Post by Dobereich on Jul 11, 2013 11:15:41 GMT -5
carrying this conversation over from the facebook group. There are members here that don't do facebook. But also, since the facebook group is a closed group, I wanted to let the general public have access to this conversation in case it can help them one day.
Anuj
Question of the Day:
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You're walking your Dobe in a residential area on leash, and 2 off leash dogs (with no owner present) run up to you & your Dobe and start barking in a threatening manner.
Do you:
=====
A) Correct your dog for barking back and ignore the dogs, whilst attempting to walk by at a safe distance?
B) Step in-between your Dobe and the dogs, and stomp your foot on the ground / shouting etc?
C) Allow your Dobe to bark (on leash) so he / she may stand her ground?
D) Step in between your Dobe and the dogs, and attack them if they come close and/or spray pepper spray?
E) Drop the leash and let your Dobe go at them to protect you & itself?
Like · · Unfollow Post · 22 hours ago
Seen by 28
Lisa Churcher and Carolyne Pasichny like this.
Andreina - Depends what you mean by "threatening" In a situation where the other dog is giving attitude and doesn't mean much I would let her stand her ground. Usually you can tell from the body language what is going to happen. So then you need to step on or they will back off
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Andreina - Never would I ever drop the leash and let her think for herself. It's dangerous when dogs are allowed to think for themselves that way they need human direction too. They will often feed off of you. If you start screaming and stomping she will get the idea to be hysterical and that could create even more commotion. You as the leader need to stay calm (I know it's hard lol I am a hyper sensitive person hah).
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Sandie G - I would try to retreat and get your dog focused on you. When loose dogs run up to us my dogs can hold a down and ignore them while the other dog smells them. Ideally I try to keep as far away as possible from the loose dogs so this doesn't have to happen.
22 hours ago · Like
Sandie - If the dog got into your dogs face and attacked then you would need to intervene. Feet work best and a firm voice
22 hours ago · Like
Mike - I would lean toward a controlled C.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Mike - It is a dobes natural behavior to protect and I would never want to convey to the dog that this is the wrong thing to do. Not that I would want things to escalate to a physical level either.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like
Mike - And for the record I had this exact scenario happen when walking my last boy Viper. To make things worse it was 2 pit bulls and they weren't barking, they were circling in on us. I spoke in a calm voice and told Viper we were okay. He was right there slightly in front of me, hackles up, with the don't even think about it glare on them. They eventually decided we weren't easy prey and left. I feel that had we run or showed fear there would have been an attack.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Nikki - Id never step between two dogs - i got bit gettint between my own two dogs let alone an unknown dog. I agree with Mike Odermatt here where id lean towards C in a controlling manner. Afterall they are your protector. Id try to avoid it in the beginning though - and ive read this somewhere (and please someone correct me if im wrong) but i heard a barking dog doesnt attack (they are essentially talking smack) its the quiet ones that attack and usually you can sense it. This scenario happened to a friend of ours - walking with their dog and was approached by two lose dogs, one being a rottie and came sniffing and he went to gently shoo the dog away and guess what happened....got chomped on the hand. The dog didnt growl or anything. Ive seen "fights" breaks out at the dog park in the past too - a true fight doesnt break out from barking and yapping - ive noticed first starts the circling, then BOOM they attack. Its so scary to see
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Mike - Nikki Zee is correct in my opinion. It was the NOT barking and circling that really bothered me. I could feel the negative energy. Again, had we ran or retreated I do feel like we would have been bit. And no, I certainly didn't go looking for the situation. It happened out of nowhere
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Sara - This happened to me just last night in a school yard, though thankfully the owner was in the area. I yelled to the owner that my dog was on a leash and to call her dogs. All ended well but it did remind me of the control I need at all times.
22 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Lisa C- I had this happen a few weeks ago... a little fluffy dog came running towards us barking and growling...Moose positioned in front of me hackles up and let out a warning bark/growl...the owners were there and called their dog immediately. .I let Moose protect and then told him it's ok and praised him....we started walking away and the dog does the same thing.....I remained calm and said in a matter of fact voice to the owners....u better get your dog now or mine is coming off leash to be fair game....they panicked and grabbed her and Moose just sat beside me with this annoying look on his face. ...like seriously people u are not going to taunt my dog while he's on leash. ...
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Eric ... I don't see F ... Call animal control to pick up the off leashed dogs
21 hours ago · Like · 4
Jessica VK - I like the looks of C better then the other options but as Eric Nguyen said I'd also be on the phone with animal control asap. I walk with my cell and would likely call as the whole situation is taking place. If those dogs came in for a bite or got too close though, you better believe I'd be booting some dogs in the face....at all costs I'll protect my babies!
21 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
Anuj - Thanks for all the great responses. Its really helpful to see what other people would do....it happened to me a couple of hours ago. Phew! I went with a cross between C & A. I let Indi bark and stand her ground, whilst working on walking by at a safe distance. I feel like I did make a mistake by correcting her for barking...because it is her given right to protect her owner...and confusing to deny her of this. Its not easy to tell when dogs will launch into an attack. I think we all hear that dogs barking is a warning and that a silent dog growling is of more concern, but the last time an off leash dog barked at Indi...it also lunged at us with mouth open!, but managed to eat a hard kick to the face on the way in (oh and it was a lab!).
21 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
Anuj - Interestingly, one of my trainers suggested dropping the leash to let Indi do her thing (i.e. protect you and herself)...only if an attack is imminent. However, my 2nd trainer said, always step in between and make loud noises to try and scare the dogs off. My buddy who tried this by getting in between 2 dogs spent time in the ER with 20 stitches on his leg! I guess these circumstances are so un-predictable...I do believe there is a tipping point where you must drop the leash....i.e. if your dog is being attacked / bitten physically (like mine was at 3 months), keeping them on a leash or pulling them to break up the fight will only make it worse and cause more injuries.
21 hours ago · Like
Nikki - Im surprised that someone would suggest to get in between dogs. Dogs dont think straight in that scenario and if youre in the way youll get it. It happens so fast too! When mine accidently got me i didnt know who it was. Its a tough situation because if two largw dogs are approaching you, chances are youre gonna crap just a little. So keeping calm may be a bit of a challenge. At least it would be for me lol Also, what if its not just u and ur dog - what if your kids are with you. Im expecting and i would probably drop the leash at that point. Every scenario is different. Im really interested in what Monica Peterson would suggest.
20 hours ago via mobile · Like
Nikki - Actually take that back i still wouldnt drop the leash - id really try hard to avoid the situation and not let it get too that point
20 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Lisa C- Ya it depends on the situation and if you and your dobe trust each other and remain calm... chances are it can end on a positive note....but you can bet the farm that I would protect Moose in a heartbeat from any and all confrontations and vice versa. I just hate being thrown in these situations by ignorant stupid people.
19 hours ago via mobile · Like
Lana R - This has happened to me multiple times. One night it was with a pit bull...I was walking and all I hear is something fast coming my way. Didn't know where to look since it was dark...it wasn't until it was nose to nose with Diesel that I knew which breed it was. The owners were more than 50 ft away and I heard them running. The dog thankfully was not aggressive but he was all over Diesel and he didn't like it whatsoever. I did my best to get him in line but out nowhere it moved way to quick partly because he was excited and Diesel growled and lunged. I already shortened the leash so he couldn't go very far but it took all of me so restrain him and I was already yelling on the top of my lungs for the owners to hurry their ass up and get their dog. In short, I can't control other people's dogs but I can control mine. If provoked further Diesel would've attacked but calming him down and getting him in line helped.
19 hours ago · Like · 5
Lisa GinoMom - I hate to be in this situation! If dogs don't start a fight keep a dog on the leash and move away. However if dogs are aggressive and start a fight it's a problem!
Never stand between dogs... you may be biten. You'd better drop the leash and find a good rock or huge stick to hit other dogs. Also it's a risk for your dog to be leashed when they fighting... The leash may cause additional damage to your dog.
I always try to avoid off-leash dogs... and I have two Dobermans!
18 hours ago · Like · 5
Monica Peterson I posted something about this before, I think on the forum? I would make my dog do a front, toe to toe with me in a sit stay. No eye contact normally defuses the situation. But if a dog wants to fight, for the average pet owner the advice is to drop the leash.
16 hours ago · Like · 6
Joanne - I was walking (my) Indi the other day and I noticed a scruffy couple sitting on a bench in the park with a scruffy looking little dog off leash (wearing a really tattered and dirty little vest... sort of looked like a faux shearling... in the heat??). We were on the sidewalk a good 30' away, but I just knew this dog was going to run up to us. Sure enough... little dog comes tearing at us barking his head off. He made it over to us in less than 2 seconds (RUNNING towards a very busy road off leash I might add!) I stopped, calmly moved Indi to my right hand to put myself between him and this dog (no WAY that dog was coming near Indi!!! Likely hasn't had shots, etc... ), didn't turn my body towards him but put my hand out and gave him a FIRM "NO! OFF!". The dog stopped in it's tracks about 2' away and barked. Indi could have cared less... he just wants to play with everyone/everything but had I not intervened for sure this dog would have gotten to Indi... now maybe it just wanted to play, but there is NO WAY he was getting close to Indi... over my dead body. The stupid owners turned and looked, called the dog over, and I gave them a few choice words that I won't repeat here. Now.... if Reyna had been with me too, that would be a WHOLE different story. By herself without Indi, she would have guard barked and tried to lunge, I would have corrected her into a sit and done something similar to the other dog, but she would have likely scared him off. If Reyna had been there AND Indi.... harder to control them both at such different stages of development, but Reyna would have wanted to tear this dog a new one. She is better now, but at first she was EXTREMELY protective of Indi... a little white fluffy dog decided to lip off at us one day just outside our building and Reyna went bananas... full on teeth, lip curled, snarling and huge throaty bark, that typical "doberman guard dog" image everyone is scared of... from REYNA (those of you that know her will understand LOL)! Honestly, I could barely hold her and it's the first time she didn't let up, and I gave her the firmest correction ever. Indi even peed on my foot he was so startled LOL. You should have seen the look on the owners face. She said the dog "always barks at big dogs"... I told them they need to get their dog some training so it knows how to behave before it gets hurt. I don't think Reyna would have actually hurt the dog, but one day they won't be so lucky... ANYWAY, sorry for the long-winded post!!!
14 hours ago · Like · 3
Barbara - I've had this situation also happen to myself and Kazi ..... I spoke to Monica afterwards as I know I didn't handle it well, and all was fine, but if it happened once it will happen again so I wanted to be better prepared. She gave me the same advice as she posted......calmly, using your firm voice, get your dogs attention on you, not the other dog. Obedience training is a must for this.....once your dog is focused on you, then they can't focus on the other dog. And remember to stay calm
12 hours ago · Like · 1
Monica Peterson and... carry a repellent with you. I got one from Jessica O'Desse. Its a can of compressed air that is designed to startle the dog. There's also a sonic remote by Petmate, it emits an ultrasonic tone that the dog hears as a correction
10 hours ago · Like
Monica Peterson It is not good to let you dog bark, lung, or react. You are in charge, you are the Alfa, and by letting your dog bark you are encouraging a possible fight and teaching your dog to be defensive. If it so happens that the dog does attack, then you let your dog defend itself. But the idea here is to have your dog obey you and ignore the other dog. They might not always be aggressive, but if there are 2 strange dogs approaching... definitely do not let your dog engage... the two dogs will feed off the aggression and they could kill your dog before your very eyes.
10 hours ago · Like · 2
Mike W- Has anyone seen the movie crocodile Dundee? There is a seen where 2 guard dogs are about to attack and Mick Dundee does some kind aboriginal mind control on the dogs...... That's probably what I would do. lol!
2 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
Anuj - Monica, your last post is very valuable for me in particular, as I have been allowing Indi to bark back when an off leash dog appears to present a risk (i.e. barking and growling etc). I was thinking this would build Indi's confidence in standing her ground, and allow her to react faster if the dog decides to attack her....especially as she used to whimper when another dog got close (after being attacked at 3 months). Your advice makes logical sense. It is however, extremely difficult to keep her attention on me even when another dog walks by on leash. In fact, the hair stands up each time we walk by another dog. I've tried everything possible to keep her attention on me, but nothing seems to work so far! Perhaps I will give you a call to figure out how to address this.
2 hours ago via mobile · Like
Anuj - Ps. My last post would suggest that I haven't established fully my alpha status and am not conveying to Indi that I am in control....However, I think there's more going on here with Indi and her trust of other dogs, as the majority she has come across take a shot at her! Sorry for turning this post into a training discussion about Indi. Probably better to post in the forum.
2 hours ago via mobile · Like
Lana R - Just keep at it Anuj Batra...if you want to set up another play date with Indi and Diesel just let me know. Andreina Rankin would probably want to come too since she wasn't able to come last time.
about an hour ago via mobile · Like · 2
Mike - Not in the rain tho Anuj Batra! Diesel will not be attending!!
about an hour ago via mobile · Like · 4
Lana R - Of course! Princess over here doesn't like getting his shiny fur wet! Smh
about an hour ago · Like · 2
Lana R - But he jumps into the river like it's nobody's business. Sigh
about an hour ago · Like · 1
Monica Peterson The way we react to a situation with our dogs the very first time sets a pattern to be corrected over time. Loose leash = full control, tight leash = trigger reaction. When Indi was attacked you did right by getting her out with friendly dogs. But if she is reacting to other dogs walking by, its due to the way you have allowed her to react on leash. unfortunately you have been given her the wrong cues with the best intentions. Again, if you cannot move away from the situation by way of heeling away, then you do a sit stay in front toe to toe and have your dog hold that stay. Easiest thing to maintain, you can even reach down under your dogs collar to keep eye contact with you. if the other dog doesn't get a reaction, they tend to move on. Only a truly aggressive dog would attack the back of another dog. However, if they do go for you dog, you spray them with the repellent and tell them to GO! Then you stand still and quiet again. If the dog goes into attack mode, you have to free your dog.
about an hour ago · Like
Monica Peterson If your dog is well trained enough, here's another option. Tell your dog to down stay, take their leash off and put it on the dog at large. LOL, how many of you could do that?
about an hour ago · Like
Monica Peterson The problem is that most of us over react, and then we actually are to blame for things escalating. Think dog, not human in these situations. Watch the other dog's body language. They could just have gotten loose and want to come see your dog. I usually stay happy and in control. Most times if the dog is a true run away, they will run away from you if you reach for them. Then they walk within 10 feet of you and your dog for awhile because they are still quite interested in being with your dog. But it doesn't always mean it will end in a fight. If its a pitbull, even though I don't want to paint a wrongful picture here... one has to realize that the dog can and likely will kill your dog. Leash would be off my dog and lassoed around that pitbull immediately. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will deter a pitbull that wants to fight, and God forbid if they are actually used in ring fighting, because they will attack your dog from behind, the side, anywhere! This is the most extreme of situations and not comparable to most loose dogs that just come to your dog out of curiosity. Happy tones attract the right reaction from happy dogs. Yell and posture towards any dog... you're now the one posing the threat.
about an hour ago · Like · 1
Nikki - Thats great advise Monica Peterson. Thank you.
49 minutes ago via mobile · Like
Monica Peterson In response to Joanne Lusted's comment about the little dog at large. Jo, you took control, giving a firm command with the hand signal was the right thing to do in that situation, and often times does catch the other dog off guard because they now see that you are the one in control. Sometimes it works, sometimes it merely just stalls the other dog and then they circle behind you to see your dog either way. In this case I would keep my front to the dog the dog at all times, and not let them get to the puppy. One cannot expect a puppy to react and or defend themselves, its up to you to be there for them.
4 minutes ago · Like
Monica Peterson Boy, this topic is not a simple one. There are so many variables, and then there's what happens with we're startled, rushed, scared and/or angry. Not a clean cut reaction to incident to be expected. It makes me think about when I had my first child. I went to prenatal classes, learned all the breathing exercises and things to help deal with labour. Well, when I was actually in labour, all those classes and training went right out the window! Being in the moment, bring about an entirely different reaction from people. I'll say that when I had my second child, I knew what to expect, all that training went to good use, because I could actually think....lol. So its really just a matter of being able to think about your reaction, and to really assess the best way to defuse the situation. But one thing is for sure... letting your dog react is never a good plan. This topic might be very helpful for others, so I am going to copy this over to the forum guys.
a few seconds ago · Like
Anuj
Question of the Day:
=============
You're walking your Dobe in a residential area on leash, and 2 off leash dogs (with no owner present) run up to you & your Dobe and start barking in a threatening manner.
Do you:
=====
A) Correct your dog for barking back and ignore the dogs, whilst attempting to walk by at a safe distance?
B) Step in-between your Dobe and the dogs, and stomp your foot on the ground / shouting etc?
C) Allow your Dobe to bark (on leash) so he / she may stand her ground?
D) Step in between your Dobe and the dogs, and attack them if they come close and/or spray pepper spray?
E) Drop the leash and let your Dobe go at them to protect you & itself?
Like · · Unfollow Post · 22 hours ago
Seen by 28
Lisa Churcher and Carolyne Pasichny like this.
Andreina - Depends what you mean by "threatening" In a situation where the other dog is giving attitude and doesn't mean much I would let her stand her ground. Usually you can tell from the body language what is going to happen. So then you need to step on or they will back off
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Andreina - Never would I ever drop the leash and let her think for herself. It's dangerous when dogs are allowed to think for themselves that way they need human direction too. They will often feed off of you. If you start screaming and stomping she will get the idea to be hysterical and that could create even more commotion. You as the leader need to stay calm (I know it's hard lol I am a hyper sensitive person hah).
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Sandie G - I would try to retreat and get your dog focused on you. When loose dogs run up to us my dogs can hold a down and ignore them while the other dog smells them. Ideally I try to keep as far away as possible from the loose dogs so this doesn't have to happen.
22 hours ago · Like
Sandie - If the dog got into your dogs face and attacked then you would need to intervene. Feet work best and a firm voice
22 hours ago · Like
Mike - I would lean toward a controlled C.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Mike - It is a dobes natural behavior to protect and I would never want to convey to the dog that this is the wrong thing to do. Not that I would want things to escalate to a physical level either.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like
Mike - And for the record I had this exact scenario happen when walking my last boy Viper. To make things worse it was 2 pit bulls and they weren't barking, they were circling in on us. I spoke in a calm voice and told Viper we were okay. He was right there slightly in front of me, hackles up, with the don't even think about it glare on them. They eventually decided we weren't easy prey and left. I feel that had we run or showed fear there would have been an attack.
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Nikki - Id never step between two dogs - i got bit gettint between my own two dogs let alone an unknown dog. I agree with Mike Odermatt here where id lean towards C in a controlling manner. Afterall they are your protector. Id try to avoid it in the beginning though - and ive read this somewhere (and please someone correct me if im wrong) but i heard a barking dog doesnt attack (they are essentially talking smack) its the quiet ones that attack and usually you can sense it. This scenario happened to a friend of ours - walking with their dog and was approached by two lose dogs, one being a rottie and came sniffing and he went to gently shoo the dog away and guess what happened....got chomped on the hand. The dog didnt growl or anything. Ive seen "fights" breaks out at the dog park in the past too - a true fight doesnt break out from barking and yapping - ive noticed first starts the circling, then BOOM they attack. Its so scary to see
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Mike - Nikki Zee is correct in my opinion. It was the NOT barking and circling that really bothered me. I could feel the negative energy. Again, had we ran or retreated I do feel like we would have been bit. And no, I certainly didn't go looking for the situation. It happened out of nowhere
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Sara - This happened to me just last night in a school yard, though thankfully the owner was in the area. I yelled to the owner that my dog was on a leash and to call her dogs. All ended well but it did remind me of the control I need at all times.
22 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Lisa C- I had this happen a few weeks ago... a little fluffy dog came running towards us barking and growling...Moose positioned in front of me hackles up and let out a warning bark/growl...the owners were there and called their dog immediately. .I let Moose protect and then told him it's ok and praised him....we started walking away and the dog does the same thing.....I remained calm and said in a matter of fact voice to the owners....u better get your dog now or mine is coming off leash to be fair game....they panicked and grabbed her and Moose just sat beside me with this annoying look on his face. ...like seriously people u are not going to taunt my dog while he's on leash. ...
22 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Eric ... I don't see F ... Call animal control to pick up the off leashed dogs
21 hours ago · Like · 4
Jessica VK - I like the looks of C better then the other options but as Eric Nguyen said I'd also be on the phone with animal control asap. I walk with my cell and would likely call as the whole situation is taking place. If those dogs came in for a bite or got too close though, you better believe I'd be booting some dogs in the face....at all costs I'll protect my babies!
21 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
Anuj - Thanks for all the great responses. Its really helpful to see what other people would do....it happened to me a couple of hours ago. Phew! I went with a cross between C & A. I let Indi bark and stand her ground, whilst working on walking by at a safe distance. I feel like I did make a mistake by correcting her for barking...because it is her given right to protect her owner...and confusing to deny her of this. Its not easy to tell when dogs will launch into an attack. I think we all hear that dogs barking is a warning and that a silent dog growling is of more concern, but the last time an off leash dog barked at Indi...it also lunged at us with mouth open!, but managed to eat a hard kick to the face on the way in (oh and it was a lab!).
21 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
Anuj - Interestingly, one of my trainers suggested dropping the leash to let Indi do her thing (i.e. protect you and herself)...only if an attack is imminent. However, my 2nd trainer said, always step in between and make loud noises to try and scare the dogs off. My buddy who tried this by getting in between 2 dogs spent time in the ER with 20 stitches on his leg! I guess these circumstances are so un-predictable...I do believe there is a tipping point where you must drop the leash....i.e. if your dog is being attacked / bitten physically (like mine was at 3 months), keeping them on a leash or pulling them to break up the fight will only make it worse and cause more injuries.
21 hours ago · Like
Nikki - Im surprised that someone would suggest to get in between dogs. Dogs dont think straight in that scenario and if youre in the way youll get it. It happens so fast too! When mine accidently got me i didnt know who it was. Its a tough situation because if two largw dogs are approaching you, chances are youre gonna crap just a little. So keeping calm may be a bit of a challenge. At least it would be for me lol Also, what if its not just u and ur dog - what if your kids are with you. Im expecting and i would probably drop the leash at that point. Every scenario is different. Im really interested in what Monica Peterson would suggest.
20 hours ago via mobile · Like
Nikki - Actually take that back i still wouldnt drop the leash - id really try hard to avoid the situation and not let it get too that point
20 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Lisa C- Ya it depends on the situation and if you and your dobe trust each other and remain calm... chances are it can end on a positive note....but you can bet the farm that I would protect Moose in a heartbeat from any and all confrontations and vice versa. I just hate being thrown in these situations by ignorant stupid people.
19 hours ago via mobile · Like
Lana R - This has happened to me multiple times. One night it was with a pit bull...I was walking and all I hear is something fast coming my way. Didn't know where to look since it was dark...it wasn't until it was nose to nose with Diesel that I knew which breed it was. The owners were more than 50 ft away and I heard them running. The dog thankfully was not aggressive but he was all over Diesel and he didn't like it whatsoever. I did my best to get him in line but out nowhere it moved way to quick partly because he was excited and Diesel growled and lunged. I already shortened the leash so he couldn't go very far but it took all of me so restrain him and I was already yelling on the top of my lungs for the owners to hurry their ass up and get their dog. In short, I can't control other people's dogs but I can control mine. If provoked further Diesel would've attacked but calming him down and getting him in line helped.
19 hours ago · Like · 5
Lisa GinoMom - I hate to be in this situation! If dogs don't start a fight keep a dog on the leash and move away. However if dogs are aggressive and start a fight it's a problem!
Never stand between dogs... you may be biten. You'd better drop the leash and find a good rock or huge stick to hit other dogs. Also it's a risk for your dog to be leashed when they fighting... The leash may cause additional damage to your dog.
I always try to avoid off-leash dogs... and I have two Dobermans!
18 hours ago · Like · 5
Monica Peterson I posted something about this before, I think on the forum? I would make my dog do a front, toe to toe with me in a sit stay. No eye contact normally defuses the situation. But if a dog wants to fight, for the average pet owner the advice is to drop the leash.
16 hours ago · Like · 6
Joanne - I was walking (my) Indi the other day and I noticed a scruffy couple sitting on a bench in the park with a scruffy looking little dog off leash (wearing a really tattered and dirty little vest... sort of looked like a faux shearling... in the heat??). We were on the sidewalk a good 30' away, but I just knew this dog was going to run up to us. Sure enough... little dog comes tearing at us barking his head off. He made it over to us in less than 2 seconds (RUNNING towards a very busy road off leash I might add!) I stopped, calmly moved Indi to my right hand to put myself between him and this dog (no WAY that dog was coming near Indi!!! Likely hasn't had shots, etc... ), didn't turn my body towards him but put my hand out and gave him a FIRM "NO! OFF!". The dog stopped in it's tracks about 2' away and barked. Indi could have cared less... he just wants to play with everyone/everything but had I not intervened for sure this dog would have gotten to Indi... now maybe it just wanted to play, but there is NO WAY he was getting close to Indi... over my dead body. The stupid owners turned and looked, called the dog over, and I gave them a few choice words that I won't repeat here. Now.... if Reyna had been with me too, that would be a WHOLE different story. By herself without Indi, she would have guard barked and tried to lunge, I would have corrected her into a sit and done something similar to the other dog, but she would have likely scared him off. If Reyna had been there AND Indi.... harder to control them both at such different stages of development, but Reyna would have wanted to tear this dog a new one. She is better now, but at first she was EXTREMELY protective of Indi... a little white fluffy dog decided to lip off at us one day just outside our building and Reyna went bananas... full on teeth, lip curled, snarling and huge throaty bark, that typical "doberman guard dog" image everyone is scared of... from REYNA (those of you that know her will understand LOL)! Honestly, I could barely hold her and it's the first time she didn't let up, and I gave her the firmest correction ever. Indi even peed on my foot he was so startled LOL. You should have seen the look on the owners face. She said the dog "always barks at big dogs"... I told them they need to get their dog some training so it knows how to behave before it gets hurt. I don't think Reyna would have actually hurt the dog, but one day they won't be so lucky... ANYWAY, sorry for the long-winded post!!!
14 hours ago · Like · 3
Barbara - I've had this situation also happen to myself and Kazi ..... I spoke to Monica afterwards as I know I didn't handle it well, and all was fine, but if it happened once it will happen again so I wanted to be better prepared. She gave me the same advice as she posted......calmly, using your firm voice, get your dogs attention on you, not the other dog. Obedience training is a must for this.....once your dog is focused on you, then they can't focus on the other dog. And remember to stay calm
12 hours ago · Like · 1
Monica Peterson and... carry a repellent with you. I got one from Jessica O'Desse. Its a can of compressed air that is designed to startle the dog. There's also a sonic remote by Petmate, it emits an ultrasonic tone that the dog hears as a correction
10 hours ago · Like
Monica Peterson It is not good to let you dog bark, lung, or react. You are in charge, you are the Alfa, and by letting your dog bark you are encouraging a possible fight and teaching your dog to be defensive. If it so happens that the dog does attack, then you let your dog defend itself. But the idea here is to have your dog obey you and ignore the other dog. They might not always be aggressive, but if there are 2 strange dogs approaching... definitely do not let your dog engage... the two dogs will feed off the aggression and they could kill your dog before your very eyes.
10 hours ago · Like · 2
Mike W- Has anyone seen the movie crocodile Dundee? There is a seen where 2 guard dogs are about to attack and Mick Dundee does some kind aboriginal mind control on the dogs...... That's probably what I would do. lol!
2 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
Anuj - Monica, your last post is very valuable for me in particular, as I have been allowing Indi to bark back when an off leash dog appears to present a risk (i.e. barking and growling etc). I was thinking this would build Indi's confidence in standing her ground, and allow her to react faster if the dog decides to attack her....especially as she used to whimper when another dog got close (after being attacked at 3 months). Your advice makes logical sense. It is however, extremely difficult to keep her attention on me even when another dog walks by on leash. In fact, the hair stands up each time we walk by another dog. I've tried everything possible to keep her attention on me, but nothing seems to work so far! Perhaps I will give you a call to figure out how to address this.
2 hours ago via mobile · Like
Anuj - Ps. My last post would suggest that I haven't established fully my alpha status and am not conveying to Indi that I am in control....However, I think there's more going on here with Indi and her trust of other dogs, as the majority she has come across take a shot at her! Sorry for turning this post into a training discussion about Indi. Probably better to post in the forum.
2 hours ago via mobile · Like
Lana R - Just keep at it Anuj Batra...if you want to set up another play date with Indi and Diesel just let me know. Andreina Rankin would probably want to come too since she wasn't able to come last time.
about an hour ago via mobile · Like · 2
Mike - Not in the rain tho Anuj Batra! Diesel will not be attending!!
about an hour ago via mobile · Like · 4
Lana R - Of course! Princess over here doesn't like getting his shiny fur wet! Smh
about an hour ago · Like · 2
Lana R - But he jumps into the river like it's nobody's business. Sigh
about an hour ago · Like · 1
Monica Peterson The way we react to a situation with our dogs the very first time sets a pattern to be corrected over time. Loose leash = full control, tight leash = trigger reaction. When Indi was attacked you did right by getting her out with friendly dogs. But if she is reacting to other dogs walking by, its due to the way you have allowed her to react on leash. unfortunately you have been given her the wrong cues with the best intentions. Again, if you cannot move away from the situation by way of heeling away, then you do a sit stay in front toe to toe and have your dog hold that stay. Easiest thing to maintain, you can even reach down under your dogs collar to keep eye contact with you. if the other dog doesn't get a reaction, they tend to move on. Only a truly aggressive dog would attack the back of another dog. However, if they do go for you dog, you spray them with the repellent and tell them to GO! Then you stand still and quiet again. If the dog goes into attack mode, you have to free your dog.
about an hour ago · Like
Monica Peterson If your dog is well trained enough, here's another option. Tell your dog to down stay, take their leash off and put it on the dog at large. LOL, how many of you could do that?
about an hour ago · Like
Monica Peterson The problem is that most of us over react, and then we actually are to blame for things escalating. Think dog, not human in these situations. Watch the other dog's body language. They could just have gotten loose and want to come see your dog. I usually stay happy and in control. Most times if the dog is a true run away, they will run away from you if you reach for them. Then they walk within 10 feet of you and your dog for awhile because they are still quite interested in being with your dog. But it doesn't always mean it will end in a fight. If its a pitbull, even though I don't want to paint a wrongful picture here... one has to realize that the dog can and likely will kill your dog. Leash would be off my dog and lassoed around that pitbull immediately. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will deter a pitbull that wants to fight, and God forbid if they are actually used in ring fighting, because they will attack your dog from behind, the side, anywhere! This is the most extreme of situations and not comparable to most loose dogs that just come to your dog out of curiosity. Happy tones attract the right reaction from happy dogs. Yell and posture towards any dog... you're now the one posing the threat.
about an hour ago · Like · 1
Nikki - Thats great advise Monica Peterson. Thank you.
49 minutes ago via mobile · Like
Monica Peterson In response to Joanne Lusted's comment about the little dog at large. Jo, you took control, giving a firm command with the hand signal was the right thing to do in that situation, and often times does catch the other dog off guard because they now see that you are the one in control. Sometimes it works, sometimes it merely just stalls the other dog and then they circle behind you to see your dog either way. In this case I would keep my front to the dog the dog at all times, and not let them get to the puppy. One cannot expect a puppy to react and or defend themselves, its up to you to be there for them.
4 minutes ago · Like
Monica Peterson Boy, this topic is not a simple one. There are so many variables, and then there's what happens with we're startled, rushed, scared and/or angry. Not a clean cut reaction to incident to be expected. It makes me think about when I had my first child. I went to prenatal classes, learned all the breathing exercises and things to help deal with labour. Well, when I was actually in labour, all those classes and training went right out the window! Being in the moment, bring about an entirely different reaction from people. I'll say that when I had my second child, I knew what to expect, all that training went to good use, because I could actually think....lol. So its really just a matter of being able to think about your reaction, and to really assess the best way to defuse the situation. But one thing is for sure... letting your dog react is never a good plan. This topic might be very helpful for others, so I am going to copy this over to the forum guys.
a few seconds ago · Like