Quote:
Originally Posted by createquilts
(Post 555001)
Had to vote I don't feel comfortable around them. Last year I rode my bike 1500 miles and was attacked three times- once a mailman driving by had to help me. Just yesterday I was walking down a path and a dog came flying towards me barking like crazy with the owner saying "he won't hurt you" while the dog is barking like crazy and charging around. It is hard not to freeze up and owners don't understand when you are afraid you are afraid. Almost like post traumatic stress. Obviously people see that I am freaking out and ready to have a heart attack and call their dogs away- I cross the street if I see someone walking their dog and try to avoid them, but you can't avoid all dogs in this world unless you live in a gated dog free community.
Now I have gotten to know many well behaved dogs and their owners - I can pet them and be around them without panic. We have even owned a few but I insisted they were very well trained and very well behaved.
edited to add this happened in NY state. While in TV I have had dogs come up to me, and several bark, but not loose. I still avoid them even on a leash.
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I "hear you". My husband has been bit by neighbors' darling dogs, for no reason at all. Once he was riding his moped. Another time he was just getting the mail at the end of our driveway. A third time he wasn't bitten, but was charged at by a German Shepherd baring his teeth and growling while we were taking a hike in the woods. Again, for no reason.
We also have sweet dogs in the neighborhood; usually the smaller breeds. They are always welcome here.
I think it all depends on the pooch.
Also , it depends on the owner. Some people feel their dogs can do no wrong.
We always had dogs of our own when the kids were young; some were crazy....others were not. They all have distinct personalities. We also had cats which are a lot easier.....with no complaints from neighbors.
We are now happily pet free; it's much easier to travel without worrying about the pets. With five grandchildren to keep up with, we are happy, just the two of us.
p.s. When our daughter and her husband visited in the past, they always brought two huge dogs which are known for their incessant barking. Now that the dogs are older and one has died, they no longer travel with the dogs and the cats. Our neighbors are grateful and have ceased calling to complain of the excessive barking, no matter if they are indoors or out on the back deck or on the front porch..........they always begin the complaint with , "We know you have company visiting, but
we just can't take it anymore".
These huge Tibetan Mastiffs have also knocked over my frail mother, knocked over my husband.......again while on a hike..........and no one says anything.
Anyway, we did take our own dogs to dog training school ; sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn't. Again, it depends on the pooch and the breed.
The ones I would avoid would be dobermans and pit bulls . We have read of so many of those attacking people for no reason at all.
