Help needed with our dog who recently decided to join in with a dog fight in pack-style hunter mode...

[Elibean]

....in other words, went for the throat of the smaller dog who was being attacked by a bigger dog. This happened while he was away at 'daycare' with the people who look after him in holidays and the occasional weekend.

They said he came from quite a way across a field (when he heard the fight) and leaped in as if to finish the weaker dog off: according to the lovely kennelmaid (who owns the weaker dog!) this is not all that unusual and is just hunter/pack instinct for some dogs. She just said to keep a lead and an eye on him when entering a park as if two small dogs were fighting he would join in and they'd be in trouble [shocked]

He's four, a neutered rescue retriever/staffy cross, and hardly ever grumpy - let alone aggressive - with other dogs, apart from the occasional squabble over a ball. This is the first time its happened.

I'm worried about walking him off the lead now, but my dh thinks (hopes?) he's not likely to do it again whilst with us - he thinks being 'part of the pack' that is daycare may have triggered his instincts in that way, but walks out with us won't.

I have no idea. Its hard to imagine, admittedly, as I've never seen him go for anything except rats on walks....but this definitely happened

If it was my dog it would never be off lead without a muzzle again in a public place. Instinct or not if theres a chance it could attack another dog then you either need to walk it where you wont meet other dogs or muzzle him on walks

Yes, I kind of feel the same way. He didn't initiate the fight, and was one of two dogs that joined in - but it still worries me

The kennelmaid (who is very experienced, admittedly) said she wouldn't muzzle him as he's never been dog-aggressive per se - but would be very careful of other dogs fighting near him. So confusing.

No i wouldnt say a one off was a massive problem but dog fights can kick off in seconds so you will constantly have to be on the alert from on. I would speak to a behaviourist but muzzle him in public until he's been assessed (i am very far from an expert though) - your dog will do far less damage with a muzzle on

I would also be very wary with a dog who is willing to join in with a fight. Most dogs I have owned would run from conflict and dogs that are able to be triggered for whatever reason should never be let off around others.

I have one untrustworthy one though and she is never in a position where she could potentially attack or get to another dog and only socialises with tested dogs. 99% of the time she is friendly and sociable but there is something I can't see that will trigger her and for that reason she is always on a lead around dogs I don't know and kept away from 'strangers'

I would personally do the same with your dog, not worth the risk however small and he sounds like he could do damage if he gets hold of something sadly

Its very sad really, but I think that's right. I will talk to the lovely behaviourist we saw when we first got him (he was a rescue pup) - I trust her experience.

Thanks all. Even that 0.1% is risky - he's not that big or heavy, just medium sized, but even so.

No but if a chihuahua gobbed off at him and he grabbed it he would probably kill it. Although by the sounds of it, getting the kennel maid to muzzle him might be difficult if she doesnt think its necessary. Good luuck getting him sorted!

This is why many people don't trust staffies or staffy crosses. They were bred to fight and have that instinct just like sheepdogs want to chase. He's shown what he might do again. Keep him muzzled around other dogs.

well, taken advice (vet and behaviourist) which is basically no to muzzling, yes to lead in open spaces where there are possibilities of packs of dogs and yes to lead when first entering any public park/space until we can see there aren't pack or fighty type situations around. Woods (where he's interested in nothing other than rats or digging!) are pretty safe, and not many dogs around and never in packs.

I have to say, the doggy day care environment is very much a pack - and he's had three weeks solid of it, as we were on holiday. The main advice seems to be to avoid situations that may trigger the 'joining in' response so I think we're going to have to try alternatives to day care, much as he seems to enjoy it - I don't want a repeat, though they seem happy to take him.

He has never - I repeat never - initiated a fight or got cross with any dogs, especially smaller ones, on walks. If anything, he prefers dogs to humans and always approaches in friendly manner. He occasionally plays, more often ignores, and is easy to recall. So the attacking a chihuahua out of the blue does seem extremely unlikely, though I suppose its never impossible.....the danger seems to be if he came across two chihuahuas (or anything else) fighting, and got aroused by the fight.

Still very confusing. I might buy a muzzle and get him used to it just in case, so we have the option.

orangeyellow, the daycare people (who are very doggy and experienced) say that dogs getting excited and joining in dog fights is not breed dependent - the other dog that joined in was a Jack Russell, the two fighting were a border collie and a lab.

Our dog is 25% staffy at most, and looks and behaves more like a retriever in many ways - but I suppose it may be 'the staffy gene' that gets excited by others fighting. I think we need to protect him from that situation, as much as protecting others (obviously) from having him join in - so yes, we'll take great care.

Greyhorses, our boy sounds much like your girl - and like you, I think we'll go for lead where there are 'strangers'. Thanks all

I would muzzle your dog just for peace of mind, if a situation like this arose again probably unlikely and there was a child nearby, what if the excitement caused your dog to bite that child?
I speak from experience here as I have been on the receiving end of a vicious attack from an otherwise non aggressive dog.

Just to add, I love dogs and have my own although a miniature Yorkshire terrier.

Just spoke to the main man at the daycare place - he was there, saw what happened and has a rather different take on it to the the kennel maid's. He says it was play that got out of hand, and that they've learned from it to intervene a bit earlier with 'rough play' as there are so many dogs there that more discipline is needed.

No kidding

Quietlife, we have two youngish children and have always been vigilant around ours and others' kids - he would be on the lead around unknown small ones anyway, as per usual

And I"m sorry you had that experience, it sounds awful

Thanks elibean, it has changed my view considerably, you just don't think that these things will happen.

Quiet, I had a friend at school whose younger sister had a big scar on her face from one of their family pets...I never forgot it. I've always been super cautious with kids and dogs as a result.

I hope you got lots of support with what happened to you x

That must have been awful for her as it's hard to hide facial scars, luckily mine can be covered if I dress like its the middle of winter !

She was only 4 when it happened, and seemed completely ok with it when I knew her....as though she'd always been used to it...but who knows. She was very pretty, probably helped

Dressing like the middle of winter sounds appropriate in recent weeks - but horrid in July!