I'm afraid of bigger dogs... ?

Question

I'm never scared around small dogs, i even have one. But when i go to someone's house and they have a big dog, i kind of avoid it. See, when i was seven, i went to my uncle's house, and i got really close to his pittbull. His pittbull had once already attacked a little girl, but i was only seven, so i didn't know much. I used to always play with him and stuff. and one day, i was standing and i was petting him, then all of a sudden, he jumped up and bit my face. i got a cut on my head and my nose bled, he didn't do any real damage. another time, my neighbour had a golden retriever, and i was really close with this dog too, and he also attemped to bite my face. i jumped back so he didn't make contact. these were the only "big" dogs i have ever been close with and they both bit me. am i always going to be scared of big dogs? or if i get one as a puppy, will my fear of them go away?

*I have nothing against pittbulls, I am not saying they are a bad breed, he wasn't properly trained that's all, and to prove a point, it's not only pittbulls that attack, any dog can. The golden retriever that attempted to bite me was put down because he bit two girls in the face, and one caused serious damage. Hate the deed, not the breed*

Answer 1

lol good call. deed breed one. ok, well, heres some things u need 2 learn. dog communication. do not EVER look in a dogs eyes, and if u do, only a soft, quick glance 2 c eye color, etc. 2nd, never assume a dogs aggressive. a dog that jumps up is trying 2 please u. a dog that growls is only warning u of his discomfort or pain/territory. when u enter someone elses property and theres a dog, get down 2 his level, and dont show him that ur head is higher than his. if he growls, lower ur head, even, & keep ur posture low & relaxed. if the dog is being affectionate and licky in behavior, then hes telling u hes not gonna block u from going anywhere. rule of thumb near dogs, never b dominant 2 a dog that u dont know. if a loose dog comes on ur property, go 2 the dog, & b leery, like u want 2 c him but arent gonna let him do anything funny. most dogs are very understanding when u use their form of communication, except for those raised w/o other dogs. such as small dogs. small dogs feel like they should b bigger than ppl sometimes. they sometimes like 2 snap 2 show nonsubmissive behavior. bigger dogs have none of this. normally, a larger sized dog doesnt mind anything u can do 2 them. a medium sized dog can, but mostly is communicative. watch for their words, & ull understand them.  

Answer 2

Getting a puppy is not a good place to start. I suggest you contact your local animal shelter and explain your situation. Say that you want to become comfortable around big dogs and ask them if you can meet a big dog that is also very gentle. This is the best place to start. In my work with dogs, I have more problems with little dogs then with big dogs. It's just bad luck you encountered some of the rougher big ones.  

Answer 3

I think bigger dogs scare you because of the past experience but also becuase these dogs aren't your own. They are someone elses and you don't know what they are like all the time. If you get a larger dog as a puppy I don't think you will be scared of your own dog. You will also be the one training the dog and you will know how your dog behaves. And knowing your bad past I'm sure you will make sure to properly train your dog to do as you say and  behave in a good manner.

Answer 4

sometimes they bite peoples face because pain in their teeth

Answer 5

i actually perfer larger dogs. I have been bit by many many small dogs. I think larger dogs and more gentle. Theres a woman that has 2 Irish Wolfhounds that come into my work (Petsmart) and i love them. I hug them and everything and they have not once even growled. On the other hand i have been bitten by a Min Pin at work.

Answer 6

I'm scared of big dogs too, well mostly cause they bark so loud, slobber on everything, get snot all over stuff ew, and they don't smell all that great either...

And yes, that would probably help if u got 1 as a pup