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If you cannot physically control your dog under desperate circumstances you shouldn't have that type of dog. As much as I hate see foo-foo dogs, weak-types are better off with them than large, athletic dogs.
Even better, when an adult allows a small child to hold the leash of a large dog, which he or she obviously cannot control.
Example: I was walking my leashed dog past a residence, and suddenly a large dog comes bounding towards us, into the street, despite the presence of several adults and children. My first reaction was to shield my dog for both his and the other dog's safety (I was not scared for myself at all), which I did, as well as saying loudly and firmly, "Leash your dog!"
The woman yelled snidely back at me, "He was on a leash, the child was holding it!" Uh, yeah . Because of course a 7 year old can control a large dog who weighs upwards of 100lbs.
As I shot her a warning glance, she muttered, "I'd be more worried about your dog hurting my dog, anyway."
I will not dispute that when brute strength is called for there is no substitute, but I've also seen a diminutive girl break up a nasty looking fight between a rottie and a pit mix. She quite simply had control over the rottie and knew what to do. Preparedness, how you carry yourself and just plain-old "knowing what to do" is every bit as important as how strong you are, if not more so. A 110 lb. weakling will have much greater success with a break-stick than a 275 lb. defensive tackle will have with his bare hands, ya know?
I have to agree...your energy as alpha is crucial in a crisis situation, whether it be potential or already in-action. Dogs will sense your vibe and react to it, so people who have a tendency to panic are especially poor candidates for the responsibility of walking a large or aggressive dog. People need training just as much as their dogs do, and I think first time dog owners should wait until they are sure they have complete control and confidence with their companion before venturing into neighborhood walks or dog parks. Some people carry a big stick, umbrella, or bat with them, some carry pepperspray or even a squirt bottle with water...but none of these things will make much difference if the owner freaks out and loses control! The best way to handle it is to NOT put yourself or your dog/s in this situation unless/until BOTH of you are 100% comfortable!
The original poster said weak people should not own "large" dogs. S/he did not say anything about small dogs. I agree--my mom is probably not 120 lbs soaking wet, and 72 and weak. She still owns a St Bernard and another medium dog that is a lab mix. She loves dogs, but when she had three Saints and herself I used to joke she'd be found and be in a newspaper article.
I myself had German Shepards until I got arthritis and had one long/tall enough to knock me over--that was the last one.
Now I have a small malumute that is just the right size. When she is gone, I'll consider a lapdog. There is a dog for every physical ability.
No dog owner should submit to their dog's will, no matter the size or breed.
Having knowledge about your breed and its tendencies is very important, but the signals we project as leader or follower are what the animal picks up on. A dog will follow a little old lady if she projects a calm assertive attitude.
We are BIG dog owners. We LOVE Rotts. We've had Rotts over 25 years.
Back when we lived in the county (neighborhood) I would walk 2 Rotts at a time. I also carried pepper spray, for any loose dogs running around.
I did this EVERY day, sometimes twice a day for over 8 years. Never once did I even come close to having an altercation.
Eventully people in the neighborhood knew the 3 of us...they didn't have a choice LOL. I changed a lot of peoples thoughts about the BIG BAD ROTTIES.
Those two were like walking 2 cupcakes. All they thought they were walking for was to meet people & get petted.
Our male was 140# our female was 100#
So people it can be done.
People just have to take the time to teach their dog(s) & love & spend lots of time with them.
People need to be responsible
Weak-willed people should not own dachshunds. They will take over your house if you let them. Very dominant little doggies.
I hate it when owners think it is "cute" when their little chihuahua gets all vicious baring their teeth and putting up their hackels... what is cute about that?! OMG it is horrid.
This is a great thread. Once my dog was attacked by 2 black labs that literally pulled their owner off her feet. Another time she was attacked by a 60 or so pound mixed breed that yanked the leash out of a little girl's hand.
I now carry pepper spray and don't hesitate to use it. I nailed the 60 pound mix square in the face with it. I hated to do it but it was more humane than kicking it. The stuff works great and is only temporary.
Before my dog hurt her leg she was as athletic as any dog from daily walks and much exercise. Still, I had no issue ever controlling my 70 pound dog even she was a fairly out of control adolescent. A squirrel could put her into a frenzy but there was simply no way that she could ever pull me off my feet. I lift weights and I'm confident that I can overpower my dog (even if I couldn't!) Confidence is the key.
Now, before her injury of course, she hardly pays attention to other animals. She's learned to mind me, that I'm too strong, and that I'm the alpha.
Small humans walking large dogs always scares me. But I do know that it's not a problem with a well-trained dog. If your dog is not well-trained and/or thinks that he/she is the boss, you had better be able to control him/her physically.
This is a tough one because little dogs can be just as difficult to control (if not more difficult!) than larger dogs. All dogs need to be trained and socialized from an early age, no matter their size. It is a matter of ignorant owners, not out-of-control dogs.
You can use a harness instead of a collar... No retractable leashes!!!
I've been in a few situations with my 14 lb Dachshund who thinks he weighs 140... All you have to do is pull on the leash to drag him towards you. It's very easy to do vs. a collar since it pulls his whole body instead of just his neck. Then when you get him by your foot, you can simply reach down with one hand and and pick him up like a suitcase. After that, of course you have to carry him like a football to support his back. With a more square-built dog this isn't an issue.
Labs can be a trick sometimes. We rescued a 70 lb male who was apparently never walked before. During the day he was fine, but at night whenever he saw something, he would bark & try to wiggle out of his collar. 5 minutes of choke-chain training was enough to completely wear me out.
Labs can be a trick sometimes. We rescued a 70 lb male who was apparently never walked before. During the day he was fine, but at night whenever he saw something, he would bark & try to wiggle out of his collar. 5 minutes of choke-chain training was enough to completely wear me out.
This is where a pinch collar comes in handy. In my "younger" years of training, I had a trainer tell me with one of my very loving but stubborn Goldens, "either your going to build muscles on one arm, or you'll have to use a pinch (pronged) collar". I was insulted that he would even suggest such a instrument on my dog....UNTIL, the dog pulled my arm out of the socket. I went straight for the pronged collar...and with just a few sessions, the dog soon learned what was acceptable and what was not, with very little effort (strength) from me.
On these hairy, large, muscled necked dogs, it is the only way to go! BUT...one must also learn how to utilize the prong collar without doing harm to the dog.
Weak-willed people should not own dachshunds. They will take over your house if you let them. Very dominant little doggies.
I hate it when owners think it is "cute" when their little chihuahua gets all vicious baring their teeth and putting up their hackels... what is cute about that?! OMG it is horrid.
You know I own two chihuahuas and they are never allowed to do this . When they bark they are told no bark especially if they are barking at a bigger dog . No , absoloutle no no . and I dont think it is cute when the hackles go up on there back they are repremanded and they are also on a leash . that is why there are leash laws although there are some idiot dog owners who think they have the god given right to let their dogs go walking without a leash . small or big obey the leash law .
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. Because of course a 7 year old can control a large dog who weighs upwards of 100lbs. 
Humans must be responsible for their dogs
We've had Rotts over 25 years.
that he would even suggest such a instrument on my dog....UNTIL, the dog pulled my arm out of the socket
. I went straight for the pronged collar...and with just a few sessions, the dog soon learned what was acceptable and what was not, with very little effort (strength) from me.
