How to Handle Mean Lap Dogs?

[Christy&Riley]

Our neighborhood has several small dogs that do not like bigger dogs and have evil barks/growls. Our Riley is a 40 pound GD that rarely ever barks and just wants everyone to play. I'm always concerned she will squash the little dogs with her excitement.

Tonight I was walking Riley on a leash. I noticed one of these little terrors was outside so I turned around when I was probably three houses away and on the other side of the road. All of a sudden I hear the neighbors yell so I turn and that dumb dog is flying at us with a screeching bark/growl. I squared up and said a firm no. It seemed to stop for a second so I found myself letting Riley lean in to sniff. I didn't want to turn my back and walk away because I didn't know what it would do. In that split second I also decided to give Riley some extra leash in case she needed to defend herself. That dumb dog growled and snapped at Riley so I pulled her away immediately. Not before Riley gave her a good growl though...which is completely out of character. By that time the dog listened to its master, who was still yelling for it to come back instead of coming over to apologize, and went home. They think its cute when the dog goes nuts at Riley (passed them before).

Part of me wanted to kick the thing silly and another part wanted Riley to teach it a lesson. Is that bad to feel that way? I don't think its cute even if the thing is maybe 10 pounds. Can I get in trouble for defending us from a dog that is much smaller but barking/growling like it is possessed?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I know just how you feel we used to have to pass three Chihuahuas everyday on our walk.  Your instincts were great - Square up and firm "no" or "go home" and stand in front of Riley.  Don't move until dog goes away. 

[Christy&Riley]

Sad to say my first instinct was fear as I have always been scared of dogs. Then I remembered what I read on DK and did that. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Maryann completely. We have this same situation in our neighborhood too, so I know exactly how you feel. The owners of these tiny terrors always think it's funny when their dogs get in the big dogs' faces, but they sure don't think it's funny when the big dog defends himself. 

[Christy&Riley]

It's annoying because if they get Riley excited, I have to hold back a 40 pound dog that is stronger than me. They see me struggling and yet don't do anything. It's like they don't see their little beast as a dog therefore they don't train it. If we defend ourself and their dog gets hurt, will we get in trouble because Riley is bigger?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's pretty hard to "get in trouble", even if your dog attacks a dog the same size. JD was attacked and bitten by a dog his size who got out of the yard as we were walking by, and the owner volunteered to pay his vet bill, which I accepted. That's about all you would be responsible for, even if the owners hire a lawyer and sue you, lol. If they make a police report, it's like your dog now has a record. Multiple incidents could put your dog at risk, but short of that, it's monetary damages only. 

JD weighs 80 lbs, and I come right out and tell these owners that they'd better keep their dogs away from him. One lady whose two little yappers came running at him kept calling out "they're friendly". I just say "Mine isn't". 

[Christy&Riley]

Now that would be a vision...Riley in a police mug shot. She has won over many humans (some who don't even like dogs) so I'm sure we could raise bail.  LOL

That had to be scary to see JD get bitten. Hope he recovered ok!!!

I find it odd that these dogs are so aggressive towards Riley just walking by. Riley doesn't bark or growl at them. If anything she will whimper with her tail wagging wanting to go play. Would be interesting to know if it is because Riley is bigger and therefore viewed as a threat, if she gives off a scent or something that upsets them, or if they are just mean dogs. Hmm...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most toy dogs seem to have "attitude", especially the terriers, like Yorkies. Terriers in general are feisty dogs (pit bulls are terriers) and some of them are really not good with other dogs. And they're ratters, so they've got a high prey drive. I think some of that postering may also be a defense mechanism. 

We just got back from a long walk during which a Yorkie who could not have weighed more than 4 pounds if that came charging at JD, barking all the while. No leash, no restraint of any kind. The two dumb teenage girls who apparently own him had him out loose in the driveway while they were loading their car. When he ran up to us, we were a couple of houses away from them and couldn;t even see them, so I know they couldn't see us. I got between him and JD and yelled "no!" at him, after which one of the girls lamely called the dog's name. The Yorkie ignored her, of course. I wanted to say, come and get your dog, you stupid idiot, but I called back "I have an 80 lb dog here and he is not friendly" and that got one of them to move her behind and come get her dog. This is not the first time I've seen this tiny dog running loose. He's going to either get hit by a car or hurt by another dog, and sadly, that's on the owner, not on the poor untrained, unrestrained dog. 

[Christy&Riley]

I chuckled at your "and he is not friendly" comment to them. That is nice of you to warn them like that. We came cross a LD that was huge and the owners were saying he is so friendly...in the meantime he is barking like mad and growling. They proceeded to say we should let them play. Uh...no thanks. Maybe another time...NOT!

I'm ashamed to say I've been one of those people where the dog got away. When we are outside I am hypervigilant to watch for people walking by. Not because Riley will bite but because she is so excited she loses all manners and charges after them to make them her best friend. (Yes, still working on training there.) I turned my back to the grill one day and didn't see a neighbor come out with their mini dog who is definitely not friendly. I was mortified that Riley charged out of our yard and down the street to see them. She just wanted to play but their dog wanted nothing of the sort. We had just moved in and I felt like a horrible neighbor!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I say mine isn't as well because it seems to be the only thing to get people to control their dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and the authorities are only interested in bites. If Riley hurt some little dog who came running at him by stepping on it or knocking it down, I don;t think you'd be responsible at all. 

[Sue]

Oh I so hear where you are coming from....Before my GD puppy I had an 80 lbs Black Great Dane/lab mix and always dealt with these types of dogs. I also felt that Keewee would take care of them if she wasn't comfortable but it always made me so upset as they would circle her off leash and I had my dog on leash.....I would often shout "NO" and did a fist with my hand in front of their faces....this seemed to put them in their place....Now it's completely different as my GD is only 15lbs and 15 weeks so I don't want her to have an unpleasant experience with these yappy dogs.....I often pass them on my walk and now tell the owners she does not like yappy dogs :)

I wish people would be more careful with their dogs and NEVER have them off leash if they cannot control them....

[Christy&Riley]

Wow...a great dane! My cousin has one that is huge but a big softie I hear. Was Keewee generally a friendly dog? Must be a big change now with your little GD.