Loads of posts on other dog walkers perceptions of GSD's

[ianock]

As per thread title.......it has got me thinking that maybe certain factors play a part in the way other (often moronic) dog owners look at you and in particular your GSD (s).

So how about a simple survey which might throw up a few surprises or patterns?

I'm 6ft middle aged male and get no hassle from other dog owners (yet?) my wife also has had no trouble. We have both experienced small dog owners lifting their dog(s) up when we come towards them but then again a few have put their dogs on the lead because they are 'nippers'! Alot of dog owners here have 'westies' which are generally good in nature. We live in Ayrshire and areas for dog walking are plentiful so I can only conclude that the 'majority' of dog walkers around here are tolerant of GSD's. I also reckon we get more positive comments than negative about the dog and often end up walking along with the other dog owner chatting about the dogs etc

Are walkers generally more friendly in certain areas..........?

[Stuart]

Although we are a bit more remote, we have never had a negitive responce, if we go to town, though we only take one dog at a time,.. no problems there,..and when I walk all three around home, I get nothing but good reactions, with people often stopping to `ooohh and arrrh`,..and traffic always slows right down on the single track roads when passing us,..so all in all,... excellent responce to GSDs

[ Allison doesnt walk the dogs at all.]

[jayne5364]

I think we're quite lucky here, never had any bad comments. Most people I have met in this area have been since getting Anya 9 months ago, she is well known round here. She's my rescue girl with attitude but everyone comments on how lovely she is now compared to when we first got her. I get stopped loads when I have them both out. We have loads of staffies round here, all very well behaved with great owners and my 2. Don't see many other dogs so I think they are a bit of a novelty.

[wildmoor]

the problems I have with people are fair weather walkers with rat dogs on exstending leads - other dog owners are fine, and people in general are okay - the local gypsy families tend to stear clear - i remember talking to one young lad from one of these families (biggest one in Europe) he said he had been bitten numerous times from them when his dad had put him over fences to tea-leaf hence why he was frightened of them

I live in an area close to a large Pakistani community - the British born ones are okay and those born in Cities in Pakistan it tends to be people brought up in villagerural areas of Pakistan that are frightened but then again they are of all dogs suppose a lot as to do with rabies being rife

[ianock]

Originally Posted by wildmoor

the problems I have with people are fair weather walkers with rat dogs on exstending leads - other dog owners are fine

Thats a good point, you know I have wondered many times were local dogs have gone that I haven't seen for months only to see the dog again in the summer...yet you always see the 'real?' owners come wind, snow or hail....which to be honest I prefer as it's more peaceful

[jesterjenn]

I get mostly bad responses with my two, but it all depends which park I go to.

I tend to have men have a go at me the most (I'm a woman who usually has a pram and the dogs, so don't know if I'm an easy target to them).

I also live in a part of Birmingham that's a highly Asian populated area where most are PETRIFIED of my two, and will literally let their kids scream at them, bark at them, and they've moved infront of moving cars to get out of the dogs' way (even though they're on lead). I'm afraid that when the parents let their brats bark/scream at the dogs I tell the parents to control their children. It gets highly irritating.

I've had someone tell me I should put Jess down because she barks (from a roly poly lab owner), I've had abuse hurled at me for having "those dogs" near a baby (when they're sat at traffic lights waiting to cross), I've had people say they're going to kick my dogs if they go near their dog again, even though they are friendly, and their dog is offlead and hasn't minded them?!

But then I get a few people (I love these people), who stop me and tell me how beautiful my two are, and how they are very fond of Shepherds. I also get random people stop me saying how well trained they are (they walk next to me but either side of the pram when on the street), and ask how I train them to walk like that and to sit at roads.

When I go to visit my parents near Chester, the response is totally different to them. They're 99% positive about them, so I LOVE walking them there

[mcsparronl]

This is what i have noticed.

I come home from work, when town walking, jeans n coat, sometimes a hoodie and maybe a hat, people always look, can see they are nervous and yes sometimes people cross the road. I like saying hello to people when they have already made their mind up that you are some mindless thug with a GSD.

However, before work, trousers, shirt n tie, people stay on the same side, pass and even smile. Even very small chitty chat.

I think half the problem is not the breed. Its the other people!!

Biggest goat is, when people are coming i say wait and amber waits they pass. Nearly 100% of the time they never say anything (im like look at my well trained dog), so im like ok thats the last, sod it we will barge through.

But that will just add to Ambers GSD life baggage.

[jesterjenn]

Originally Posted by mcsparronl

This is what i have noticed.

I come home from work, when town walking, jeans n coat, sometimes a hoodie and maybe a hat, people always look, can see they are nervous and yes sometimes people cross the road. I like saying hello to people when they have already made their mind up that you are some mindless thug with a GSD.

However, before work, trousers, shirt n tie, people stay on the same side, pass and even smile. Even very small chitty chat.

I think half the problem is not the breed. Its the other people!!

Biggest goat is, when people are coming i say wait and amber waits they pass. Nearly 100% of the time they never say anything (im like look at my well trained dog), so im like ok thats the last, sod it we will barge through.

But that will just add to Ambers GSD life baggage.

Oooh yes - this gets me too, especially seeing as I will move out of the way even though I have a pram and two dogs, so can't move too far. When people don't acknowledge/thank me for it, I say thank you in a sarky way to them. Since having these dogs, my tolerance of ill manners (or just tollerance of people) has gotten much worse lol

[nisbreagha]

It's pretty fifty fifty for me if I walk locally or at work in the parks, most other dog walkers are petrified my dogs are going to savage theirs and if I pull them into the side of the tight paths most people don't say thanks they think I'm doing it as my dogs are aggressive not because I'm polite so I've stopped doing it as I'm fed up of being a mug. Up North or on the islands it's great generally positive. I think urban space and parks are just full of people who have dogs but know beggar all about owning them or the breed of owner I loath the owner who has a dog but is scared of every other dog they meet!

I've never had a negative comment from people without dogs but in general I stick mine on lead if I meet people so if they are scared I have my lot right next to me so no one can accuse them of anything and so far it's paid of as most people are nice about them.

[ianock]

Originally Posted by jesterjenn

I tend to have men have a go at me the most (I'm a woman who usually has a pram and the dogs, so don't know if I'm an easy target to them).

I suspect this is the case!

Originally Posted by jesterjenn

I've had someone tell me I should put Jess down because she barks (from a roly poly lab owner), I've had abuse hurled at me for having "those dogs" near a baby (when they're sat at traffic lights waiting to cross), I've had people say they're going to kick my dogs if they go near their dog again, even though they are friendly, and their dog is offlead and hasn't minded them?!

They certainly don't sound like true dog owners...who on earth would kick someone's dog!

Originally Posted by jesterjenn

But then I get a few people (I love these people), who stop me and tell me how beautiful my two are, and how they are very fond of Shepherds. I also get random people stop me saying how well trained they are (they walk next to me but either side of the pram when on the street), and ask how I train them to walk like that and to sit at roads.

When I go to visit my parents near Chester, the response is totally different to them. They're 99% positive about them, so I LOVE walking them there

Am kind of thinking that responses to GSD's are better away from large cities?

Originally Posted by mcsparronl

I come home from work, when town walking, jeans n coat, sometimes a hoodie and maybe a hat, people always look, can see they are nervous and yes sometimes people cross the road. I like saying hello to people when they have already made their mind up that you are some mindless thug with a GSD.

Yes exactly, I mostly wear jeans (often filthy as always seem to be working on the house, DIY) and work boots and big jacket with hood etc....I think the dog owner plays just as much a part as the dog itself to many owners.
However......I have noticed alot of older dog owners (60+) don't appear to take in your appearance into account ,as some younger owners, and happy to chat......sometimes you cant get away

Originally Posted by nisbreagha

if I pull them into the side of the tight paths most people don't say thanks they think I'm doing it as my dogs are aggressive not because I'm polite so I've stopped doing it as I'm fed up of being a mug. Up North or on the islands it's great generally positive.

I used to give way, still do for elderly owners but thats more out of respect and manners, but I dont bother now for reasons stated. End of the day we have just as much right to be there as anyone else.

Originally Posted by nisbreagha

I think urban space and parks are just full of people who have dogs but know beggar all about owning them or the breed of owner I loath the owner who has a dog but is scared of every other dog they meet!

yeah lol thats the owners you see out at 1am when everyone else is in bed so they dont bump into another owner/dog....sad life for the dog though