Fear Aggression and Clueless People...

Caro that is appalling! And it sounds so much like my experiences with the owners of the black terrier. I actually used to try and walk Cadbury in the opposite direction to them in the carpark - they would speed up to meet me!

I know why they did it. Cadbury was non-reactive to the terrier, it would nip his nose and he would just lay there. Other dogs would attack back, but Cadbury didn't so he became their prime target. My trainer spoke to them more than once on the subject.

Thankfully I've moved classes now, but if I ever saw them again I would have to pluck up the nerve to say something to stop them coming near - but I am so non-confrontational.
 
Definately run in the other direction. I should have reported the woman instead of trying to do the neighbourly thing of asking nicely. Because I wasnt tough enough my dogs find anything over the fence threatening, Tully turned into a scared little dog and I have spent a fortune on training, behaviourists and bark collars. If you dont feel like confronting her, report her to the club - its just not worth it for your dogs.
 
Caro, you are so right. I may not be able to do anything about those owners, but I need to be responsible for Cadbury to ensure that their and their dog's actions don't affect him.

I know someone who's rescue lab was attacked and this has resulted in it being fear aggressive to other dogs. If people just took responsibility for their dogs' behaviour life would be so much nicer! Oh well.
 
Thankfully, we live in a very small subdivision. Not completely void of idiots, but not likely to run into the 2 I know if we stay on our "side."

I have seen a dog fight in one of the pet shops here when I was buying some food for my other pets. One dog was a pit mix and the other a Pekinese. Both were accompanied by what my husband likes to call "bubbleheads." NO control over their dogs, acted like a deer in headlights when the dogs started growling and one even dropped the leash when they really got aggressive.

I won't go to the dog parks here, WAY too many "bubbleheads," and I've heard of lots of problems.

My husband has no qualms about saying it like it is. Years ago when we had a German Shepherd, he walked her every night after dinner. A block away a house had 2 cocker spaniels that were allowed to run free. They always antagonized the Shep but for the most part she ignored them. And she was always on a leash. One night the 2 cockers came after her, nipping. My husband held her back and yelled to the owner who was outside WATCHING, to call his dogs back. He told the guy if those dogs attached the Shep one more time he'd drop her leash and let her take care of the problem. A few days later that's exactly what happened. He dropped the leash and she put the fear of the devil into those two dogs. Thereafter, every night when he walked by, the 2 cockers ran back into their garage until he had passed. I just know if I had said something or dropped the leash the ending would not have been the same.

Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen with Shelties and we've got no big sister this time to take care of problems. I don't plan on ever visiting the dog parks here or taking her to the pet store. It just isn't worth it.

After reading some of the stories here, I'm going to be very careful in selecting obedience classes and will ask some direct questions before enrolling.
 
Ariel said:
I have seen a dog fight in one of the pet shops here when I was buying some food for my other pets. One dog was a pit mix and the other a Pekinese. Both were accompanied by what my husband likes to call "bubbleheads." NO control over their dogs, acted like a deer in headlights when the dogs started growling and one even dropped the leash when they really got aggressive.
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See, and this is what worries me. Smudge is very laid back, and people let their out of control, bouncy dogs walk up to him without even asking. He is ok with people, but I'm not sure what he thinks about the other dogs. He will stand there for a few minutes and then try to walk away. Usually the more playful dog will take this as a game and follow him. I'm afraid he is going to snap and try to bite them because they won't leave him alone. Smudge isn't a bad dog, but when a yappy, over friendly dog gets in his face that he's never met before it doesn't bode well. I think he became more fearful after my uncle's pomeranian attacked him recently.

Also, I'm terrified of larger dog breeds. All of them. I was attacked by a mastiff a few years ago and have not been able to get over it. Everytime a larger dog comes in or out of the vet's office I become scared for Smudge and myself. :( I'm sure they're nice dogs, but it's hard for me to see them that way.
 
Deska has a strategy for dealing with dogs he doesnt want to play with. He lies on his side, tucks his head under and doesnt move. It deters most youn dogs - esp labs - as they can't get a rise from him. But the really annoying dogs still dont get it. He has a couple of times pinned dogs down when they got really annoying (not hurting them tho) but only dogs he knows.

Tully on the other hand just finds the nearest pair of legs and hides between them. I get really annoyed sometimes because people think its funny letting their male dog try to hump Tully - comments like 'what cute puppies they would be'. She still needs to learn she can snap at male dogs for doing this.
 
*Caro said:
I get really annoyed sometimes because people think its funny letting their male dog try to hump Tully - comments like 'what cute puppies they would be'. She still needs to learn she can snap at male dogs for doing this.
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There was a female poodle in the waiting room Friday that wouldn't leave Smudge alone. He completely ignored her, and she finally got the hint. The owner took the female poodle, and placed it BACK IN FRONT OF SMUDE. :mad: The owner looked at me and said, "That is a girl, right?" I told her no, and she scooped her dog up like Smudge had the plague. :winkgrin:

I'm going to get him fixed after he is a year old. That amused me a lot more than it should have. It was like somebody set her on fire. She MOVED to pick that poodle up. :lol: This was also the same lady who had her poodle's toenails painted purple to match the bows in the dog's ears.
 
If your dog's the type that can't take overly enthusiastic, rough play, it's best to keep an eye out for those types of dogs and intervene when you can. I always do that because the last thing I need is for Romeo to lose his confidence and get super scared of dogs. You know what your dog can take best. I go to the dog run every week and see alot of those bubbleheads. Really, I've developed a bit of a reputation I'm sure - I yell I block I intervene in order to protect. Some dingdongs tell me they are just playing. No, not when my dog's trying to flee, tail between his legs looking like he wants to melt into the ground. Yes they may mean nice but their rough playing is frightening to some. I've seen a number of altercations between other dogs and SO MANY TIMES they can be avoided if the owners were paying attention coz I'd already seen it coming!!

I've made it a point to learn how to read dogs somewhat when they interact so I know what to expect from them. It's a necessary skill if your dog is around others alot, I feel, so that you know when to intervene and when to let things go (if you feel your dog can take it - it's got to learn how to deal with things too but not be overwhelmed until it spooks). Being observant and anticipating is soooo important. I know what kind of dogs to avoid now and what kind to be careful around. That's what you get from spending every weekend at the dog run!!

Romeo's not the type to retaliate - ok, if pushed, he might bark and bark but never growls or snaps. He gets bullied ALOT (postured over by males, chased, humped alot by males AND a female) but he doesn't do anything. And when a dog growls at him, he doesn't seem to know not to go anywhere nearer. So it's a good thing someone's watching over him. :rolleyes2:
 
I'm at the other end...Clancy is a big mouth and naughty with other dogs..so I am vigilant in heading him off and not scaring other dogs...
Here in Europe I notice people are more savvy and their dogs are too..I notice they look at Clancy all puffed up with his tail up and start veering away from us..so that helps me alot.
I've even seen a mom scold her child with a scooter for coming to close to us..I felt bad for the kid.
There are dogs everywhere here..walking on leash and off..dogs are welcome in alot of places even resturants..and they are so well behaved!! I love it!! Big ones get under the tables and just hang out...alot of little ones are in baskets or sit on a lap.
Now Clancy is naughty and doesn't seem to like other dogs...when I'm around...I'm told from the dog sitter that he doesn't act like that when staying with them. When we can't take them with us..they go to a lady that teaches dog classes and has some big hunting dogs...Clancy does fine with them...guess he thinks he's protecting me...I don't know..ppfft..LOL
I'm not shy about telling people that Clancy isn't comfortable with their dog in his face..and he will tell them off...that usually gets them to keep back...You'd have to be blind not to figure it out that he isn't happy with them..LOL

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
clancyh8sabby said:
Now Clancy is naughty and doesn't seem to like other dogs...when I'm around...I'm told from the dog sitter that he doesn't act like that when staying with them. When we can't take them with us..they go to a lady that teaches dog classes and has some big hunting dogs...Clancy does fine with them...guess he thinks he's protecting me...I don't know..ppfft..LOL
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Smudge does this to a certain extent. He is very hyper at home. He's always bouncing off of the walls. With people, it takes him a few minutes, but he always warms up to them in a short time (usually it takes him 5 minutes or so). He never bounces around in public, but he does walk around and sniff everything.

I feel to a certain extent that I could do better, but I'm not sure how. I try to get him around other dogs, but I'm afraid of bigger dogs. I think it would be rude to say I'd like him to mingle with the yorkies and malteses, but please keep your Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, and Boxers away. It would be very rude. Smaller dogs can be aggressive too, but I'm not afraid of them.

I'm sure most people think that since their dog is friendly that everybody else's is too. They're shelties, and shelties aren't aggressive, right? :rolleyes2:
 
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