Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:58:59 GMT

Thanks :)

It's so funny. Every morning I meet this labrador and he is terrified of my little dog but wants to play with my big dog. Poor Millie crawls upto him every morning and rolls over and he just jumps over the top of her. The labs owner thinks it's hilarious. She really is a funny little dog.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

sarah Hall — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07:05 GMT

My dog is a GSD and not great with other dogs, im sure most of the time he would be fine but because of his size I dont want to risk it.

I once had a man shouting at me after his dog started running up to mine, I asked him to call his dog away to which he replyed 'he is fine' I informed him my dog is not and asked him to call his dog back again, after several failed attempts his dog reached us and my dog pulled towards the other dog and barked. The man said my dog was out of control and I should not walk him there!! MY dog out of control, I know my dogs not 100% perfect with recall so have him on the lead. It was his dog that was not under control!

Some people do frustrate me. Im glad your dog is ok

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:41:39 GMT

my dogs are very friendly with other dogs but very young and silly and i think would be intimidating running up to any dog (big gangly lab and pocket rocket cocker!). they are ALWAYS called to walk next to me if we are to pass another dog. if they know it or they owner says the dog is ok, i let them play. if not, they don't even get a sniff! this may seem harsh but my biggest bug bear is people that let their boisterous dog jump all over mine when i have just called mine to me or put them on a lead. my dogs are very confident with others but can sometimes be intimidated by this so imagine what this does to a dog which does not like other dogs or even worse, fearful.

i can see both sides here and i think owners of dogs that are bad with others should keep their dogs under control when others are around, i also think owners of the bouncy friendly dogs should also keep their dogs under control until it is established whether there is a likely problem.

to the original poster- this is in no way a dig at you, thoses circumstances were different to what i am (trying) to say.

long and short it is a 2 sided game and more often than not it is the owners of aggressive dogs which are being the responsible ones by keeping their dog on a lead and i think a lot of these dogs aggression is worsened over time by dog owners with no control over their 'friendly' dogs.

as i said- BIG bug bear! sorry for the rant, i tried really hard not to post coz i knew it would be a long one!!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Heather Christie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:23:09 GMT

[quote user="hissycat"]Going down a slightly different track with this, has anyone had trouble with dogs off lead coming up to them (without their dog) and behaving agressively? I like to walk on my local beach and have had this problem a number of times. I had a yappy YT attached to my trouser leg on one occasion. The owner just looked at me like I had no right to be there. Now I am not scared of dogs, but if I were I can imagine this would be rather frightening![/quote]

Yeah, i had it happen to me on my local canal. Was going for a walk and this dog came bounding up to me, jumped up and put his front paws on me and started barking at my throat. The owner came up giving me a dirty look and said he only let his dog off the leash because no one is usually around at that time and walked off, shaking his head like he was thinking how dare i have the nerve to show my face in a public place, in the middle of the day when he wanted to walk his dog.

I wasn't scared but what if i had been a child? I would've been knocked over and maybe hurt cuz the dog was quite big. As an adult i wasn't too pleased about it. More with the ignorant and irresponsible owner than the dog.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:09:41 GMT

Sorry maybe I didn't word it very clearly. Yeah is frustrating when people's big boisterous dogs come running over and jump on your dog. For Millie to be able to do that it would have to be a tiny yorkie or something and even then she'd be rolling around on the floor with her legs in the air like a tart

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

loobylou — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:38:26 GMT

[quote user="Kimbo1985"]

Millie was on her back and this lady continued to walk towards her and her dog went to bite Millie round the head straight away. She knew he was aggressive because of what she said afterwards and that's what annoyed me.

[/quote]

But this is diferent to what you originally said, your first post said your dogs were running over to say hello. If your dog was being submissive, lying on the floor and her dog bit her when she walked past then yes, this isnt acceptable behaviour and she should have warned you.
I was under the impression your dog ran up to hers which was on the lead and it got defensive,
Sorry if I offended with my posts but I have been on the receiving end of dogs running up to mine when he is on the lead and it really frustrates me.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:05:20 GMT

I just want to say something. I have had people's dogs come running upto my dogs and jump on them and just be overly boisterous and I can understand completely why you shouldn't let your dog do that.

However my dog is a runty terrier who is the most pathetic thing ever when she meets other dogs. She'll creep upto them on her tummy and roll over when she gets to within a metre of them. She is in no way threatening or boisterous.

I walk my dogs there because I can let them off lead and I normally don't have to worry because you either don't meet anyone or you only see other dogs who are off lead because it's the perfect place to let yours dogs off for a run. You can't always see people as it is round fields with crops and woodland and it's just a long path.

I don't know why I am actually writing this because people are just going to turn it round again. Oh well

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Vicky RVN — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:52:42 GMT

Jack is the same with children, he loves them but gets a little excited so would bounce! So on lead around them.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Edwina [Eddie] Norbury — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:46:35 GMT

Whenever I take Lenny my bulldog out I use a large open park where I can scan to see where all the dos are.He has made friends with quite a few but his habit is to rush right up to dogs and because of his ugly looks and noisy breathing coupled by a bolshie demeanour it can frighten dogs but more importantly can upset the owners more.I stear clear of the owners that dont like him .I keep him on a lead esp if other dogs are on one. I also have to be careful with small children cos if they are near him and start running he will chase again scaring the life out of everone.Everyone would laugh if he was a puppy but its his looks and attitude that scares people. i have to say he is as soft as tripe and loves children [ but couldn't eat a whole one!]

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Vicky RVN — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:33:36 GMT

Thankfully i've never had that happen to me! It's disgraceful!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Vicky RVN — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:19:35 GMT

I keep Jack on a lead around other dogs, because he isn't always totally predictable. I get the impression he wasn't well socialised as a pup. With a lot of training he is getting a hell of a lot better when other dogs run up to him, he will just sniff and wag his tail the majority of the time. Other times he will try to jump up, he may just be trying to play, but he's a solid boy so wouldn't want him to jump on a smaller dog and hurt it or to scare other dogs. Some people put their dogs back on lead when they see Jack is on one, but others let their dogs run up to him. Most of the time this is fine because Jack is ok with it now, but there was once when it was an issue. It happened not long after i'd had him. A JRT came running up behind us, neither myself, my friend or Jack saw it coming. It ran over to attack Jack! It was going mad at him, i whipped him up very quickly cos at the time i didn't know him that well yet and for all i knew he could have turned round and snapped. And the blame would have been put on Jack cos of his breed! I had to carry on walking whilst carrying him with the little shit at my feet going crazy. The owner was an elderly lady who was feebly calling the dog. It eventually gave up and went back to her. How i kept my cool with her i don't know, it made me so mad that she had no control whatsoever!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

loobylou — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:18:29 GMT

[quote user="Julie"]

Even though he was on a lead and muzzled, as an adult, people would still allow their dogs to approach him shouting "it's OK, mine dog is fine with other dogs" or the dogs would run up to him and then run away which really wound him and me up.

[/quote]

I get this alot and usually shout 'yeah but my dog isnt fine!!' They still dont listen!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

hissycat — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:15:08 GMT

Going down a slightly different track with this, has anyone had trouble with dogs off lead coming up to them (without their dog) and behaving agressively? I like to walk on my local beach and have had this problem a number of times. I had a yappy YT attached to my trouser leg on one occasion. The owner just looked at me like I had no right to be there. Now I am not scared of dogs, but if I were I can imagine this would be rather frightening! I also used to work with a nurse who was constantly having to tell people to keep their dogs away from hers as he did get a bit snappy with other dogs. Usually they were unable to control their own dogs and she would end up having to drag hers around in all directions to prevent an incident. So while I think it is lovely to see a dog having a good run off the lead, it really is on your head if there is an incident with a dog it has just run up to. Also I always try to be aware that there are some people who are scared or worried by a dog running off a lead and try to be respectful of them.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Julie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:59:21 GMT

[quote user="loobylou"]

If I am walking and see other dogs on the lead I assume they are on the lead for a reason and I wouldnt expect them to shout a warning to me either. The way I see it is if the dog was fine it wouldnt need to be on a lead.
I certainly wouldnt blame myself or my dog if another dog ran up to him while he was on the lead and he snapped.

[/quote]

I have the same attitude as loobylou regarding other people's dogs on leads. If I see a dog on a lead mine go on theirs until they have passed by.

I used to have a dog that had to be on a lead and muzzled as he turned unpredictable when other people's dog used to run up and scrare/attack him when he was a puppy.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:20:17 GMT

I have to say I am one of thos e owners who gets very annoyed when I see dogs running straight at mine and the owner is totally oblivious.

I keep mine on the lead, and they only get off when there is absolutely no one around and I can see in all directions where [people are coming from. If I am in an area where there are blind turns, then the dogs are on the lead until I am into the open area agin.

I do shout warnings to peopl, as I know for a fact Ruby in particular does not like dogs running up to her, and is aggressive when this happens.

I also have a JRT, who when she is off lead,and on a mission,( a hunt) has little or no recall, and in this instance she has no interest in people or other dogs so does not approach anyone for a meet or greet, but in saying that, if she did and was bitten, then I am afraid I would be blaming myself and not the owner with the dog on the lead.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Donna France — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:23:27 GMT

I have just returned from a walk with my dog Cocoa. In the local woods which is always very busy with dog owners.

I was coming to the end of the path so put Cocoa on her lead as her road sense is next to useless, we then saw a lady with another collie approaching off lead, the lady just said 'will you just stand still with your dog so we can pass, if you move she will probably snap at your dog!!'

I politely pointed out that it was possibly more responsible to have her dog on a lead.

'oh thats cruel' was her response

??????????????

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

loobylou — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:06:47 GMT

I can see this from both sides as my own dog Jack isnt great with other dogs. He is mostly fine when off lead, but can be unpredictable but when he is on the lead he can be very snappy. We are working on these issues and he is getting better.
However because he is unpredictable, I mostly walk him on the lead unless I know for sure there are no other dogs around. I dont shout a warning to other dog owners to keep their dogs away as he is on the lead. If I am walking and see other dogs on the lead I assume they are on the lead for a reason and I wouldnt expect them to shout a warning to me either. The way I see it is if the dog was fine it wouldnt need to be on a lead.
I certainly wouldnt blame myself or my dog if another dog ran up to him while he was on the lead and he snapped.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Vicky RVN — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:10:06 GMT

When i was out on friday we were walking along a path, Jack was on his lead as were two labs who were approaching us with a husband and wife. The lab with the lady and Jack sniffed each other, the other went to sniff and the lady said to the man "go careful, he can be boisterous, don't let him hurt the little dog". Hahaha Jack, a little dog than can easily be hurt?! Made me chuckle to myself!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:03:49 GMT

How can you say the dog wouldn't have been aggressive off lead?!? That's just a complete guess!

I let my dogs off lead so they can have a good run and as I don't own my own private field I have to do this in a "public" place. If they were to walk to heel all the time then I might as well just have them on lead! Yes I probably should be more careful letting them greet other dogs but as I said I had very little warning when I bumped into this lady and I've never had a problem with another dog. I regularly see a woman who has an aggressive JRT and she has warned me that her dog is aggressive so I know to keep my dogs back.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Anonymous — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:31:59 GMT

[quote user="loobylou"]

I absolutely see where you are coming from, hope your little dog is ok, but you could say she was being responsible by keeping her dog on the lead. Would have been a whole lot worse had her dog been off the lead.

[/quote]

The dog probably wouldn't have been aggressive off the lead. Most dogs are more aggressive on the lead than off as they feel a threat locked in and aren't in control of the situation an will aggressive to protect the owner or just defensive because they feel uncomfortable. I personally always keep my dogs on a lead when going to a public place, and if they were off a lead they would still stay to heel and would not be allowed to greet other dogs unless I knew the dog or I knew the owner. Even then I would be very cautious.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:12:03 GMT

Haha yeah don't think he would be to impressed with that! My terrier went rushing over to say hello to a little boy. He must have been about 3 years old and he fell over backwards and Millie jumped on him and was licking his face! I was mortified and said sorry to his mum because he was covered in mud but the woman was just laughing! The little boy was loving it!!

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

les punton — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:04:08 GMT

haha she once was sniffing a man with a floor length leather coat on and left a big drool on the bottom of his coat .....................was too embarassed to tell him

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:01:06 GMT

My dog is fine thanks. I checked her over and there isn't a mark on her. I think she was just a bit surprised more than anything because she's such a friendly little dog and most dogs love her.

I love mastiffs! They are such soppy dogs! Don't think I could cope with the slobber though

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

Kim Buckley — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:58:42 GMT

I was walking my dogs through fields which are popular with dog walkers and I take them there so I can let them off the lead safely. I'd just walked out of a bit of wooded area and didn't see the woman with her dogs until they were right in front of me. If she had shouted to me that her dog was aggressive then yes I could have got my dog back as she's very good at recall but because she wasn't even pulling her dog away I presumed her dog was ok. Maybe that was stupid of me but I've never had a problem before because I've always been prewarned by the owner. In my opinion she shouldn't be walking her dog in a place where a lot of people allow their dogs to run off lead if she's not going to give them a pre warning that her dog is aggressive because most dogs will want to go and make friends with it. I'm going to be more careful in the future but I don't want to not let my dog go and say hello to another dog ever again because she loves other dogs.

I know that dogs sometimes get funny on the lead as my collie x will sometimes bark at another dog if she's on a lead and can't get over to say hello.

Re: Aggressive dogs! ARGHHH!

les punton — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:47:40 GMT

hope your dog is ok x