Dogs on lead, dogs off lead - rant

CFC

gemmalouanna wrote: »

Yes their choice to pick it up but they often make things worse for the little dogs who become very nervous.

We seem to have a lot of younger girls walking smaller dogs round here who seem to pick up their dogs when anyone else approaches with another dog - how are they ever going to get chance to socialise?

My dog has jumped up because she would be happliy playing/sniffing with one of these off the lead small dogs only for the small dog to be picked up by the owner (I have been told they don't want their dog to get dirty! Or play too rough) - of course if I then call her she comes but she did jump up, how am I supposed to predict the dog being lifted up? An instance where it is the owner making a situation into something it doesnt need to be.

I am not talking about on the lead dogs here - my dogs has no interest in them as she knows they aren't ready to play so just walks past.

Apart from anything else, small dogs can be more gobby than big dogs and actually provoke an attack on themselves - they know no fear. Or it may be because the small dog can be injured simply by a rough one in play. Or it may be or any other number of reasons that seem good to the owner of the small dog - but it's your own dog you should be worrying about, your dog should not be getting a chance to jump up.

You are supposed to predict the dog being lifted by keeping your dog under supervision. No dog that is not being closely supervised is under your control because you are paying insufficient attention to what is happening - as soon as the owner is bending down and starting to lift their dog your own should be called away.

I agree, an owner is making a situation into something it doesn't need to be - which is a risk to another owner from a dog that is not being closely controlled. The owner making the situation is YOU.

gemmalouanna

CFC wrote: »

I agree, an owner is making a situation into something it doesn't need to be - which is a risk to another owner from a dog that is not being closely controlled. The owner making the situation is YOU.

Guess we will have to agree to disagree then as we both see it very differently

Soubrette

Person_one wrote: »

Most non-aggressive dogs aren't stupid enough to approach one giving off aggressive signals, or they back off pretty quickly!

You would think so wouldn't you? Unfortunately there are a persistant number of 'friendly' off lead dogs who bound up and when growled at, try and run round the back for a free sniff.

There is a great article on the net somewhere, possibly called 'it's alright he's only being friendly' or something similar, where the author (a dog trainer) explains that it is actually these overfriendly dogs who are poorly socialised, precisely because they are unable to recognise the fear/aggressive signals given off by the dog on the lead.

They suffer no consequences because it is the dog on the lead who is told off (and I know I worry about what would happen if my dog bit another dog) and not them, they in actual fact are coddled and praised if they cause another dog to act aggressively, until one day they may put themselves in great danger.

It's an interesting read - just wish I could remember what it was called

fin7

We have a chihuahua so we're talking big huge dog here, when he was a pup ( imagine the size of him!!!!) I had him out at a country park, i had him on one of those long leaders, he was a bit behind me, I turned around and I'm not joking but the jack russell from hell was coming at us at about 90mph, my dog seen it and lay down, I'm running to try and pick him up and this dog from hell jumped on my dogs back, my dog was absolutley screaming. I had to grab my dogs harness and yank him in the air, he's still screaming like a banshee and the dog from hell is just about clawing my legs off! The owner wanders along, I wasnt very polite I have to admit, she just walked past as if nothing had happened and said "it's got a muzzle on" and that was it? My dog was terrified!
Just because a dog wears a muzzle the owners shouldnt take the attitude their dog can't do any harm so let it do what it wants, i know someone with a spaniel and the same thing happned, a staffy jumped on the spaniels back, broke a couple of ribs and its claws caused puncture wounds, the staffy owner gave a false name and adress, the vet bill was over £1500!

fin

bagginslover

Soubrette wrote: »

You would think so wouldn't you? Unfortunately there are a persistant number of 'friendly' off lead dogs who bound up and when growled at, try and run round the back for a free sniff.

There is a great article on the net somewhere, possibly called 'it's alright he's only being friendly' or something similar, where the author (a dog trainer) explains that it is actually these overfriendly dogs who are poorly socialised, precisely because they are unable to recognise the fear/aggressive signals given off by the dog on the lead.

They suffer no consequences because it is the dog on the lead who is told off (and I know I worry about what would happen if my dog bit another dog) and not them, they in actual fact are coddled and praised if they cause another dog to act aggressively, until one day they may put themselves in great danger.

It's an interesting read - just wish I could remember what it was called

Oh how I wish I could thank you more than once!
However it's not only poorly socialised dogs, one of the dogs at our training class is very well socialised, yet she still doesn't back off when my dog tells her to. She is a typical friendly, bouncy, lick you to death young boxer (lovely dog, I really like her) but she just doesn't take the hint at all. Every week we allow her to meet my dog, and every week she ignores his warnings, she just doesn't remember.
I think dogs like her are rare, but it is worth bearing in mind.

Soubrette

I managed to find the article.

http://www.harmonydogpark.ca/docs/He-just-wants-to-say-hi%20rude%20dogs.pdf

It's true baggins - some dogs just aren't very bright (My grey bless him, isn't the brightest spark but he tries really hard :smileyhea)

ali-t

Soubrette wrote: »

There is a great article on the net somewhere, possibly called 'it's alright he's only being friendly' or something similar, where the author (a dog trainer) explains that it is actually these overfriendly dogs who are poorly socialised, precisely because they are unable to recognise the fear/aggressive signals given off by the dog on the lead.


It's an interesting read - just wish I could remember what it was called

Soubrette, I was thinking of the same one and here it is if it is the same one?
http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/97/

*Robin*

lostinrates wrote: »

We did this for a long time, luckily having access to private land. I used to walk my own and a friends dogs in private and secure fields: the only safe option when walking 11 dogs, even if excellent dogs.

But now I just have two, and honestly, they have been delighted with the more social walks, meeting new chums and having more social interaction. They are also incredibly enthusiastic by new places, new walks. I find a shorter walk in a new place exhausts them more than a longer, faster time out in the field next to the house

Its one of the nicest things about having moved near more dog friendly places...because they are so enthusiastic about it.

My experience is similar, but I'm down to two dogs from five, rather than eleven (gosh that must have been fun, keeping an eye on eleven dogs at once, lostinrates!). Now I've only got two dogs I have noticed that they definitely enjoy meeting and playing with other dogs much more than when they were part of a larger pack.
When my off-lead dog approaches another dog she always stops a few feet away and waits, alert and with waving tail. If she is greeted with aggressive signs she runs off immediately (whether or not I've called her - I try and make a point of watching these first encounters closely). If the other dog comes forward to greet mine I let them get on with their nose / bum sniffing ritual and they'll usually play for a few minutes while I chat with the owner.

I'm posting because recently a new dog has appeared on the scene, and I'm not sure of the best way to help her owner..
He is a senior gentleman, and the dog is a young adult GSD b***h.
The first time we met in a dog-walkers wood, both the GSD and my young dog were loose. They found each other in the undergrowth so unusually, I wasn't able to observe the first minute of the encounter - just heard lots of crashing about so called my girl and both dogs appeared; very happy, very friendly and having a great time playing together. The owner was pleased his dog had found a friend and was delighted when we called both dogs back and his came dashing on the heels of mine. I got the impression that he has not had the GSD for long and did not expect such a good recall.
The second and third meetings were quite different; as usual I had one dog off, the other on the lead as our path crossed with the GSD and her owner. She was on her lead. Both times the GSD started going crazy as soon as my dogs were in sight, leaping about and giving me the impression she was afraid.. (She is twice the size of my dogs, btw). I called ahead, asking if the owner wanted me to put my other dog on the lead but he said, "No, she's got to learn to socialise." Both times the GSD got more and more frantic as we got closer (my loose dog at heel). As we passed them, both times the GSD slipped her collar and ran past us - I told the owner I'd keep going and ignore his dog. Sure enough, she circled back and returned to her owner within a minute or so.

My dilemma is what should I do when we next meet the GSD? She's a beautiful dog and her owner seems a very nice chap who's perhaps a bit out of his depth. My dogs are both well-socialised and friendly, so would be good 'school-mistresses' to help the GSD get over whatever has happened in her past. Should I suggest walking together, with both my young dog and the GSD off-lead?

Any suggestions welcomed.

bagginslover

What a great article, I might print it off and take it to my training class. Thank you!

bagginslover

*Robin* wrote: »

My experience is similar, but I'm down to two dogs from five, rather than eleven (gosh that must have been fun, keeping an eye on eleven dogs at once, lostinrates!). Now I've only got two dogs I have noticed that they definitely enjoy meeting and playing with other dogs much more than when they were part of a larger pack.
When my off-lead dog approaches another dog she always stops a few feet away and waits, alert and with waving tail. If she is greeted with aggressive signs she runs off immediately (whether or not I've called her - I try and make a point of watching these first encounters closely). If the other dog comes forward to greet mine I let them get on with their nose / bum sniffing ritual and they'll usually play for a few minutes while I chat with the owner.

I'm posting because recently a new dog has appeared on the scene, and I'm not sure of the best way to help her owner..
He is a senior gentleman, and the dog is a young adult GSD b***h.
The first time we met in a dog-walkers wood, both the GSD and my young dog were loose. They found each other in the undergrowth so unusually, I wasn't able to observe the first minute of the encounter - just heard lots of crashing about so called my girl and both dogs appeared; very happy, very friendly and having a great time playing together. The owner was pleased his dog had found a friend and was delighted when we called both dogs back and his came dashing on the heels of mine. I got the impression that he has not had the GSD for long and did not expect such a good recall.
The second and third meetings were quite different; as usual I had one dog off, the other on the lead as our path crossed with the GSD and her owner. She was on her lead. Both times the GSD started going crazy as soon as my dogs were in sight, leaping about and giving me the impression she was afraid.. (She is twice the size of my dogs, btw). I called ahead, asking if the owner wanted me to put my other dog on the lead but he said, "No, she's got to learn to socialise." Both times the GSD got more and more frantic as we got closer (my loose dog at heel). As we passed them, both times the GSD slipped her collar and ran past us - I told the owner I'd keep going and ignore his dog. Sure enough, she circled back and returned to her owner within a minute or so.

My dilemma is what should I do when we next meet the GSD? She's a beautiful dog and her owner seems a very nice chap who's perhaps a bit out of his depth. My dogs are both well-socialised and friendly, so would be good 'school-mistresses' to help the GSD get over whatever has happened in her past. Should I suggest walking together, with both my young dog and the GSD off-lead?

Any suggestions welcomed.

I can't suggest anything about the dogs behaviour as I have no experience with behaviour like that, but the slipping collar I can help with.

Suggest he buys a martingale collar. They are a gentler version of a choke collar, in that as the dog pulls it gets tighter. They are usually very wide though, so speed the pressure and so don't hurt the dog at all. They are designed for greyhounds mainly, as their heads are narrower than their necks, it's very easy for them to slip a normal collar, but they work just as well on other breeds. They are usually used just as walking collars as they have pretty hefty metal work on them, and so can be bought in a variety of beautiful delicate fabrics, maki g for a stylish and safe dog