18th floor, and unlike most members of the breed, mine is lazy.
During the blackout a few years ago, I had to carry him for up and down the stairs as he refused to walk on his own.
He isn’t so fond of exercise.
With the halti collar on, I have 100% control of him. Like I said, he sits in the elevator and leaves everyone alone. He does have a tendency to stare at strangers in the elevator, which is no doubt unnerving (unless you look at his little tail-nub which is moving a mile a minute, screaming “Oh for the love of god. Somebody pet me!”)
In that case, you are no more of a problem than the women in 924 who bathes in cheap perfume. (Although if it were up to me, she would be bannished.)
Some people have a fear of dogs that has nothing to do with the dog’s appearance. My cousin’s wife was raised in a home with no pets and managed to build a great fear of animals, dogs terrify her especially. I made a big mistake when I was at a family member’s house and let in their lovable, fluffy doggies, as usual. No bigger than breadboxes, they looked like Muppets-- Elmo is a ruffian compared to these guys. I didn’t know she was afraid of dogs and I just couldn’t believe she was so frightened she jumped up on a chair and fought back tears until we could get the dogs back outside.
Some people just don’t see dogs the same way others do, and many have learned to fear them all based on prior experience. Sad but true.
That would be fantastic! But counter productive, you’re right. So then maybe little reindeer antlers? When he ate them he’d just look like he’d been nibbling on some sticks. He’d be viewed as a great citizen, helping to keep the parks tidy.
To keep the rules straight, just put them on cards like Monk does his conversation helpers. You know it’s the right thing to do if Mr. Monk does it. Honest. Not nuts at all.
Can you pick him up and hold him in the elevator?
That would be hilarious! He’a bout 75 pounds of solid muscle. He loves being picked up, but it looks rather ridiculous.
I can honestly say with 100% certainty that you (being someone he has never met) could come into my apartment and take his food away while he was eating, and the only response would be that he would give you the most pathetic look in the world until you gave it back.
Haha! Have you thought about trading him in for a smaller breed? A kitten perhaps?
I feel for you. My puppy is starting to scare people. She’s getting old enough (10 months) that she isn’t obviously a puppy anymore to people who don’t know the breed, and German Shepherds are a scary breed to some people. I’ve found that the more I try and pull her back and keep her well out of the way of people, the more I get looks of “why do you keep such a monster in the first place if you have to restrain her that much?” If I just walk along casually, smile, wave, keep her by my side but not make a big show of it, people usually relax. Or they ask to pet her. Or they get out of the way. To each their own.
I think that in situations where you would be inclined to wait for the next elevator (and where language barrier isn’t a problem), say “my dog is well-trained and very friendly, but if it makes you feel better I’ll wait for the next elevator.” Making it clear that you don’t actually need to keep your dog segregated, but you will if THEY want you to, should make the person feel self-conscious about their hesitation. Only the truly phobic, or the true assholes, would ask you to do that on a regular basis.
I hate dogs. I really can’t stand them. Part of the reason I hate them so much is because I’m afraid of all of them. If I was to walk up to an elevator with the OP and his dog, I would without a doubt wait for the next one. I would not, however, think that fiveyearlurker was a bad person and I wouldn’t be angry with him for not letting me use it instead. My fear is my problem, I wouldn’t force anyone to make accomodations for me.
I say stay in the car. If you get off the elevator and wait for the next one, you’re taking the chance that someone with cynophobia is already in that car, so then what?
Staying in the (first) elevator car allows those uncomfortable around dogs to have the option of waiting for the next car.
Dog-friendly apartment buildings are the exception to the rule, right? You might even pay a larger rent for keeping the dog there, so get on and ride. Continue to greet people politely, but they moved into a building that welcomes pets. If they have issues with that, well then they can deeply contemplate that as they’re waiting for the next turn.
Would he eat a pink frilly sweater? Maybe one w/ daisies…
Your dog sounds great - I’m not much of a dog person, but for some reason, I love Boxers. I’m not afraid of dogs, but I have learned to be wary of them (all kinds, not just the notorious ones. The closest I came to being bit as a door-to-door canvasser was a Cocker Spaniel.) Not all people are as responsible with their dogs as you obviously are.
The elevator etiquette? As others have said, if you’re on already, I also say stay on. If you are about to get on and someone on it already is truly freaking out, then I would say wait for the next one. If you’re with a bunch of people on the ground level, and one of them is freaking out, I’d say wait for the next one.
I second what most other people have said that you’re doing fine already. I also have the following two suggestions for easing tension:
[ul]He’s already sitting. Would putting him in a “Down” help? Assuming he lies down in a comfortable, relaxed position it may make him look less intimidating. [/ul]
[ul]Similar to the bunny-ears suggestion, how about the Soft-E Collar? It looks pretty silly, and is kinda hard to get off.[/ul]