Why is it that when I walk my dog in town so many people give me dirty looks? When I told my mom about how so many people do this she told me I was just imagining it, yet yesterday when my cousin came for a walk with us she noticed it to. At fist she would say why are them people giving us dirty looks? Then she said I think they're looking at the dog. Is it that these people are afraid or something else. Also when we were walikng down mainstreet many kids would run up and ask to pet the dog, and it was good that they asked, but I wanted to tell them not to run up to a strange dog(it could spook the dog and make them defensive) but would it be rude for me to say?

You have to tell therm, no you can't pet the dog, and then tell th them it is very bad to startle an animal.

Why is it that I can not let them pet the dog? He loves children, and the attention, it isn't him that gets startled, I just know that some dogs do get startled. But not him he's great with kids.

Rex, I never let ANYONE pat my dog. Although I know she is pretty well laid back and friendly, animals, no matter how you think of them are unpredictable and dogs can sense more then we do. What if rex bit a kid because the kid patted him ? Rex would be in deep trouble.

I am not saying rex is like that, but you just never know and should not take the chance your dog may not like the person, for whatever reason, that wants to interact.

You would be devastated if something happened to rex,you know that. So just stay cool on the patting issue.

I meant to ask you, rex, what did you mean by your title 'ignorance or... '. What would they be ignorant of ? Just wondering. People in your neck of the woods should know what a Siberian Huksy is, and not fear the dog.

I wouldn'T be so sure people have thought my dog was a wolf hybrid before. And others have said bad stuff about him because of his breed, they say huskies are number 4(or 5 I can't remember) on the most dangerous breeds list.

I have never heard that. Some people could be jealous of your good rapport and association with your dog.

Huskies one of the most lovable dogs I know of, loyal to a fault. They can get somewhat protective as many dogs do.

But no one should ever allow people, esp children to just walk up and pet their dogs, they should always help teach them to ASK permission first.
And you are correct to allow people to merely run up and pet any dog is dumb.

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Originally Posted by tickle

I have never heard that. Some people could be jealous of your good rapport and association with your dog.

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Surprising what you find when you look at actual numbers. Husky-type dogs are number 4 on a list of reported dog-attack fatalities, with malamutes at number 5. Pitbull-types, rottweilers, and GSDs are numbers 1-3.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf

Oh... and an easy answer to the kids is to tell them that they need to ask before petting a stranger's dog, and you need them to get permission from their parents first.

Maybe they're all staring at you because your dog is so beautiful!

I mean, that pic I assume IS of your dog, no? He's so handsome!

They're jelouse!

Thank you all sorry I couldn't post during the day I was at school. I will tell the kids next time about not running up to dogs. But I'm sorry tickle but I think its good for rex to have children pet him, it makes him more sociable.

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Originally Posted by froggy7

Surprising what you find when you look at actual numbers. Husky-type dogs are number 4 on a list of reported dog-attack fatalities, with malamutes at number 5. Pitbull-types, rottweilers, and GSDs are numbers 1-3.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf

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That's a 1998 report - the more recent statistics are somewhat different. I believe the latest list eleased last year.

I work a lot of dog bites - the worst bites I have ever seen have been by Akitas; yes, worse than Pits.

The most I see by one breed is by Labs. I think it's a combination of a LOT of labs out there (so numbers alone rule) and people are more comfortable, less standoff-ish about labs, wander over and get bitten.

I have German Shepherds - I am always telling people (kids and adult alike) NOT to come up to them unless I give the sit/stay command and the dog is OK with the whole approach. I'm always amazed at people in the Vet's office who let their kids wander around HUGGING strangers' dogs!

And my all time favorite stupid question is, "Does that dog bite?" You're darned if you say yes and darned if you say no. I say, "Just leave her alone."

My niece has three Huskies and people always ask her if they are full blooded wolves.

I agree with you about the labs. I think everyone thinks that labs are the all around perfect dog therefore they do not treat them as a dog but more of a person.

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Originally Posted by rex123

I agree with you about the labs. I think everyone thinks that labs are the all around perfect dog therefore they do not treat them as a dog but more of a person.

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While I'm on a rant - do you run into adults who say to children, "Leave that dog alone or that dog will bite you?"

Now the kid grows up traumatized and everyone within hearing range moves back about 3 feet and I'm SURE other people think the adult has some sort of insider knowledge about my dogs.

Oh god!! Let me tell you a story. A couple weeks ago(could be a month by now) there was a money raising BBQ and carwash(for breast cancer) at the sobeys my dad works at. So me and my cousin decided to walk around town with my dog Rex and then walk back to sobeys. So we went around town and when we got to sobeys and where they were washing the cars(where my dad was) I stood there waiting to tell him we got back and people started whispering about my dog so me and my cousin went and sat on the tailgate of my dads truck. We were sitting there(rex was at my feet tail waging tongue hanging out just lovin' life) when a mother walked by with her daughter and said that's a big dog(now normally I would reply) however I didn'T, I didn't even look up I just kept my eyes on rex because of her tone of voice(as if to say he shouldn't be aloud in town), then she looked to her daughter and said see he smells your fear, at that I looked up and gave her the dirtiest looks, my cousin sat there laughing and after they walked away I asked my cousin why she laughed she then stated, rex wasn't even looking at them, and his tail was wagging. I then got a laugh at of it myself thinking about how foolish that lady was.

Now here's the kicker, they had a small dog with them, and one of her other daughters were walking with it and it barked at rex the whole time we were there, rex just ignored it never even looked at it, and so they had to throw it in there van cause it wouldn't stop barking and growling at us. I don'T know what she thinks but on that day I could control my 65 pounds(of muscle) ``aggressive``(yeah right) husky and she couldn't even control her 8 pound what I believe was a maltese.

I bet that little Maltese could've been more dangerous than Rex! It's all about training, and the energy that the pack leader is feeding through the leash to their dog. If you see a child running up, and you feel nervous, your dog can get very nervous and become aggressive.

I don't think there is anything wrong with kids and other people coming up to pet Rex, as long as you stop the kids and tell them they cannot approach a dog that way. Well, and as long as their parents don't have a lot of nervous energy themselves, and give permission. The kids need to know that they need to approach calmly, otherwise they are not allowed. They cannot feed excited energy to Rex.

I know a bit about how you have trained Rex, and that you have put a lot of work into training him, and he knows you are his pack leader.

As far as the people that give you dirty looks? Just ignore them and pass by, just like you would do with another dog that is trying to instigate a fight. It's their problem, not yours.

I have to say, that although certain breeds are more prone to violence, I still say it's the owner, not the dog.

I've met pitbulls that are as gentle as a lamb, and poodles that will rip your head off if given a chance.

I have two lab crosses, my older one who is predominantly lab has never even nipped someone. He's 13 years old, the neighborhood kids would come up to him when he was on a line on our property and they'd ride him like a horse. Never even a nip to say "get off!" When I caught them doing this I made sure that they knew that this was not okay behaviour. I have to say, if anyone ever came up to me and said that Indy bit them, I'd have to ask "What the heck did you do to him?"

Now Jasper is predominantly Border collie, mixed with lab. He's a sweet dog, most of the time, but he's temperamental. He's never "bitten" but he has nipped. I don't completely trust him if someone where to come up and ask to pet him. We got him from the shelter, he was an abused dog, he's never quite gotten over it completely.

It's up to dog owners to insure that their pets don't have the opportunity to bite. If that means muzzling a breed that is considered vicious while walking, then that will just protect you and your dog. I don't like it either, but some people are so afraid that their fear alone will solicit a bite from a dog.

Either that, or hope for the best. All it takes is one bite and that's it, your dog has a record.

We have to remember that they are animals and unpredictable, even if the most well mannered dog in the world.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I have German Shepherds - I am always telling people (kids and adult alike) NOT to come up to them unless I give the sit/stay command and the dog is OK with the whole approach. I'm always amazed at people in the Vet's office who let their kids wander around HUGGING strangers' dogs!

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Trust me, I know what you mean. Trink's a gorgeous dog, and a big one, and when we go to the dog park I have to police kids very carefully, because they love to come running up to her and hug her and hang all over her. Thankfully she is a calm and patient dog, but I wince whenever I see it and try and get her away to a different part of the park.

But at least I have it better than the small dog owners. I've seen kids (generally tween girls) in the small dog section of the park who seem to have a goal to pick up and cuddle every dog in the park. I always wonder what the doxie owners think of that, since you want to be careful of how you pick them up to prevent back problems. And wonder what's going to happen the day they pick up a bad-tempered dog and get bit in the face.

And don't even get me started on parents who let toddlers wander (generally barefoot!) in a dog park, watch them get into the middle of a group of dogs, and then get upset when the kid gets knocked over when the dogs tear off in a chase.

Well, EVERYONE is making such smart remarks and opinions I have to add to this thread...

Froggy7, I must agree w/ EVERYTHING YOU SAID... it's always alarming to me to try and comprehend the mind set of a mom letting their little kids wander about the park hugging random strange dogs. What ARE they thinking? It's an accident waiting to happen... God forbid!

Altenweg, I used to go to this huge property before it was developed and it was known as a doggy walking path/park. I came across all types of breeds, specifically this one particular Pittbull. He was a tender soul, that sweet lovable critter... lol. His daddy raised him as if he were a soft poodle... and w/ a dog like that it's best to bring out their sweet side.

I have one specific dog that I would NOT trust around men... he needs to be leashed in public and kept on a "tight command". He can definitely go out in public, but this boy was a rescue as well and he's the type of dog that needs a solid handler... Kids are safe up to a certain age, if they are boys... It's all about the trainer and their range of capability, in terms of what breed they are suited to adopt and which breed they need to pass on...

Having said that... any breed, (ie: a lab or maltese even) can be aggressive and a biter if there is a lack of leadership in the training department...