If you had an aggressive dog

[Taken]

I was walking my small dog on lead in a public area as I usually do. A big man was walking in opposite direction with two big dogs on their leads. As he got closer he said that one of his dogs was very aggressive. My dog sits when she gets closer to dogs (and wont budge) so I stood beside her and held lead with both hands. He then said I'm serious this one is aggressive (still walking towards me). So I said my dog won't move, stood over her and held her collar. He walk passes and struggled to hold his dogs tight. He maintained (just about) in control and went on. I didn't move mine till he was further away and then went on my way. As I looked back I seen him walk into our local country park where their are loads of other dogs ( a lot off leads) and kids. On way back an Older couple passed and said to watch out for him!
Anyway this has annoyed me somewhat - I know I didn't do anything wrong but also though to myself if I had a aggressive dog 1. I would walk only that one dog as might have a better chance of controlling it.

1. I wouldn't be going into an area with so many other dogs as feel this is risky.

What do you think? What would you have done if it was you.

I'm in no way an expert, but maybe he was using the other dog to keep the aggressive dog calm? And then maybe he was walking the aggressive dog through a public place in an effort to slowly socialise him?

Those were just the thoughts that popped in to my head - I'm prepared to be told they are stupid

My dog is a bit like yours in that she is very much a submissive sort, and will cower on the ground at the very sniff of aggression from another dog, so she would be upset by the dog you mention - but unless the man was walking them off lead or didn't warn me I would be inclined to be a bit sympathetic towards him really.

I do give him credit for having them on lead and giving a warning.
Never really thought that way about the other dog!
No expert myself so that's why I wondering what others think.
Thanks for replying

If you were warned by someone else about this man, it is possible that he is a bully. If you see him again, go in a different direction. YOu may find out more about him and his dogs from other dog walkers. The canine community is quite strong in some areas!

I agree with Twllbach - I think the man was just trying to do the right thing by his dog and others they might meet.

It's the owners who let their aggressive dogs run wild off-lead that anger me, usually as their dogs always attack my Staffie and then he's perceived to be in the wrong, even though he's usually very submissive.

Anyway, I'm glad there was no incident for you today.

It's good that he had the dogs on a lead, under control and he took the trouble to warn you. It sounds as though he was politely hinting to give him a bit more clearway as he passed you?

Agree completely that it's the dogs off lead that are more worrying.

Also, even if a dog is aggressive to other dogs, it may well be fine with people.

Easy has a good point though. If a particular walk has a quota of difficult people or dogs, it's sensible to change either the time or the place of the walk (not always easy I know)- this can make a huge difference. I've noticed with quite a few of our local parks that depending on the time of day you go, you get a different crowd and often a much more relaxed/pleasureable walk.

And yy to the canine grapevine!! V useful source of info.

I'm glad nothing happened either. The dog was gnarling, showing its teeth trying its best to get to my dog. I think my saving grace was the fact he seen me coming, that it was on a lead and he was a big man so could control it.
Still scared me though and will be avoiding them in the future.

My boy staffy barks at other dogs which appears aggressive, but he is actually wary and warning them off. I also walk 2 dogs but go out of my way to avoid other dogs as I don't want people thinking that he is a nasty dog. This man should have avoided walking right past you rather than expect you to make way for his aggressive dog.

Axure - you sound very responsible. That's probably what I would do tbh.

Thank you all for the support and advice.
I am lucky it was on a lead - i do give the owner credit for that.

I have a dog aggressive dog. I would never walk close enough past another dog to need to warn them of his aggression and in any case, it's sadly obvious at 20ft away, so I wouldn't need to.

There is no way I would take him to a park, if another dog was off lead approached him, not only might he bite it, but it would set his training right back.

I don't walk him with any of my other dogs because when he sees another dog when we're out he is inclined to go for them as he just loses all sense of what is around him. I can control him equally well whether walked with others or alone though. I also walk him alone for training reasons.

He had his dog on lead, and he warned you... he doesn't sound irresponsible to me. He sounds like someone who is unfortunate enough to have a dog with dog aggression, and who is trying to deal with it.

One of mine has nervous aggression towards other dogs and it is really difficult, not least because of the looks you get from other owners. I am not a novice owner, and my dog was not mis-treated/badly socialised, or any of the other things that people assume about him. It is an unfortunate combination of genetics and lack of confidence.

I am working with him, and part of this process includes taking him out in areas where I know we will meet dogs, and asking other owners not let their dogs approach him. I wouldn't however walk him face on towards another dog unless the path was narrow and there was no alternative.