Avoiding certain breeds - insulting?

[RD]

I see a lot of posts and hear a lot of people with protective or "bad" breeds talking about how people will cross the street to avoid walking too closely to their dog. I'm always surprised at how insulted they seem when people do this. Why is it so offensive?

If I see a person walking down the sidewalk towards me with a dog, particularly a large dog known for being protective such as a Rottweiler, I give them their space. I don't know the dog and don't need to, why do I need to brush up against it? I love people who actually stop and tell their dog to sit and wait for someone else to pass, but there are very few people who do that here. Most will just storm right past you with their dog, no matter how uncomfortable it might make the dog to be that close to a stranger.

I got glared and muttered at today by a lady with a Doberman, when I avoided them on the street. Why is this so insulting to so many dog owners? I always considered giving people and their dogs some room to be a courteous thing to do, and always appreciate it if people give me time to put my dog in a sit-stay before they pass or at least avoid us while walking by.
Sorry, but if you have a Fila I am not going to want to brush up against you on the sidewalk. If you have a Pit Bull, I am not going to walk my Papillon within lunging distance. Doesn't mean I don't like the breeds, I just know that they are generally not accepting of strangers and other dogs, respectively, and that I don't need to get so close to a dog I don't know. It's not always out of hate, sometimes it's out of consideration.

To those of you here who are bothered by people avoiding you and your dog on the street: What can people do to make you happy? Would you honestly prefer it if someone walked close to you and upset your dog?

Just curious as to what the owners of these breeds consider good doggie etiquitte, because I obviously am in the dark when it comes to being "polite" and safe at the same time.

 

[Dobiegurl]

I don't get offended by people moving to the side or avoiding my dog, I actually apreciate that, and many times I move to the side to get out of other people's way, and if there is another dog I will definately grab Chico close to me. That is all about respect. What I do have a problem with is the rude remarks people make. For example calling my dog a "beast", I find that very rude and I have every right to get offended. You don't have to like my dog and you can fear him if you want, but as long as he knows how to behave in public and I am following the law regarding my dog, I have every right to walk my dog, and I hate when people say that he should not be there because he is mean looking or intimidating. People just say rude remarks that get to me.

 

[SummerRiot]

I find it sort of funny when people do that when i walk Riot downtown..

Its extremely annoying when they do the oposite and assume hes friendly to everyone(which is completely not.. hes iffy with some people and will nip).

I know that some people sort of take offense to it because it seems like you are pre-juding their dog on the breed. I can see it through their eyes, owning a breed that is known for police work/protection.

Do you step out of the way when its a pomeranian that is walking by too? Or a border collie?

Jada scared the crap out of some elderly man the other day at the conservation area.. he was biking by, saw Riot, wasn't scared of him, then Jada jumps out from behind me and starts yipping at his bike.. the man screamed and biked quicker.. lol figure that one out lol

 

[brem]

Well, technically, it is a beast hehehehe

 

[BigDog2191]

I just don't like it when people exaggerate it - I mean people who act like I'm walking an alligator I just grabbed out of a local bayou...

I do like it though when people give me a good amount of space and maybe smile, may sound weird but I know then that there are no real hard feelings.

 

[RD]

Do you step out of the way when its a pomeranian that is walking by too? Or a border collie?

Yep, always.. though admittedly I do not give them the tons of space that I do when I see a dog of a larger, more protective breed coming my way. If a BC or Pom reacts aggressively to me, I'm not in the danger that I am in if a LGD/Rottie/Mastiff decides it doesn't like me.

I also get a bit miffed when people get close and try to pet my dog just because he looks friendly. My dog doesn't mind nearly as much as I do, lol.

I always try to be as polite as possible to people, I smile and say hello, but usually get glared at anyway.

 

[mrose_s]

lol. looks like you cant win either way. their will be people that wont like it either way

 

[wrat]

When we walk in the neighborhood we dont walk on the sidewalk to avoid any such issues but we have a prety low car traffic neighborhood so its not a big deal

 

[yoko]

i think giving people with dogs space is just being polite. i think the part that makes people mad is when there are rude comments that go with the 'giving them space'

 

[Julie]

I always give people walking dogs space, no matter the breed.
Not because I am afraid of any particular dog, but just to avoid a situation.
I usually have my kids with me, and I would rather them not trust a strange dog. I also do not trust most dog owners to keep their dogs under control if there would be a problem.

But, when I am walking my dogs I always try to be the one to step out of the way and give people room, just to be polite. My dogs are friendly to strangers after a quick introduction, but some people just are not dog lovers and would rather not be bothered.

I don't like it when people just walk up and pet a strange dog. Now if they are just curious and ask, I think it is great. I always have time to talk about my dogs.

My biggest peeve is someone walking their dog without a leash. This is why I find my dog walking is more stressful than relaxing. I find this very offensive. Those dogs always seem to run up to my dogs with hackles raised sniffing around and such. I am not one to want to be smack dab in the middle of a dog fight.

 

[filarotten]

I have always appreciated people giving my dogs space when walking. I also try to do the same for other dog walkers. I think it is common courtesy.
What bothers me... the rude remarks I have heard while walking Roxie. People act like she is a killer plague.
Brutus, on the other hand...people seem to go out of their way to meet him.
I have had so many people stop their car, and ask me about him...I don't mind...they think he is...in most men's words, "a great looking dog".

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I avoid walking straight past other dogs when I am with my dog-aggressive dog. Some people seem offended by it at times, but I think it's much better than their dog rushing up to my dog, all hyper, and getting bit. With my other two dogs, I will avoid other dogs if possible. I do have to say I am a bit offended when people see me walking my dogs and will get out of my way as quickly as possible, often with rude looks on their faces like the fact that they're big makes them big vicious beasts. An elderly woman with a TOTALLY untrained little dog has scowled at me many times before and rushed to get away from me and my girls . Oh right...look at them walking nicely on their leashes! They must be vicious! Look at your dog, barking at mine, while you choke it! Wow, what a sweet dog!

 

[oriondw]

I hate people who think 30 times before they pass me when i go on grass and wait for them to pass me

Read a thread i made in general discussion about those people

 

[oriondw]

I do have to say I am a bit offended when people see me walking my dogs and will get out of my way as quickly as possible, often with rude looks on their faces like the fact that they're big makes them big vicious beasts. An elderly woman with a TOTALLY untrained little dog has scowled at me many times before and rushed to get away from me and my girls . Oh right...look at them walking nicely on their leashes! They must be vicious! Look at your dog, barking at mine, while you choke it! Wow, what a sweet dog!

Happens to me every single day

 

[Dobiegurl]

I hate people who think 30 times before they pass me when i go on grass and wait for them to pass me

Read a thread i made in general discussion about those people

I hate when people do that. Its like I moved out of YOUR way trying to be respectful and then they take forever to move. I just continue my walk because I don't have all day to stand there and wait for someone to make up there mind whether they will pass my dog, who might I add is usually in a sit stay and doesn't even care about those people. That gets very irritating.

 

[RD]

I hate when people do that. Its like I moved out of YOUR way trying to be respectful and then they take forever to move. I just continue my walk because I don't have all day to stand there and wait for someone to make up there mind whether they will pass my dog, who might I add is usually in a sit stay and doesn't even care about those people. That gets very irritating.

People who do that get on my nerves, too. If they hesitate to pass us I usually smile and nod in the direction that they were going, but some just don't get it. I'm scared of what people like that would do when they're driving.

We get the snowbirds here with their little fluffy white dogs that are absolutely convinced that anything over 15lbs is a menacing beast. When we were traveling for a year, they hated us with two dogs over 70lbs, even though Buster and Shiner were so very well behaved compared to their own dogs.

 

[BlackDog]

I don't like it when people make rude comments or faces as the dog walks by, in addition to crossing the road. There is a difference between being safe and curtious then being rude and assuming every dog what gets discriminated against desirves it.

 

[RetrieverLove]

I don't neccesarily find it offending, just humorous. I mean, people don't move away for the smaller dogs however I find it's always the smaller dogs that cause the problems.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I see a lot of posts and hear a lot of people with protective or "bad" breeds talking about how people will cross the street to avoid walking too closely to their dog. I'm always surprised at how insulted they seem when people do this. Why is it so offensive?

If I see a person walking down the sidewalk towards me with a dog, particularly a large dog known for being protective such as a Rottweiler, I give them their space. I don't know the dog and don't need to, why do I need to brush up against it? I love people who actually stop and tell their dog to sit and wait for someone else to pass, but there are very few people who do that here. Most will just storm right past you with their dog, no matter how uncomfortable it might make the dog to be that close to a stranger.

I'm not offended if someone makes moves to avoid me and my dogs. I'm more saddened than anything. It makes me worry for the future of my breed that people look at a Rottweiler and immediately feel threatened.

I ALWAYS give way to pedestrians when out with my dogs, simply because I want to be polite and not cause others to be uncomfortable with the proximity of my dog.

However, it's clear to ANYONE observing that my dogs are well trained. I think that may comfort some people. I would walk directly down the sidewalk towards a well mannered dog/handler team of any breed. I might smile and say hi as I pass by.

I would also likely take steps to avoid any unruly, pulling, uncontrollable dog, also no matter the breed.

In many ways I completely understand your position, RD, esp if you are out walking your Pap. It's better sometimes not to take chances. If you met me on the sidewalk and you had your Pap, I would have my dog up on a VERY short leash, with absolute control, and it would have NO chance to do anything it should not.

 

[Amstaffer]

It kinda bothers me because I view it as Prejudice. Sal and Athena show Zero signs of aggression. To me it is just like a white women grabbing her purse or crossing the street when a black man walks her way.

I even had a woman tell me I had to cross the street because she is afraid of Pit Bulls....I told her there is no reason for anyone to fear my dogs and I kept on walking, she crossed the street.

Because of the Media hype I can understand why some people fear dogs but I also think some of the people fear certain dogs because either they or people they know have dogs who are aggressive because they abuse or are neglected by them.....if that is the case I hope they pee their pants every time they see a dog.