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The doghouse

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Original poster

Aggressive dog not on lead - how do you handle it?

25 replies

GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 08:26

I'm walking my new rescue dog on a lead at the moment while he settles in. Today a big dog ran all the way across the field to start a fight. (We met yesterday but it was on the leash then). The owner didn't call him back - he said that he'd muzzled the dog, that was enough.

What do you do when this happens?

OP posts:
minkersmum · 27/11/2013 08:45

I would breathe, shoulder back and calmly and assertively walk promptly away.
However if it actually attacked my dog I would report it to your local council animal control department.

Being muzzled isn't enough. An owner as to show they have reasonable control. If this dog is making you and your dog apprehensive this is enough reason to complain. My dog was attacked and injured through our garden fence by a dog who was wearing a muzzle. Unless properly fitted they can get them off fairly easily.

I'd also wear tough boots just incase

mistlethrush · 27/11/2013 08:50

I have kicked a dog that rushed up to attack old mistledog - she wasn't up to being knocked at that stage.

Its a good idea to put your dog behind you too - this is for your dog's benefit so that it learns that you are taking the lead and taking the pressure of it to respond.

What sort of dog is it that's coming up btw? If it is a sighthound type, they have a very different body language from most other dogs and sometimes might look as though they're aggressive when they are actually wanting to play (and they play rough too) - I'm not saying that this was the case at all, but I know that sometimes its easy to misread them. (And some are walked in muzzles to protect small furies or make sure that they don't damage each other accidentally when they're playing - they have very thin skins)

Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 09:08

A large German Shepherd. He knocked my dog over and got stuck in. It's really important to me that mine is OK with other dogs so this wasn't helpful. The other owner obviously knows his is agressive - it's muzzled and he says he walks it when no other dogs are around. Except mine :( We can walk somewhere else but I'm sure there will be other owners like this one.

OP posts:
Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 09:09

It's mostly the way the other guy did nothing to call his dog away that has made me angry.

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 27/11/2013 09:19

OK - so definitely not a sighthound that hasn't got a clue then...

Definitely - heavy boots, large, heavy walking stick if necessary, get between your dog and the dog rushing up and do 'voice of doom' 'NO' or something similar - and prepare to put the boot in.

The other dog owner is irresponsible. If you can get someone else to walk with you that might be able to film it if it happens again you could send that to the Dog Warden or Police.

Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 09:23

Thanks! Yesterday it was on the lead so I was caught out this morning. Boots and stick at the ready...

OP posts:
SnakeyMcBadass · 27/11/2013 09:27

That owner is a complete twat. My spaniel can be reactive, but doesn't approach other dogs. A dog that runs at another from a distance and tries to attack is a dog that should be on a lead. The other dog is clearly stressed and can't cope with being off lead, and your dog doesn't deserve to be attacked while he's perfectly under control and just getting used to things. If this happens again, try stepping towards the approaching dog and loudly saying 'NO' or 'STOP'. Then yell like buggery at the muppet who's with the dog, and demand that they get their animal back on a lead or you will be forced to protect your dog/yourself. Then do your best to get out of there as quickly as possible. I'm sorry this has happened, some utter idiots make dog ownership a bloody misery.

Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 10:23

I was doing quite a lot of yelling Angry He tried to tell me a consoling story about his friend's dog that bit another dog's leg off. Twat.

OP posts:
thezoo · 27/11/2013 16:45

If the dog is aggressive it should be on the lead as well as muzzled

Firstly you need to report the owner as having an out of control animal, a dog which is known to be dangerous (muzzled) and not on a lead is "out of control"

Unfortunately i have found that GSD's including my own like to run towards people which is why he is always on a lead, In your case the aggression was clear and it was a danger to you and your dog, i advise a big stick as others have but would avoid kicking/hitting unless as a last resort as you cant guarantee that the muzzle is on properly and you don't want a dog that size to bite you if it falls off

Compressed air is a brilliant deterrent you can get it from all pet shops as a training aid
It makes a nasty hissing noise and is sprayed in their face so scares the hell out of the dog, its not dangerous as no chemicals just plain air (it may also scare your dog though)

Please don't let the shameful excuse of an owner and badly trained dog put you off of all German Shepherds

mistlethrush · 27/11/2013 16:48

I agree - some GSs are lovely. And I should point out that not all muzzled dogs are dangerous either - muzzles are useful for a range of reasons. I would definitely be talking to the dog warden - trouble is, as its muzzled, its difficult for it to be taken seriously.

Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 27/11/2013 17:33

Thanks, everyone. It is a beautiful dog, I do believe in "it's the owner not the breed." The compressed air sounds a useful thing to have in a pocket.

OP posts:
Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 29/11/2013 20:03

He doesn't want to go back to the field now :( which is a pain! Should I indulge him?

OP posts:
lljkk · 29/11/2013 20:24

don't force him, maybe you can come up with a bribe later but don't try to compel him. He's got to trust you.

WeAllHaveWings · 29/11/2013 20:54

What did I do when this happened? I stood and shouted pathetically for the owner to get his dogs while two dogs (huge lab/staffie cross + jrt) attacked my 7mth old lab pup Blush

Once owner got ahold of the big dog I not so gently kicked pushed the jrt which was still going for him away.

Must admit the big dog terrified me it was so wound up and all teeth. Luckily pup was only bruised, but felt i'd really let him down.

bellasuewow · 29/11/2013 23:14

Report the owner this is dangerous what if the muzzle comes off next time, agree with boots get in front. I usually lose it and rant at the owner as well and demand their details I am very protective of my little puddings and always step in as in that moment I have little regard for my safety and just act on instinct.

Original poster
GiveItYourBestFucker · 30/11/2013 15:15

We have been going to other places and he's happier. The council website just says to call the police about out of control dogs, would that be a 101 call, do you think?

OP posts:
MonkeysInTheFog · 03/12/2013 09:32

I would be very wary of using the compressed air thing. You run the risk of frightening your own dog even more.

An empty Jif lemon thing filled with water makes a handy, pocket sized water pistol - again as long as you don't squirt your own dog!

Bloody people and their out of control dogs. I'm currently working on my own dogs issues, brought on by being leapt on. Shouting "Can you cal tour dog away? Mine doesn't like other dogs" usually works but still you'll get the odd idiot who replies "Oh well if yours bites mine it'll teach mine a lesson!" Angry Hmm

Shouting back "Yes but letting that happen won't help either of them, you utter twat" is tempting....

MonkeysInTheFog · 03/12/2013 09:33

Cal tour = call your.

SnakeyMcBadass · 03/12/2013 11:28

Oh Monkeys, I feel your pain. I am forever politely calling to other owners to recall their dog as mine isn't friendly, and frequently get the 'Never mind, it'll teach him/her a lesson!'. Er, yeah, it'll teach them both to be more afraid and reactive. Nobbers.

MonkeysInTheFog · 03/12/2013 12:02

Have you heard of the yellow dog project Snakey? I've wondered about attaching a yellow ribbon to her lead - however, I suspect that the only people interested enough in dogs to have heard of it and respond to it are probably the ones sensible enough to not let their dog run up to another in the first place.

Do I get a prize for the length of that sentence?!

milkybarsrus · 03/12/2013 16:10

I'm a real wreck sometimes when I take my small dog out. Lots of big dogs are nervous of little dogs, but mine is ultra friendly. So he has had some be aggressive to him and he honestly can't work out what's wrong. My dog trainer said I should grab the aggressive dog by the collar at the back of its neck and twist whilst yours can run and whilst the owner comes over. The aggressive dog is unable to bite as your hand is at the back. Haven't had to do this, and don't know if I could as I'm a bit of a scardey cat, but it would certainly bring the owner running I'm sure!

MonkeysInTheFog · 03/12/2013 16:58

Your dog trainer is nuts Milky. Sorry. Telling you to grab an aggressive dog by the collar when even placid dogs often don't like being grabbed by the collar?? Even by their owners? And they would be "unable to bite you"??

That is terrible advice!

milkybarsrus · 04/12/2013 17:30

Yeah monkey, I must admit I thought it was a bit weird! not something I'm willing to try........ I'm more of a get your fucking dog away from mine NOW before I kick it from here to Kingdom come!

BooBudolphMeowson · 04/12/2013 20:35

Call the dog warden.

digerd · 04/12/2013 21:02

I met an unknown dog and owner on Sunday in the fields. it was a husky off the lead. My little 5 kilo non- reactive dog stood still on the lead and just looked with interest. I asked the owner if dog was OK and he shook his head, called his dog to him but his dog ignored him, and very aggressively barked at mine. This time mine reacted for the first time in growling at him. The husky began to advance slowly and menacingly towards mine. Owner went to him and put him on the lead.
My little minx was pulling at her lead then and wanted to follow him to tell him offHmm
Husky was a male and all males love my fluffy girl. Think she was offended, but I am horrified he left his dog off the lead unmuzzled when he knew he was aggressive to other dogs. I have warned the other dog walkers.

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