I am sure it is common place for giant breed owners..

[DDBsR4Me]

Some people recommend taking a puppy into pet stores if you intend to take them when they are older but to carry them (or place them in a cart). Every area has a different risk level and every owner has a different level that they consider risky.

This is what I used to do - my very first DDB loved being pushed around in a shopping cart (I'd put a dog bed from the store inside so it was soft and he wasn't on the hard metal/plastic bottom).

 

[bruno12]

Do people start to shy away the bigger they get? Or is pretty much a constant thing?

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[DDBsR4Me]

I think they tend to, or maybe that's just my experience. I mean people still ooh, ahhhh and gawk at my boy, but its rare that I get people running up to him....but then it could be the vibe he and I give off as well.

He's not super social - he's not outwardly aggressive, but he's not a tail waggy, excited kind of guy. He is very well mannered in public (heels on a loose lead without any command from me and rarely shows interest in other dogs or people).

For the most part people tend to approach us with awe, but caution.

In my experience, once they are older, intelligent people will take a cue from the dog's behavior. Of course, you'll still probably run into some "winners" who will rush right up to you....that's why I'm always vigilant whenever I take my boy out in public.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Yes in the eyes of the public "bigger" means "dangerous." I can't tell you how many times I had people yell, refuse to walk past, or even come into a PET STORE because of Thor. Even had some people comment "They shouldn't allow animals like that in here." Yet Thor is a perfect gentleman.

 

[Smokeycat]

Do people start to shy away the bigger they get? Or is pretty much a constant thing?

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In my experience some people do and some don't. I've seen that many owners of small dogs and people who don't own dogs will stand back or even cross the street. Kryten appeared to become a victim of the 'big, black dog' fear that too many people have when he was only 5 months. Most of the people he meets that are in a pet store or at the off leash still ask all sorts of questions ranging from the idiotic "you do realize that he is going to be a big dog don't you?" to genuine questions about what breed he is and how easy are they to have.

 

[bellareea320]

I took luna to her first class at 11 weeks at petco, she is fine health wise. You really have to know your area and if there is a parvo out break. I figure Its like taking children to the doctor for their well checks, you still have sick children that were there but you have to do it. I wanted to socialize her asap so that was the only place I took her other then the vets office and my yard and down my block.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Do people start to shy away the bigger they get? Or is pretty much a constant thing?

Depends on teh dog and depends on the people. Admittedly I get more of the "omg he's so fluffy can i PET HIM" type with Apollo, at least, if I'm LUCKY thats what they say, its about 50/50 with those who say something of that sort and those who just bury their hands in the fluffy head. Thank god he loves people and doesn't "startle" aggressively. I do get a small percentage of people who stop and say something of the sort "he's HUGE, is he FRIENDLY?? I'm AFRAID of DOGS!" but I can't recall anyone actually crossing the street and going out of their way to go around him, but he also just EXUDES total "PEOPLE!!! PET ME!!!!" the entire time we're in public so I'm sure that helps.

 

[bruno12]

Everything you guys said are things I have been thinking. For those with not so social dogs, were they that way as puppies as well? Right now I picture Bruno being a tail wagging, beg-for-pets type of dog, because right now he wants all the attention he can get from any stranger haha

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[angelbears]

I have a Fila. Their standard states that they are to have a dislike of strangers and it really kicks in anywhere from 9 to 18 months. However, Cane never liked people. From 9 weeks old you could tell he didn't like anyone coming up to him. It wasn't fear, he didn't try to hide or get behind me. He would just sit there and let people pet him but I swear I could see him thinking "I'm going to be big in the near future and you will not be allowed to touch me". Heck, he was so aloof, the first 6 months we thought he hated us.

So, yes I think cute little tail waggers will be cute giant tail waggers. And those that are more aloof will tend to be more weary of strangers. Always exceptions to the rules though.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Ruger is somewhere in the middle. He does love people and as a baby he was all "People, People...PEOPLE!!! Pet me, love me...LOOK AT ME!" He was not a tail wagger, he was a butt wagger...LOL. Now, although he still loves people, he prefers that he approaches them, not the other way around. I don't allow people to push themselves on him but the few nuts that bombard us before I even have a chance to see them coming, normally learn quickly. Ruger doesn't lunge but he goes from relaxed puppy to hair standing up, growling and giving them his big boy bark. Now, people he knows can come right up to him but he has his rules for strangers. The one thing that he doesn't tolerate in any form is someone coming in the gate in the backyard. He doesn't mind if you are in his yard but Do NOT enter through the gate. When he has decided that he likes someone he is still a butt wagger!!!

 

[TN Dogues]

Not to scare anyone, but Parvo is so contagious - if a sick puppy was in the cart before you... after all, you're not the only ones putting their dogs in the cart.

The reality is nowhere public is 100% SAFE.

And what kind of socialization does a dog get while riding in a cart? (just a thought?)

But we have to balance risk with benefits. If you are interested in socializing your puppy without overstimulating him why not find someone for a play date? Or puppy class?

9 weeks is young and so many other dogs and people might just be a bit much for him. JMHO.
BTW, his reaction is typical for his age.

 

[metaldad904]

When i got Greta at 13 weeks she was in the 30something pound range, she had already had her first set of a shots and i couldn't resist taking her out. Little did i know that she wasn't nearly as excited as myself. She wouldn't walk into the store b/c the sliding automatic doors scared her, she wouldn't walk b/c all the people scared her, all she would is is hide between my legs. So, I carried her in my arms and people gave me all sorts of stares, some even commented something like "Got your hands full huh?". Over the next several months i usually would get pretty positive comments, people are always fascinated with how she looks and what she is. Nowadays its probly 50/50...i get some that are very interested and just curious about her and then others that are obviously nervous/scared of her. It doesn't help matters that she can be fairly skittish in public, she has no problem letting some people know to stay away until Daddy has decided its ok. The vast majority of people, even the nervous ones are pretty nice...just wanting to know what she is since let's face it, very few have actually ever heard of this breed unless familiar with dogs.

---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------

Not to scare anyone, but Parvo is so contagious - if a sick puppy was in the cart before you... after all, you're not the only ones putting their dogs in the cart.

The reality is nowhere public is 100% SAFE.

And what kind of socialization does a dog get while riding in a cart? (just a thought?)

But we have to balance risk with benefits. If you are interested in socializing your puppy without overstimulating him why not find someone for a play date? Or puppy class?

9 weeks is young and so many other dogs and people might just be a bit much for him. JMHO.
BTW, his reaction is typical for his age.

Trying to find a puppy playdate is easier said than done for some of us, i've posted many an ad w/very little to success. Obviously there's a risk in taking them out in public before all shots have been completed but these are crucial development times and honestly, there's risk no matter what you do. If it was that prevalent a problem my family would have gotten it a million times, vaccinations were not typically used outside of rabies when i was younger and never did we have a single sick dog....ever. Not trying to be argumentative, just don't want a picture painted that there's some sort of epidemic of Parvo going on.

 

[metaldad904]

Not to scare anyone, but Parvo is so contagious - if a sick puppy was in the cart before you... after all, you're not the only ones putting their dogs in the cart.

The reality is nowhere public is 100% SAFE.

And what kind of socialization does a dog get while riding in a cart? (just a thought?)

But we have to balance risk with benefits. If you are interested in socializing your puppy without overstimulating him why not find someone for a play date? Or puppy class?

9 weeks is young and so many other dogs and people might just be a bit much for him. JMHO.
BTW, his reaction is typical for his age.

Trying to find a puppy playdate is easier said than done for some of us, i've posted many an ad w/very little to success. Obviously there's a risk in taking them out in public before all shots have been completed but these are crucial development times and honestly, there's risk no matter what you do. If it was that prevalent a problem my family would have gotten it a million times, vaccinations were not typically used outside of rabies when i was younger and never did we have a single sick dog....ever. Not trying to be argumentative, just don't want a picture painted that there's some sort of epidemic of Parvo going on.