I like a pocket full of pea gravel (except that it pulls your pants down...) You can't hurt the little dog with pea rock, but you can make a point from far away.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I like a pocket full of pea gravel (except that it pulls your pants down...) ....

I think we're going to need video.

Is it possible for you to walk on the other side of the street to get more distance between the charging dog and yourself? Your neighbors dog sees you as an intruder in his territory, if you are far enough away, he may only warn and not cross the road. If he does cross the road, then a passing car might get rid of your problem!?

If you want peace, then both dogs need to become "friends', and sometimes it helps, when you walk them together. No real interaction. Both dogs on leash, and they are not allowed to get too close to each other. In case one dog charges at the other, the charging dog gets corrected. After a while they become friends.

This doesn't hurt to try, if it doesn't work out, well that's bad luck, but it's worth a try.

 Quote: Bob Scott

Your dog has already been targeted by this dog. Even IF your dog could be used for socializing other dogs this combo would be off to a very bad start. That's saying your capable of doing it.
Suggest they go to OB classes and explain that as much as you don't want to you WILL use pepper spray if needed.

OB classes will not stop their dog from trying to protect its property. Pepper spray may make this worse. I saw with my own eyes how a neighbors dog (medium size) charged at the e-meter reader guy. He first kicked the dog, then sprayed it. The dog ran a circle, charged him again, and bit his leg. While doing that, he emptied the can on the dog. The dog let go, ran a circle again, rubbing his head trough the grass, and was oddly enough ready for another attack. Luckily the owner showed up to stop her dog in time. (I was unable to help the poor guy, because I was walking my GSD, and my GSD may have decided to help the other dog instead of helping the meter guy. )

I was shocked to see how little pepper spray helped, the dog was actually fighting to protect his territory. And I understand the dog. Intruder on his property, warning barks, charging at the guy, then the guy attacked him with pepper spray. There we go: fight.

I'm going to disagree (strongly) about ob and what's going on. A dog whose ob is good is not charging out of the garage onto the street or sidewalk. He's obeying an ob command.

It's my job, not my dog's, to decide on interaction with humans and dogs. It's my job to have trained a rock-solid recall, and it's also my job not to have my dogs out of my control.

If I didn't have a rock-solid recall, my dogs would not be outside off-leash with nothing but a proven-to-be-ineffective electric fence.

The O.P. and dog weren't intruders on other people's property. The charge happened on public property.

Yes, I would walk on the other side of the street or take another route if possible, but IMO, the responsibility to contain their dog is 100% on the other owners.

I still think that the best approach is sympathetic educating, but that doesn't mean that I'll continue to tolerate a loose aggressive dog. Twice is too much. One time put them on notice that their dog could not be loose outside.


All JMO, of course, and with respect for differing opinions.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I'm going to disagree (strongly) about ob and what's going on. A dog whose ob is good is not charging out of the garage onto the street or sidewalk. He's obeying an ob command.

The O.P. and dog weren't intruders on other people's property. The charge happened on public property.

In order for the OB to work, the owner has to be around. Was that the case?

It was on other peoples property? Did that dog know that? Edit: I read the original post again, the dog broke through an electric fence. Sounds like very close to the owners property. The dog should have been taught better where it's property line is.

I should not have assumed that "loose in garage" meant "with human."


A loose dog with no human in charge is up a notch in owner-irresponsibility, IMO. A failed recall is bad enough, but a loose dog on his own with no one around at all is just blatantly irresponsible.


I feel bad for such a dog, because if that's the case, that little dog is likely to have a life filled with anxiety and stress, on high alert and insecure. JMO!

I really wish owners of small dogs realized that they need ob and control as much as (if not more than) big dogs.

When I think of all the fear-biters I've known and/or worked with, small breeds are disproportionately represented. IME, they are more likely to have no clear pack structure, and to perceive that it's their job to watch out for "threats."

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I like a pocket full of pea gravel (except that it pulls your pants down...) You can't hurt the little dog with pea rock, but you can make a point from far away.

Just having a butt is a big requirement for "a pocket full of pea gravel".
I'm out!
I carry two wallets just so I look like I have one.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I really wish owners of small dogs realized that they need ob and control as much as (if not more than) big dogs.

When I think of all the fear-biters I've known and/or worked with, small breeds are disproportionately represented. IME, they are more likely to have no clear pack structure, and to perceive that it's their job to watch out for "threats."

Ditto!!! Just because they are small, they are allowed to get away with murder!

 Quote: Bob Scott

Suggest they go to OB classes and explain that as much as you don't want to you WILL use pepper spray if needed.

I know some dogs who are in OB classes, and they behave and perform wonderfully in the ring.

BUT.... in everyday life they are still PITA. Let's hope the owners realize how to apply the training to the regular world.