Do you find this rude?

I was walking Loui today and we were getting closer to a road, so I put him on his head collar and a short lead.

I seen a woman ahead with a small dog who immediately started looking unsure. So I moved over to the left side of the path. Loui walks on my left and so was her dog, so I thought that would be better as then theres two people between dogs.

She then picks up her dog. I wondered why but want bothered really. If she had just said hi and kept walking I would have thought maybe he just isn't good with dogs or whatever. BUT the next thing she makes a point of turning round as I was passing just to smile and say well he'd probably eat him as she nods at MY DOG

I just said, no he's fine with dogs, then her dog made a woofy growl, so I just said, I think it's those little ones you have to watch and walked off.

Now I thought she was rude, why say anything if thats all you've got to say?

In hindsight, maybe I was being a bit too rude in my reply? But I just couldn't get over the fact that she stopped me just to basically say that she is picking her dog up because of mine...when he is only walking alongside me on a short lead...why even say it?

I get this a lot with Buster. Someone said to me once, "that monster will eat my little dog." I responded with:

1. He's not a monster
2. Dogs have legs for a reason, to be walked on.

This lady didnt have to say anything to you. She was being rude IMO.

Get it all the time ...
When they see Coco with them it confuses most ..

No, I think you did well to draw attention to the fact the her dog was pretty obviously poorly socialised

Had something similar yesterday, walking foster puppy Lola in town (actually, I say walking - going to get a couple of toys for her). Husband was stood outside the shop, with her stood between his legs, on a short lead and harness. Annnnd... she's a *puppy*. Anyway, he told me when I came out of the shop, that someone had walked up behind, exclaimed "ah Jesus!" as she approached, and made a point of walking out into the road to get around hubby and poor Lola

Some people are just ignorant, and rude with it. It's wise to have a healthy respect, but you don't need to be so rude about it!

On the flip side, I have a rescue lad who is very nervous of people and dogs, he is always walked on a short lead, muzzled if in public. I get *really really* annoyed when people let their dogs approach him, shouting "It's OK - they're fine with dogs!" - yes... maybe, but my dog is NOT and you should keep yours close to you, unless you know otherwise. Especially since about 50% of the people who have ever done that have had their dogs go on to bark at and growl at and chase poor Dudley

xx

I think sometimes people speak before they think and say something just for the sake of it. I used to get it a lot having 3 Dobies but the little uns always seem to confuse them, especially when Tucson the Pug starts duffing Syd up

Not all us little dog owners pick them up when we see big dogs!
Mine love to say hello (and shout!) and have a play!

Life is too short to get that concerned over what is probably a means of covering up her own fears. You cannot change the world, just your attitude to it.

It really does not bother me, but then that is probably why I have such low blood pressure...............

I think they say it because they think they are funny rather than being rude. I have a large breed and a toy breed and depending who is on the end of the lead get all kinds of comments, but I have heard them all before.

In all fairness, she was probably just trying to make a light hearted comment so you didn't get offended at her having picked her dog up. Unfortunately she chose a bit of a daft thing to say but oh well

And you don't have to watch out for all little dogs! Mine prefers big dogs to small ones