For starters having a dog that can't physically overpower you is probably a good idea. Training a dog is a lot easier if they aren't going to yank you off your feet when responding naturally to seeing a squirrel while going for a walk. I have a big dog but if she started to maul another dog I could physically pick her up and carry her away. It's called being responsible. I also maintain her training and give her lots of love and little treats when she follows the rules. If she starts barking at the garbage man I start with a stern "no bark" to break her concentration and follow immediately with lots of pets and hugs, soothing affirmations, and lots of ear rubbing (this also helps cover up the sound of the big scary truck and helps her calm down.) It's fairly easy to build a good rapport with a dog but it definitely helps that I can physically control her in an extreme situation. It hasn't happened yet, because I trained my dog the moment i brought her home from the shelter and maintain the rules/training so that there is consistency in her life, but it's an undeniable "safety dynamic" in our relationship.
It's wild to me how many people do this. There's a woman near me who walks multiple (big breed) dogs. They (combined) weigh more then she does and are strong. They've hurt multiple people/animals.
I just can't imagine wanting to own and walk double my body weight of dog. How could I possibly control that much? Even walking a dog half my weight and I just can feel how powerful they are. But three or four of them? No chance.
It's extremely irresponsible. A lot of dogs have a pack mentality and if one bolts the other(s) will chase too. Also the dogs will benefit from 1 on 1 time with their human companion and the human can give the dog undivided attention to correct bad behavior. That woman is playing with fire and one day a real tragedy could happen.
For starters having a dog that can't physically overpower you is probably a good idea. Training a dog is a lot easier if they aren't going to yank you off your feet when responding naturally to seeing a squirrel while going for a walk. I have a big dog but if she started to maul another dog I could physically pick her up and carry her away. It's called being responsible. I also maintain her training and give her lots of love and little treats when she follows the rules. If she starts barking at the garbage man I start with a stern "no bark" to break her concentration and follow immediately with lots of pets and hugs, soothing affirmations, and lots of ear rubbing (this also helps cover up the sound of the big scary truck and helps her calm down.) It's fairly easy to build a good rapport with a dog but it definitely helps that I can physically control her in an extreme situation. It hasn't happened yet, because I trained my dog the moment i brought her home from the shelter and maintain the rules/training so that there is consistency in her life, but it's an undeniable "safety dynamic" in our relationship.
It's wild to me how many people do this. There's a woman near me who walks multiple (big breed) dogs. They (combined) weigh more then she does and are strong. They've hurt multiple people/animals.
I just can't imagine wanting to own and walk double my body weight of dog. How could I possibly control that much? Even walking a dog half my weight and I just can feel how powerful they are. But three or four of them? No chance.
It's extremely irresponsible. A lot of dogs have a pack mentality and if one bolts the other(s) will chase too. Also the dogs will benefit from 1 on 1 time with their human companion and the human can give the dog undivided attention to correct bad behavior. That woman is playing with fire and one day a real tragedy could happen.