Woman scared to death of my GSD! - Page 2

Religon can play a very big part in these peoples fear of dogs. I have a very close and good friend who is Indian by birth and Hindu by religon, she will not come to my home because of my dogs although they will be put out should she arrive. I have walked down a road with her and her fear is totally irational - but this is due to how and where she was brought up Mumbai, dogs to her are to be feared they are scavengers.  To others it simply is the breed and no matter what you do and say they will not over come this fear. Don't try to reason with them walk away ensuring your dog is calm and very well behaved at all times then they have no come back on you & yours.  You might just as well walk down the road with a great big spider - their reactions will be the same. If you want the pavement to yourself get a G.S.D.!   

Excellent analogy, the spider. How many of us would freak out and cross the street if we saw someone approach with a great big spider? I know I would.

The woman in Katrina's story was clearly beside herself with fear for her little girl and far beyond being reasoned with. You did the kindest thing for her by turning around and walking away.

Hard to believe someone could be afraid of your dog Katrina, because frankly he is so darn beautiful!  Some dogs... yes, I can see it.




"My brother says Baby {who is a leopard} loves dogs. I wonder if he loves to play with them or loves to eat them? My brother is so vague sometimes!"
 MVF - that is funny!

Ive noticed people are just as scared of gsd's as they are pit bulls. Infact, i am also scared to death of pitbulls. I dont freak out, I just stay as far away from them as possible. But if my kid were to run up to one at the park, i probly would freak out too! You did the right thing. A stranger isnt going to be able to break some ones fear, especially at the park, in a sitiation like that.  I know not all pit bulls and german shepherds are dangerous. But you never know which ones are.  Were i live, there are so many people with pit bulls, that are on  drugs, and abuse and fight there pits.  they are bred, and inbred for agression.  They are these strong aggressive, retarded dogs that can flip at any moment. Last year, five of them killed our friends, aunt as she was going out to check the mail. and Mangled our mail lady who tryed to save the woman.  I've also taught my kids about these dogs, due to the fact my stupid step dad has a bunch of them. He used to fight them, until i thew a fit, after he married my mom and put them in her back yard. I was going to call the police! some of them he couldnt even mess with. He still has a couple of them, but i wont let my kids any where near them, they seem nice enough, but they are so inbred,  and retarded and unsocialized, i will never trust them. they are just tied up to huge chains next to trees and thats all they do. He never takes them off.  he just plays with them once in a while when he puts more food in his automatic feeders. Jason and me fight all the time about the dogs, I think they need to be put to sleep.

One of my husband's coworkers is scared of GSDs and this is a big man who works in the electronics field.

We had her in the warehouse one day and my girl is all of 57lbs and very friendly but this guy came in to pick up stuff and he wasn't rude but expressed he was scared of her.  We explained she was friendly but he still kept a 20 foot distance so I took her off to the side and put her in a platz so that he could get what he needed.

He was never rude about it and was grateful when I put her in the downstay but he was definitely scared of her even though he was probably 5 times her size.

Both of my girls have certified with TDI, and I do not hesitate to inform people that when they show concern over my dogs.

gsdkatrina, you did the right thing by just turning around and walking away. if she was that upset she wouldn't have listened to anything you had to say. altho my dog should be scary looking, the vast majority of people say he's "cute" or beautiful (as he is now a certified therapy dog that's only to the good). however, on rare occasions someone has been afraid of him. if they seem able to simply talk and observe him, that's what i take advantage of-i explain a few things about him in particular and gsds in general-usually he is in a down stay or a sit stay. this has worked really well with people, often with a pat or a hug to the dog at the end. if a person is really really scared, just tell them "it's ok, i'll leave" and just walk away. don't take it personally on behalf of your dog, sounds like yours is pretty well grounded :)

I am in agreement you did the right thing. I have people scream at their kids and hold their dogs away from Sabin, because he is over sized and black, he has some grey showing now.  He would not hurt a fly, he takes care of stray kittens for goodness. I just say very loudly to Sabin sorry sweetie there are alot of stupid people in the world, we will go play of here.
Always,
Cee

Parents will feed their fears to their children. My neighbor had a bad experience being bit by a shepherd as child. Her children are likewise leery. I like to give them a hand full of dog treats, put the dog on a lead and walk through some basic commands. I tell them they need to learn to be the dog trainer. The light in their eyes when they realize they are in control: PRICELESS