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Original poster

Why would you take a dog aggressive dog on the school run?!

37 replies

Soubriquet · 22/02/2022 12:41

The school run here is awash with dogs. There are people who have children in the school but also residents around the area all walking their dogs usually during the morning school run. It’s a well known route and there are always some dogs around.

My two dogs don’t like other dogs but it isn’t aggression it’s fear. I keep them on their leads and under control

Today, a woman took her two dogs with her (french bulldogs) and she was struggling keeping them under control as they were pulling her quite strongly. One of her children was walking ahead and said to keep my dogs away as their dogs will fight other dogs.

So I tucked myself away as far as I could to the side, and hid my dogs behind my legs. One of mine is only 2.5kgs so she’s a diddly little thing.

The frenchies were pulling badly and came uncomfortably close but luckily the woman managed to pull them away.

Why?

Why would you take dogs who are dog aggressive on a route where you know there are other dogs?

She’s never took them before, so I don’t know why she’s suddenly started to.

OP posts:
Veterinari · 22/02/2022 12:47

No she shouldn't take them.

But then I don't understand why you're taking you dog-fearing dogs on a route awash with dogs either?

It sounds very stressful for them and stressed dogs are unpredictable.
Most aggression is fear-based

Stellaris22 · 22/02/2022 12:51

I don't understand why you are taking your dogs? If they are fear reactive then it seems cruel to put them under unnecessary stress on the school run.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 22/02/2022 12:54

I usually give other dogs a wide berth and they are fine. They love kids and sprawl themselves on the floor in front of their who come over to stroke them. We always stay away from other dogs and they don’t bother. It’s only ones that are right in their face which doesn’t happen unless they let their dogs off lead

OP posts:
Yicky · 22/02/2022 12:56

So you have dog reactive dogs and she has dog reactive dogs and you don't want her dog reactive dogs near the school but you do bring your dog reactive dogs.

DryOldCaper · 22/02/2022 13:00

Our school asks that people don’t bring their dogs to school at all, at drop off and pick up.

If I were you, I’d leave your dogs at home, and walk them at other times.

Pretty simple solution, really. You can’t expect other people to keep their dog/s away, while having no intention of doing the same with yours.

FazedNotPhased · 22/02/2022 13:01

Double standards much! Also you say yours aren't good with other dogs but are with children and that's why you take them - why can't she be in the same boat?

Sometimes you don't have a choice. They're in control and on a lead, so are yours, just avoid.

SirSniffsAlot · 22/02/2022 13:01

As a general rule, reactive dogs are fearful dogs (some exceptions). Dogs may express their fear in a different way (barking vs cowering) but it's all fear, just the same. So no, if their dogs are afraid they should not be taking them. It's not fair to the dogs.

It's also possible, your own dogs don't like being petting if 'sprawling' means to flip over and expose their belly straight away. I obviously haven't seen and you know your dogs far better than I do - but too many people think a dog that immediately displays his/her belly for humans 'to pet' is enjoying it. They rarely are, ime. Especially if the humans are not well known to the dog(s). One to watch out for, maybe?

MyDcAreMarvel · 22/02/2022 13:01

You are just as much in the wrong. It’s really selfish to take any dog to a school playground.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 22/02/2022 13:02

I have dogs that have fear aggression op and I don't take them to busy traffic areas with children and other dogs to frighten them more.

You can't say someone else shouldn't walk their dogs if they behave the same as yours.

I get that yours are small and easier to manage however I've seen small dogs with fear aggression latch onto bigger dogs and once they do it's bloody hard to control them.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 22/02/2022 13:03

There’s a massive play field where the school gates are. It’s a very popular dog walking spot so it’s perfectly fine to walk the dogs there.

Mine are not aggressive. They just bark when another dog comes close.

They have never gotten into a fight nor have I allowed them close enough to need to fight. I am always there blocking other dogs going near.

What I was concerned about, was how this woman didnt have much control over her dogs.

I’ve seen people walk dogs bigger than hers and they had no problem.

OP posts:
wtfisgoingonhere21 · 22/02/2022 13:03

@Soubriquet
Were you on the school run?

sadpapercourtesan · 22/02/2022 13:04

Neither of you should be taking dogs on the school run. Walk them elsewhere fgs.

Whitney168 · 22/02/2022 13:05

She’s never took them before, so I don’t know why she’s suddenly started to.

Maybe she's had complaints about them barking when they're left at home, and doesn't want to let that escalate? Sounds stressful for her to bring them too, really.

I'd just keep as much distance between hers and yours as possible.

Newfluff · 22/02/2022 13:06

@SirSniffsAlot

As a general rule, reactive dogs are fearful dogs (some exceptions). Dogs may express their fear in a different way (barking vs cowering) but it's all fear, just the same. So no, if their dogs are afraid they should not be taking them. It's not fair to the dogs.

It's also possible, your own dogs don't like being petting if 'sprawling' means to flip over and expose their belly straight away. I obviously haven't seen and you know your dogs far better than I do - but too many people think a dog that immediately displays his/her belly for humans 'to pet' is enjoying it. They rarely are, ime. Especially if the humans are not well known to the dog(s). One to watch out for, maybe?

This.

If your dogs are fearful of dogs you are putting them under enormous stress and then allowing children to pet them, crazy. That is an accident waiting to happen

DryOldCaper · 22/02/2022 13:10

Mine are not aggressive. They just bark when another dog comes close.

Hmm

My genuinely non-aggressive dog doesn’t bark when other dogs come close.

You know what a dog barking looks like to other dogs and humans that don’t know it?

Aggressive.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 22/02/2022 13:14

@DryOldCaper

Mine are not aggressive. They just bark when another dog comes close. Hmm

My genuinely non-aggressive dog doesn’t bark when other dogs come close.

You know what a dog barking looks like to other dogs and humans that don’t know it?

Aggressive.

That may be but I know they won’t fight.

Someone lost control of their dopey spaniel and all they did was hide behind my legs barking.

They didn’t lash out or even growl and snarl.

Just barked and then calmed down once the owner had hold of their dog and moved a couple of feet back.

I never take them near a dog. They are happy on their walk

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 22/02/2022 13:20

It still seems odd to take your reactive dogs on the school run when you know there are other dogs. I don't get why you put them under the stress and to complain about someone else's reactive dogs is double standards.

Yours hiding behind you and barking means they aren't happy, they might not attack but they are still scared.

SirSniffsAlot · 22/02/2022 13:21

My own bugbear but I am not sure the labelling of dogs as aggressive/not aggressive is ever helpful.

At a push, there is aggressive behaviour - even then not brilliantly descriptive, because everyone's definition of what is aggressuve behaviour will vary. But the use of aggression as a category to place dogs in is too blunt a tool. And it risks the further categorisation as good/bad dogs. Therefore right/wrong dogs.

All dogs are capable of aggression. How much damage they could inflict will vary by physicality and how far they need to be pushed before using aggression as a tool will vary by personality and learning. What type of aggressive behaviour they will use will vary also.

idiotmagnet · 22/02/2022 13:33

I have a fear aggressive (to dogs) dog that loves children, but I avoid walking her at school run time just in case there are dogs and in case the hustle and bustle overwhelms her and makes her act out of character with children.
At other times of day when we pass children and they want to pet her she is allowed to approach the kids and I always start the interaction with giving the kids a treat to feed her with a flat hand, and to pet her chin and not to bring a hand down above her head (she will cower a bit - rescue dog). But if the kids have a dog with them, there can be no interaction.

AnEpisodeOfEastenders · 22/02/2022 13:40

Everyone thinks their own dogs aren’t the problem and it is always the other owners at fault. If your “non aggressive” dogs bark at other dogs on the route then they’re as much at fault, regardless whether they would actually fight another dog or not. Everyone has a right to walk their own dogs, just keep them under control and walk them at a time and in a place suitable to the dogs behaviour and temperament.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 22/02/2022 13:45

@AnEpisodeOfEastenders

Couldn't agree more.

I look after rescue ex racers and I wak them in quiet areas at quiet times because of the sheer volume of smaller dogs off lead that like to challenge them Hmm

Problem is the other owners not the dogs.

I'm responsible. Mine are double click harness walked and two of them have soft cloth muzzles not because they are aggressive but because they constantly get rana d jumped at by dogs off lead or long leads with dickhead owners Hmm

My dogs are also entitled to walk and excercise so op saying the others shouldn't be out should be thinking the same about hers.

Bebeschitt · 22/02/2022 14:04

My dog is fear reactive. She especially doesn't like small dogs who bark at her. I especially don't like owners of small dogs who make no attempt to stop this.
I have a pouch of treats, I make her sit while they walk by and feed her treats/praise her. Little dogs get away with yapping at her because they're little and "harmless".
If I let my 42kg dog behave in the same way I'd have the police at the door.
I wouldn't take her on the school run because of the amount of small yappies. It wouldn't be fair on her, it's setting her up to fail.

FazedNotPhased · 22/02/2022 14:24

Yeah why do people think it's okay if their dog barks at other dogs, just because they're small?

I have a large fearful rescue. I don't put him in the position of being able to bark at other dogs, and I'm fucked off if someone lets their dog bark at him because 'it won't fight' and 'it's only small'. It stresses my dog out regardless and confirms to him that other dogs are scary.

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 22/02/2022 14:36

I have two dogs who are both prats in their own ways, so I wouldn't bring these dogs on the school run. I have no idea why people bring their dogs to school, especially when it means tying them to the gates and leaving them while the owners get their kids.
I love dogs but I don't love seeing dogs shit on the pavement or grass outside a school.

I also have two kids who are obviously used to dogs but don't like nosey snuffling dogs at their face level when we're trying to get through the gates!

idiotmagnet · 22/02/2022 15:07

@FazedNotPhased

Yeah why do people think it's okay if their dog barks at other dogs, just because they're small?

I have a large fearful rescue. I don't put him in the position of being able to bark at other dogs, and I'm fucked off if someone lets their dog bark at him because 'it won't fight' and 'it's only small'. It stresses my dog out regardless and confirms to him that other dogs are scary.

Barking is the absolute worst thing for my fearful rescue - a barking dog far away is worse than a quiet dog close by. She's terrified of barking.