Let me start by explaining the situation I was walking my two dogs, in a park that we usually do our 2 mile walk. After looking at the area and seeing no one around I realease from their leash to romp and run. Knowing in an instance I could recall them and leash them (I know that I should always keep them leashed, but why teach Ob if you can't use it, my reasoning).

We'll their behind me smelling things, but keeping a visual on me. I notice a two loose dog one looks like a wolf/Malamute it stands and takes couple of steps toward me, the other dog with tits hanging leaves the area.

I freeze, scanning for pups, just then my Rottie/Pits trouts pass me ready to fight then the male GSD trouts pass me, ears back tail up growling. I call them back they return to a sit in front of me looking at the Mal. The Malamute freezes and turns side ways. I try to wave him off or tell him to leave, he just stand there. I shout at him "Go home, Go play" and immeadiately realize that "Go play" is their release from the sit/down". Of course they shoot after the Malamute, he's running for his life, I'm thinking, what the hell! But realizing what I've done. I gather myself and use my "Back" command they break the chase off just as the Malamute enters the brushes.

They return in their victory trout, and I'm thinking how stupid of me to let that slip out, I had it all under control (feeling real good, that kind of control with that high a level of distraction) then I blow it.

Almost, but no cigar, Whats an alternate command to release or make the other dog go away? How do U or would u have handled this stray dog situation.

I know having the leash on would have helped, I'd have just had my arm jerked off, but I could have held them. I know it was an hanlder problem but I still need a hand.

The Malamute doesn't sound like he was looking for trouble. I probably would have just moved away from the area myself rather than initiating communication with him or trying to control his movement. By just ignoring him and walking away casually like he's not significant, I would have been sending him the message that I am not a threat to him, and my dogs the message that they don't need to worry about that other dog over there, he's no big deal.

Lisa did you read this...I notice a two loose dog one looks like a wolf/Malamute it stands and takes couple of steps toward me, the other dog with tits hanging leaves the area.

In a situation like this seconds feel like minutes this dog may not have attacked but he was not thinking about just leaving when he saw just me. I didn't get the impression that he was afraid of me and probably would have approached me if not for my guys intervention. I didn't want to take any chance.

What I saw was a dog in the down, that jumped up trouted out toward me with its head and tail up an erect, eyes concentrated on me, which means to me, This my grounds buddy where do you think you are going".

He didn't approach with he head down and tail wagging, hey buddy whats going on, you got anything to eat look, you want to play.

Thanks for the responce.

Yeah, I got that part. The thing is, one of them ran away, and the one that took a couple of steps toward you was just reacting out of surprise at your sudden appearance. It really doesn't sound like his heart was in fighting with you. He was just caught off guard and doing what startled animals do. If he had really wanted to eat you, he would have tried to.

Here is what I read that told me the Malamute was not looking for trouble:

 Quote:

The Malamute freezes and turns side ways.

Turning sideways is A) a nonconfrontational stance and B) a position that makes it easier for him to turn and flee quickly.

This is not the picture of a confident dog who is looking to take you out. He may have been feeling a little more confident when you first appeared before your dogs came into the picture, but obviously he wasn't spoiling for a fight or you would have had one.

You asked how others would handle a similar situation. Upon noticing the loose dogs, a simple casual change in direction of travel, calling my dogs to come along with me (I use "this way" as my command for that), is what I would have done. It doesn't have to be a big production. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Sometimes a simple solution works just fine.

Don,
I think a more practical approach is to not let your dogs go off leash in a public area. You are not going to be able to control another loose dog as well as yours when they are all off leash. I think you are asking for trouble, especially when you have both of your dogs out off leash and pack instinct becomes a factor.

One on One the Malamute was aggressive looking, when my dogs went after him the 1st time was facing us, after I called them back while they were sitting, he froze and turned to the side.

Now if I wanted to I could have turned back then but wouldn't retreating give this dog the urge to follow or the thought that he had accomplished his goal of protecting his area, maybe making him strenghtening effort for the next passer by? This is the reaction of the dogs I've tried to avoid, they follow behind you barking and trying to steal a bite.

I think things worked out better that the Malamute ran across us rather then 2 kids walking their dog or kids playing in the park by themself.

Chip

Thanks for the obvious maybe I did the best that I could have done, except for that the blurp. Once I call my guys back I should have leashed them. And continued our walk, but in the long run it might have been best that they ran him off.

Because a loose big dog in the park can be dangerous if their Owner's around.

I agree totally, that a leashed dog is the safest way to walk in a park. But too much caution leads to a very boring life, they need to run and romp and play. I could see all around me noone was there, I couldn't see the dogs lying down in the grass under a tree, on the other side of the park.

But that was solid advice.

Chip

Thanks for the obvious maybe I did the best that I could have done, except for that the blurp. Once I call my guys back I should have leashed them. And continued our walk, but in the long run it might have been best that they ran him off.

Because a loose big dog in the park can be dangerous if their Owner's ** not ** around.

I agree totally, that a leashed dog is the safest way to walk in a park. But too much caution leads to a very boring life, they need to run and romp and play. I could see all around me noone was there, I couldn't see the dogs lying down in the grass under a tree, on the other side of the park.

But that was solid advice.