[Samson5261]

My dog Rocky does not like it when another dog jumps up on me. Doesn't matter if it's a dog he knows or has been playing with. He will immediately snap at and chase the other dog away. He will then stand right in front of me and snap at any dog who even seems to be approaching me. This all started after I was injured by being jumped on by a dog in the park. When he jumped on me he slammed me into a brick wall and I cried out. Rocky chased that dog off and I limped out. Ever since then he has displayed the above behavior. He does this at the dog park, on leash and at home. I know he is guarding me but I would like to get him to stop if possible. He does not have any issue with other dogs other than this. Any advice on this is welcome!

 

[Samson5261]

So he did this again at the dog park. He was fine with the other dog until she jumped on me. He then snapped at her and growled at her any time she got close to me. We just left and the owner waa very understanding but im lost on what to do?

 

[mathilda]

I don't think that you should do much.
communicating the other dog that they're respectless towards its owner is nothing wrong especially of the dog experienced a strange dog hurting you with such a behaviour.
As long as it's growling and air snapping, to manage the situation, I'd just inform the owner, that everything's okay as long as their dog doesn't try to jump me and that if they get acting respectless there's the chance that your dog will get a bit grouchy.
the owner can then have an eye on their dog to call the dog away from you before it is in a distance to you were it could make your dog grouchy.

parallely I work with dogs that you know on making the distance between you and the other dogs smaller again and desensibilise your dog for polite, calm dogs again.
leashed social walks can help with this, since you handlers can react fast to deescalate the situation before your dog feels pestered too much...some dogs also do better with other dogs when they're moving and not standing around in one place.

 

[Samson5261]

Sadly most of the other owners do not react nicely to his behavior even after I explain why he does it. Many tell me that he shouldn't be in the park at all. Most people in my area think growling is a sign of aggression even though rocky does this when he plays. Usually once a dog jumps on me we just leave and I won't go back until that dog leaves. Once I know a dog jumps i won't go in if they are there.

 

[Lielu]

is it perhaps possible to make friends with one or two dog owners at the park that you see there regularly that DOES understand your dilemma? then you guys can work together to teach rocky that its Ok. Might be a big stretch for strangers as most people just don't care enough to help though, but maybe worth a shot if you can think of a regular at the park that will be willing to help?

 

[Artdog]

It's not okay for dogs to be jumping you. Rocky is addressing rude dog behaviour.
Your best option is to avoid those dogs (the owners will not change their ways). Don't go in, leave the dog park, or if inside the dogpark, gain distance, keep moving, walk (don't run) away and do all this in a cheerful and pleasant manner.

Edit: ugh. I just reread your post properly. Horrible dog park--dogs should not be jumping and knocking people over. Play groups, running dogs accidently colliding with people okay--people need to watch out too, but this sounds like very rude dogs and owners.
Your dog is now expecting the worst (I don't blame him). My advise remains the same, but more. Avoid those dog that jump up on you as much as possible.

 

[Samson5261]

We go early in the morning before i work and there is usually very few dogs there. Here lately there has been a lot of dogs there at this time so it's made it harder. It doea help that it tends to be the same dogs and I know a few do jump. Only one of the owners is understanding and keeps an eye on her dog when we come in since she knows now. The other owners don't care and feel rocky is in the wrong. The other dog owners in my area really drive me insane because so many punish there dog for any growling even in play.

 

[Artdog]

We go early in the morning before i work and there is usually very few dogs there. Here lately there has been a lot of dogs there at this time so it's made it harder. It doea help that it tends to be the same dogs and I know a few do jump. Only one of the owners is understanding and keeps an eye on her dog when we come in since she knows now. The other owners don't care and feel rocky is in the wrong. The other dog owners in my area really drive me insane because so many punish there dog for any growling even in play.

I can't wrap my head around the level of rudeness--the dogs are jumping up onto strangers (uninvited, unwilling participants) and the owners think it's okay?
Just avoid--dog parks are not a necessity. A good dogpark/playgroup is awesome. This one doesn't sound like one. In the end, it doesn't matter who's right and who's wrong. You can only control yourself and your dog.

 

[Samson5261]

I can't not take him sadly, he has to have off leash running time or he turns into a hyper crazy dog!! I think im just going to start going even earlier to avoid people. The only other park close to me is even worse! I can't let him off leash because his pret drive is super high amd we are still working on his recall.

 

[mathilda]

can't you let him run off-leash or with a drag line somewhere else?
like the normal park... or drive a bit outside of town in walk with him in the fieelds or the forest?