Small dogs get away more than large dogs.

[MarcoPoloCX]

Would you agree that small dogs get away with bad behaviour more than larger dogs?
They could lunge, bark, charge at other dogs and because they cannot do as big a damage as a larger dog on average, they get away with a lot of bad behaviour.
Either the owners don't see it as a major issue or other dog owners think their own dogs can hold their own so they let it go.
But if a larger dog or certain breeds did the exact same thing, people will be up in arms and are more likely to get reported.

I don't think it's acceptable for any dog to 'mug' anyone for treats whilst out. As a dog owner if mine did that I would be mortified and very apologetic rather than think it's the other persons fault for carrying treats .

I do think though all dogs of all sizes can be a pain in the arse but the only thing that is different for me in terms of size is aggression in that a tiny dog is not as 'threatening' as a big dog because I feel I could protect myself better.

The problem is, as this thread and others have highlighted, is that one persons 'badly behaved' dog is another persons 'dog being just a dog'. This is why I try and avoid other unknown dogs owners whilst out

I have high value treats in a pouch at my side because the trainer said this is how I can work on recall and lead walking with my young dog.

Luckily I’ve not had too many issues apart from the occasional dog noticing when the dog has wandered over despite the fact that I have moved off to the side and am clearly training my dog. Really it’s so obvious that the other owner shouldn’t even be letting the dog approach me and my dog - it’s bad manners from the owner.

When I see an owner with a dog on the lead or working on training I immediately put my dog on his lead because I know his recall is great but is not 100% reliable yet and I don’t need to risk him going over when it takes two mins to walk past and then let him off again.

ShakeAndSnatch - I would carry on with the high value treats. I have found it’s only the dogs that get too close anyway that notice the smell. Most don’t register it.

I think if you take out high value treats you have to accept other dogs are going to smell them and be interested, they wouldn't be high value treats if they didn't smell good.

Dogs should t be jumping at you or running over to get them, but there will be interest in them. I'm used to dogs sniffing at the pocket in my bag where I keep treats and the dogs we play with most days recognise when my hand moves to the zipped up pocket.

As others say, if you really hate the attention you get from this then perhaps rethink your transport solution for these treats, it's unfair to expect other dogs to completely resist such tempting smells. I take mine out before she has breakfast to avoid bloat problems so know good smelling food will get her attention.

Shakeandsnatch, of course you can use high value treats out, you just have to be aware that most dogs are highly food orientated and not well trained enough to ignore the possibility of a treat!
Just work around it, if you get them out in a park full of off lead dogs, you will likely gain a few friends very quickly. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE THEM ANY. In fact best if you don't, they might learn. Chose somewhere quiet and relatively dog free, you'll be ok.
Have to say though it's amazing how quickly people appear when you don't want them. Walked onto a deserted field the other day, thought I'd let Spot off for a run (I don't let her offlead with unknown dogs) lo and behold, 30 seconds later there were 4 other dogs (& owners) there. It's not easy!

The treats thing is interesting. I keep mine in a zipped up coat pocket when I'm out (or in a bag in summer) and I've never been mugged for treats by any dog - big or small.

Some dogs will maybe give a hopeful sniff or will sit nicely near me in the hopes I'll give them a treat but I've never been jumped at or anything by any dog.

I usually keep my treats in a back pocket. Some dogs usually labradors will sniff them out and have a hopeful sniff. I take the attitude that dogs will be dogs and sniffing out delicious things is part of being a dog. I just don't feed them as I don't want to reward them for it, as I know the next person might be less relaxed.

My own (little) dog normally ignores people (even those who explicitly want to interact with him). On occasion, however, he's been known to sit down and look very hopefully at someone with particularly delicious food. Sitting down and staring is about the least obnoxious form of begging out there, so while I don't want him to be rewarded for it, it's not the worst thing in the world.

Mind you, the woman last summer who took a hot, meaty, cheesy, smelly subway sandwich into our local, very busy park should probably have had more foresight. When my dog sat down and stared from 1-2 metres away, it rapidly turned out she was scared of dogs...

I get that dogs will be attracted to them. It's just that I have been surprised how many will jump up to try and get into the (closed) pouch for them.

Many others do just do the sit and look cute routine and regardless of what they do, their owner gets a comment on how cute they are - because all dogs are beautiful.

So it's less that I hate it - more that I am surprised by how many don't just beg but actively try and get treats. On balance, ease of access to those treats for me is worth the inconvenience of a jumpy dog. But then I struggle with fastenings and so thr magmatic one I use is great.

We never walks in busy parks. We are always in open fields and woodland etc.

Oh and "works best" == "only thing that works"

I agree with missbattenberg.

I walk in a park most days where there are often more than 20 dogs. The dogs know who have treats and the majority approach and sit in front of us treat-givers with that doggy look and pretend they are starving.

The untrained ones hassle, grab and are a PITA. Even the greedy lab only gives a gentle sniff before sitting and waiting patiently. Most owners also insist their dogs sit and wait before any treats are dispensed.

It’s all about training and behaviour.

I think it's unreasonable to expect carriers of high quality treats (freah meat, strong smelling and maximum attention grabbing) to be of more than usual interest and all dogs to behave around that!

After all, battenburg admits herself she cannot control her dogs without it!

She said the pouch is open, and at a height where dogs can and have helped themselves.

Without the option to retrain those dogs yourself, training knowledge tells you not to repeat that or it will happen again.

Should I wander out with a bitch in season and not expect any attention from all comers? (Pun!)

What if said bitch conceived, I'll blame the other dogs that I have no control of will I?

No, I'd take measures to ensure I am not in that situation rather than rely on others to pass a most ultimate of tests of a dogs drives.

I have on occasion taken out high quality treats for training purposes and stayed away from others, and yes, like the empty field syndrome they still do seem to come out of the woodwork, but I would avoid contact with them and walk away, take avoiding action and set up somewhere else.

Most dogs will behave, but that doesn't mean all.

Anyway, little dogs can't reach, and thats what the threads about. Pita small dogs.

Little dogs that get away with aggression when larger dogs are reported!