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The doghouse

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Original poster

Does your dog have its dog enemies?

86 replies

SirChenjins · 16/04/2023 10:17

And how do you deal with it?

Mine is great around other dogs, very friendly and happy to say hello/play when appropriate - until he sees certain dogs eg, the 2 collies from along the road, the cockapoo from round the corner, the big dog of unknown breed we sometimes see on our morning walk. Then all hell breaks loose and I’ve no idea why.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 16/04/2023 10:22

Yes, a neighbour's dog from down the road. The neighbour isn't very nice either.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 16/04/2023 10:41

Yes.

I just keep him on a short lead and walk past as quickly as possible.

Timeforchangeithink · 16/04/2023 10:43

Yes every other dog it sees! As long as other dogs keep away (as they should) my dog doesn't go near them.

embolass · 16/04/2023 10:47

Yes - German shepherds, labs ,retrievers esp if they are on leads! I’m on high alert constantly, don’t know what’s going on his head. He could meet the labs and retrievers off lead later in the park and be pals but German Sheps are the total enemy 🤦🏻‍♀️

TheVanguardSix · 16/04/2023 10:49

The black lab two doors down hates my chocolate lab. Can’t walk past him on the towpath without him growling and snarling at my boy. Oddly, once they’re both on the open meadow, it’s fine! They never interact but at least the black lab isn’t gunning for my dog. But the minute we share a path or walk past his house, black lab believes he’s some Cartel Cane Corso guarding the drug lair. Calm down, love. You live in a Victorian Terrace in leafy West London with a Tesla out front. No hollow breeze block or corrugated roofing as far as the eye can see.

Theimpossiblegirl · 16/04/2023 10:50

My dog is just like this. If he sees his nemesis at the start of a walk it sets him up to be on edge and will then be looking for dogs to bark at. Luckily I live in a village and most of the dog owners know what he's like.

Other dogs though, if they're his mates, he's all snuggly and loving. We've tried so hard to socialise him but there are some dogs he just hates.

TheVanguardSix · 16/04/2023 10:51

embolass · 16/04/2023 10:47

Yes - German shepherds, labs ,retrievers esp if they are on leads! I’m on high alert constantly, don’t know what’s going on his head. He could meet the labs and retrievers off lead later in the park and be pals but German Sheps are the total enemy 🤦🏻‍♀️

YES! EVERY German Shepard hates my dog. If I see one, I just turn around and go home. I’ve never had one not try and attack my dog.

User478 · 16/04/2023 10:51

I used to walk a really racist dog. It hated black labs especially but any black dog. Apparently there's some science behind it because their eyes aren't as good as interpreting facial expressions on black dogs.

That dog was a bit of a dickhead in general though.

TheVanguardSix · 16/04/2023 10:55

I have to say that my dog is the one on the receiving end of abuse. 😳
He’s going in 8. Since he hit the age of 6, I feel like he’s got ‘Have At It’ emblazoned on his head.

rumred · 16/04/2023 10:55

Yes mine has enemies. Hates a local red setter and a collie. And any bulldog or pug type sets him off. Fine with others

mac1974 · 16/04/2023 10:56

My dog also doesn't like black dogs or people who wear dark clothes. Barks like mad. It's embarrassing sometimes.

Abra1t · 16/04/2023 10:57

Yes, amd walks are a juggle if it is fine weather. U-turns to prevent her from spotting one of the many enemies.

MoonahSton · 16/04/2023 11:01

My dog hates the dog that lives round the corner. To the point that we can't walk past that house anymore (last time we tried he broke his harness trying to get to their back gate). It doesn't help that they always have their dog in the front garden.

We now have to take the most convoluted route to get to our nearest dog walking spot just to avoid that house (it takes 15 mins to get there instead of 5 mins if we went pst said house).

Original poster
SirChenjins · 16/04/2023 11:06

Oh thank god it’s not just mine. I can’t even say it’s a certain breed, size or colour - it’s just so random. He’s a cockapoo and normally every other doodle mix dog he sees is his favourite thing ever but bloody hell, this new kid on the block from round the corner has really ticked him off in some way.

I normally try and turn away from them and walk him in the opposite direction, but sometimes we’ll turn a corner and there they are - and feathers will fly. Meanwhile the other dog is looking at him like ‘wtf mate’.

What do you all do when this happens - turn and walk away? Walk past quickly? Drop the lead and pretend you’ve never seen the loco dog before in your life?!

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 16/04/2023 11:07

mac1974 · 16/04/2023 10:56

My dog also doesn't like black dogs or people who wear dark clothes. Barks like mad. It's embarrassing sometimes.

This is common - the theory is that dogs find it harder to read black dogs' facial expressions, so feel nervous around them, because they're not sure if they're friendly or not.

I've owned several black dogs, and it's definitely a thing but don't sweat it - black dog owners are used to it and won't take it personally. 😀

MissingMoominMamma · 16/04/2023 11:14

Mine used to really hate a boxer we saw every morning. It was never off lead and I wondered whether that was the issue.

coffeeiswgatkeepsmesane · 16/04/2023 11:16

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! There are 4 dogs on my street and when we're out walking, wherever we are, my dog turns into a psychopath. Barking, lunging, just goes totally crazy. It's awfully embarrassing as those dogs don't react at all and the owners clearly look at me with disgust and think I have an aggressive out of control dog.
Any other dog he meets he is absolutely fine and loves to play.
He also goes berserk when these dogs pass our window... we live in a cul-de-sac, they have to pass our window every day. It's terrible.
What I need is for the owners to be friendly and let me do some controlled training on a park where I can from a distance do the whole reward for not reacting training and build it up. There is a park on our street. I could never suggest it though as the other owners are clearly disgusted with us and our crazy beast!

Original poster
SirChenjins · 16/04/2023 11:18

What I need is for the owners to be friendly and let me do some controlled training on a park where I can from a distance do the whole reward for not reacting training and build it up

YY to this. Mine is particularly bad with the collies and I have wondered about asking their owner for help, but not sure how he’d take it.

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 16/04/2023 11:19

MissingMoominMamma · 16/04/2023 11:14

Mine used to really hate a boxer we saw every morning. It was never off lead and I wondered whether that was the issue.

Apparently it's also common for dogs to dislike flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs like boxers, pugs etc. Again, the theory is that they find them hard to read.

LadyLolaRuben · 16/04/2023 11:20

Yes anything with flappy ears especially when running at her at full flap speed. Spaniels are the devil in her eyes Grin

Original poster
SirChenjins · 16/04/2023 11:22

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 16/04/2023 11:19

Apparently it's also common for dogs to dislike flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs like boxers, pugs etc. Again, the theory is that they find them hard to read.

Show quote history

I’ve heard that too. The trainer at our class also said boxers have a forward stance so can look aggressive.

OP posts:
LBF2020 · 16/04/2023 11:30

I think a lot of this could also be because they are neighbouring dogs. They are being standoffish because they see it as 'their' patch.
Also agree RE black dogs being hard to read and brachycephalic dogs too.

I have an entire retriever and find neutered boy dogs generally hate him. Bitches swoon though!

Hellohah · 16/04/2023 11:35

Yes, mine has a collie enemy too.
Loves all other dogs no matter their colouring or breed.
This one collie is just broken in some way bless him. He bares his teeth at everyone and everything and seems quote scary to everyone. Mine just runs as far away as possible and refuses to go anywhere near him and if we see him on the lead, he'll go between my legs.

redredredredlorry · 16/04/2023 11:53

Mine hates chow chows.

Thankfully not the most common breed but his reaction to them is incredible. All snapping and snarling

Theimpossiblegirl · 16/04/2023 12:12

Mine is the black dog and because he assumes all strange dogs are out to get him, he likes to bark first. In fairness, it's not a completely unfounded fear, he was badly attacked shortly after we rehomed him after a failed rescue.
The other dogs in his first rescue home didn't like him either!

But if we have time to get him used to a dog, following them at a distance for a few days, being in the same park, he usually gets over his fear and loves them.

Unless they're very fluffy. I think they look like they have their hackles up