Dog Walking Question?

[summerlove6]

Where I live the law states that dogs must be leashed at all times. Unfortunately it is rarely enforced, and while walking in my neighborhood my Boston Terrier has been attacked three times by unleashed dogs-- a pit bull, a standard poodle, and a yellow lab. Each time the owners were present but just stood in place and watched as my dog was bitten repeatedly and I screamed bloody murder! Now my dog attacks other dogs that approach him, which makes me sad because he was well socialized prior to these incidents. So I cross the street well before encountering another dog due to his anxiety. What really irks me, however, is if people have their dog off of a leash and I turn around to walk in the other direction, they inevitably say something like "Oh my sweet Killer's fine, he wouldn't hurt a fly! Don't worry! He just looks vicious!" While it may be true, I'm not going to take any chances, and how do you know what your dog's reaction would be if my dog growled and bit your dog's face? I try to make it a point to say "Well my dog isn't fine- he will bite your dog" which leads to much chuckling on their part since my dog is only 20 lbs. It makes me want to get a huge mean looking dog so we can all be taken seriously-- and so others will be inspired to leash their dogs!

 

[septsparkle]

Summerlove, I feel your pain. There is white pomeranian in our neighborhood that is off leash running loose DAILY. He craps in my lawn, he corners me in my own yard and I have to often wait until the "coast is clear" before I can bring my dogs out into their own yard because he runs right into the yard and starts barking and charging at us. He's got quite a big attitude for such a little dog. I have been to the owners house THREE times and called animal control twice...and I've only lived here 1 1/2 years. Each time the dog will disappear (meaning he's actually kept in his own house/property for a little while) for a few weeks and then we are right back to where we started. The thing that really gets me is this particular dog is often wearing a t-shirt - so I assume he is loved quite a bit if they go to lengths to dress him up - yet they actually live around the corner on a busy road and don't worry about him getting hit by a car? The animal control officer says dogs get hit on this road all the time. I'll never understand people, I really won't.

Oh, and as for you getting a more intimidating looking dog...that doesn't work either. My dog is a rottie mix...and people still don't care and are just as stupid.

 

[waterlilly]

Where I live the law states that dogs must be leashed at all times. Unfortunately it is rarely enforced, and while walking in my neighborhood my Boston Terrier has been attacked three times by unleashed dogs-- a pit bull, a standard poodle, and a yellow lab. Each time the owners were present but just stood in place and watched as my dog was bitten repeatedly and I screamed bloody murder! Now my dog attacks other dogs that approach him, which makes me sad because he was well socialized prior to these incidents. So I cross the street well before encountering another dog due to his anxiety. What really irks me, however, is if people have their dog off of a leash and I turn around to walk in the other direction, they inevitably say something like "Oh my sweet Killer's fine, he wouldn't hurt a fly! Don't worry! He just looks vicious!" While it may be true, I'm not going to take any chances, and how do you know what your dog's reaction would be if my dog growled and bit your dog's face? I try to make it a point to say "Well my dog isn't fine- he will bite your dog" which leads to much chuckling on their part since my dog is only 20 lbs. It makes me want to get a huge mean looking dog so we can all be taken seriously-- and so others will be inspired to leash their dogs!

Grrrr....that is infuriating to hear!! Your poor pup!

Are you in a state where you can purchase pepper spray? I would pay money to see the look on those idiots faces as they watched their dogs get sprayed in the face while they stood there and watched their dogs charge you...

I carry a small pepper spray with me on hikes, you just never know, and I'd be likely to go postal on someone if their dog injured one of mine. Better to stop the attack before it happens than end up in jail for killing someone

 

[Haven]

Where I live the law states that dogs must be leashed at all times. Unfortunately it is rarely enforced, and while walking in my neighborhood my Boston Terrier has been attacked three times by unleashed dogs-- a pit bull, a standard poodle, and a yellow lab. Each time the owners were present but just stood in place and watched as my dog was bitten repeatedly and I screamed bloody murder! Now my dog attacks other dogs that approach him, which makes me sad because he was well socialized prior to these incidents. So I cross the street well before encountering another dog due to his anxiety. What really irks me, however, is if people have their dog off of a leash and I turn around to walk in the other direction, they inevitably say something like "Oh my sweet Killer's fine, he wouldn't hurt a fly! Don't worry! He just looks vicious!" While it may be true, I'm not going to take any chances, and how do you know what your dog's reaction would be if my dog growled and bit your dog's face? I try to make it a point to say "Well my dog isn't fine- he will bite your dog" which leads to much chuckling on their part since my dog is only 20 lbs. It makes me want to get a huge mean looking dog so we can all be taken seriously-- and so others will be inspired to leash their dogs!

That's horrible. Was your dog badly hurt in any of these incidents? If so, were the other dogs' owners given any kind of ticket or warning? I'm sorry to hear that has happened to you, and repeatedly no less. In all my years of walking dogs every day and going to dog beaches and parks I have to say I have NEVER seen a dog actually get bitten to the point of bleeding. A black lab bit my dog on the head at a dog park once, but it just left a little puncture, no blood.

My dog has been charged at by two of our neighbors' dogs. One family has two tiny little chihuahuas who go insane whenever we walk by their house. They snarl and growl, and one day the neighbors were standing in their garage talking to friends and the chihuahuas charged at us from both sides, one in front and one behind, lips curled and snarling. I put my dog in a sit and she stayed right by my side, no pulling, but her legs started to shake and she started to do this thing she does when she gets anxious where she clenches and releases her jaw really quickly. I tried to stay calm and I gave a very assertive stay command to both dogs, who stayed just a few feet away on either side of us growling and snarling at my dog. The owners came out and said "Oh, their bark is worse than their bite." And I said "Well, you're going to be the ones responsible if someone else's dog responds to your dogs' threats by biting. Sorry, but their behavior is aggressive and they're going to get hurt some day." They looked horrified and scooped up their little dogs and walked away.

The other family has three spaniels who jump so hard at their front windows whenever we walk by I'm always scared they're going to bust through. One day they all came flying out of the front door and ran across the street at us, same situation as the chihuahuas, growling and barking like mad. The owner came running out and yelled "Oh they just want to be friends. They're much sweeter once you get to know them." Um, no dog is going to think "Perhaps they are just a bit socially awkward, and they'll be friendly once we sniff butts" when three strange dogs come charging into her face, teeth bared, and growling. These people only walk their dogs about once a week, and whenever they do it's pretty sad yet amusing to watch--the dogs practically drag them down the street, it's so ridiculous.

Oh gosh, I didn't realize how much I needed to rant about those neighbors and their bad dogs.

 

[summerlove6]

Septsparkle, that’s disheartening to hear that people won’t even control their dogs around a rottie mix! I think it’s cruel to risk the dog’s life by letting it run free not only because of other dogs but especially in high traffic areas. I once hit a dog with my car because it sprinted into the street from behind a parked car. I was traumatized, because I love dogs, and also because the owner was screaming in my face for 10 minutes about how she was going to kick my butt! The dog was fine, it just ran in the house, and when the police and the animal control came, she was the one who received a ticket for not having leashed her dog. I really feel for the animals who suffer at the hands of the ignorant.

Waterlilly, I think it recently became illegal to purchase mace where I live, but I may be able to order some other kind of pepper spray—I’m not sure! I will definitely look into it. I always think about how *next time* I’ll find a big stick somewhere and teach the owner a lesson!

Haven, one time my dog’s neck was ripped apart and he required multiple staples, antibiotics, and pain meds. We only got reimbursed for that incident because ironically the owner was my husband’s friend’s mother-in-law, and we lived right around the corner from her, although it did take her six weeks to pay us. Another time he had a gash and some puncture wounds, but I wasn’t able to pursue the owner. I was running and was about 2 miles from home without a phone when it occurred. The owner told me the attack was my fault for being hysterical! Hahaha. Animal control either didn’t investigate or couldn’t find her.

Hearing about all of these dogs makes me sad, because it’s not the dog’s fault—it’s the badly behaved and out of control owners. : (

 

[Karl_K]

This reminds me of a tiger story.

Tiger was a 65lb malamute mix.
He was a big baby.
One day he was out on his run and I look out the window and see something white sticking out both sides his mouth.
Then I hear my neighbors kids(adults) who are visiting yell so I go outside.
About that time a little white poodle about 15lbs comes running away from tiger.
It ran towards its owner then back to tiger who proceeds to pick it up and carry it around some more while the other dogs owner is freaking out.
I yell tiger drop and he lets it go and it runs towards its owner again then back to tiger then to his owner.
By this time im cracking up.
I brought tiger in for a while but the entire weekend their dog kept trying to run away from them and play with tiger.
The poodle must have thought it was a fun game.
I generally didn't let him play with little dogs because he played a little rough.

When little dogs came up to him acting aggressive his what planet are you from stupid look was hilarious.

 

[Haven]

summerlove--That is so awful. Again, I'm so sorry that happened to you and your dog. I always assumed there were some stiff fines, or worse, a dog would have to be relinquished to the county, if something like that happened. I can't believe that people seem to be so nonchalant about these things when they happen. I know you're supposed to stay calm, but to say that it's your fault and not even take some responsibility? Crazy.

There are really great trainers out there. I'm sure you're working with your pup so you can help him get over the anxiety he now has because of all these horrible incidents, but just in case you haven't found someone or something that works yet, they do exist! My dog had aggression issues when we first adopted her, and they all seemed to stem from fear, and two years later she is fine. We found an awesome trainer (after going through some pretty awful ones) and put in a lot of work with her, and she's great. There is hope!

Karl--That's pretty hilarious. I have the best little video going in my mind right now.

 

[risingsun]

I think it is important that others keep in mind that they don't know what type of experiences we have had with our small dogs. We were at obedience training one night. The dogs were off lead. A large lab/golden mix suddenly made a run for my 20 lb cavalier and had him pinned down on the floor. Charlie wriggled out from under and started running with the other dog on his heels. My friend's border collie cut off the dog in pursuit and herded him off to the side. Charlie had already found safety. Charlie is very wary around large dogs now, unless they have gotten to know each other without incident. If I cross the street or pick up my dog, I have a reason. If your large dog is good with small dogs, tell me so and we can carefully see how they will react to each other.