I was biking with my two standard poodles when 2 great danes came bolting out of their yard on to the street and started attacking my 12 month old puppy. I jumped off my bike and started kicking them, although I was afraid for my own safety, and when I saw the owner I started screaming at her to get her #%^$^$% dogs off of mine!

She ran out and was able to grab her two dogs and then, I kid you not, she said, "they're really not aggressive."

My dog literally crapped herself but beside that I did not find any bleeding. Needless to say, I was VERY MAD at this lady and I think she was a little afraid of me as she retreated into her house and she said, "if your dog is injured you know where I live."

My dog was not socialized at all before I acquired her as she was a kennel dog and never left the kennel. I've been working with her to overcome those fears and this happens....

I wasn't sure what to do but I decided to take her (and my other dog) riding for another 10 minutes because I thought maybe that would help her "shake it off." I didn't want to rush her in the house and baby her and create an incident in her mind. I'm hoping that because she didn't really get injured that she won't be tramatized.

Did I do the right thing? Should I just let this go with the lady or should I write her a note or something....I don't want to cause a fight with my neighbors. And I really don't want my dog to be tramatized for life.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Ms. Dibernar,

I think you did the right thing by first checking to see if there were any injuries, and then keeping on with your ride with the dogs.

I think you can mitigate the potential lingering effects an unwanted event might cause by getting on with the routine and not over doing the attention thing. If the dogs see you keep on keeping on, they will come down sooner. There is a lot to be said for manageing your demeanor and the effect your projections have on your dogs.

Stuff happens, and the quicker you can get back into a business-as-usual mode the better the dog will deal with the event - just my opinion.

The neighbor thing... Who knows? If the lady was a jerk... A note by way of concern for dogs off leash and potential liabilities. If the lady was at all solicitious, a verbal commentary/conversation about leashes and what ever might pass for a neighborly chat.

I'll say this, if the lady was able to quickly control two Great Danes... Big dogs.

What am I doing up this late? Crazy.

You did the right thing.

I have to say that because I was kicking them (with my flip flops) the attack could have been a lot worse. As soon as I saw them coming I started yelling at them to stay away and waved my arms, stuff that has worked in the past with other dogs but they completely ignored me.

My biggest concern is that if these dogs are territorial agressive that a kid could get hurt riding his bike. Namely, my kid. We have a lot of kids in the neighborhood that ride bikes, skateboards, etc. and I have to figure that if they'll go after my dog the could go after a kid.

Vanessa, dog aggression does not auto translate to human aggression. If children and bicycles are the concern, prey drive would be the motivator in my guess. Any dog can chase a child out of prey drive. Just because a dog is territorial to other dogs does not mean they will be the same with people - the dogs did not bite you, correct? Despite the fact that you were kicking them.

You did the right thing by not over reacting and by continuing with the ride. Address issues as they come up with a lot of focus on positive reinforcement.

Glad to know you and the dogs are physically ok.

Edited by Jennifer Marshal (08/04/2008 11:12 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

 Quote: Mike Arnold

There is a lot to be said for manageing your demeanor and the effect your projections have on your dogs.

/conversation about leashes and what ever might pass for a neighborly chat.

I'll say this, if the lady was able to quickly control two Great Danes... Big dogs.

What am I doing up this late? Crazy.

You did the right thing.

Vanessa, smile! In a perfect world this incident never would have happened. I concur with Mike. What you project, your dogs will usually pick up on. Was there 10 min. left in your usuall ride?

I wasn't there, and you haven't really described what the danes actually did, other than run out there. I would think that two dogs that size intent on making a statement, would have accomplished their task if they wanted to. But you never know!

Is this house where these danes reside on your regular route? If it is, you have never had problems before? If you have then why did you go that way if your working on socializing your dog? If socializing, I myself would use a more controlled atmosphere ie Walking, for various reason. The written word void of vocal and facial expression can come across as harsh, so please don't take anything I have said the wrong way. I am on your side!

I walk around 5 miles every morning with my dog. We take off between 4-5 am. I go that early cuz it is cooler, I like to see the sunrise, LoL And all the late night revelers and unsupervised teenagers have partied themselves out by then, and the general public and their dogs aren't up an about yet. I know being a female you probably don't want to be out on the streets that early by yourself.

May I add, also as Mike mentioned. Instead of harboring anger and discontent at this woman, perhaps you can invite her to have a cup of coffee with you to discuss in a civl manner the ' incident '. Which then of course would lead into training methods and technic and a host of other dog related stuff! And perhaps you could guide her to leerburg!

Anyone who has ever had dogs, especially their first has had a dog bolt from them! I'm sure. Aside from Ed and a few others, very few of us are born with 5, 10, 20 yrs of dog training experience! LoL

I think your pup should do fine. And to reiterate, you did right! But I would avoid that street the house is on for awhile, for your pup. Till your pup gains more confidence.

 Quote: Rob Nash

I know being a female you probably don't want to be out on the streets that early by yourself.

Why ever not, Rob? For years I've been out running with my dog at 5 a.m. most summer mornings - like you, I like the cool and the sunrise. Like the OP I have occasional annoying incidents with unleashed dogs, but never any other problem. Maybe having a large GSD trotting along beside me helps. Or are we poor weak females supposed to stay indoors until a safer hour?

 Quote: Rob Nash

Anyone who has ever had dogs, especially their first has had a dog bolt from them! I'm sure. Aside from Ed and a few others, very few of us are born with 5, 10, 20 yrs of dog training experience!

Ed had a dog bolt from him, when he was a teenager. He discusses it somewhere in one of his articles, and why that specific incident is a huge part of why he is so anal about solid recalls. His dog ran into traffic and was killed.

That's a point the OP could think to mention to the Danes' owner- the risk of them being killed by running into the street.
Sometimes that resonates more than anything.

 Quote: sarah ward

 Quote: rob nash

I know being a female you probably don't want to be out on the streets that early by yourself.

Why ever not, Rob? Or are we poor weak females supposed to stay indoors until a safer hour?

LoL .. Contentious aren't you! LoL

Now Sarah, you know ( or maybe not ) I didn't mean that in the context your putting it in. That's why it says, ..... " probably don't ... " LoL

I don't know what kind of neighborhood she lives in! I was just trying to head her off if she came back saying, that early isn't an option for her! LoL

But if you were truly offended; I apologize!

Actually I have only run into 4 others with their dog(s) that early in the morning and all have been lone females! Two GSD's, a Newf and one with two APBT's And two always avoid me, when they see me! Two I have seen twice and that's it.

Poor weak females ... LoL That's funny

And the OP could also mention that Danes are big enough that if the vehicle is going fast enough that the dog can go through the windshield of a car and kill anybody in the front like a deer would.
My mom saw an accident on the highway where a Dane went through the windshield, fortunately the people were not killed.

I had a similar incident the other night, except there was no owner to yell at. 2 boxers (I think? it was dusk, I didn't get a good look) ran up behind me and my two gsd's.

I was so surprised I all but roared the word no apparently the work I've been doing in voice lessons to 'project' came in handy LOL, because they stopped dead. I yelled at them again and they turned around and ran off. In reality I think I was lucky and that they weren't necessarily intent on harm- just out for a romp.

Rob, for what it's worth, I understand. I feel like a pretty strong self sufficient woman and I don't go out alone in my neighborhood after 10pm... too many gang member wanna-be's for my taste. Morning is much better, even with the stray dog population.