Dangerous dog behaviour....solution?

Welshwoofs

krlyr wrote: »

While the Newfoundland may not be showing true aggression at the moment, an issue like this could escalate with a mix of frustration of not having body language listened to, potential injury (my two are pretty evenly matched in size, get along fantastically, but even they occasionally catch each other a bit too hard or in the wrong spot during a play fight), or perhaps the Newfoundland picking the wrong day to harrass OP's dog (if OP's dog was sick or injured, and not feeling very tolerant, for example)

Perhaps the simple answer is just to walk in the opposite direction when the Newfie is spotted? Our morning walks are in the local park and there is, ironically, an Labradoodle who has gone for my dog on a few occasions but apparently isn't aggressive (so the owner says). There's also a young Red Setter who has also gone for my dog. I keep an eye out and if I spot them I detour and bring mine in to heel.

It would be awful if either had to stay on lead if this is just a problem with this particular pair and it seems to me that avoiding each other is the easiest way out if the owners don't want possible confrontation.

boingsaidzebedee wrote: »

I have--the bigger dog will grasp the dog beneath with their forelegs and the bearing down of their weight crushes the smaller dog to the ground.Don't say the smaller dog can run away because it cannot.
How would you feel if someone 6 times your weight climbed on you--just think a little.

I'm getting the distinct impression that you don't like giant breeds much.

Welshwoofs

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

What is bigger and heavier than a Newfoundland? I can only think of a Saint Bernard.

Newfies and St Bernard's have a lot of fur....clip it off and they're not so big (in my eyes anyway). Mine is a Neopolitan Mastiff.

krlyr

Welshwoofs wrote: »

Perhaps the simple answer is just to walk in the opposite direction when the Newfie is spotted?

It is indeed a potential solution, and one I employ quite often (since, unlike OP's dog, an incident like this would distress my dog with much more severity) but it's not really a fair solution when OP's dog isn't the instigator.
Also, having moved to a more built up area recently I can understand how difficult it can be to find alternative places to walk - OP says this park is the only one in walking distance. I don't think it's totally crazy for OP to want to ask for some potential solutions that don't mean her and her dog are punished for this Newfoundland and its owners behaviour.

boingsaidzebedee

Welshwoofs my dogs are in the 50 to 60 kilo range.
I've no problem with giant breeds--I've looked after Newfs and English Mastiffs without a problem.
So don't make assumptions.
Just that I've been on the receiving end of dogs which their owners have absolutely no control of--usually not the fault of the dog.Thats why so many large breeds end up in shelters---cute as pups then people realise they need rather more than they are prepared to offer or take the effort with.

Welshwoofs

krlyr wrote: »

Also, having moved to a more built up area recently I can understand how difficult it can be to find alternative places to walk - OP says this park is the only one in walking distance. I don't think it's totally crazy for OP to want to ask for some potential solutions that don't mean her and her dog are punished for this Newfoundland and its owners behaviour.

If the owner isn't co-operative (possibly because the Op beat his dog with a ball-thrower?), there isn't any other solution than just avoiding each other is there? If there's been no actual attack; then there's nothing to report.

As I said, I avoid 2 dogs in the park in the morning because they both go for mine - if it weren't for the fact that mine has a 4-inch leather collar, the Labradoodle would have punctured his neck once (the collor still has big tooth marks in it). Now in my case I could have reported as it's an actual attack....but I'm fairly used to smaller dogs trying to 'take on the big guy' so I let it slide.

boingsaidzebedee wrote: »

So don't make assumptions.

Oh I wasn't making assumptions - I was just being provocative for the hell of it.......Sorry, I treat forum posting like a blood sport

Hoof_Hearted

For info, the owner didn't mind the whack with the ball thrower. He knew his dog was in the wrong (or he was). It is like an elephant mounting a horse, so damage will be done.

marlasinger

3v3 wrote: »

If I saw you whacking someone elses dog and then "having a go" at that dogs owner (for nothing more than doggy play?), I think it would be you I'd consider reporting.

For real?? If a dog is off the lead and approaches mine aggressively, I wouldn't think twice about whacking it one to send him off! :mad: If someone doesn't have control of their dog off the lead, and it has repeatedly bothered other dogs or people, then it should be kept on the lead in all public places until the owner learns how to exercise control!

Everyone has the right to walk their dogs in peace in a public place, without having the aggravation of confronting a dog/owner who is out of control.

Sorry, OP I don't really have a solution - if the Newfoundland owner is going to keep walking him off the lead, then you can't really do anything, except maybe change the time you walk your dog. It's a shame you have to change your behaviour when the other owner is clearly at fault but it may be the easiest solution.

I sympathise greatly - it's a bug bear of mine having to deal with irresponsible owners who trot out the 'Oh he only wants to play', or 'He's never done that before!', as an excuse for why they have no control over their dog! :mad:

Person_one

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Thanks, Welshwoofs. We will breed from him which is why he still has his bits.

Breed from a crossbreed? May I ask why and what with?

Person_one

marlasinger wrote: »

For real?? If a dog is off the lead and approaches mine aggressively, I wouldn't think twice about whacking it one to send him off! :mad:

Everyone has the right to walk their dogs in peace in a public place, without having the aggravation of confronting a dog/owner who is out of control.

I sympathise greatly - it's a bug bear of mine having to deal with irresponsible owners who trot out the 'Oh he only wants to play', or 'He's never done that before!', as an excuse for why they have no control over their dog! :mad:

Is your dog always on a lead?

marlasinger

Person_one wrote: »

Is your dog always on a lead?

Nope, because I have control over him and his recall is brilliant.

But if there ever comes a time where I don't have control over him and he is bothering others, then of course I will put him on a lead.

My point is that owners who know they can't control their dog, (see, I've bolded it, as you've missed my point ) should keep them physically under control via a lead.