Dog walking etiquette - very small dogs walked in large open spaces

[Avantia]

If you had a very small lap type dog i.e dashchound and you walked off lead in very large open spaces where lots of people walk dogs mainly off lead would you get a bit miffed when a larger dog came up and wanted to sniff and play with yours ?

My late lamented dachshund was not all that little, but sometimes got a bit nervous of very large dogs. He was quite able to take care of himself though, by biting quickly, deep and hard without a growl or squeak of warning first - I well recall a St Bernard sniffing his rear end so hard it lifted him off the ground - he didn't try that twice!

In my mind Higgle best way for my lab to learn - getting a quick nip off another dog for getting too close , she has learnt when dogs are not interested and comes away farely quickly .

Avantia, good thing you've got a girl . My DHs boyhood dachshund took exception to a boy lab who DH was friendly with. Shortness of stature can allow for extremely effective attacks!

Oh I had one the other day (like I say, my dog's collie sized, and incredibly calm especially with little dogs) - walking along off lead, dog happily mooching beside me and a terrier comes along off lead in the opposite direction.

Of course - quick bum sniff and we were on our way - with the terrier's owner theatrically telling her husband (loud enough that I'll hear) that it was utterly disgusting my dog had approached without permission.

Sorry miss, but if you're in a public park with your dog off lead I'm making the assumption it's ok and since you were on the same meter wide path as me, there's very limited space for them NOT to sniff arses. (I keep him well away from on-lead dogs and it was a sniff and off on his way) Silly cow.

Two steps further on and a couple commented on what a well behaved dog it was - stick that in yer pipe and smoke it Mrs Passive Aggresive drama merchant.

Well emptyshell - that's my assumption too but alot will disagree with us

perhaps we need a thread - 'The pits falls of dog walking '

Anyway had a lovely walk today and was very aware of other dog owners and took note of how other dogs behaved . All wanted a sniff of each other and not a grumpy dog owner in sight !