soon the dogs, who got nothing from him soon left him alone.
Generally no, I am not fearful of dogs. I am certainly fearful of some situations involving Abby and offlead dogs (well, wary is probably the better description).
I think having Abby has made me less inclined to interact with dogs, simply because I am aware of what it's like to have a dog that is socially uneasy. There are occasions, of course, that dogs are so obviously friendly and I'm on my own, so I'll strike up a conversation with the owners and usually say hi to the dog as well.
My personal weakness are the oldies. Sweet, grey faces just make me melt.
If there is a loose dog and I'm by myself, I have no problem interacting with them if I have to (I've reunited a few dogs with their owners) but I'm not getting involved if I have my own with me.
I think having Abby has made me less inclined to interact with dogs, simply because I am aware of what it's like to have a dog that is socially uneasy. There are occasions, of course, that dogs are so obviously friendly and I'm on my own, so I'll strike up a conversation with the owners and usually say hi to the dog as well.
My personal weakness are the oldies. Sweet, grey faces just make me melt.
If there is a loose dog and I'm by myself, I have no problem interacting with them if I have to (I've reunited a few dogs with their owners) but I'm not getting involved if I have my own with me.
When it's just me I'm not fearful unless the dog really gives me a reason to be, and even then it's more caution. I've really only been very wary of a couple of dogs--one was my former landlord's mixed breed and the other was my friend's mom's wolf hybrid. Both dogs had fear aggression, but were really weird and unpredictable about it.
I'm more cautious when I'm with my dogs. Sally is reactive and while Jack is friendly, he would get his butt kicked by an aggressive dog. Last week I had one of the birds at the vet and was in the waiting room with him in the carrier, when another client came out with her dog. This dog was taking an unsettling interest in Solo, and showing some rather predatory body language. Fortunately the owner noticed was on top of it.
I'm more cautious when I'm with my dogs. Sally is reactive and while Jack is friendly, he would get his butt kicked by an aggressive dog. Last week I had one of the birds at the vet and was in the waiting room with him in the carrier, when another client came out with her dog. This dog was taking an unsettling interest in Solo, and showing some rather predatory body language. Fortunately the owner noticed was on top of it.