big dogs

[Gerianne]

have you ever gone to someone's house for lunch and they neglected to tell you they have a large dog?
.....so you have to guard your food.

[djohnson43]

I have what is  considered a large breed dog even though she is on the small side for a black Lab and if she is inside she knows she is not allowed on the table. She will sit next to us and ask for some food but usually if we tell her no she will lie down and wait for a while.

[jwallbank]

No not really! Although I like dogs! I would not probably have a problem with it, unless they were rambunctious.

[lbeery]

When I saw the topic BIG DOGS, I just had to check it out. We had a most wonderful and well mannered big dog.  150 pounds of gentle.  I always warned people but by the time they were in voice range they had already seen him.  He thought every human was a walking cookie machine!

[ErinCarter]

No but my friend has two of them she always puts them outside or in another room when we are eating. My medium sized dog will *bleep* your food in a minute though!

[pkrahmer]

i grew up with a large black lab. who was a marshmellow be could be very intimidating to others.
He knew he would get food at the end of the neal he wanted his back scratched all the time.
MOst of the time there were at least 2 dogs under the table at mealtime. always fun!

[Nancy5]

I have 2 large dogs, but they are not a problem when we are eating.  They never get "people" food so they don't beg for it.  They might lay in the dining room with you, but they will not try to grab food.  I'm having 15 people for Thanksgiving and they will be no problem.

[CharmedPhoenix]

No, I haven't experienced that with other's big dogs, but I did own a trio of my own.  They were well behaved with meals, but I left the room, for just a minute when I was cooling some barbecue chicken on the counter and a leg disappeared without a trace. 

[camellia0]

Yes, I've been to people's homes and they have a large dog - inside. When you are trying to eat or relax, they will jump on you and like you and take your food. I'm just like Lucy on Charlie Brown. "I've got dog germs...!"

[melrod2]

I have not had that happen to me. however if it did I would love it because I love dogs, even the big ones that try to sit on your lap.

[gramev64]

I guess I have never had that experience yet, but we will be going to our son and daughter-in-laws for Christmas, and they have a St. Bernard who is about 8 weeks old, but is very BIG, but gentle, although he thinks he is still a lap dog.

[ShadeTree]

No, this has never happened to me. I have been at people's homes who have large dogs (or other sizes) but have never had a problem with having to guard my food. I have three dogs myself and have always had at least one dog and have never had this problem, I've not had this problem with other people's dogs over the years either. I did however have a cat that would try to eat your food with you and if you got up to get something he would sometimes help himself to your food while you were refilling or drink or whatever you were doing. Thankfully he didn't do it all the time and eventually he learned to stop doing it.

[twol]

My aunt used to have a huge german shepherd. He would sit and watch you eat with big puppy eyes

[swkstudent]

No, but I'm use to big dogs so I wouldn't be afraid as long as the dog isn't vicious and is well trained.

[Tresbn00]

I think it comes down to breeding and training. I have two wonderful Golden Retrievers who went through training. They do not go in the dining room when people are eating. They know that there is an 'invisible' wall ten feet away from human food and are only allowed within that perimeter if I say "ssssk".  They have been trained not to ju,p on people, cross the road without permission (another command), allowed to visit unless allowed or run loose unless I say happy hour.  A well-trained dog, no matter the size, is a joy to be around and anything less is generally the owner's lack of ambition to train them properly.