We had an interesting morning.

Koenig is a Dutch- a breed that is known for the potential to 'come up the leash' at the handler. (I know nearly all of you know this- but some people are not familiar with Dutchies)

Koe is NOT a hard dog, and he's bordering on the line of handler soft. (A trait which I like, actually) He's always been fantastic with my kids, and enjoys their company.

Today at the bus stop Logan took Koenig off into the grass to go potty. (A normal thing, he walks the dog lots.) Today, Koenig was wearing a leather slip collar (Aaron, do you LOVE yours? I do!!) and had on a 3' lead. Logan had him about 20' from me, Koenig peed and decided it was time to come back to Mom, so he twirled around, mouthed Logan's had, and took off for me. Logan dropped the leash, (he's 6- he's got no chance against the 85lb brindle doggy!) and just stared at me. He didn't know what happened, and didn't know what to do, poor kid.

I'm truly shocked. Boo. No more kids walking Koenig on a slip collar. Definitely no more kids walking Koenig on a prong- I'm sure if he'd had his prong on, that 'mouth' would have turned into a nip, or more.

I'm so disappointed in my dog! (It's his birthday today, btw! He's 2 now.)

He's totally mouthy when we're playing. I don't mind that at all, it's never been aggressive in any way. Just a dog who put his mouth on anything and everything.


I was just shocked to see him put his mouth on Logan. It wasn't true aggression- he would have BIT if that was the case, but it really looked like 'Get lost kid, I'm going back to Mom NOW, and you can't stop me!!!!!!!!'

Logan loves to play chuck-it with Koenig. It's just dangerous. You can't be anywhere in the area, because you're at high risk to get hit with a chuck-it, out of control ball, or equally out of control dog!

It sounds like an opportunistic young dog to me. He wanted to get back to you, so he tried using his mouth. Dogs use their mouths. I wouldn't look at it as aggression per say, just a new management/training issue to focus on so it doesn't become anything serious.

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He's totally mouthy when we're playing. I don't mind that at all, it's never been aggressive in any way. Just a dog who put his mouth on anything and everything.

Its time to stop that Kelly. He can't be expected to know where the line is, thats too confusing for him.

Kel !! I never thought I'd take a stress-break to find you'd posted something like that about K.

K was blowin' off the boy; he knew he could. I'm sure that you've got the kids in the pack structure. Koenig must've disappointed you--after you realized that your little one was okay.

Bear with me, but things like this can "good" things: no one got hurt and you didn't think K would do something like that...so that's the universe saying knock-knock. (If we're honest, we've all had such moments, especially with our beasts; I know I have.)

What did you do with K immediately following?
What is your plan in moving forward?

As long as no one gets hurt, I like these "eye openers." It's not that we get complacent as much as we put so much faith in our beasts, especially when you work so much together.

Glad that your baby boy is okay. (Poor kid.)

 Quote: steve strom

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He's totally mouthy when we're playing. I don't mind that at all, it's never been aggressive in any way. Just a dog who put his mouth on anything and everything.

Its time to stop that Kelly. He can't be expected to know where the line is, thats too confusing for him.

I agree Steve- thanks for pointing it out like that.

 Quote: Sharon DeGaramo

What did you do with K immediately following?
What is your plan in moving forward?

I had Logan grab the leash, and walk Koenig in a couple loops around me- no harsh reactions, no scolding. By the time I had processed what just happened it was far to late to try and scold Koenig. He'd moved on.

Plan moving forward- no more kids walking my dog! If he's on a leash, it's in my hand. Too many other risks with letting the kids walk him.

To clarify, when I say let the kids walk him- I really mean hang on to the end of the leash. I'm always around, and the dog is rarely more then 5' from me. (this was an exception today) Generally they'll hold the leash when we're all out for a walk. Koenig will be loose leash heeling, and one of the kids will be to his right, hanging onto the leash. Time for that to end though.

Hey Kel,

Sorry that happened to poor Logan. Just wanted to tell you if Logan should start to show any fear towards Koe or any dog, I have a really big, lovable, docile teddy bear of a Rottie that I can bring down for Logan to spend some time with She loves kids and has been a good will ambassador for big dogs since she was young. She's helped rehabilitate many adults who've had a lifetime fear of dogs after being bitten (one after an especially traumatic facial bite by another Rottie - she told me the story as she and Callie were rolling around on the floor playing and Callie was licking her face).

Just wanted to throw it out there for ya just in case.

Give Logan a hug for me.