Aggressive dogs on walk

[Viewofthehills]

So today we were getting towards the end of a lovely off-lead walk. Ddog was tired and so walking right next to me. Met a woman who starts to say."Now they may bark, but it's just anxiety..." As her dogs both launch themselves at mine and roll her to the ground whilst growling and barking furiously.

So I weigh it up: all three dogs are now behind me facing the other way and i grab the nearest collar and yank the dog off which breaks them up and they give up and run away. At no point did she even try to call them off so it was clear she was planning to do nothing.

Did she apologise? No. She starts to have a real go at me for intervening and tells me I was in the wrong. Her dog trainer had told her never to interfere in a dog fight. Shame he hadn't got her to train recall! I told her she was in the wrong as her dogs were off lead and out of control, but she was having none of it.

How do you tackle people like that? I have only had a dog for 18 months so I thankfully haven't had many situations like this. I have put a lot of effort into training my dog with a great trainer and I know I still have lots to learn.

Really proud of DD who is 10 who recalled Ddog to her as soon as she could!

Bit of a rant, sorry, but any advice appreciated. And I know really that you shouldn't get involved in a dog fight, but this fierce instinct took over to protect my dog who had done absolutely nothing..

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Everybody always says not to intervene but it's very hard when it's your dog being attacked. I once lifted my old spaniel above my head to stop two deranged collies from taking chunks out of him whilst their inefficient owner hit them with a little stick. How they didn't injure me jumping up at him I don't know.

You did nothing wrong and the other woman was clearly bonkers. She obviously knew her dogs were dangerous or she wouldn't have said anything.

I think you were extremely restrained! I'd have probably said what you suggested about her useless trainer! I'd have certainly told her in no uncertain terms that if I saw those dogs off lead or unmuzzled again I'd call the dog warden. And tell her you'll take pictures with your phone as evidence if they try it again.

[moosemama]

You were absolutely right, she was completely out of order. There's no way her dogs should have been off-lead if they are known to be aggressive - regardless of the cause - and she has little or no control over them.

Unfortunately there sometimes is no way to get through to people with that sort of mindset. Fortunately they are generally in the minority, although most of us will come across them every now and again.

It can be dangerous to intervene in a dog-fight, as you can get injured yourself, but I think most of us would do it if our dogs were outweighed/outnumbered and unable to defend themselves effectively. Often the instinct to protect your own dog has a tendency to kick in in these situations and logical thought doesn't always come into it.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

It depends which dogs I am walking and how aggressive the other dogs are. For mildly aggressive, mainly just annoying dogs my favourite way to deal with them is to let loose my terrier and give him his free command and watch him take the other person's dog on a merry romp through swamps and muddy bogs, while I amuse myself by watching the owner try to call them back while moaning about the mud and their car seats

For properly aggressive dogs, I try to get between them and my dogs before any altercation starts and usually start chucking treats/balls to get rid of them. Fortunately most dogs just fall under the badly trained/highly rude category than proper aggressive.

Most dogs know sit too, so I have been known to use that too, although a dog that is only focused on your dog may not listen, even if they do know it.

[moosemama]

I've used treat chucking too on occasion - have to be choosy which dogs you do it with though, otherwise you might get them scrapping over the food on top of everything else.

I love your terrier tactic - that's inspired!

[Viewofthehills]

Love the terrier idea- I can just imagine.
Never thought of treats- that might have worked.
I have stood in front of my dog and faced others off before and I was amazed it worked- just too slow this time.
Thanks all!