Out the window I just saw a guy walking two dogs at the same time. They were pretty frisky. Seemed excited to be walking on the snowy sidewalk. Sometimes when a person is walking more than one dog you can gather that they're a professional dog walker. Doubt that's the case here since it's pretty deep into the night. An owner not walking the dogs themselves would likely be asleep.
But some people do walk their own dogs pretty late. Not too long ago I was taking out the trash late at night and this lady was walking her little dog down the sidewalk. Bad tempered thing, it yapped and snapped at me even though I was all the way on the side steps of my building. Now I'm doubly sure this lady wasn't a pro dog walker, since after she passed I could still smell weed in the air.
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A professional dog walker we used to see regularly at Point Pleasant Park was very successful in controlling a dozen or more large and medium sized dogs. They were never leashed and were very obedient - he didn't shout but I think they knew he was the alpha animal of the pack.
It seems to be a common understanding that little dogs are far more likely to exhibit snappish or even somewhat vicious behavior compared to large dogs. That's probably just as well since the bigger the dog the bigger the bite.
I remember my dad telling me about the family Sunday afternoon visits to their grandmother who owned a Pekinese. The children sat together on one of those Victorian couches that has room underneath for a small dog. Whoever moved their feet got their ankles bitten.
I'm not sure if that one was true or not but it was a good story. Personally, I like big dogs but I prefer medium size ones - they're not generally aggressive and they aren't big enough to knock you down.
You know, the first time I read your comment I don't think it really sunk in that this guy was walking all these dogs without leashing them. That's pretty amazing. As you say, he must have made a powerful impression on them. Now as to how you'd go about establishing yourself as the alpha of a disparate bunch of dogs...well, I guess it's a trade secret.
There are a few theories as to why smaller dogs are so much more aggressive. It's been explained as a fear response, because the world looks more threatening to them. Owners are also said to be more lenient with small breeds, because they're cute enough to get away with rambunctious behavior.
Pekinese dogs are little puffballs, too. Yet they have sharp teeth. Either grandad's grandmother hadn't trained the dog well or that was her way of training them.
I've known people who had great experiences with big dogs, Great Danes for example. But I guess I'm kind of with you on the mediums.
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