I realize that what I am about to write is probably not going to win me any new friends.
But it is something that really needs to be said and, frankly, has had to be said for some time now no matter how politically incorrect it might be for me to do so. After an incident this past week that left me spewing yet again a barrage of profanities at another dog owner for their lack of responsibility for their dog's behaviour and lack of empathy as to how it was affecting my dogs, I knew I had to sit down with something a bit stronger in my coffee than cream and speak for those who are not being heard.
The incident involved my three leashed dogs on a trail and two small off-leash dogs. As I walked with my dogs, I noticed two small dogs in the distance sniffing the base of a tree. I asked my dogs to come into a heel while on leash, which means all three walk in stride at my left hand side (it looks really cool by the way, *smiles proudly*).
I slowed my pace, hoping the owner would call her dogs before we crossed paths. As we got closer, the small dogs began to yip, then looked back over their shoulders at their owner. The small dogs then raced up to us, barking like maniacs - and I mean maniacs! The owner began to giggle at her dogs. "Oh you two, those dogs could eat you up in one gulp!" she giggled again, all the while allowing her dogs to continue their maniacal barking while starting to circle us.
"Can you call your dogs please?" I said.
Through her giggles she attempted, "Treats! Cookies! Treats!" to no response.
With my temper broiling from warm to hot I said, "How about you use a leash and come get them?" To her credit she tried and began to giggle again as they avoided her grasp. "I can't," she said. "They don't listen to me."
"Then why the hell are they off leash?" I asked in a tone that had less of a question mark at the end and more of an exclamation mark. This is when her knickers got tied in a knot and self-righteous indignation showed its head. "My dogs have a right to be off leash!" "And so do mine, but I have to walk this trail with my dogs leashed because I might run into people like you with small dogs who are untrained, unsocialized and frankly obnoxious, and their owners, who not only expect me to manage my large dogs around their yappy little dogs, but somehow manage their dogs as well!" The stare down began . . . so I continued.
"Would you like me to let my three large dogs off leash right now after they have been antagonized by your two small dogs for the last 10 minutes?" Silence ensued . . . I saw her biting the inside of her lip as she contemplated my invitation. My point was sinking in, so I continued, "No you don't, do you? You fully expect my dogs to tolerate being barked at, snapped at, lunged at while maintaining incredible self-control while yours run around out of control and you giggle."
She turned her gaze, then walked away, not making any attempt to collect her dogs who were still hanging around, uttering the occasional yip or growl until I growled back at them, "Get!" They tucked their tails and ran after their owner. Yes, it may seem unfair of me to target small dog owners. But what is more unfair is how large breed dog owners have to bear the burden of untrained, unsocialized small dogs by micromanaging their large trained dogs. And they are unjustly expected to do so.
Yes, it is true a small dog can be picked up around a large dog, but it does nothing for the dog's training, socialization and mental state. The reason small dogs bark their flippin' heads off at large dogs is due to their lack of socialization, being coddled, carried, and provided with absolutely no leadership training that would help the dog feel safe with its four feet on the ground.
All dogs, regardless of size, breed or mix, require leadership training to ensure they are well socialized, well managed and welcomed members of our canine community. Next week I will explain, yet again, what leadership training means.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
