This is probably a very silly question, but, do dogs "remember" other specific dogs who have been aggressive or attatcked them at one time?

Just curious as Heidi charges toward the windows to agressively bark/snarl-with hair standing on end from neck to rump-toward a specific little black poodle when it's being walked by our house. Heidi has actually torn two screens now trying to get at this poodle from inside.

Several weeks ago, I had Heidi out for a "work" walk around the block. I had Heidi in a sit stay when this poodle came flying across the street. This dog was running full blast and "slamed" into Heidi's hindquarters. That poodle rolled like it hit a brick wall. It didn't hurt Heidi-though I think the poodle was dazed. (I had to laugh at this later- it was so silly, but I did have to find's Ed's advise on how to deal with dog attatcks/fights for future ref. I wouldn't have been prepared at all for a large dog!)

But, it's not so funny now seeing how crazy Heidi's acting toward this poodle. Does Heidi have it in for this dog now? Does she actually remember that day or specifically that dog? She hasn't showed any signs of aggression toward other dogs before or after this event. Will I have to really watch her behaviour now with other dogs because of this one event?

I can for sure relate a story about a dog we had in GSD rescue. She was about the sweetest dog in the world, seemed to like ALL other dogs. One day in the animal clinic a Golden Retriever took a totally unprovoked lunge at her and nearly took her head off (fortunately no contact was made).

Ellie is still fine with most dogs, but she HATES Golden Retrievers. All of 'em. Where do you suppose this behavior came from? :rolleyes:

Pete Felknor

I think that some dogs can harbour a grudge until death! I have two old females that have never had a fight with another dog other that each other and they can't even breathe that same air. The original fight took palce when they were 2 or three and they are now 13 and would just love to resume the scrap at any time.

A few years ago I met a lady on my walk with a mini schnauzer. Her dog immediately took an exception to my dog and we moved farther apart. She explained that her dog had been severely attacked by a doberman. The only thing that saved him from an internal organ puncture and possible death was the fact that at the time he was pretty overweight.

As a result her dog developed intense fear agression to all big black dogs. He was alright if you stayed about 5 feet away from him, but as soon as you encroached on his personal space he went ballistic.

I was thinking that she was remembering that poodle.......this confirms it for me. We'll just steer clear of all little black poodles from now on!

I have a friend who's dog was bitten by a staffy about two years ago, she is now dog agressive to most dogs but controllable (just very verbal - part husky) but if she sees a staffy she goes off her rocker!!! completly looses it even to the point of tying herself up with the lead and nearly hurting herself.
She will also go nuts if walked past the area where she was bitten.
Thats a memory!!

I know this isn't totally related but I think it again and again. ALWAYS watch other dogs around your own in public, and ALWAYS carry Mace. Stuff like this can ruin good working dogs in their psych imprinting stage. I've heard stuff like this several times since being on this board. Sometimes it can profoundly affect their behavior and confidence. If the owner of the other dog doesn't like that method with the Mace then let them know why and tell them to use their leash properly. If that doesn't work then tell that person they're other ways of self-defense.

It's a bad thing to handle things with Mace because most people don't understand what working dog people are doing but it's sometimes is unavoidable unfortunately. It sounds like these are prime examples of how some things can seriously affect a dog's psyche in the future.

I bet that you don't really mean "Mace." I bet that you meant to say OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) aka "pepper spray."

Mace was developed so that it specifically didn't affect dogs or horses.

Even pepper spray may not have any effect on dogs that are in a fight.

These days, "Mace" is more a brand name than a specific spray. They make all kinds, from plain ol' OC, to combos that contain both OC and CN, plus a dye to mark the aggressor and help in later identification.

When I was little, back in the early '70's, our St. Bernard puppy was "maced" by the mailman. Ever since, she had a fear aggressive response to anyone in a uniform. She had also been teased through the fence by a boy of about 8, and didn't like boys that resembled that boy ever since. She was a sweetheart otherwise, in fact, her name was "Sweetie". If you didn't look like that particular boy that had teased her, or have a uniform on, she was very friendly.

Well I think Pepper Spray would work in 90% of the cases, but I haven't broke dog fights with it. I'm sure you have broken up plenty but the main point is do whatever you can legally do to prevent it. I doubt the police would like it if you emptied a clip in someone's dog in public. I wouldn't even want to have to do that. EVEN if someone deserved it being done to their dog. I know I'd be on the serious war path if someone did that to me.

Main point, make sure your dog is safe from others, and do whatever you can legally do to keep it that way.