Did I do the right thing?

[foolserrand]

Please forgive how inarticulate this is, I am still trying to work out what happened, it doesn't feel like something that goes on in the real world.

While walking my 2 dogs yesterday, we were surrounded by a group of 7 or 8 bored, tracksuit wearing thugs (nb, I realise the clothes people wear have no affect on their actions and behaviour). I have 'status' dogs (I hate that phrase), rottweilers, and the men (late teens, early 20s) were being very aggressive and threatening towards us. Ds (2.8) was so scared, he was weeping. They asked to stroke the dogs, which normally I don't have a problem with, my dogs are incredibly friendly. But I didn't want these people near us, they were scaring me. Fool dog 1 (a PAT dog) had moved close to my side and was growling quietly with his hackles up, behaviour he has never shown before. Fd2 was at the end of her lead, snarling loudly.

I obviously told them they could not stroke the dogs and asked them to move away. They didn't. In fact, one moved closer whilst smiling. It all felt very intimidating and menacing. Fd2 lunged at him, snapping, barking and going generally quite mad. Again, this is something she has never even hinted at before, both dogs love people and attention from anyone.

I could have stopped her, I know I'm able to control her, but I chose not to. I even went so far as to reward her once they'd scarpered. That was wrong, wasn't it? I can't help but worry I was being silly and my nerves made the dogs react but they were truly terrifying and had blocked any escape for us. Also, I have heard (from other local dog walkers) that there have been a few dog nappings in our area recently where the dogs were used as bait in dog fighting :(

Can someone please tell me their behaviour isn't worrying (ds has just been throwing a ball for them and it doesn't feel real)? Are they going to do this again? Do I need to inform PAT? What would you have done? Should I have stopped the growling? I know one thing, I won't be walking there again. Oh, before anyone wonders, the dogs were on lead as both are currently lame because they are stupid and don't know when to stop playing

They were protecting you. That's partly what dogs do.Nothing WTO g with that.

It sounds like a flipping good thing you had them with you. I'd have patted them too.

Ah, but were they not there, we wouldn't have had to deal with it. Glad its not ringing alarm bells with anyone.

i would agree with other who have said that they are doing their job, if a dog feels threatened it will react. As you said, you COULD have controlled them, they were at no point out of control. I would make sure for a while that they are not put under any stress, reinforce good behaviour perhaps a touch more than usual.

But who am i to say, you are clearly more knowledgable than me, I couldn't get my wonderful dog through silver GCC nevermind all the way to PAT

When we were younger our mum's border collie was very protective of us. At home she was a wuss and a great big softy but if we were out for a walk she didn't like anyone coming too close to us kids.

Sounds like they did the right thing - they picked up on your tension and showed it in a doggy way to protect you.

Thanks again. But, Golden, I can't take any credit for him, he is a natural and made it all very easy. He just wants to love and please and is too lazy normally to react to stimuli. :)

I suppose I am so unused to either being the slightest bit protective let alone aggressive this has thrown me.

I think you did the right thing, lucky you in having such loving dogs, i think my dopey cocker would prob lick them,

they could prob tell you were scared and were protecting you, i wouldnt be worried,

xxx

The dogs were reacting to the circumstances they were in and the vibes they were picking up from you. It was completely instinctive - and appropriate for you situation they were in. It is quite amazing how much dogs pick up from us without us knowing.

It doesn't mean they are agressive dogs.

They weren't being aggressive, they were being PROTECTIVE. World of difference. I think your dogs did the right thing and so did you.

But can you report these people to the police? They were clearly being intimidating.

What a horrible experience for all of you, your poor little DS :(. I agree you did the right thing, and so did your dogs. They sound lovely.

Maybe keep an eye on them around other strangers for the immediate future. My dog (also a rott actually) went a bit 'funny' about strange men after a bad experience, he was just a bit scared and shaken up though, and soon got back to his usual laid-back self.