I am new to this site. I don't currently have a dog. I have had dogs as pets in the past, and have been involved in horses for some time.

I live in the California suburbs. The house behind us is occupied by the owners son (mid to late 20's) and roommates. They have recently aquired a dog "at the shelter" - a three year old, female English bull terrier named "Killer".

They walk the dog at night because it is very dog aggressive. If it sees another animal it is at the end of its leash on its back legs barking and snarling. If I go in the back yard she barks at the fence (solid).

I spoke with the owner - first conversation "she is trained" second conversation "we're training her". She is in a thick leather collar with spikes. Training seems to be yelling the same command over and over. The dog ignores the owner. I met owner and dog outside the other day. He was asking the dog to sit, and pulling him away from the gate to my back yard. He had to drag her away. I asked if he had any treats; he said no, the dog was supposed to respond to him out of love.

I think this looks like a potential problem.

Can anyone recomend a good trainer in the Seal Beach/Long Beach area of California? I thought that I might pass along a few trainers names.

What else does one do?

Helen,

Cant say there is much else to do. Its good that you are trying to find a trainer for him and i do wish i could help you. But first i think it would be wise to ask the owner if he wants help before you start giving him advice. Other then that if the owner is abusing the dog then i would sudjest you get involved if not then i think it would be good for you to back off.

We all want dogs trained and you are deffently looking out for this guy by looking for a trainer, just watch out how you propose it to him, it could come off the wrong way.

Also is the dogs name Killer?

Yes, Killer is the dogs name.

All conversations were started by the dogs owner, and all information was offered by him with the dog in my driveway.

I hadn't realized I had gotten into a position from which I needed to backed off. We are not on bad terms, but neither do we socialize with them.

Offering the name of a good trainer to the neighbor was suggested to me. Perhaps not a great suggestion?

I don't think they are abusing the dog, I do worry about the safety of other pets, and frankly if this animal ever acts like this towards people, I think someone is going to get hurt.

Helen,

Oh no don't take it the wrong way, if he is interested by all means help him out. Sorry i just woke up and wasn't sure what kind of terms you where on with him. But yes letting him know about groups or a good trainer is a great idea. I was just warning you that you might come off the wrong way depending on the conversations.

Anyhow good luck finding a trainer or a group for him. Dangerous dogs are never good.

What about just telling him about leerburg.com ???

What Michael said is right on though...people with dogs, I've learned, are much like parents with children. Everyone has their way of doing it...hopefully, the guy will be open to your suggestion (of course, brought to light with perfect timing in the right conversation) to leerburg and be converted...

Edited by Michele McAtee (07/19/2007 06:46 AM)
Edit reason: grins

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I asked if he had any treats; he said no, the dog was supposed to respond to him out of love.

Ah, ok..?? I can see it though, I mean no one really wants to carry around greasy treats in their pockets.. buuutt.

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She is in a thick leather collar with spikes. Training seems to be yelling the same command over and over. The dog ignores the owner.

Please see quote above...

Seriously though, you may have to take matters into your own hands. Nothing bad or violent... just take some treats with you into your backyard and toss some over the fence or through it if you can. Act aloof to the dog except to just casually walk over to the fence and feed it a treat. After a while the dog will coming running to the fence when you are out, not to bark but to get a treat from you.

In the mean time, if you haven't already, accumulate some knowledge of your own, should you encounter this dog under precarious circumstances so that you are able to stay safe.

While doing the suggestions above, I'd carry some sort of...'protection' when going on walks or taking your dog outside. Having an extremely aggressive dog makes walks less fun, because you have to think about it until you get to the safety of your own home.

I, personally, suggest you get a bottle of pepper spray, the small compact, 'pocket-sized' ones. The chances of you encountering the dog on a walk and it getting loose and attacking are there. At least you will have something.

Just to play devil's advocate: If the guy is walking the dog at night, because it's aggressive, perhaps he has every intention of being responsible. Often, the easiest collars to find that won't break and let a dog like this loose are leather, and often come with spikes. My APBT has a darling silver metallic one that matches my favorite stiletto boots....but that's beside the point. A collar and a name do not mean anything, necessarily. If he got the dog at the shelter, let's give him a break for a while; he has a lot of work to do. If he's not getting any better with the dog, and the dog doesn't calm down a bit, then by all means, push some unsolicited advice on him. Directing him to the site is a fine idea. Not too in-your-face, but if he actually visits, no doubt some positive change will come about.

I would kill someone for feeding my dogs over the fence, under the fence, through the fence...period. THAT is overstepping your bounds, IMO. If you're afraid of the dog, ask the owner if he minds if you meet it; animal aggression has zilch to do with human aggression.

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I would kill someone for feeding my dogs over the fence, under the fence, through the fence...period.

Here here, honestly so would I (not kill though ) but I also will not stand for a dog going ballistic at me while I am on my own property.

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My APBT has a darling silver metallic one that matches my favorite stiletto boots....but that's beside the point.

That makes for quite an interesting mental image... how do you walk him in those shoes? Ha ha just kidding.

But Jenni is probably right, better to get the owners permission first.

Oh, I agree that she shouldn't stand for it longterm. I'm just saying that maybe we should give the guy a break for a few weeks since he (supposedly) got an adult dog from the shelter with a few "issues."