I have an 18 month male Cockapoo who loves all humans, always wants to say hello, he has his gold obedience certificate. He got on well with all dogs, was well socialised but while out walking on the lead another dog who was off the lead came up snapping and snarling at him while his owner looked on and kept saying he won't hurt him, that his dog was attacked by another dog and now he is like this and he didn't like my type of dog. My dog was really scared and tried to get away, I asked the owner to get his dog away and he kept repeating he won't hurt him. I dragged my dog 'Bear' away and we were both shaken by this. It was actually the Vicar's dog! The next day I was out walking with him on the lead and we met another dog on the lead but Bear started snarling at him, I have never seen him do this before, usually its a greating. I was shocked and pulled him back and apologised to the other owner and explained. She said that the same thing had happened to her and he said the same things to her. Now this is happening and I am wary now of letting him say hello. On another walk we were walking across a field, I put Bear on the lead and this labrador came up and started being a nuisance running round and round me and then a rottweiler came up and flipped Bear onto his back and started snarling at his underside, Bear was screaming with fright, he was still on the lead and these dogs were off and the owner just said sorry and continued with them off the lead. I was really shaken and Bear has since been very jittery. I let Bear off the lead in the park and this dog came out of nowhere, grabbed Bear by his fur on his side and tried dragging him and then started mounting him. The owner apologised but again we were shaken. Then a few days ago a dog jumped over a wall while bear was on the lead and ran round and round him all the time Bear was snapping and snarling, but this dog was running into him and wouldn't leave him alone. I thought there would be a fight if Bear got him. I shouted to the owner to get her dog off. Then the next day the same dog, again off the lead on the road came bounding up but I managed to pick Bear up and this dog was jumping up, I had Bear Snarling at it. I have lost all my confidence, this is in my local village and our usual walks. I am scared to let him off the lead now. I have never heard such screaming from a dog, it was horrendous. He is such a lovely dog and I don't know what to do about it. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Dogs keep attacking and being aggressive to my dog
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I think I would be taking down address, or owner names, if possible and filing complaints. They do have leash laws in your village I hope?
I think too, a good butt chewing is in order for those owners who are apologizing. Tell the you don't want the *expletive* apologies... You want to be able to walk your dog without an unleashed dog rushing up to you, whether or not it's friendly. Period.
BE RUDE...and be Emphatic, that you are not going to put up with it...and that they will be reported... use your cell phone to call the police right then and there if you need too. If might scare or bully the other owners into keeping their dogs on leashes, and shoring up their fences so their dogs can't get over them.
Go to your city council members and complain...tell them you want to see Stiff fines and real enforcement at work....that the fines will benefit the town, but also it could keep a future lawsuit at bay...if someone ever was bitten and then sued because the town wasn't doing much to prevent loose dogs from roaming.
Stormy
I think too, a good butt chewing is in order for those owners who are apologizing. Tell the you don't want the *expletive* apologies... You want to be able to walk your dog without an unleashed dog rushing up to you, whether or not it's friendly. Period.
BE RUDE...and be Emphatic, that you are not going to put up with it...and that they will be reported... use your cell phone to call the police right then and there if you need too. If might scare or bully the other owners into keeping their dogs on leashes, and shoring up their fences so their dogs can't get over them.
Go to your city council members and complain...tell them you want to see Stiff fines and real enforcement at work....that the fines will benefit the town, but also it could keep a future lawsuit at bay...if someone ever was bitten and then sued because the town wasn't doing much to prevent loose dogs from roaming.
Stormy
How awful. Where I live most people are pretty good at leashing their dog if they spot another one. That said I did have one run up to us recently and there was a fight. Fortunately no injuries. The owner said ' Oh he can be a bit funny with dogs on leads' 
Anyway I just wanted to ask whether Bear has been neutered? It is not uncommon for neutered males to be hostile towards intact dogs and if that's the case with Bear, it could be making him a target.
Anyway I just wanted to ask whether Bear has been neutered? It is not uncommon for neutered males to be hostile towards intact dogs and if that's the case with Bear, it could be making him a target.
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I think there's something about some people, dogs, and probably other animals, that makes others pick on them, like children who are bullied in school. The reason is not always obvious. I knew a guy who worked in our local pub in England. He loved dogs but he said every dog he ever met bit him. At the time I had 2 of the friendliest dogs in the world so I took them to the pub to meet him. They never bit anyone before or after, but they took one look at Simon and attacked with a vengeance. It was scary to see the change in them.
Lynsey
Lynsey
I'm with Stormy on this issue. I spend a lot of money and time training my dog for " street wise" walking. My dog is always on leash and we try to be on on leash sites, city, county, and community.
My dog has been bitten twice by unleashed dogs. These events usually happen fast and come from nowhere. I doubt either of these dogs will try it again. One was a Poodle mix that I got a hold of and put the fear of Dog God in him while strangling himself in his collar. The owner was petrified. I told her if the dog comes near us again I'll pepper spray him unconscious and reported her to the community center as well as the cops. The other was a Rottwieler. I got him in a strangle hold and punched him hard square in nose. I held him off the ground until he collapsed. Again the owner simply froze on the spot Hard to believe that a big burly guy would freeze up. I booted the dog in the ribs that knocked the remaining wind out of him. I yelled maybe screamed at the owner. Maybe frightened him. I yelled that if saw the dog again off leash I'd call the cops and animal control. Again I reported him to the community office.
Both were gone in the next couple months.
However the damage was already done to my dog. She now hates every dog at our appt group and there are lots of them. This is going to be a life long issue here. At training classes and just walking elsewhere is no problem.
I spoken to many of the residents about dog problem but most are first time dog owners and don't think their dog needs training.
I surely don't recommend you wade into a dog fight but you simply do not have to be nice to people and dogs in these situations. People think their dog is friendly or is under control when off leash. Not true. The dog is not under control when it charges you or your dog. You have no choice but to protect your dog and yourself by what ever means is necessary. You just don't know what is going to happen and as I said these things happen very fast. You don't ever have to apologize when the other dog is violating the rule or law.
I now carry pepper spray and a Tazer and I won't hesitate to use them.
As a rule I don't go where there is no leash law. I avoid all outside dog contact. My dog is well trained to cross streets quickly by my side...either side. I also have a short tab on one of her collars so I can keep her very close to me. I go out of my way to go around othe dogs. People see us and how I handle various situations. We use some formal moves like stand at the dog poop bag pole, stop at the driveways, a very formal pass through at doors, wait while other come and go and a few others. Most of it is to show that my dog is well trained and I take care of her.
When an off leash dog comes after you, you just don't have to be friendly to the dog or owner. Defend yourself and your dog by what ever means you can.
Turn the tables...what if someone charged you full throttle, bent on hurting you or just trying to scare you? Would you Just say" please don't hurt me, I'm friendly?" ....
My dog has been bitten twice by unleashed dogs. These events usually happen fast and come from nowhere. I doubt either of these dogs will try it again. One was a Poodle mix that I got a hold of and put the fear of Dog God in him while strangling himself in his collar. The owner was petrified. I told her if the dog comes near us again I'll pepper spray him unconscious and reported her to the community center as well as the cops. The other was a Rottwieler. I got him in a strangle hold and punched him hard square in nose. I held him off the ground until he collapsed. Again the owner simply froze on the spot Hard to believe that a big burly guy would freeze up. I booted the dog in the ribs that knocked the remaining wind out of him. I yelled maybe screamed at the owner. Maybe frightened him. I yelled that if saw the dog again off leash I'd call the cops and animal control. Again I reported him to the community office.
Both were gone in the next couple months.
However the damage was already done to my dog. She now hates every dog at our appt group and there are lots of them. This is going to be a life long issue here. At training classes and just walking elsewhere is no problem.
I spoken to many of the residents about dog problem but most are first time dog owners and don't think their dog needs training.
I surely don't recommend you wade into a dog fight but you simply do not have to be nice to people and dogs in these situations. People think their dog is friendly or is under control when off leash. Not true. The dog is not under control when it charges you or your dog. You have no choice but to protect your dog and yourself by what ever means is necessary. You just don't know what is going to happen and as I said these things happen very fast. You don't ever have to apologize when the other dog is violating the rule or law.
I now carry pepper spray and a Tazer and I won't hesitate to use them.
As a rule I don't go where there is no leash law. I avoid all outside dog contact. My dog is well trained to cross streets quickly by my side...either side. I also have a short tab on one of her collars so I can keep her very close to me. I go out of my way to go around othe dogs. People see us and how I handle various situations. We use some formal moves like stand at the dog poop bag pole, stop at the driveways, a very formal pass through at doors, wait while other come and go and a few others. Most of it is to show that my dog is well trained and I take care of her.
When an off leash dog comes after you, you just don't have to be friendly to the dog or owner. Defend yourself and your dog by what ever means you can.
Turn the tables...what if someone charged you full throttle, bent on hurting you or just trying to scare you? Would you Just say" please don't hurt me, I'm friendly?" ....
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re confrontations - whether with the loose dog, OR THE OWNER
one thing to consider -
a loose dog who is intent on assaulting Ur dog may not be human-aggro under normal circs - that doesn't mean that s/he won't re-direct AND ATTACK YOU when U intervene & deny them their target.
I'm not saying, just stand there & spectate while yer dog is being punctured or even shredded! - of course not; i am only cautioning U, *think* about what U can do, & what U should NOT do, in a given scenario.
Some things to think about:
- how big is my dog? Can i pick them up bodily? // How low do their legs dangle if i do?
De-gloving injuries are horrible, & a dog whose paw or lower leg is de-gloved is in agony, with a big wound-area open to infection.
Think about hoisting yer dog belly-up; practice this, so s/he does not fight U when U do it, but is relaxed & co-operative.
- how big is the other dog? - Under 20#? Over 40#? -- How tall?
The TALLER the dog, the HIGHER their reach, & they may use U as a ladder to get to the dog in Ur arms.
- how much practice do U have at a parade-ground roar? - work on it; deep-toned, full-voice, LOUD & Clear.
Practice makes fluency; drop yer diaphragm, deep breath, drop yer voice, & project.
- Don't Run. Face the dog.
- Don't Stare. Avoid eye-to-eye stare-downs; they ratchet up aggro.
- If U are going to get physical, use real force - don't squeal & smack the dog, U'll either p*ss 'em off or excite them.
- What's AROUND U? // Throwing yer dog in the back of a parked pick-up & scrambling over the tailgate by standing on the ball-hitch may not be an everyday maneuver; OTOH, it can save yer dog a mauling, & U, too. Can U do it?
Is there a solid PRIVACY FENCE or a WALL that U can back up to? -- Defending Urself is easier in a corner, with only a narrow approach for the assaulting dog.
Is there a parked CAR nearby? - Put yer toy-sized dog on the roof; be prepared to thrown yer own butt up on the hood, if need be; the OFF-LEASH DOG'S OWNER will be legally liable for damage, get PHOTOS of the dog & the handler / presumed owner - Get pix of the car, the tags, AFTER The Event.
handy-dandy tools:
One of my favorite fight-prevention tools was an old-fashioned full-length umbrella, that FURLED but did not -fold-. It also had an approx 4-inch long metal ferrule, very useful for poking a highly-determined dog when they get up-close. // I used it when i handled dog-aggro / dog-reactive or human-reactive / -aggro dogs, to keep the dog I WAS HANDLING calm; open the brolly, drop it in front of the dog i'm handling, & s/he can't see the other dog / human.
Of course, the other dog / human can't see the dog i'm handling, either - which is all good. :thumbsup:
- terry
one thing to consider -
a loose dog who is intent on assaulting Ur dog may not be human-aggro under normal circs - that doesn't mean that s/he won't re-direct AND ATTACK YOU when U intervene & deny them their target.
I'm not saying, just stand there & spectate while yer dog is being punctured or even shredded! - of course not; i am only cautioning U, *think* about what U can do, & what U should NOT do, in a given scenario.
Some things to think about:
- how big is my dog? Can i pick them up bodily? // How low do their legs dangle if i do?
De-gloving injuries are horrible, & a dog whose paw or lower leg is de-gloved is in agony, with a big wound-area open to infection.
Think about hoisting yer dog belly-up; practice this, so s/he does not fight U when U do it, but is relaxed & co-operative.
- how big is the other dog? - Under 20#? Over 40#? -- How tall?
The TALLER the dog, the HIGHER their reach, & they may use U as a ladder to get to the dog in Ur arms.
- how much practice do U have at a parade-ground roar? - work on it; deep-toned, full-voice, LOUD & Clear.
Practice makes fluency; drop yer diaphragm, deep breath, drop yer voice, & project.
- Don't Run. Face the dog.
- Don't Stare. Avoid eye-to-eye stare-downs; they ratchet up aggro.
- If U are going to get physical, use real force - don't squeal & smack the dog, U'll either p*ss 'em off or excite them.
- What's AROUND U? // Throwing yer dog in the back of a parked pick-up & scrambling over the tailgate by standing on the ball-hitch may not be an everyday maneuver; OTOH, it can save yer dog a mauling, & U, too. Can U do it?
Is there a solid PRIVACY FENCE or a WALL that U can back up to? -- Defending Urself is easier in a corner, with only a narrow approach for the assaulting dog.
Is there a parked CAR nearby? - Put yer toy-sized dog on the roof; be prepared to thrown yer own butt up on the hood, if need be; the OFF-LEASH DOG'S OWNER will be legally liable for damage, get PHOTOS of the dog & the handler / presumed owner - Get pix of the car, the tags, AFTER The Event.
handy-dandy tools:
One of my favorite fight-prevention tools was an old-fashioned full-length umbrella, that FURLED but did not -fold-. It also had an approx 4-inch long metal ferrule, very useful for poking a highly-determined dog when they get up-close.
// I used it when i handled dog-aggro / dog-reactive or human-reactive / -aggro dogs, to keep the dog I WAS HANDLING calm; open the brolly, drop it in front of the dog i'm handling, & s/he can't see the other dog / human.Of course, the other dog / human can't see the dog i'm handling, either - which is all good. :thumbsup:
- terry
Terry, certainly what you are saying about being prepared is valuable. Plan ahead what you might do. Other times there simply is no place to go. You can't cross the street, as cars are coming both ways, the path is narrow and you may not be able to dodge. Popping an umbrella is good if you have time to get ready. A loud noise like shouting is good. Guys have an advantage here but a scream is very good too. Wait until the dog is very close so it really startles him.
Jumping on someone's truck or car is good too. You may have an irate owner to deal with. But SAFTEY is primary. You may have a witness too.
All of what we are saying is predicated on being aware of what is going on around you.
Time and again I see people with a cell phone in their ear, smoking a cigarette and a dog on a 20 foot flex lead. Totally unaware of their surroundings. Oh yeah, we have women pushing a baby, smoking and cell phone in the ear with the big dog roaming on the flex lead. Reactive dog besides. I can't imagine putting a child in this position.
The biggest problem is the surprise confrontation. You don't have much time to react...maybe seconds. Fiddling with an umbrella.....nope, digging pepper spray out of your pocket or purse....nope, pick your small dog up....time is up, the threat is upon you, yell, scream, first line defense. It may get you a few more seconds to do something. Presenting a very big threat that is making a lot of noise will stop some dogs in their tracks. Others may think twice and slow down. Maybe decide that you are not worth a fight. The others? We'll be ready to get hurt. It's not fun but if you have chosen to battle you had best plan on winning and not be gentle about it. You noted this nicely. Just be aware that the bite of a 70 or 80 pound dog bent on doing harm is going to really hurt. I've been there. After the battle and adrenalin rush I nearly passed out on the way to the ER. All 230 pounds of an in shape athlete.
The bottom line is be prepared and be aware of the surroundings at all times. Leave the cell phone in your pocket along with the weeds.
Byron
Jumping on someone's truck or car is good too. You may have an irate owner to deal with. But SAFTEY is primary. You may have a witness too.
All of what we are saying is predicated on being aware of what is going on around you.
Time and again I see people with a cell phone in their ear, smoking a cigarette and a dog on a 20 foot flex lead. Totally unaware of their surroundings. Oh yeah, we have women pushing a baby, smoking and cell phone in the ear with the big dog roaming on the flex lead. Reactive dog besides. I can't imagine putting a child in this position.
The biggest problem is the surprise confrontation. You don't have much time to react...maybe seconds. Fiddling with an umbrella.....nope, digging pepper spray out of your pocket or purse....nope, pick your small dog up....time is up, the threat is upon you, yell, scream, first line defense. It may get you a few more seconds to do something. Presenting a very big threat that is making a lot of noise will stop some dogs in their tracks. Others may think twice and slow down. Maybe decide that you are not worth a fight. The others? We'll be ready to get hurt. It's not fun but if you have chosen to battle you had best plan on winning and not be gentle about it. You noted this nicely. Just be aware that the bite of a 70 or 80 pound dog bent on doing harm is going to really hurt. I've been there. After the battle and adrenalin rush I nearly passed out on the way to the ER. All 230 pounds of an in shape athlete.
The bottom line is be prepared and be aware of the surroundings at all times. Leave the cell phone in your pocket along with the weeds.
Byron
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2,413 Posts
I carry pepper spray for situations just like, that, and would not hesitate to use it if I felt my dog or I, was threatened by an uncontrolled dog. Don't know about leash laws where you live, but they exist here, and I frankly have zero patience with idiots that somehow think they and their dogs are excluded from leash laws.
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1,885 Posts
Tsk. Ye of little faith, LOL - remember the Scout motto, BE PREPARED.
No "fiddling" needed, thx very much.
- t
"Fiddle"?! - *snorts* Hardly - the brolly is open over my head, a'la parasol, i swing it down between the dogs / dog & human, done.
No "fiddling" needed, thx very much.- t
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1,885 Posts
Parasols are not frippery.
I carry a brolly on sunny days, LOL - perfect for portable shade, for myself or for the dog.
When i'm standing at the bus-stop, a brolly makes a 5 to 8'F difference on a hot day.
Big help.
- t
I carry a brolly on sunny days, LOL - perfect for portable shade, for myself or for the dog.
When i'm standing at the bus-stop, a brolly makes a 5 to 8'F difference on a hot day.
Big help.
- t
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1,298 Posts
Just one comment, my dog's not at all aggressive to other dogs and is very friendly, he's in fact very gentle with small dogs and tint puppies. I don't know why, but when we're in the dog park if anyone picks up their smaller dog or puppy to catch it or de-escalate any kind of situation that escalates my dog into following the person and jumping up to see the picked up dog. He doesn't have any aggressive intent at all, but he's quite a nuisance and then ignores all his recall and I have to go physically catch him and drag him away from the person holding the small dog, which of course is irritating. And he can be quite an escape artist and will chew through his leash and run off if he sees another dog that he wants to meet. Sometimes a loose dog charging at you really isn't a lazy owner but a clever Houdini type friendly dog who does want to make friends and isn't malicious. I've tried keeping him on a chain since he can't chew through that (not a choker chain just a chain attached to his harness) but people seem to feel that's cruel. He's chewed through 8 leashes to escape and runs off to meet and play with every other dog he sees. Having owned a dog who did not like other dogs and could be quite aggressive before this dog, I well understand both sides. But I'd hate for him to get punched, choked, kicked, pepper sprayed or hurt when he's very intelligent and friendly and all I do is work on recall. It's definitely improved but when there's another animal he's just too excited. So maybe not every owner is deliberately irresponsible. I always try to follow leash laws. But picking up a small dog would make him hyper and jump up, not aggressively. And short of walking him on a chain all the time, he can escape if he really wants to, which he knows.
I had to hit a dog on the head on the park once who attacked him and wouldn't let go of his ear.
I had to hit a dog on the head on the park once who attacked him and wouldn't let go of his ear.
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