fuzzy82 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was out walking Obi just now. Obi developed fear aggression at the onset of puberty at 6 months, and is now 16 months. I've worked on him since the start to fix it, and he's doing really well. He's naturally quite reactive as well, being a JRT x. But it's all good, it's under control, I train him every time we pass people and dogs. But today a couple with an old dog came walking towards us on the path, so I pulled Obi to the side of the path and had him sit. This is usually enough to stop him from having a growl, but not today. It wasn't bad though, I held him by the collar and he had a little bit of a growl and a snarl, but that was it. Then the woman says "does he have small dog syndrome?" and then Obi had another growl so she then said "yep, small dog syndrome" and kept walking. I didn't know what to say, but isn't this a bit..... offensive? I found it offensive to be labelled that way, and even embarrassing. Suddenly I'm no longer a good owner who's trying to train my dog, I'm now a "small dog owner" whose small dog has "small dog syndrome". It's like they've labelled it as something that all small dogs do, something inevitable and unfixable. I get that a lot of small dogs behave that way, but to label it that way just seems insulting. Is it just me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I have a 'talker' when we go walking. My small dog has a 'talk' to everyone walking past, and yes its rather embarrassing as they look down and have a little chuckle. I am going to enlist her in obedience school early next year (I have to try and schedule the nights off work) and i'm hoping that will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are You Serious Jo Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Just ask yourself whether there is any benefit in stressing over what an ignorant old woman you'll probably never see again thinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
korbin13 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... Aggressive, dangerous, out of control dog. From my experience anyway ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... Aggressive, dangerous, out of control dog. From my experience anyway ;) Yep. ETA: Just ignore her fuzzy, at least the small dog syndrome label isn't something that could get your dog declared dangerous. Edited November 17, 2011 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagsalot Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was at the little group of shops in our suburb a few months back. I could see a couple walking towards us with a little dog, and as the path was a bit narrow, I pulled Riley over the side and put him in a sit, and stood half in front of him so the couple could walk past with their dog. The guy holding his little dog decided to let it walk straight up to Riley and proceeded to bark like mad and nip at rileys feet. Riley stood up and barked back a few times (but a playful bark), until I got his attention back and made him sit again. There was a few people walking past that then proceeded to give me filthy looks, and smile and oohh and ahh over the cute little dog that was trying to nip at Riley's feet. One even made a comment about how dangerous big dogs are. So it works both ways. People always voice their opinions, whether right or wrong. You just need to take no notice of it and carry on and not let it get to you. Its not worth your time or effort to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was at the little group of shops in our suburb a few months back. I could see a couple walking towards us with a little dog, and as the path was a bit narrow, I pulled Riley over the side and put him in a sit, and stood half in front of him so the couple could walk past with their dog. The guy holding his little dog decided to let it walk straight up to Riley and proceeded to bark like mad and nip at rileys feet. Riley stood up and barked back a few times (but a playful bark), until I got his attention back and made him sit again. There was a few people walking past that then proceeded to give me filthy looks, and smile and oohh and ahh over the cute little dog that was trying to nip at Riley's feet. One even made a comment about how dangerous big dogs are. So it works both ways. People always voice their opinions, whether right or wrong. You just need to take no notice of it and carry on and not let it get to you. Its not worth your time or effort to worry about it. How ignorant of the small dog owner! My small dog is that annoying little barker that yaps at the big dogs as we walk past and I sure as hell don't go anywhere near the big dogs for fear they will rip her head off (and rightly so for she shouldn't be barking at them for no reason in the first place). Why can't they all just get along Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pollywaffle Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 both my dogs are small (maltese and pom x) and they both think they are huge..my maltese is a full on aggressive little s..t....with other dogs, big and small..but an absolute slut when it comes to people..will try and get a belly rub off anyone...our girl (pom x) is slightly neurotic, but takes her lead from our boy...so not the nicest of combinations..that's why we don't subject too many other dogs with them..but we love them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Catdog Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... Big dog syndrome (but I'm realy a big sook) hehee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... The media seems to want to call it a pitbull or pitbull x at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Huh, that was random. Anyhoo, Fuzzy is it possible she was just trying to make conversation, or trying to be cute? There are pros and cons to having either small and large dogs, perhaps you should just chalk this up as one of the cons like Aussie3 said, if a bigger dog was acting the same way she may have called him aggressive and suggested you were endagering the public by having him out So all in all it could be worse -- Wagsalot that's not cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzy82 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 It didn't bother me for long, just at the time I thought it was a bit insulting to say that about my dog, but then got busy and pretty much forgot all about it. I've had other small dog owners let their dogs come up to Obi as well, even when I've pulled him aside and put him in a sit and I'm sitting next to him holding his collar. Somehow that doesn't deter people from letting their dog come over for a sniff. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJean Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was out walking Obi just now. Obi developed fear aggression at the onset of puberty at 6 months, and is now 16 months. I've worked on him since the start to fix it, and he's doing really well. He's naturally quite reactive as well, being a JRT x. But it's all good, it's under control, I train him every time we pass people and dogs. But today a couple with an old dog came walking towards us on the path, so I pulled Obi to the side of the path and had him sit. This is usually enough to stop him from having a growl, but not today. It wasn't bad though, I held him by the collar and he had a little bit of a growl and a snarl, but that was it. Then the woman says "does he have small dog syndrome?" and then Obi had another growl so she then said "yep, small dog syndrome" and kept walking. I didn't know what to say, but isn't this a bit..... offensive? I found it offensive to be labelled that way, and even embarrassing. Suddenly I'm no longer a good owner who's trying to train my dog, I'm now a "small dog owner" whose small dog has "small dog syndrome". It's like they've labelled it as something that all small dogs do, something inevitable and unfixable. I get that a lot of small dogs behave that way, but to label it that way just seems insulting. Is it just me? I don't see how you can be offended. The woman does not know your dog or yourself and your dog fulfilled the criteria for what is small dog syndrome (according to the lady). Really who cares what someone you don't know thinks . Unless you want to go around explaining to everyone your canine ethos and training program - but why would you want to do that You know what you are doing with your dog ... if people want to label your dog small dog syndrome (because he barks/growls) ... really I think there are more meaningful things to get offended about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 What do they call it when big dogs behave that way? Just wondering...... Aggressive, dangerous, out of control dog. From my experience anyway ;) Yep. ETA: Just ignore her fuzzy, at least the small dog syndrome label isn't something that could get your dog declared dangerous. I agree with Aussie. You may never meet this woman again, her opinion doesn't matter. And Fuzzy you know that you are doing your best at training your dog. The ingnorance/judgement of others is best ignored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souff Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I was out walking Obi just now. Obi developed fear aggression at the onset of puberty at 6 months, and is now 16 months. I've worked on him since the start to fix it, and he's doing really well. He's naturally quite reactive as well, being a JRT x. But it's all good, it's under control, I train him every time we pass people and dogs. But today a couple with an old dog came walking towards us on the path, so I pulled Obi to the side of the path and had him sit. This is usually enough to stop him from having a growl, but not today. It wasn't bad though, I held him by the collar and he had a little bit of a growl and a snarl, but that was it. Then the woman says "does he have small dog syndrome?" and then Obi had another growl so she then said "yep, small dog syndrome" and kept walking. I didn't know what to say, but isn't this a bit..... offensive? I found it offensive to be labelled that way, and even embarrassing. Suddenly I'm no longer a good owner who's trying to train my dog, I'm now a "small dog owner" whose small dog has "small dog syndrome". It's like they've labelled it as something that all small dogs do, something inevitable and unfixable. I get that a lot of small dogs behave that way, but to label it that way just seems insulting. Is it just me? There is nothing wrong with small dogs having "small dog syndrome" imho. In battle, they are outclassed by sheer body mass. One chomp to a tiny body can spell instant death. Why should they not warn might-be assailants to "back off, and back off now!" ? I would be very worried if all small dogs were passive little creatures, especially when larger dogs can run up from behind (on beaches where they are taken by their owners for fun) and can slay little dogs with ease. Nature gave the dogs the ability to growl and warn off predators, so I have no problem with any dog using that ability if they feel threatened. Souff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Two of my dogs have small dog syndrome, I'm not embarrassed about it. They can be turds to large dogs they don't know. I take precautions and prevent them as best as I can but such is life. I do find it ironic that people laugh and call my Pug 'cute' when he yaps at big dogs, but I know if my big dogs were to behave the same way people would be horrified. It's just the way it is though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 small dog syndrome. Hmmm.. they are DOGS and behave as any dog.. just that it looks 'cute' or 'funny' to some people who would be on the phone to a ranger if the exact same behaviour was coming from something weighing about 30 kgs. It was a passing comment, fuzzy .. said & gone . ..and not to be worried about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 i don't like the saying "small dog syndrome"... they are just dogs! Things are scarier when you're little.. everything to them is my huge, so of course they are going to be more on guard. But, that's my personal opinion. I wouldn't worry about it.. comments like that are annoying, but easily shrugged off. I have 2 little ones and both of them are fine with other dogs. Emmy will be more incline to be more reactive and if a dog gets into her face (big or small) she will tend to let them know that she doesn't like... Charlie ignores dogs he doesn't like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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