Dogs off the lead

Kaoslisa

Just looking for some advice really...

We have a very nervous dog, she was attacked when she only a puppy and has since not liked any dog that comes near her and gets very aggressive. She been through training which has helped but shes still a very nervous dog. She is constantly on a lead, never off it due to her aggression.

Our neighbour has two dogs who she never puts on a lead, they are often just let out of the house to run around the street (she has on occasions just gone back in the house and left them out in the street on their own) and she has no control over them whatsoever. I've had several confrontations with her due to her dogs just bounding up to mine and her having no control over them, yet she still carries on. I've seen her dogs attack several dogs in the field opposite us also.

I have absolutely no problem with people with dogs off their leads as long as they have control over them, most people who walk their dogs around here are pleasant enough and either have well control dogs or put them back on leads when another dog is around.

I'm at the end of my tether to be honest, I cant even have a nice walk with my dog without the stress that shes going to let her dogs loose and cause my dog more distress.

Any advice?

Thanks

viktory

That's a difficult one and I am not sure what the answer is. Having these dogs loose is incredibly dangerous as well as anti social. Does your local council have a dog warden? I've just checked with my LA and they do indeed collect stray dogs "According to Environmental Protection Act 1990, animal welfare officers have a duty to seize stray dogs. The first time a stray dog is caught, we will try to locate its owner and return the dog. We will keep a stray animal for up to seven days" (taken from the website). I'd make this my first port of call - as well as keeping a note of when the dogs are loose. Hopefully, having to collect her dogs and maybe pay a fine would deter your neighbour.

I would also consider muzzling your dog when you are exercising it.

elsien

Contact your local dog warden as a starting point, they can have a word and let her know the consequences of dogs wandering around on their own. And keep phoning every time you see them out and loose until someone takes notice.

However I wouldn't muzzle an already nervous dog without a very good reason - I found it made mine worse as she knew she couldn't defend herself if attacked. If an off lead dog approaches her and gets bitten, that's their problem if I've done all I can to warn them to keep away. I do know what you mean though - mine's been attacked twice by dogs who were with the owner but out of control and it's really got mine worked up about specific breeds.

And carry a large stick if you are worried about yours being attacked. Some people recommend those airsprays to warn off other dogs, but I've not tried it and don't know if they work.

You need to try to show your dog that there's nothing to be worried about as if you're upset the dog will pick that up through the lead. Have you tried the "look at me" approach - a handful of treats the dog can't resist, and if you can spot what worries her before she does if you can keep her attention on you rather than on them. Of course that's only any use if they're a bit further away and not bouncing all over you.

Is there no way of avoiding them - maybe taking a different route where they don't go? I know you shouldn't have to, but it might help in the meantime while you work on your dog's nervousness.

Sandoval

Can't you shove a few pellets of rat poison into some pieces of chocolate and throw them into her garden?

I'm only half joking...

chris_n_tj

Sandoval wrote: »

Can't you shove a few pellets of rat poison into some pieces of chocolate and throw them into her garden?

I'm only half joking...

Thars not funny half joking or not. It isnt the dogs fault its the bl**dy humans.

Sandoval

chris_n_tj wrote: »

Thars not funny half joking or not. It isnt the dogs fault its the bl**dy humans.

What makes you think the chocolate was intended for the dogs?

Kaoslisa

elsien wrote: »

Contact your local dog warden as a starting point, they can have a word and let her know the consequences of dogs wandering around on their own. And keep phoning every time you see them out and loose until someone takes notice.

However I wouldn't muzzle an already nervous dog without a very good reason - I found it made mine worse as she knew she couldn't defend herself if attacked. If an off lead dog approaches her and gets bitten, that's their problem if I've done all I can to warn them to keep away. I do know what you mean though - mine's been attacked twice by dogs who were with the owner but out of control and it's really got mine worked up about specific breeds.

And carry a large stick if you are worried about yours being attacked. Some people recommend those airsprays to warn off other dogs, but I've not tried it and don't know if they work.

You need to try to show your dog that there's nothing to be worried about as if you're upset the dog will pick that up through the lead. Have you tried the "look at me" approach - a handful of treats the dog can't resist, and if you can spot what worries her before she does if you can keep her attention on you rather than on them. Of course that's only any use if they're a bit further away and not bouncing all over you.

Is there no way of avoiding them - maybe taking a different route where they don't go? I know you shouldn't have to, but it might help in the meantime while you work on your dog's nervousness.

Thanks so much for the advice

We've attempted to muzzle her before and its made her worse, she got so worked up about it and it was distressing for us watching her be like that.

We have the control spray as well, I carry it everywhere with me and its been quite effective although I may start carrying a stick with me too, although im unsure as to how effective it would be as I don't really want to hurt the other dogs, its not their fault its their owners, but obviously if they attack my dog i'm going to react to protect my dog.

I admit, I panic as soon as I see another dog off the lead now and I need to stop as it makes her anxious. Just so fed up of irresponsible owners.

I shall give the dog warden a ring and get some advice from them

Thanks again

EmptyPockets

I really feel for you. It is awful to feel threatened while walking your dog, when you yourself are a responsible owner. Personally, when we had our Suki (German Shepherd x Collie) we never ever let her off the lead in public places. She had retractable leads and could run and roam as much as the next dog, BUT, we always had control of her as we were very aware that not all dogs are friendly, and not all humans appreciate doggy-attention.

Good advice given above. I do hope you find a solution, just wanted to post my support.

EP x

devildog

My dog was also attacked as a puppy(unbelievably 3 times) Didn't help his disposition in the slightest!
Like Elsien says, your dog does need the opportunity to defend itself too-as I found out when an 'off lead' dog approached mine(on a short lead) and got bitten for it's efforts. Not pleasant but as the other dog came within a foot of us it suffered the consequences.
Just because someone thinks their dog is ok is does not give them the right to let their dog roam freely and approach others who may not be so amicable.
As a puppy/young adult we attended training classes for a couple of years where he behaved well but the minute we were out of that environment(back on homeground) problems continued.
On another thread people have disagreed with what I have said regarding pack/alpha leaders which applies if you have more than one dog or it has a human family/pack.
All I can say is based on this theory my dog is now absolutely fine in any given situation but don't take my word for it.
If you are interested look up the work Caesar Milan/Jan Fennell do!

mrcol1000

Report the dog to the Dog Warden as out of control. Dogs should be under the control of their owners at all times in public places. This doesn't mean they should be on leads but they should be in sight of the owner and the owner should be able to control them with basic commands. i.e when they are called they come. Basically if your dog does not come 100% of the time when off the lead then you really shouldn't have it off the lead.
Your dog is probably just being aggressive on the lead as its scared and has nowhere to run because its on a lead so as it can't take it's first option of running it has to stand its ground and fight. Just remember if your dog is on a lead and a dog comes up to it off the lead and your dog bites that dog as long as you don't encourage it to attack you have not done anything wrong in 99% of cases.
My dog also was attacked also by ex-neighbours cute little dog which she can't control. She thinks nothing of having it off the lead and when it attacks other people's dogs inculding my own its always their dog thats in the wrong. Sadly one day the dog is going to attack the wrong dog with the wrong owner and come off worse. My dog is now a little bit aggressive to other dogs and most of the time a loud sharp no stops her. Due to this she is rarely off the lead outside of our garden. However I was on a beach. Very early morning and so I let her off the lead. Happily playing. Suddenly out of nowhere this dog comes flying at her. I went to grab her before she bit the other dog but she just ran away and kept running around trying to get away until I kicked the other dog up the bum and it ran off. I am not saying you should leave your dog off the lead but maybe bear that in mind when you see it showing "aggression".
Also by being anxious when you see other dogs your making everything worse. I really do know what your feeling as I use to be like that. That cold fear when you see another dog coming especially if its off the lead and knowing your dog is going to start bearing its teeth, growling and lunging at the other dog and look like its a monster. The simple thing to do is just relax. Try and avoid the dog if you can without making a fuss. If the dog suddenly feels the lead go tight or you start to panic then it will firstly start to worry too and secondly it will pick up on the signs from you its master to know that its fears are justified.

loulou123

I know exactly how this feels. My last dog was attacked on numerous occasions whilst on the lead, by dogs running loose and not under any sort of control. Thankfully he was never seriously hurt. Two dogs in particular attacked him completely unprovoked on more than one occasion. The thing that i used to get the most annoyed about was the blase attitude of the owners.

My dog was the most placid dog ever and never even tried to fight back, but it did make him increasingly nervous, and that was horrible to witness as he had never been like that before. I agree with the other posters that have said that you need to remain as calm as possible (easier said than done i know) or your dog will pick up on the signs you are giving out through your body language.

I would definatley contact the dog warden for advice especially as from your orginal post it sounds like you know exactly where the "neighbour" lives.