People scared of my puppy just because she going to be a big Newfie

My vet recommended that I take my puppy to puppy socialization classes, which I agree is a good thing. The only thing in my area are obedience classes at a petstore chain. So I signed up and I have all puppies in my class.

Three of the puppies are SharPei mixes (all in the same family, dogs and people), and a doberman and poodle mix.  Well everyone is afraid to let the puppies play.  Even though the trainer tells us the normal stuff and the stuff to watch out for, nobody will let my puppy play with theirs, or they will start and if I puppy just stands over the other dog, they get all nervous and pull their dog away. 

What gets me is that one of the guys of a Shar Pei tells me today that I need to get a handle on my dog because she will only get bigger and I won't be able to control her. Well that is why I am taking classes, so I am doing the right thing.  My dog IS rambunctious and not shy at all, but only wants to play, she knows her commands well.  She is gentle with my other older dog (10yrs. old)  (but he doesn't' want to play either), my 3 guinea pigs, and a cockatiel. She isn't aggressive in any way.

I talked to my trainer privately and he said there was nothing wrong with my dog, in fact he said she is very friendly. He even offered to bring in his dog to play with my puppy because he also agrees it is important to learn how to play with other dogs.  But he can't tell owners to let their dogs off their leashes because of the store's policy.  These people won't even let them play while holding on to them with the leases. This guy even told me that he doesn't believe that big dogs with spike collars should be allowed in the store. 

A tech at my vet's office gave me her business card to set up a play date with her 2 golden retrievers. She knows my dog and how friendly and how good the breed usually is.

So is this a common thing for dog owners of big dogs face?  Do many people just assume that a big dog is dangerous?

Here is my blog that has pictures of my dogs and other stuff.  http://psychoflowers.blogspot.com/

I know the trainer is good about switching classes, so I will see what he has.  Other than my class, when I take my dog into Petsmart, people go crazy wanting to meet her, and she wants to meet them too just as much. She is so outgoing and I love it!  I guess that is why the class took me off guard. When I was in another class one day, which had a pug, and the owners let the two play and they did great.  The pug could walk under my dog already, it was funny!

I have had this happen as well.  I've never taken training classes I do my own training.  But we do frequent the dog park.

When Gunther was about 4, maybe 5 mo old, I got yelled at for letting him play with his choc lab.  His dog was not a puppy either.  But didn't like that Gunther was biting on her neck.

I'm surprised at the other people in your class.  Shar peis are not small dogs........un less those guys are mixed with something smaller.  Neither is a dobie.  Not sure if the poodle mix mentioned is a toy or mini or standard so won't comment on that one.  I would think someone would let their dog play with yours.

But I agree if you can't get on with the people there, switching classes may be the way to go.  that's great that a vet tech wanted a play date with your pup, that should be fun.

Welcome to BPO!  I have a similar issue with my pups.
Gunner loves to play but he likes rough, body slamming doggie play.  he isnt aggressive in any way but just too rough for some people's taste.
I need to find some new pup friends for him soon.  His lab buddies moved away when thier mom, my friend passed away and he got to play on occasion with a lab/dane mix, whose family is military and they have moved too.

Hi and welcome to BPO!

It sounds like you are doing the right thing for sweet little Suzy Q.  And I use the term "little" loosely  .  It just sounds like you have encountered a some good old fashioned big paw ignorance.  I didn't experience this while my Sierra was little, but I get it a lot now that she is grown.  She is 2 yrs old and starting to really fill out and gain some weight, and people are usually scooping up their little ankle biters when she approaches.  Most people are ok after I show them that her best buddy is our ankle biter Papillon, Cody.  The two are inseperable and Cody is undoubtedly doing something to Sierra like hanging off of her ears, tails or lips and Sierra's only reaction is to whine...never aggression.  I also like to explain that she is in training for her therapy dog test and people suddenly seem to see her in a different light.

Keep doing what you are doing with the socialization and training.  A well behaved dog is one of your best defenses against ignorance.  If she does nothing wrong, they have nothing to complain about it...

That it!  I had to google to see what they look like.  They are beautiful dogs, but not enough fluff for me! haha!  Someday when I get a home in the country, I am going to have a Pyr and a Bernese Mountain dog also!