Hey,
I know there have been numerous posts about this subject, but it really blows my mind. I just started working with a prong collar on my dog, she has been super with it. Some man had his lab off leash, it came charging at us (my dog already has issues with this) now I can tell this dog means no harm. Regardless, my girl gets defensive, lunges, hits the prong collar, backs off, but continually being harassed by this other dog. I did kick it and yell at the guy to get his dog away. In all the times this has occurred, not one individual has apologized for the rude behavior or lack of control they have over their dogs!!! I just needed to rant. I did use it as a training opportunity to work on the sit and down, and my girl was very good. I just felt bad that she punished herself hitting the prong collar all the while most likely feeling very threatened by this other bozo!!

Any suggestions how I should handle this in the future?

Linda

Same thing happened to me with a dog-aggressive lab in one of my neighbors front yards unsupervised while I was walking Cujo a few weeks ago. The lady that owns the dog just stood by the front door trying to call her dog that wasn't listening while he was barking at me from 6ft away n trying to come around my side to bite Cujo. I could see the dog trying to decide what to do because I have encountered the dog before and know how easily I can run that pile of nerves away if I wasn't trying to defend my dog at the same time, but the dogs desire to attack Cujo was so strong that I couldn't chase him off. I was super proud of Cujo because this was the first time he proved to me that he will listen to me in this situation, and by his disposition when we got home, it felt like it was a bonding experience for us because I showed him that when I say "it's ok", I will take charge of the situation and get rid of the threat. I am still mad at the neighbor for not taking the 2 seconds required to walk into the yard in her bath robe, grab the dogs collar and take the dog back inside, instead after being ignored for about literally 45 seconds or so, she said "hold on i'll go find his leash". By the time she came back I'd managed to walk off while keeping the dog at a distance from me, I got 3 houses down and she had a leash in hand, still calling the damn dog instead of coming out and leashing the dog, but this time her husband was by her side also calling the dog.

Stupidity never ceases to amaze me. Nothing you can do about it. At least your dog listened to you, imagine the chaos if you were trying to ward off this other dog while trying to control your manic pup.

I have to admit this kind of situation terrifies me. If I am with my male there really is no problem he is pretty good at avoiding pesky dogs with some bumping and pushing, he is a solid 46 lbs of APBT and very rock solid from the temperment perspective, but my girl is a different story. If you have a dominant/dog aggresive dog what is the best course of action in this situation? I am almost positive my Am Stf would listen to me with a correction as long as the dog did not touch her, but if there was actual contact....I guess I would try to lift her head up so she couldn't grab a hold, but then I guess you leave her at the other dogs mercy....I hate even thinking about this, suggestions anyone?

I am not very polite in these situations. When I am walking my agressive GSD/chow, I yell out, watch out, she bites! The other owner usually manages to collect their dog. I really don't want to correct her if she is defending herself from a charging dog.

Valerie,

My girl does have issues with strange dogs. I'm lead to believe that she was not well socialized before I adopted her from a shelter. So, her first reaction to another dog approaching her is to, over-react, on the defensive. For all I know, she may have had a bad experience before she came to me. So even if the approaching dog is nonaggressive, just the fact that it is in her space and she is on a leash is threatening to her. Her first reaction is to be on the defensive. I will say, that over the past year that I've had her, she is less reactive.

I just get frustrated that it seems that most people you encounter with dogs, seem to be making little efforts toward training. In fact, my husband chooses to not go for walks with me and my dog, because as he says, he just wants to walk. He is not interested in it being a training session. But, dogs as horses....you are always teaching them something, either you are reinforcing correct or incorrect behavior, with every interaction. Thats what I love.

So, I guess, ultimately, my dog would be in a sit...waiting for me to deal with the offending canine??? Trying to scare it, or make it back away? Is the correct, anyone??

Linda

Polly,

That was my concern today. She had the prong collar on and was corrected for trying to defend herself. I'm really trying to do the right thing by her. Based on the fact that she tends to be reactive to other dogs, but only when they invade her space.

I have in the past yelled, that she is not friendly toward other dogs, and I'm usually met with the same blank catatonic reaction. I just don't get it!!

Linda

My dog has had some bad experiences as a pup with older dogs because of stupid handler mistakes that I will readily admit and have spent the last 6+ months working on with my dog. He is finally at the point where he will be aloof to other dogs, I'm not about to screw up 6+ months of training by letting my dog get into a confrontation with some stupid lab. I think that for the future psychological well being of your dog, it's better to do anything neccesary to defend your dog from an aggressive charging dog than to let your dogs leash go and say "go get em boy!". Kick the offending dog if you have to, carry a stick, pepper spray, anything. If the owners get mad about it, they shoulda recognized that their dog is aggressive and taken more steps to isolate the dog from my dog. If cops get involved, tell them you feared for YOUR life, I hear they'll be more likely to let it go if you're defending your safety rather than your property (dog).

Linda,

I have been working on the Look command with my dog, and she is much improved, much less reactive, but if a dog ran up to her, forget it. I have a dominant dog collar on her, but am not very confident of how to use it in this type of situation, or whether it is appropriate. I am awaiting my dominant dog DVD, hopefully it will address this situation.

Mike,

You must have put in alot of time to get your dog to the point of being aloof to wayward dogs!! That is great. Hopefully, my girl will one day realize that she does not need to be on the defensive.

L.

Polly,

I know exactly what you are dealing with. My dog has become quite conistent with the "watch" command. In fact, when I first got her, she would see a dog way in the distance and fixate on it. She is to the point now, that unless the dog is right on top of us, she will cue to the "watch" command.

However, this dog did come galloping up towards us/her. All the while, with his owner lumbering after it!!

So, yes, in that situation, I'm sure she felt the need to defend herself. She is making headway though, and for that I can be proud of her!! She is teaching me soooo much also!!

Linda