Golden retriever running towards your maltese, what would you have done?

[eiksaa]

For his morning walk, I take Gustave through a loop around the block and then to the pooch park in our apartment building where I let him run free for some time. Usually there's no one in the pooch park that early in the morning.

This morning, I entered the park and Gustave was luckily still on his leash when I saw a huge unleashed Golden retriever running towards us. My first thought was "Oh no he is going to 'retrieve' Gustave and run for it". I wanted to pick up Gustave but at the same time not scare him by doing anything sudden. Before I could do anything the big dog had reached us. Luckily he didn't do anything. He just stopped right in front of Gustave and Gustave just stood there like, "what?! what were you running for?" As soon as the retriever ran back to his owner, I casually picked up Gustave with lots of happy talk("Are you making big doggy friends now?") and walked out of the park.

I am not concerned about offending the owner at all. If I owned a big dog and people with small dogs were careful around him, I would commend them for their common sense instead of being offended. The only thing I am concerned about is scarring Gustave.

We got lucky that the big dog was friendly and didn't do anything. At the same time, I am glad I didn't pick up Gustave in the state I was in, I am sure he would have figured out something was wrong and picked up on my fear. I think in the future apart from making sure I check the park BEFORE I enter, I will be more alert to be ready to pick up Gustave without freaking out. Better safe than sorry, right?

So, what would you have done?

[Furbabies mom]

I think that you were very calm ,and probably did the right thing. I would of scooped mine up in a heart best!! I had a GSD attack my little mixed breed while in my own back yard. Buffy had her stomach sliced right down the middle. She survived but made many trips to the vet , and the owner of the GSD Rehomed (Angel) I am petrified of big dogs now.

[Lacie's Mom]

It's always scary for us with little dogs when a big dog approaches off leash, and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Many big dog owners know that their fluffs are gentle with small dogs (but we, the small dog owners, don't know that). And, of course, there can always be accidents with even the gentlest fluff.

I'm glad that this was a good encounter and that there weren't any problems. You were very wise -- I doubt that I would have been so calm and would have grabbed my fluff before I thought.

[eiksaa]

Thanks! I am really lucky this ended well. I just think about what could've gone wrong and it's scary.

From now on I am also going to just pick up Gustave if it happens again. I'd rather have him be alarmed than hurt physically.


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[ladodd]

You did good remaining calm. If the dog was running, it would have scared me and I would have picked my baby up. But, on the other hand I was at a dog show with Jack and a 200 lb Newfoundland walked up behind me. I turned and it got a little too close and 5 lb Jack snapped at him. Fortunately, the dog was very gentle and didn't take offense to my little beast.

[michellerobison]

I've had that happen on walks with all five of my fluffers. I carry a can of pennies and I shake it at them and shout "no" firmly and stand in front of my fluffs. That usually does the trick.
Since we live in the country, a lot of space between houses and no where to run for safety and we have coyotes,I also walk with a gun... I think of it as my back up plan .. The Smith and Wesson Brother Security System!

[eiksaa]

Originally Posted by michellerobison

I've had that happen on walks with all five of my fluffers. I carry a can of pennies and I shake it at them and shout "no" firmly and stand in front of my fluffs. That usually does the trick.
Since we live in the country, a lot of space between houses and no where to run for safety and we have coyotes,I also walk with a gun... I think of it as my back up plan .. The Smith and Wesson Brother Security System!

Can of pennies is a good idea. There's no way you could scoop up more than one (max two) fluff that quick.

I am glad I live in the city. Carrying a gun sounds scary, but I don't know how else you would fend off coyotes if attacked suddenly.

[Ladysmom]

Is the Pooch Park off leash? If so, you run the risk of encountering larger dogs so there really isn't anything more you could have done. Luckily, this dog was friendly but some pretty clueless people let their dogs off leash.

I always carry my stun baton when walking at the park, etc. even though leashes are required. It only takes second for a larger dog to kill a small dog or cat. One shake can break the neck which is what an aggressive dog will do. I had a kitty killed in my own backyard right in front of my eyes by a stray dog.

[eiksaa]

Yes, it is off leash. It is constructed so it's hard to see from the gate what or who is around the corner. I just need to be more careful before entering in the future to walk along the park and completely scan it for loose dogs before entering.

Or maybe I should always enter with Gustave in my arms and put him down after making sure it's safe.

[Orla]

Some people with big dogs just don't understand that even when playing their dog could hurt small dogs.

Milo was always very confident around dogs of all sizes but when he was 18 months old a newfoundland puppy(but a BIG puppy) scared him and he has never been as comfortable around big dogs since then

On numerous occasions big dogs have come bounding up to him - I know some people say not to but I usually pick him up - I just don't want to risk him being hurt.