AIBU to think my terrier is not "a violent bastard" and nothing needs "doing about him" and that DH actually started this 'dog fight'?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

We all went out yesterday. Us, dogs, kids.

We bought chips.

Devil Dog was put in a down stay, lead tied around my wrist, just in case, whippy is very trustworthy off lead was sniffing about around the bench we sitting on. Foster grey was in his usual position when people are eating, which is trying to get as close as physically possible to the food, without being told off, also with his lead around my wrist.

DH threw a chip at the foster grey. He missed, Devil Dog, who was happily in his down-stay watching the seagulls and had no idea that chips were being dished out, suddenly had a chip land right in front of his nose. Now as far as he was concerned the chip was a gift from the sky just for him.

The foster grey knew that chips were being dished out and knew the chip was meant for him, so obviously went to retrieve his chip from in front of Devil Dog, cue "massive dog fight caused by that (Devil Dog) violent bastard" (for 'massive dog fight' read slight scuffle involving bared teeth and noise, lots of jumping and not much else, no injury to either dog) It was quickly brought back under control.

I had not spotted the flying fried potato, so had no idea what had caused the scuffle. I assumed it was because the foster grey had stood on Devil Dog and gave him a fright, so got a telling off for it.

It was only when DH admitted that he had been dishing out chips that I realised what had happened. I had no idea that he would be so stupid as to risk throwing food about in front of Devil Dog who is well known to have food aggression around all dogs bar Whippy. Dh knows that Devil Dog does not even get his dish placed on the floor unless all other dogs are out of the room. He is not let back into where the other dogs are until everyone has finished eating and the bowls have been lifted up again.

We can feed treats to other dogs in front of Devil Dog, but in a controlled manner with Devil Dog having been given a leave it command, so that he is aware the treat is not his but he will earn a treat for leaving or waiting, depending on what command he was given. Chips being thrown about indiscriminately does not, in my eyes, equal controlled dishing out of treats.

DH says that Devil Dog is no longer allowed out on day trips with us because he "cannot be trusted" and has repeatedly asked me what I intend to do about him being "a violent bastard"? He's just text me again to ask if I have decided what I am doing about him. I replied that I intend on doing more training with the instigator of the fight and that nothing will be done about the "violent bastard" because it was not his fault.

AIBU to think that DH has blown this all out of proportion and that it was his fault any how?

yes, yes and yes

most dogs will have a row about a 'thrown' treat - my 2 terriers included. so i never, ever, ever do it. treats are given with the sit command and no snatching allowed. they never fight over them.

in fact i'd think it was odd if your dog DIDNT defend his manna from heaven!

tell your DH to wise up

Your Dh is an idiot.

Throwing food about with a food aggressive dog?? See my previous sentence.

Oh, he got my nerves the whole walk. He has no clue about dog behavior. Every 5 minutes I was told to put them back on lead. Why? They went in the sea, they might swim too far out and drown. Whippy and Devil Dog had a play fight (more evidence of Devil Dog being "a violent bastard" they ran to the top of a dune, they shouldn't go that far away (it was a deserted stretch of beach they always walk on, they always run up the dunes, they always come back. There was horses (there usually are, the dogs ignore them) There was a rabbit, they might chase it and on and on and on. I now remember why DH is not normally invited on days out with us, never mind the dog

I got my revenge when the ponies came to investigate us. I knew they would do that when we walked through the field, they always do. DH almost peed his pants

Throwing high value food about with any groups of dogs without taking control of the situation - regardless of whether dog is food aggressive or not very wise. Additionally lucky that seagulls did not also get involved.
I had a dog, cat and pigeon incident in my garden yesterday over and accidentally dropped gravy bone.

I replied that I intend on doing more training with the instigator of the fight and that nothing will be done about the "violent bastard" because it was not his fault.

Absolutely, this!

And yes, if anyone needs to be left at home next time, it isn't Devil Dog.

Everything that occurred was the fault of your DH and I don't know any dog that wouldn't have been thrilled to discover that if food was falling from the sky, then is theirs. Even my totally non-food aggressive Senior Terrier would take some issue if the Small Terrier whipped an unexpected flying treat from under his nose.

Have you considered putting your DH in a down stay and then leaving him there?

I don't throw treats for my dog now that we have the puppy for this very reason, and he isn't food aggressive. It's just unnecessary conflict. I always ask for a sit and feed them treats at the same time. More training for the DH.

Same here, Chickens. Giving treats is a sitting down thing now we've got the pup as well. Otherwise it isn't fair on either dog.

I actually think this might be better in Relationships - I find the idea of a DH who wilfully ignores essential advice on dog safety around you, dogs and DC quite horrifying and I would really struggle with it.

Am intrigued by Lonecat's dog,cat and pigeon combo - who got the gravy bone?

I agree - leave dh at home next time

I don't think he willfully ignored it. I think he is just stoopid. He sees me dishing out treats and doesn't connect me putting Devil Dog into a sit and wait with the fact that this may be controlling the situation.

He still doesn't think he did anything wrong. Dogs should not fight over food. Only "bad" dogs fight over food. "Bad" dogs who might be dangerous to children Guard resources is "not normal" dog behavior. It shouldn't happen. You should be able to throw one treat into a group of three dogs and expect nothing to happen

Don't forget this is the same person who not only still believes in dominance but exerts his "dominance" by growling and baring his teeth at the dogs and believes that raw meat, especially red meat will give them "a taste for blood" and turn them savage

He believes nothing I say. Everyone knows dogs are pack animals who need a leader. I am the one who is clueless

No more chips for dh. Or other treats.

I could see my dh doing something stupid like that. But an explanation of why chucking high value food into a melee of canines would be all that was needed. He'd feel an idiot all by himself, not blame the dogs.

For those who wish to know the exceptional food aggressive cat won the gravy bone.
Only I could own a cat the routinely beats dogs to a pulp and is food aggressive.
The pigeon lost a few feathers.

Never feed him red meat!
Leave him at home (take the dogs!)
Only allow him a treat if he sits and then takes it respectfully. (Yes DH!)

I know sod all about dog behaviour. When I grew up the pack theory was the thinking of the time. But WTF?! Growling at the dogs? My DM's evil bastard terrier would have removed his face. (Dog had isshoos but in his defence never actually went for anyone. Odd sod RIP!)

Christ! Can you send you DH to a trainer to show him what a tool he is!

Def think this is one of those LTB moments!!

Yes LTB!

Get another dog

No more chips for dh!

The dogs were acting like dogs. Dh was acting like an idiot!

My chi steals treats from his boxer buddy who isn't especially interest in treats but there are certain ones she flips over him trying to steal. He goes on the rob even if they each have one, as he is convinced they should all be his (at the other dogs house he accumulated about six bonios which he guarded even when he wasn't eating them. Boxer just looked bemused tbh!) anyway, now if we take both dogs out together neither dogs gets any high value treats. And everyone gets along!