owners of 'big' dogs, can you talk to me please

[bunnyfears]

I have an 18 month old rottweiler. she is a big smooch. she loves all other dogs and most people. her recall is 98% great.

she does 3 things that are undesirable...

1. she will bark at some passersby if she is sat in the car (waiting to leave). I can live with this

2. if a man takes her by suprise, she will bark. so for example, appearing out of the bushes, in the woods etc. I'm pretty ok with this also, because we got her for safety having encountered too many weird men out walking/intruder (me and 3 daughters)

3. she will chase after male runners and bark 😬...this is the one that is getting us into trouble. it's not aggressive but it definitely sounds aggressive if you don't really know dogs. many people are great, stop running, give her a fuss and it diffuses into nothing. but as you can imagine, some people are furious. I don't really want to keep her on a lead because 1) it happens maybe once a fortnight (haven't worked out what it is about some men that brings this response as opposed to others that she ignores or can be distracted from and 2) it's ot actually aggressive

because it's not consistent I'm at a bit of a loss

interested in other people's experiences and how they have dealt with inconsistent/occasional unwanted behaviours

“Rather than parks/ areas with runners take her to forests, quiet beaches, wilder open spaces where there are more interesting smells to keep her interested”.

But people also like to walk/run/enjoy forests, quite beaches and wide open spaces and not be worried that a large muscle dog is going to bound over to them whilst the owner mumbles something about them just wanting to say hello. Not saying that’s what you do @MostlyGhostly but it does happen.

Wrong board to say this but as someone who was chased by an out of control GSD I’d be perfectly happy if people only had cockapoos etc 😞

Agree with this. I’ve had loads of rescues (fostering for a GSD rescue) that couldn’t be off lead ever.

So many other ways to exercise. Scentwork, obedience work, hiring a field, longlines, running/canicross…possibilities are endless. I think people think the dog should be off lead doing whatever it wants but even off lead you should still be training. I regularly recall, heel and work with mine even off lead, clipping them off and letting them do whatever they want is lazy ownership.

I really think you need to keep the dog on a lead.

As a big dog owner who also looks like a scary dog to some, you have to have 10/10 recall or keep it on a lead.

I know you say you want it to have off lead time, but you're going to get yourself or your dog into trouble.

You can hire a field for your dog to run around in or buy a long line. I make them from 5m to 20m and they're very popular for those who want their dog to be off lead, but can't be.

You should also consider seeing a good balanced trainer. Recall can't be fixed by treats alone.

I've got a terrier (so not a big dog, although I've had big dogs none of them were chasers, but the terrier is). She'll chase anything that moves, but I'm fortunate to live in the countryside with wide sightlines so I can have her off the lead and be able to see the very rare individual we might encounter. But I run with my dog and she no longer tries to chase runners. Have you tried getting a running harness/lead for your dog and teaching her to run alongside you?

This desensitized my terrier so she now leaves runners alone. She still chases anything else that moves though, so has to be on the lead if there's anyone about!

I've noticed It's the untrained dogs with no recall (but it's OK because they're friendly ...) that tend to be off lead .

They pull on the lead and the owner wants a more pleasant walk without being dragged along and having to keep pulling the dog away from things. So they're let off lead, and the added bonus is they can poo where they like and the owner can pretend they haven't noticed.

Better to do the training first, a calm dog walking on a loose lead is easy to manage.

Well you need to take responsibility here and have your dog under control and train it to stop barking at/chasing people. Regardless if you have a Rottweiler or tiny dog.

As a long-time Rottie owner... KEEP YOUR DOG ON A FUICKING LEAD.
It does the rest of us no favours.

This dog should not be off the lead in public. She sounds very like my jack Russell who would do similar so is ALWAYS on the lead in public parks/paths etc and she's smaller than most cats! it's never ok for your dog of any size to chase a runner even once, let alone once a fortnight and a Rottweiler is obviously a whole lot more intimidating to most.

But OP you aren’t. The dog is off lead, barks and chases runners and is a Rottweiler.

You may love your dog but not everyone does and I would be shit scared being barked at and chased by such a large dog while running (and I grew up with large dogs so have no problem with them). Why is your dog being off lead (considering these issues) more important than someone not being chased by a large dog?

This is a classic case of my dog is such a softie until it isn’t.

Keep your dog on a lead.

To add my dog wouldn't do it consistently either. The trigger is generally something like a runner with a very heavy step or loud breathing coming unusually close past us bit again, one time is too many and a lead of is. She has plenty opportunities to run loose where there aren't members of the public. I'd be furious if chased by a dog so won't let it happen to anyone else

I'm not sure if you're still here @bunnyfears, but I want to gently echo what a pp has said, because it occurred to me too. One of the problems is that when a runner does stop and fuss her, she's being rewarded for the behaviour you want to train her out of. You really need to put her in a position where she's not receiving positive reinforcement for it, so, for the time being, don't give her the opportunity.

It's a face harness not a body harness. They physically can't pull on it.

Reactive dogs are often anxious, so that could be the reason for it's behaviour . This means your dog may be stressed and unhappy.

Protection dogs are very specifically trained by professionals they need to have ongoing training and socialisation to make sure the dog knows between genuine threats and normal, everyday situations. You would need to understand the psychology of dogs and how to channel their instincts properly without encouraging inappropriate aggression.

At the moment, you have an untrained, unpredictable dog, which is the worst combination for a dog you want to intimidate people and protect you. Either get a professional to train them to protect, or if you find this too expensive, a professional to help them become less reactive.

Keep her on a lead! Whilst she might be a 'big smooch' she is also a Rottweiler and you can't change their nature

@bunnyfears

there is a tiny percentage of dogs whose recall is perfect tbf
Yes but a Yorkie with poor recall isn't going to pose rye sane threat is it

I'm in Scotland

Same rules apply, it's part of the highway code.

"The Highway Code states that dogs should not be let out on a road on their own. It also states that your dog should kept on a short lead when walking by a road (rule 56).

Your local authority also has the power to ask you to keep your dog on a lead when walking along ‘designated’ roads. A designated road is one your local authority has chosen as such. The section of road should be marked with signs.

While there is no countrywide blanket ban on walking dogs off-lead along roads, you should keep your dog on a lead, as stated in the Highway Code, when walking by any road to prevent accidents."

@BluebellsareBlue

I have a large dog. I would never let him off lead as he doesn't have good recall.

I'd be absolutely furious and terrified if a dog chased me whilst out running or walking. It is so irresponsible. I have a friend who's dog bit someone last year. She completely minimised the seriousness of it and I think her dog should be muzzled and not let off until it follows her commands every time. Your dog needs put on a lead.

I'd fully expect someone to go absolutely nuts at you. I'm not saying that would be right but it wouldn't surprise me. You are completely minimising this behaviour. You might not believe your dog is aggressive but no one else knows. A rottweiler is a guard dog in many people's eyes. My dog has a big bark. I can count on one hand how many times he barks in a year. He shocked us the first time he did it as we didn't know he had such a big voice. I wouldn't expect someone to know whether he's friendly or not. He's my dog a complete unknown to someone else.

Your dog could also come to harm if someone kicked it/lashed out. Your dog does not deserve this, you are the owner and you owe it to your dog to look out for them. Put them on a lead and get their recall bang on. If you want to let them off do so in a controlled environment - book an enclosed field so you, your dog and the general public are safe.

You don't sound like you know the laws around dogs in public because you're currently breaking them every time you let it off lead.

Your dog absolutely can be reported to the police for barking. If that barking or any other of these behaviours is making somebody feel worried, then you are breaking the law. It is your legal responsibility as an owner to have it under control in public.

Your dog will simply end up being put down.

If it's reactive which it is, and if it has shit recall, which it does, it should not be under any circumstances off lead. You have no control over it.

If positive only training hasn't worked and you've really tried hard with it then it's probably not going to work for your dog. We've been sold a myth that it's the only training that's ethical.

Look for a good balanced trainer and go from there.

Please don’t underestimate this issue or down play it. In my experience what starts as occasional bad behaviour in a young dog will escalate, unless it’s nipped in the bud. By barking at strangers your dog is displaying her natural guarding tendencies. It’s really important you don’t let her continue practice this. Not in the car or house or anywhere. The action of barking is self reinforcing and every time she does it she will enjoy having done a good job of guarding you and grow in confidence. Believe me this will only get worse unless you take charge.

I’d advise

Keep her on the lead until you are in a place of low distractions. Let her off but scan the horizon for any distractions and put her back on as soon as you see something. This might mean going out at quiet times of day or driving to quiet places. Can you hire a dog field for a no distraction run around?

Watch some South End Dog Training videos. They show you how to use your body to block your dog when a distraction approaches or stear her away, and basically take control of the interaction. This is for when your dog is on lead. They don’t seem to do off lead as much.

Get a 1to1 trainer to work with you on general obedience. You want to train her when off lead to come to your side and walk to heel whenever she sees a person. As soon as she sees a person approaching she should think about coming to you before you even recall her. For in the house and car teach her the command - no barking. Practice it for the postman, the window cleaner, people passing the car etc.

Good luck.

I have a big flock guardian dog (rescue)

• yes they have to be better trained than a smaller dog because people do feel scared. You just have to accept that's how it is with having a big dog
• at 18months she is still very much adolescent. Big dogs mature later.
• guardian dog breeds do bark and act intimidating because it is an innate behaviour in them. Mine scans the horizon for things he perceives to be a threat. Most of the time now he can be reassured that it's not but when he was adolescent we had a few occasions of him running off usually to play with other dogs which is bad enough but on 2 occasions he chased and barked at a runner and a cyclist. Yes they shouted at me and they were right to do so. Those were horrible events that I took seriously and I stopped letting him off lead for many many months after that until I had worked on his recall and he matured.
• any behaviour that the dog gets to repeat and especially if it is inherently rewarding to the dog (self reinforcing) will get harder and harder to stop so you do definitely have to keep her on a lead and stop her doing this for a long time.
• My solution is a long line so he can still run around a bit and sniff. He now stays on the lead unless we are somewhere with no one around and with good sight lines. If I see anyone coming I recall him straight away, put him on the lead again and make him walk to heel as we pass. He gets rewarded for that and so he now often does it spontaneously when he sees someone coming. People are often very grateful and reassured to see that he is under control.
• secure dog field is no use to us. I always wonder what people do just in one field. We both like to walk long distances and see new places.

Mine is most likely to react to male runners, wearing bright gear, going very fast and breathing noisily (Slow middle aged lady runners he deems no threat)

I will have already recalled him and have him on lead as above but I am especially careful in the above circumstances. I can see from his body language if he's considering barking and I will block his line of view and make him stop and sit and watch me whilst they pass and give treats.

Runners we have largely solved now although I will always be cautious. Cats and motorcycles are an ongoing problem.

From a fast middle aged lady runner, I thank you.

Most dog owners are courteous, I in turn I thank them and everyone is happy.

Find a good positive reinforcement dog trainer and work on recall, then practice and practice some more. I love dogs, I have dogs but wouldn’t like a dog of any size running up to me barking when I’m out for a run.

Always carry treats - high value such as bits of sausage or chicken, always reward good behaviour. If she isn’t food orientated then use a toy she loves. You need to find something she loves more than chasing / barking at people. In the meantime, keep her on a lead, or use a long line that you can grab.
But the long and short of it is, you need to know how to train recall and practice a lot