Oh Mike,
That is one of the funniest stories I've heard lately! Thanks for that. I guess people don't mean any harm they're just not aware of what can go wrong. So ignorance really IS bliss.
Lynn

Lynn -

I feel your pain as well, I never walk my dogs in my neighborhood - not since Dec of last year, I am afraid to..not for my dog but for me. I get up early and drive both my dogs to a football field where we do our OB and I throw my Lill her ball. I take her home and my male and I go running.

I generally do not have problems at the field, and if I see another dog approach I used to get nervous and tenative, but after a few times I get my Lill in a down position while the other dog approaches.

Mike you just crack me up...I can't wait to tell my husband that story...hee hee. But you are also right, it seems like people just want to test you or perhaps they are extremely curious, don't know.....I sure as heck would not let my dog approach a Pit Bull on or off leash...hmmmmmmmm, nor a GSD

Judy,
My husband can tell that story better than I can, he told his whole squad about a dozen time, we both couldn't believe our eyes when it happend.He was on the phone at the time by the entrance of the park and I was on the other end of the field doing the exercise.
the elderly guy did not even care for one second what could have happend to his dog ,if it wasn't for the hard training we have done on our dogs they would be at the pound as we speak for quarantine, had they killed this pomeranian.
Even tho they all were off leash, we know who would take the blunt in this incident.Not the the pomeranian I assure you.I don't have time to make up stories, too many real incidents to tell.You can believe that. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Loose dogs are one of my BIGGEST pet peaves! It is such a problem in this state it's beyond the telling of it. I have been looking high and low for a place that I can safely walk/work dogs and there just isn't one to be found. There are loose dogs no matter where we go, usually belonging to ignorant people who think it's cool to have an aggressive dog that's out of control, or clueless people who think that because their dog is nice at home, it should be all right to run the neighborhood. I have actually been ridiculed because my dogs are always controlled, and "the poor things never get a chance to go exploring on their own" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Some friends and I are trying to get a grass-roots movement going to try to do something about it (we've all had dogs viciously attacked while on leash), but....since we're the minority I don't feel to hopeful about it. Even when I encounter the rarely seen "dog-on-a-leash" it's usually being walked by someone who wants their dog to "play" with every other dog they meet. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'm getting extremely cranky about it <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

How awesome would it be to teach all the neighborhood dogs a place command? Can you imagine the look on their owners faces out in the yard not doing anything about their dogs and you sent the dog away with a quick command?
<img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />Now laughing like Doctor Evil with a clicker and a bag of treats <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

ya, it's called "SHOOOO" with a kick(ok try to miss) but it works everytime, or at least they don't stick around on your property.

I don't even pretend to try to miss anymore; I don't care who's watching <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> No way I'm letting those dogs NEAR my dogs. I finally decided that most of my training can happen in the indoor horse arena. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Ms. Cadogan:

IMO it is completely irresponsible to train 3 GSDs together, off leash, with yourself 100' away, in an area accessible to the public and to other dogs. Very few if any dog-handler teams could do this safely.

As far as the Pomeranian's safety goes: by having: 1) 3 GSDs (a pack); off leash (not under control); while 100' away (less under control: time delay in addressing any issue that arises or to regain control) the risk is yours, Ms. Cadogan.

Also, to be angry at the other owner, and to possibly threaten his dog, is unacceptable behaviour.

If your dogs really did have such a great down you should have been able to relax about the whole situation.

And: people who own little dogs have the luxury of stupity, for the most part. Those of us with larger dogs with aggressive potential, don't.

I sympathize with those having trouble finding training locations to do trial exercises, but not with this view on it.

rgds, andrew may

Angelique Cadogan wrote:

"Well I feel your pain, A week agao I was working on my long downs due to a trial we're having In january, so I am trying to do as many obedience exercise so that I will be prepared for my trial. My 3 shepherds are on a long down off leash, I am about 100 feet or more away standing and watching making sure none of them are getting up.Their downs are pretty solid right now so I am comfortable at being 100 feet away to do this.ALL of a sudden I see a pomeranian coming up fast at my 3 GSD's. the owner of this dog can see that my shepherds are laying down off leash and I am at a pretty good distance.WHAT DOES HE DO? sits on a park bench and watches ,not once did he call his dog back from being chewed up .(maybe) Well the pomeranian stops about 6 feet from my shepherds and start to scratch the ground with his hind legs as if he is challenging the 3 to a duel??????
I picked up the pomeranian brought him to his owner and I said" the next time your dog walks up to mine it's fair game. I walked back to my shepherds and left I was so mad.But my shepherds did not break their down exercise THANK GOD!!! Cause you know who would end up looking bad, the bigs dogs."

Andrew, as a small, medium, and xlarge size dog owner, I'm going to take exception to your statement that small dog owners have the luxury of stupidity. How many lab owners have any control over their dogs? (I'm talking pets that you see walking down the street-not working labs). The fact that the dog was a Pom was irrelevant except that it would take less time to kill it. Period. Size is not the issue-stupidity is.

Her dogs did not break their down/stay, so back off the "irresponsibility" accusation. I would be nervous, too, even though I FREQUENTLY work several GSDs off-leash, together, in tight/tempting situations. That's the whole point of the exercise. Not being nervous makes you an idiot. Regardless of the level of control, or the fact that they may not have broken a down/stay in over a year, yada yada yada, if you weren't just the teensiest bit nervous in this situation, you should be more realistic. When people fall asleep at the wheel, accidents happen.

I would disagree with this statement, it sounds like she has three well-balanced and obedient dogs that obviously were under control since they did not break at the sight of a yappy, snappy snack that obviously was not under control. I also absolutely disagree with small dog owners having the luxury of being stupid. IMHO I think that people who are going to own small dogs need to be just as mindful of their surroundings as large dog owners. For example, just last night I had my Mal on a drag line and under control in a great heel (we work hard at the heel since she is young and likes to break), small Yorkie runs at us and jumps into the face and bites my dog, of course my Mal grabbed the yorkie and gave her a toss. It was quick and no damage was done except for scaring the Yorkie back to its owner. Who is at fault here? My dog never broke her heel position (GOOD DOG, GOOD DOG, GOOD DOG- I was also standing on the drag line just in case) and was right next to my left knee when she grabbed the little crapper. In fact after the toss she stayed in the heel and focused back on me. Thank goodness because she is a very high drive, prey driven dog. We work very hard at keeping our dogs in line and obedient. I did not correct my dog as I feel she did nothing wrong. If she would have broke position and attacked the other dog, you bet I would have kicked her ass right then and there.
The best thing is, I know the owner and she was very apologetic and is now going to be working on obedience with the dog and will keep it on lead since she saw the potential danger in letting a disobedient dog run loose. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> No Harm done and a dog owner learned something. That is a GOOD THING.