does it sound like i'm scared of dogs?

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on the one hand, sometimes a horse-size dog jumps on me and put its silky paws on my shoulders and bites playfully, very aggressive playing, doesnt stop jumping and nipping. i find it cute and hilarious. love to pet.

on the other hand, when walking down a street that has many homes instead of buildings or factories and garages, i'm scared because i think they have mean dogs. and if i see a dog in this area as described above, if it's not a labrador, i cross the road. also if i see a dog after midnight, no, not superstitious, just that dogs get mean and suspicious after midnight.

golden retriever and labrador i always pet regerdlessly because they're never violent to humans. and i love dogs so much.

Dogs scare me the same way heights or spiders scare people. If I see someone walking their dog without a leash I'll immediately cross the street. If I see a dog up the road with no one around I'll just turn around and continue walking up another block. Pitbulls make my heart leap in my chest even if they're on a leash.

I do think you are mildly scared of dogs for a good reason. Most dogs are not dangerous but you never know if a dog that happens to be around could be vicious. Regardless of whether you are scared of dogs or not, some dogs could attack you. So it's very reasonable to be mildly scared of them and keep a distance from unfamiliar dogs, particularly stray dogs. There have been cases of dogs attacking/killing their owners.

I've had mixed opinions about dogs ever since I was a kid, and they've gotten lower over the years. Pit bulls are terrifying, I don't care if their owners think they're the sweetest animals alive who wouldn't hurt a flea. They've been bred to be vicious killers with brutal strength, and those instincts are always in their genes. They don't have the intelligence to tell if someone they maul is innocent, they have no understanding that savagely attacking and killing humans or other pets is immoral. I've read that they don't give out warning barks or growls before attacking, and instead of biting once and then running away they grab on with their immensely powerful jaws, shaking and causing massive tissue damage. This summer I saw an article in the paper about someone being attacked by someone's pit and getting a ton of stitched but the owner refused to have her dog put down. People like that make my blood boil, I think they should be put down along with the dog. When I was a kid most people didn't keep their dogs on a leash and they'd wander all over the neighborhood and I was attacked and bitten just for walking past a house near my school. My grandfather was once attacked by a dog a few years ago and suffered a concussion. I've had to live in a couple of homes where the neighbor's dog next door would bark non-stop all day long. One time I was just minding my own business walking down a road, and someone's rotts who weren't on leashes or anything started coming after me and I had to yell for help until someone I didn't even know stopped and let me in their truck and drove me back home. I don't like it when friendly dogs jump up and get their dirty paws all over my clothes or lick my face. I worry about dogs not having all their shots. And I really REALLY hate it in spring when after the snow melts there are piles of dog poop everywhere.

I really am a cat person, and I like most other animals. I feel bad sometimes for having low opinions about dogs in general in spite of my bad experiences with them but I personally think they're the most overrated pet in the world, and even dog breeds with a reputation for being friendly and not as aggressive like labs have their exceptions. I don't like to see dogs get abused or neglected and will stick up for them in such a situation, though.

It sounds like you're just cautious about some dogs but not scared of dogs in general.

You probably should be scared of any animal or human until you're 100% certain you shouldn't be, and even then, trust no one and nothing.

Just because it looks and sounds friendly doesn't mean it is.

Are you comfortable with the big dog because you know the owner is responsible? Strange dogs can be unpredictable, and I think if you are visibly communicating your anxiety the dog will notice and will react or ignore depending on their temperament and the circumstance.

I have had a bad experience with a loose male Pit (the local drug dealers dog) and that frightened the hell out of me, so I understand your anxiety.

The reality is that some owners are irresponsible, the loose dogs you meet in urban areas are IMO owned and 'trained' by idiots, I?m always cautious with unaccompanied dogs. If they are on a leash I?m not concerned, unless the owner looks like they aren't in control, or has a ?dangerous dog breed? and is walking with a group that look like yobs, they sometimes do weird things for a laugh, though I am generalising here.

I think you are afraid of them in general, the exception being when you are familiar with the dog and owner?

With dogs as you know they have a different language. You want to present a confident, calm and friendly impression to them. Think these things deeply inside when you meet a strange dog, or even are just passing it by, and it will show.

Labs are just one of many, many normally friendly and safe dog breeds. A lot depends on the owners. Even the so-called guard or fighting dogs if raised as a household pet will normally be safe. Its the junkyard type dogs, left outside mostly and with minimum interaction/socialization with people that require extra caution, especially if there is more then one.

You don't want to assume too much automatic physical friendliness even with a typical pet dog. They need time to get to know you like people do. I love dogs to death and want to meet every one I see, but my usual method is to work with owner, asking them what it is alright to do, and if I can pet it etc. Dogs have quirks too, and some don't like to be pet on the head, or something similar.

Loose dogs without the owner are a judgement call. If they are obviously pets, have collars, lost or run off, and show a friendly or needy demeanor I will go up and try to make friends and then if they allow take them home, etc. But tense ones, or aggressive looking ones I will walk by, or away, as confident as possible and still emoting good will. You don't want to let them sense fear. Some fear is natural, but play act and stuff it away. Unless they are the really little dogs, those you just pick up, staying clear of the jaws if you have to. Remedial hugs might be in order.