Is this irresponcible handling or an just a bad situation maybe an aggressive dog?

Most of the time my dogs can run loose off lease in my yard they follow me or lie down while I'm cutting the yard.

The neighborhood kids and dogs run in their yard and in the street, its a cul du sac, so there no through way traffic. It can also be a delightful little circus, it's nice to see this interaction.

This time I was packing leaves and grass trimming from the front yard to the back. The back gate open and the dogs the GSD in front and the Rottie pup at my side. We made four or five trips, then as I entered the front yard again I saw a man bend down behind the corner of a car to pickup something up. Before I could stop the GSD he was doing a bark and hold, the man, my neighbor slowly stood erect and froze trembling, the male GSD stopped and bouncing barking and looking back at me and the man.

I called for Mat, to come, He returned to me and I whispered go into the fence and they ran to into the back yard.

I tried to explain to the neighbor that it was my fault. (I did notice this but it was too late, it happen in seconds. The training session:Is where the dogs finds and holds the bad guy.)

I tried to explain, it was my fault, that his bending down look to the dog like a bad guy hiding behind the car, its a game we play sometimes. He just looked at me and walked away, mad. I told him I understood, and that we will talk later.

We worked things out, I informed him of the times, his Dobbie (Ole Joe) has entered my yard barking to protect (as I was walking toward my mail box), his wife and grandchild playing in the street. She couldn't call him off, she had to come get him, he has no training, just family OB.

I told him I wasn't mad, I explained that I was smiling and thinking, what a good dog. A dog (of their breed) that won't try to defend their pack ain't worth their dog food, in my opinion.

Don,
It appears to me from reading your various posts that instead of asking bonified questions, you are trying to receive validation for your actions by other board members. I don't think that was meant to be the purpose of this discussion board.

As for this question, or scenario in particular, you shoulder full responsibility for whatever your dog does to others. You did not state whether this gentleman was on your property or not, but regardless, he did nothing wrong and you would have been in a hurt of trouble if the dog had injured the man. That is why you need to take extra precautions with your dogs, especially since you're doing protection work with them. I do not allow my dogs to run rampant through the neighborhood, or even our cul-de-sac no matter how much obedience training they posess. If my dogs are off-leash, they are under my supervision and at the command of my voice AT ALL TIMES! It's not worth the risk.

Sounds like irresponsible handling to me.

AIROWEN

I'm really not looking for validation, but looking for like situations. And maybe methods or suggestions of how this can be done safely, without locking the dog down. I would like to allow my dog to run free in my yard like any other dog. I'm sorry you took that way.

Most of the dogs stay in their yard or around their master. I realize there is more responsiblity with a trained animal just as there is with anybody that has training in any type combative art. But I also believe there is more control and limitations should be tested.

I trully believe that a trained dog is more controllable and is less of a threat to the general public, then a untrained dog. With a unsocailized, uncontrollable and untrained dog you really have a problem. Not being trained gives the dog too much time to do damage or frighten the public. Because he won't break off the attack or the show of aggression.

As mentioned I have been approached by other neighborhood dogs, aggressively. The dogs had reason for it (to protect family members, territory or puppies). After their show of affection, I usually lease the dog and take it back home or it's owner would comes and get it. No problem, dogs will bark at things they perceive as a threats.

I think that the point I was trying to make was. That a little training gives you more control, were as no training you have no control and you can't stop the dog before damage is done.

I can take my dog to Pet Markets, with no problem. I always get the question "Can I pet him, will he bite"? I usually tell them no you can't, and all dogs will bite.

Don,
I don't mean to get on you two post in a row but you said something that caught my ear with your original post on this thread.

You said "before I could stop the GSD he was doing a bark and hold"

What do you mean before you could stop him?
You said that you saw the man bending down at the corner of the car, I assume this was before the bark and hold commenced. By What means did you try to stop the dog?
Am I correct to assume that you attempted to stop the dog with a command and the dog just didn't listen? If that's the case you need to keep this dog on a leash until his training is complete and you can count on him. I agree with beth, it's not worth the risk.

 Quote:

Originally posted by 1st-Sifu:
AIROWEN

I think that the point I was trying to make was. That a little training gives you more control, were as no training you have no control and you can't stop the dog before damage is done.

I can take my dog to Pet Markets, with no problem. I always get the question "Can I pet him, will he bite"? I usually tell them no you can't, and all dogs will bite.

Like I said before, I don't care how much training my dogs have, whether it be protection or just obedience, I don't let them run around my cul-de-sac unsupervised, especially when there are neighbors and other dogs out. They will only be allowed out and unleashed on MY terms. That's the benefit of the training, not that you can let them run around on their own. That's what your back yard is for. From what you mentioned before, it sounds like you were not paying attention to the developing situation until after it happened.

As far as going to Pet Markets, etc. I will usually allow other people to pet my dog, but once again on MY terms. I put my dog in a sit or down stay, let him know it's a "friend" and if it's kids I show them how to pet the dog. It's good socialization for the dog and a learning experience for the kids. I'm not saying you should do this, but it is another approach to the situation.

1st-Sifu,

During the training of any dog there are some critical times when the dog is dangerous. They mostly center around the time the dog is learning control. It only takes a split second for a mistake to be made and then you are dealing with some severe liability because it was YOUR DOG that bit. It doesn't matter what the other dogs in the neighborhood are allowed to do. The fact that your dog is trained will make this worse for you.

The other thing is that testing the limits of your training should be done in training with a protected agitator, not on your unprotected neighbors!!!! Accidents happen, but don't invite them.

Jason
As I mentioned in our first contact I was working taking leaves and grass trimming to the back compost area. The GSD was in lead, (walking right with me) but before I could say anything except when and what I did, the situation happened. I froze my mouth was wide opened. I looked at the scene developing and looked down for the dog. And he was moved, I don't live on an acreage it was a short run.
I agree it was my fault not the dogs, but he didn't leave our yard (the car was parked in front on my yard) yes the dog did bark at the neighbor.

But when I gave the command my dog returned to me. I understand what you and Beth are saying but. Really, but who has the best control me or them, their dog is in my yard barking. They can't stop him dog with a command, they have to walk over and get him. Now I'm trying to be childish here.

But just because you have a trained dog. He should not be locked up like a mad dog, I want to play with and watch my dogs run too.

I will make an extra effort to supervise them better and place the lease on them more often, thanks to you guys. But really does training stop you from having a safe dog?
I don't think so, but you have been doing this longer I live and learn.

I'm just asking because this is the first time I've owned such an animal.

AIROWEN

Thats why I'm asking this questions. You guys have far more experince and training then I have when dealing with working dogs.

This is my first attempt at working and training working dogs. I guess you were right I am asking if I'm heading in the right or wrong direction.

I will lease my dogs and try to supervise them better. I assume that because you know what a dog will do, you must take the special precautions to keep the public safe. But what about the neighbors dog, he should run free, is ignorants blessed?

Would you agree that a trained dog is less of a threat to the general public then one that is not trained. In most cases, generally speaking.

Richard Cannon

During the training of any dog there are some critical times when the dog is dangerous. They mostly center around the time the dog is learning control. It only takes a split second for a mistake to be made and then you are dealing with some severe liability because it was YOUR DOG that bit. It doesn't matter what the other dogs in the neighborhood are allowed to do. The fact that your dog is trained will make this worse for you.

The other thing is that testing the limits of your training should be done in training with a protected agitator, not on your unprotected neighbors!!!! Accidents happen, but don't invite them.

I agree with you and the group, I need to be more responcible. And I was maybe taking a risk. Just like my neighbors are with their dogs running free. But with insight from experince folks, I can make the change.
Maybe tie the lease to my jeans when I'm working in the yard.

There will be times like loading them into the jeep. Where they run and jump into the cargo area a lead hanging could hurt them. You are not saying that I should load them leased one at a time, like their Dr. Lester or something are you.

I guest I'm asking how do you load your dogs? I might be doing this wrong too.