Help. I'm scared of big dogs.

[bandcojj]

Just that, really. I always have been.

And now we have a puppy and he's attracting big dogs to me. It terrifies me. We live right next to a park which we walk the puppy in (on a lead) but big massive dogs keep running over to play. However the play looks scary to me and my heart is in my mouth, the owners don't tend to come over they just keep on walking and ignore us.

What can I do? Now I'm a dog owner I'm going to constantly be in dog spaces so I need to work on my fear. But why are all the big dogs always off lead?

Doesn't help that DS is scared of them too, we've always avoided this park because of how many big dogs there are.

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

They shouldn't leave a big dog play with a puppy, ask them to keep their dogs away.

Why are you scared of big dogs though? Did something happen to you?

I've always thought that big dogs are easier and less scary then small ones. they are more confident all less likely to react in fear, and also more predictable, but I'e always had big dogs.

Can you ask a friend with a large dog to spend more time with you, while supervising the dog?

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

Bigger dogs are generally friendlier ime. As a pp said, they don't tend to be as fearful and snappy and are more laid back.

They're off lead more because bigger dogs need more exercise. You'd have to be an Olympic runner to exercise some breeds on a lead. I have labradors and honestly I have no idea where my eldest dogs lead is. She hasn't used it in months, only ever if we are near very busy roads. She just doesn't need it. She comes back when called but I wouldnt think to stop her greeting or playing with a puppy in a field. Puppies need interaction with older dogs, its how they learn their manners. Keeping them apart or only letting them play with other puppies or small dogs is how you end up with a dog who is terrified and fearful aggressive towards other/bigger dogs. Think like a child who had never seen another adult apart from their parents. These friendly interactions are essential for their development.

[vanillandhoney]

Big dogs tend to be off lead as they need a good amount exercise which can't be gained if they're stuck on a lead - however they should only be off-lead if they have decent recall.

Unfortunately lots of dog owners will just let their dogs do whatever and will make no effort to recall them. That goes for dogs of all sizes, though, not just large ones.

[vanillandhoney]

She comes back when called but I wouldnt think to stop her greeting or playing with a puppy in a field.

In the nicest way, why on earth not?

OP's puppy is on a lead, which is a clear signal that it shouldn't be approached by off-lead dogs. Call your dog back! If it's recall is good, it shouldn't be a problem to call it over to you.

[YangShanPo]

Your dog will pick up on your fear and may become nervous and even aggressive toward other dogs so it's important to get over this fear. Maybe avoid the park for now but try to socialise your puppy with a friends dog in their garden.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

Because puppies need interaction and socialising. You don't get aggressive puppies. You get aggressive adolescents who were never introduced to friendly older dogs as puppies. When mine were puppies, other dogs stopping to say hello was normal and even welcome. They were on lead because if they weren't I'd never catch the little fuckers. It didn't mean stay away. Its only on here that dogs are treated like the antichrist.

[Dreamersandwishers]

I’d suggest you find a training class - most will have puppies of all sizes in a fairly controlled environment, so both you & your dog can gain confidence.
As previous posters have said it’s very important that your puppy gets used to interacting with other dogs while he’s still young. Same goes for your child if you ever expect him to walk with your dog when they grow up.

[tabulahrasa]

“Because puppies need interaction and socialising. You don't get aggressive puppies. You get aggressive adolescents who were never introduced to friendly older dogs as puppies.”

You also get aggressive adolescents who have been scared by meeting older dogs...

[vanillandhoney]

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Because puppies need interaction and socialising. You don't get aggressive puppies. You get aggressive adolescents who were never introduced to friendly older dogs as puppies. When mine were puppies, other dogs stopping to say hello was normal and even welcome. They were on lead because if they weren't I'd never catch the little fuckers. It didn't mean stay away. Its only on here that dogs are treated like the antichrist.

My puppy was bitten aged sixteen weeks by two "friendly older dogs" who ran over to him (while he was on his lead), and pinned him to the floor. The owner was totally useless, couldn't recall his dogs and ended up having to come over to pick them up to get them off mine. "Luckily" they were JRT-sized and not Great Danes, eh?

It's not your dogs' job to socialise other people's puppies. It's so fucking entitled to just let your dog wander over to other people's dogs to "say hello". If another dog is on a lead, recall your dog! It's not difficult. If your dog can't be recalled, keep it on a lead yourself.

It took me eighteen months of hard bloody work to get my dog okay with others again. He's 2.5 now and mostly okay but he still doesn't like small terriers because of what happened to him at a young age - and I've tried socialising him with all sorts of small dogs since. There are a few he's okay with but only if he's off-lead and only if he has space to run away. I can just about distract him if they walk past while he's on-lead but he's clearly not very happy about them being so close to him.

All this is because someone thought his dogs were friendly and allowed them to come up to mine. The only saving grace is that they were small enough not to do too much damage to him.

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

Well if they don't want to be approached get out of the dog park then! 😂😂😂

[Juiceey]

^ that's not very helpful.