There was a lady who posted recently about while out walking her German Shephard, someone else made a nasty remark about her dog and people move out of her way when they see her and her dog coming, (sorry, cant remember who you were) But anyway, im starting to get the same sort of thing with Blue! :( Was coming off the beach yesterday and an elderly man with a Golden Retriever was coming towards me, stopped quite a bit out the way with his dog and gave me a right dirty look! Why?? I know Blues big and if he see`s another dog he looks even bigger! lol and he really stares at them, but i always when another dog is coming have him on a very tight close lead, the most he would do is have a little sniff, his only a baby! Also, when i used to go over the beach with our Goldie, other people used to let their dogs run up and have a sniff and a play and were fine, but with Blue, even though he is on a lead people grab their dogs and quickly put them on their leads! Do you think its because of his size? Because ive never heard of an agressive Dane, though im sure they do exist as with all breeds. Other people think his huge, but i still see him as my little puppy lol

Hi Blues Mum

That was me! and sadly it is still happening although i have started to develop a thicker skin and decided to be more positive about it, so when another owner crosses over i just smile to myself and think, oh well at least i've got the pavement to myself!! hee hee. I'm sure it is your Blues size that makes ignorant people do this as my problem has always been that if these people got to know Alfie they would realise how nice natured he is but sadly some can't see passed his breed/size etc. I like you, see my baby as a cute puppy and don't see what others see. Keep your chin up and ignore it, you know how gorgeous he is and that's all that matters ;-)

I wish people would put thier damn dogs on leads round here.  I have aggresive dogs run up and have goes at mine and the owners don't give a damn.
Seriously though it is a shame as its going to make your poor lad think there is something wrong.  Do you not let him off the lead so perhaps he could go and play and show he is friendly.  The other owners may look at his size and because you have him on the lead think he is aggresive.

Bev

Doesn't it make your blood boil Bev, i always put Alfie on his lead or make him walk to heel offlead if there is another dog about, not because he is at all agressive but i think it's just good manners. I too have had other dogs running up to mine in an aggressive manner and the owner  is trailing behind in the distance. Alfie gets at least an hour and half off lead exercise everday and i will not change that cos of the minority of ignorant people :-)

Hi Mich, thanks, it makes you feel like you have 4 pitbulls all foaming at the mouth and snarling or something! Yet some people come up and fuss all over him, alot of the kids come up aswell and i respect that they always ask if he bites first before they approach him, which is a good thing! As id always teach my little boy to do the same :) Like you say, if they want to go out of their way and let you carry on with the path your on, so be it! lol :D

I have him on one of those extendable leads when were on the beach, his only 6 mths so im a bit funny about letting him off yet, though his such a baby and wont let me out of his sight i dont think he`d go far :)

Try looking at this the other way - I try avoid other dogs when I have my 3 out together because I know that my bitch is protective of her son and daughter. I find it annoying when people let their dogs come galloping up saying that they're friendly without checking that mine are! Dont get me wrong, mine are fine generally, but I have a dominant bitch who I have to watch, because so many owners cant see the warning signs and just let their dogs come straight in and rest chins on shoulders! So just remember that if other owners avoid you, dont just assume that they are afraid of your dog, could be they know their own!

I will never forget a friend that has a dogue cross, she is a trainer so he is very well behaved, yet I have seen people turn up at her class grab both dogs and children as soon as they see him, even when he is the other side of the field. Infact Im just about the only person that he takes liberties with and that is becasue I know him and he is my dogs best friend :D 

Blues Mum you will always get this with a large breed and especially a Great Dane, you will always get people who cross the road to avoid you and gather up their kids in case your Dane fancies a tasty snack. You have to develop a thick skin and ignore it. I meet people with their dogs off the lead but I get shouted at to get mine on a lead just because of his size and it is usually their dog who is running and snapping, they seem to find this funny. I've lost count of the arguments I have been involved in. In saying that I've met many nice people walking their dogs who have just wanted to play.

What makes me sad is that some people who see me coming with Sophie, a 6 months old tibetan terrier, will cross over the road.  Just today a gentleman I know - comes into the bakery where I work - crossed over the road with his young son and completely ignored me.

CarolW

I have to stick up for the others who do not judge, i have a medium sized breed of dog and to be honest i worry more about the way tiny dogs will react but do not judge as a lot of small are friendly and can put up with a big over friendly retriever. We meet up with all different breeds regularly on our walks 2 gsds, a doberman, 2 lab crosses, choccy lab, boxer, two other GR. We get the opposite response people almost always assume our dog will be friendly, which granted he is a very good example of his breed, but you should never judge a book by it's cover.

Blues mum - if it makes you feel any better, I used to have people cross the road rather than walk past my little 40 pound 19" to the shoulder shar-pei. She was a long coated one (bearcoat) and black with red eyes and looked like a small black lion. She tended to move like a wild animal and really unnerved a lot of people for some reason.

My tibetan mastiff puppy tends to get 50/50 reactions - either people want to come and meet him or they stay well away. The bigger he gets, the more wary people are of him - I see mothers with small children visibly stiffen up and step in front of their children - they don't know he's really gentle with kids and adores toddles especially. He's not got a bad bone in his body and was lying on the floor the other day trying to persuade a cat that he was harmless.

I'm not really that bothered what other people think to be honest. I realize big dogs, no matter how well behaved, can be seen as intimidating to lots of people - I myself am wary of other big dogs that I don't know. The old man might have not been giving you a filthy look, you know. At least he was polite enough to stay out of the way and let you past. His dog might be a bit funny with other dogs and he was just a bit anxious. For all you know the dog's owners might be aware that their dogs are not 100% and may try to bite blue. Try not to take it personally.

I even get a few people avoiding my dogs - and they're cuddly teddy bear Cavs and Yankees!! :-D

To be honest i didnt actually think of that! Im not upset about it, just aware of it, it was a dirty look, i smiled at him and he just looked away! lol the old git!

It's not just large dogs that can attract a certain cautiousness. My pup met the postman for the first time a couple of weeks ago (all part of the socialisation process) and they got on like a house on fire.  After this mutual admiration society had been meeting for a few minutes he thought to ask what breed Nipper was.  The look on his face (and accompanying going pale!!) when I said "Jack Russell" was hilarious. :)

>>it was a dirty look, i smiled at him and he just looked away! lol the old git!<<

Oh well, you can't win 'em all. He's probably an old git full time :D

lol :D

I absolutely hate people that give dirty looks then cross the street or would rather shift onto the road infront of traffic off the sidewalk to get out of thee way. I have goldens too , if i had a dollar for every dirty look i'd be bill gates. I especially want to just sock all the people who tell me to "move the dog away" when we are walking perfectly parrallel, people these days!

Everytime they shift off onto the road i pray to god they get run over by an SUV.

I always give way to oncoming people traffic when walking the dogs, and always ensure the dogs are the side of me away from the other pedestrians.  Not all people are comfortable around dogs.  I do find the reaction of some Asian people rather extreme though when even with plenty of space and me being ultra polite they choose to walk out into the road, but then with Rabid feral dogs being common in some parts of the world it is an inbuilt fear.

Of course I do walk five dogs at a time, so take up a fair amount of room.  I have always done this and always tucked them in and waited on any narrow stretch of pavement, or if someone is coming along with a puschair, seems only good manners putting dogs and their owners in a positive light, and I often get thanked, even when walking two dobes at a time for my freind, so it isn't just the grey furries cuteness, though equally they could seem scary to some people with their wolfy looks.

I find it's more of the Pakistanis and indians that kind of give the REALLY dirty looks , i give oncoming people space too but these people expect me to walk on the road or something!

MannyG - LMAO!! :D

Is anyone else on this board old enough to remember when GSDs (or Alsatians as they were then known) were hero dogs? They guided the blind, rescued people from burning buildings, caught baddies and were regularly drafted into the forces.  When did it all change? 

I have never met an aggressive GSD and I have met a lot as it's a breed I am drawn to. Guarding and protective yes, aggressive no.  In fact in my personal experience (of the two GSDs I have had the pleasure to own), the initials stand for German Shepherd Dramaqueen; our current one certainly makes a three act opera out of going to the vet and our first one behaved like an Italian grandmother when we went out, fussing and herding us together and generally telling us off if we tried to do anything dodgy (like running into the sea, when he would run up and down the beach practically wringing his paws). 

Don't let it get you down.  People who react like this to our dogs are missing out on a lot of pleasure that we all have the secret to.  Pity them; perhaps one day they'll need help catching a mugger but the Police Shih Tzu just won't be up to it...(no offence to Shih Tzus or their owners).

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
Muttsinbrum, I am soo glad that someone else feels that way, how they used to be (and still are)  hero dogs!! Ever since I was a little girl I wanted a German Sherperd, just like Rin Tin Tin. (Shhh..don't tell Remi, he'd get jealous!) I get so mad when apartment complexes, or home owner's insurance asks if I have a dog and what type he is. When did the GSD, go from such a wonderful dog ( it still is!!) to a god-awful one, that's aggressive and dangerous to all?? I want to know these people that are bad mouthing dogs. If everyone took their bad experiences with dogs to heart, no dog would be loved!! People need to remember that they are dogs, not humans (although I swear my dogs acts like one sometimes!) there is always a reason why a dog "attacks." If people would remember that, then maybe dogs like GSD, Pitbulls, etc, wouldn't get such a bad rap!

Sorry ended up more like a venting session!! But I feel better! lol
~Remi's Mom

How GSD's "used to be" is the problem.   I've owned GSDs and known many more who were breed champions and obedience champions and just companions.   I have to say though that I am very cautious about GSDs.   Twice my Cairns have nearly been attacked by GSDs.  Once my Cairn was walking off lead in a field with me - we were headed in one direction and around the corner, from out of our sight, two GSDs came running at full throttle - barking and snarling.  My Cairn turned and ran for her life.  Fortunately, the owner was able to call them back.  My husband was walking my two on lead and met a GSD, also being walked on lead.   They were allowed to greet each other, usual sniffs, and suddenly the GSD went to attack one of my dogs.

The most sensible dog I've ever owned was a GSD.  However, I've also owned one that was a nightmare and fear aggressive.  Bred well and they are wonderful dogs.  Bred poorly and they are nightmares.  The problem is that as with many popular breeds, the bred poorly ones tend to outnumber the bred well ones - and that can brand a breeds' image for a long time.

Stacey

Cause and effect. Everybody saw the heroic, brave and noble German Shepherd catching villans and rescuing people. Everybody wanted one just like that, forgetting they need training to be like that and are not a suitable dog for everybody (no breed is). They would buy one from people who were breeding any two dogs that looked like a German Shepherd together to make a fast profit.

It happens. Most recently it's happened to dallies due to the disney remake of 101 dalmatians. I'm sure it happened to St Bernards with all those Beethoven movies. And sadly, there seem to be a lot more shar-pei in rescue now due to a certain Posh & Becks getting one about 18 months ago. Now every female chav wants a teacup chihuahua or a teacup maltese because Paris or Britney have one, when really what they want is a Barbie doll to play dress up with. the teacup bit refers o the size of the owner's brain if you want my opinion.

I'm glad to say that despite a Tibetan Mastiff starring in a movie years back, they never hit the popularity stakes. Mind you, if any of you have ever seen 'Man's Best Friend' - not only was a turkey of a film, but you wouldn't want a dog with a personality disorder like Max's!

Just musing about this trhreads title. 

What is and agressive looking dog?

To some people who don't know dogs at all a panting dog looks scary as it has it's teeth showing (I overheard soemone say that of one of mine while she was happily smiling and watching the world go round while I chatted, it was a warm day and she had her mouth slightly open).

To others it is size that equates with agression in their minds.

To others it is any muscular large headed dog (read any Mastiff/bullbreed type).

Now I don't find any dog AGRESSIVE LOOKING unless of course it is snarling.

Now one poster said they had never met an aggressive GSD, protective/guarding yes, but not agressive.  Now in many peoples minds a protective, guarding stance is aggression. 

My own pet hate is that people equate barking with agression.  As my breed tends to the vocal, will give little barks to get a biscuit or just to ask for a pat, and of course are rather vocal when playing with each other, this can make life difficult, so I discourage too much vocalisation.

It all seems to be about perception, and of course those who don't understand dogs at all often just perceive them all as threateneing.

I had an incident this morning that a woman would not let her dog out the car until we had gone past, wasn't sure if was because of Sam or Breeze.  I said that they were both friendly dogs, but Breeze was on the lead as normal and Sam was by my side. Being a typical Staffie, he went to sit by this ladies feet to get a stroke. I was amazed when she said that it was because of Staffie and not the Rottie that she didn't let her dog out. Needless to say, we carried on walking and her dog jumped out the car.

I think its really important for dogs of all sizes to interact with each other, although I find its the little ones that have the upper hand in many cases.

I was waiting for a bus 1 day and there were 2 ladies with a German Shepherd. The dog looked lovely stood there calm and placid.
A woman was there with her 2 children 1 child said look at that big dog. The mother said loudly and not in a very nice manner keep away from it they're horrible and nasty those dogs.
I couldnt believe my ears I was speachless. I felt so sorry for the 2 ladies with the dog they looked really embarressed. Later I wish Id have said something in their defence but at the time I was dumbstruck why a stranger could be so rude to them.

A friend of mine who was studying to be a dog behaviourist once did a survey in our local shopping centre with my Labrador and her Belgian Shephard dog, asking how people felt about the two dogs, just judging them on their looks.

Most people seemed to presume the Lab was friendly and were alot more wary of the Belgian Shephard, yet they were both very friendly dogs, If I remember rightly some people said it was the pointy upright ears made the BS look more threatening.

It's funny no one ever crosses to get out of the way when I'm walking Oscar my Shih Tzu, the complete opposite actually people cross over to say how lovely he is and to make a fuss.

It's a funny old world!

I think any dog can be agressive, depending on if the dogs been poorly bred/brought up/treated. When i was little (about 6 or 7) our neighbour had a beautiful German Shephard and i used to go round her house and play with her in the garden, like throwing balls for her to retrieve and that and she was so gentle and placid, she just wanted to play and love everyone, this woman also had 2 very young children who the dog was absolutely fine with.
Then about 4 months ago, i was at this training class (if thats what you can call it - run by complete idiots) one of the trainers had a german shephard (rescue) who was on a lead and was about 6 ft away from me and my little boy who was there at the time (2) this dog obviously didnt like young children and growled, beared its teeth and lunged and my boy, now if this dog hadnt of been on a lead god knows what he would of done to my son! Another incident also happened that night (Blue got attacked by another one of the "trainers" rescue dogs and drew blood on his face for no reason at all) didnt even get a sorry, just attitude! As you can probably guess i never went back! Supposed to be kennel club approved and everything! Pfft!
So my point is anyway, two dogs exactly the same, but so very different temperments (not that i know what that other GSD had been through or suffered in his past to make him that way!

I agree with you brainless.  All my dallies bark when someone looks at them that is just their way they like to make their presence felt.

Dont agree though about GSD's all having good natures I have met enough that I will no longer groom them.  One bit through my hand for absolutely no reason and a friend of mines one turned on her puppy so bad the vet refused to allow the puppy back until she had the dog PTS.  The puppy or grown up as it is now is not in the least agressive so it was not a bad owner just a unpleasant dog.  Dogs get a reputation for a reason.  I am not saying all of them are bad but neither are they all wonderful natured either.

Hi Blues mum,

Perhaps it's the fact that you have him on a very tight close lead that scares people?

If I saw someone with a massive dog, holding onto them very tightly, I would assume the dog is on a tight lead for a reason and would not let my dog anywhere near it. :)

I don't agree with allowing your dog to bark at every passer by, yes we as dog lovers can tell if a dog is friendly but some people are just plain scared of dogs through no fault of there own.

Hi Tuti, i have to have a good grip as his very strong and if he did go to have a sniff and i wernt paying attention id go with him! lol