Dangerous dog behaviour....solution?

lostinrates

Re giants interacting with small breeds....I have been brought up with giants, and still have one now, and people can be alarmed by dog play scaled up, but......our dogs have NEVER had an injury from play, or inflicted one. *

HOWEVER, I am aware, and have always been aware, that those of us with giants have to have high expectations from our dogs, make sure they are extremely well socialised and well mannered. A small dog gets away with much more than a giant because of the risk of injury (mainly to people) with a giant from the same action but even more so from people's perception.


In this case we have op describing behaviour she was not au fait with and perhaps she could be missing something in her own dog. Particularly as there is another dog on the regular route with 'issues' related to OP's dog. While OP is not to blame for any of this I do think it's worrying she would consider breeding when she is not well versed in dog behaviour.


* not quite accurate as it happens. One dog has had two injuries from playing with smaller dogs, but not the smaller dogs fault, just speed and build.....

krlyr

lostinrates wrote: »

In this case we have op describing behaviour she was not au fait with and perhaps she could be missing something in her own dog. Particularly as there is another dog on the regular route with 'issues' related to OP's dog.

Was this mentioned on another thread/elsewhere on the forum as I cannot see a mention of it? Just wondered as someone else mentioned having issues with a couple of dogs including a Labradoodle, but that wasn't OP. You might be right, there may be a reason behind this fixation that the Newfoundland is showing that OP is missing, but equally it could be an issue with those particular dogs - I've heard cases of fearful dogs feeling the need to run over and "dominate" other dogs, for example, to play the big scary character before the other dog does it to them. The first time I let Casper off-lead with other dogs (we were told by the rescue he was fine, and he seemed to get on fine with Kiki so we assumed it was true), he did this to another dog and that's when we started seeing the signs of his fear issues. Obviously he was kept on-lead after that and is now carefully socialised with other dogs in a much more controlled manner.

However, I feel that regardless of OP's dog's body language, she has the right to use the park as long as her dog is not bothering others. My GSD has appalling social skills, not helped by his fear of other dogs, but I still expect to be able to use the local park. I do my bit by keeping him on-lead and under my control, and we have managed to share the space with many dog owners with no problem - I have got him to the stage where he can bear to be within that sort of distance of other dogs and remain focused on me, which allows us to enjoy the park rather than be limited to road walks only (like OP, I'm limited in where I can take the dogs within walking distance - we have some lovely open fields we can use at certain times of the year but unfortunately they're often very overgrown or boggy a lot of the time). The problems occur when someone fails to control their own dog and allows it to approach us. Thankfully this doesn't happen often, and I have taken measures to ensure I still have control (e.g. using a headcollar on my dog so that I have absolutely no issue with holding him behind me, or turning and walking away - I purposely chose places with multiple exits and will leave the park prior to any issues if it looks like we might get cornered, as well as constantly watching other dogs, etc. - it's not really fair that this is on me to do, but I know that I can't rely on the other dog owners to do their part all of the time) but I don't think it is too ridiculous for someone to want to take their dog to the local park without it being harrassed, regardless of what 'vibes' it may be giving off.

I do agree with you (and Person_one) on the breeding aspect but the fact that the dog is entire should have no bearing on the situation the thread is about, if the OP's dog is showing no aggressive/failure to recall/etc. because of this.

lostinrates

krlyr wrote: »

Was this mentioned on another thread/elsewhere on the forum as I cannot see a mention of it? Just wondered as someone else mentioned having issues with a couple of dogs including a Labradoodle, but that wasn't OP. You might be right, there may be a reason behind this fixation that the Newfoundland is showing that OP is missing, but equally it could be an issue with those particular dogs - I've heard cases of fearful dogs feeling the need to run over and "dominate" other dogs, for example, to play the big scary character before the other dog does it to them. The first time I let Casper off-lead with other dogs (we were told by the rescue he was fine, and he seemed to get on fine with Kiki so we assumed it was true), he did this to another dog and that's when we started seeing the signs of his fear issues. Obviously he was kept on-lead after that and is now carefully socialised with other dogs in a much more controlled manner.

However, I feel that regardless of OP's dog's body language, she has the right to use the park as long as her dog is not bothering others. My GSD has appalling social skills, not helped by his fear of other dogs, but I still expect to be able to use the local park. I do my bit by keeping him on-lead and under my control, and we have managed to share the space with many dog owners with no problem - I have got him to the stage where he can bear to be within that sort of distance of other dogs and remain focused on me, which allows us to enjoy the park rather than be limited to road walks only (like OP, I'm limited in where I can take the dogs within walking distance - we have some lovely open fields we can use at certain times of the year but unfortunately they're often very overgrown or boggy a lot of the time). The problems occur when someone fails to control their own dog and allows it to approach us. Thankfully this doesn't happen often, and I have taken measures to ensure I still have control (e.g. using a headcollar on my dog so that I have absolutely no issue with holding him behind me, or turning and walking away - I purposely chose places with multiple exits and will leave the park prior to any issues if it looks like we might get cornered, as well as constantly watching other dogs, etc. - it's not really fair that this is on me to do, but I know that I can't rely on the other dog owners to do their part all of the time) but I don't think it is too ridiculous for someone to want to take their dog to the local park without it being harrassed, regardless of what 'vibes' it may be giving off.

I do agree with you (and Person_one) on the breeding aspect but the fact that the dog is entire should have no bearing on the situation the thread is about, if the OP's dog is showing no aggressive/failure to recall/etc. because of this.

My apologies!. I read the thread very quickly this morning and missread and indeed assumed the labraddodle post was Op. OP my apologies again.

I also agree all people should be able to use a park in an appropriate manner....entire dogs, neutered dogs, dogs who need to be on leads and dogs who need to run around and are well socialised. That is NOT an argument I would ever not defend.

my point in raising the issue MIT be to do with BoTH dogs, not just one (which is now invalid if it is just one) is that OT might be within OP's power if it were the case, to learn more about behaviour and socialisation and seek to help the dog to become more 'socially adept'.

The breeding issue can not be totally separated in an attitude to dog ownership and understanding IMO. In all posts and threads we only have certain information to go on, which is how an OP interprets facts as seen and then how we disseminate that information. This nugget of information shows a stance taken and an attitude of ownership, which combined with interpretation of behaviour of other dog. It's quite possible other behaviour could be being missed (that might help resolve the issue more easily) or misinterpreted (likewise).


In any case, in this one I have confused that issue and ease of disseminating by confusing two posters, for which I once more apologise for! I hope op finds resolve, but also seek to assure her that a giant playing with most dogs, even when play gets quite 'rough' is fairly unlikely to do much harm. If op is overly worried (as opposed to rightfully concerned) this will not help the situation at all.

Hoof_Hearted

I am sorry to stir up disagreements over this. I do plan to avoid the park at later times at weekends but I am sure that they will meet up at some time through pure ill-luck. I was caught unawares this week as the Newfoundland emerged from behind the cricket pavillion after I had scanned the field.

I am quite happy for my dog to interact with other dogs, even when others occasionally snap at him, telling him to buzz off, which he does. He does like to check out the ladies, as one would expect with an entire male dog.

He wasn't traumatised by the incident -- he is a very confident dog -- and as soon as the other dog was away, he was back to playing with his beloved ball.

What I can see in my mind is this brute on his back with his legs buckling under him and him trying to get out from under. I would be interested to know whether he does this to other dogs, regularly. I did see him try it with an elderly female Rottie some time ago.

I think the owner needs to keep the dog much closer to him if he is off the lead. When I walk my dog along the canal or footpaths, if I see another dog on a lead, I always do the same. If the other dog is off the lead, I presume it is OK with other dogs and, in most cases, this works. He is a friendly dog and will go up to other dogs, tail wagging. He regularly walks in a group, so he is well socialised.

I can take the criticism, but when you feel your dog is in danger, all you want to do is get him out of harm's way. I was bitten once before when a dog attacked him and I stupidly tried to intervene, although on that occasion they were of similar size.

gettingready

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

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

.

And why on earth are you planning to breed from a cross breed?

Aren't shelters full enough?

Person_one

marlasinger wrote: »

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.

There's really no need to be rude to me.

A lot of dog owners view a dog off a lead as a dog that can be approached. You might think the dog bounding over to say hello is 'out of control' while their owner thinks they are letting two off lead dogs socialise.

If you don't want your dog to interact with others, keep him on a lead, that's the generally accepted signal for 'don't let your dog approach mine.

Caroline_a

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

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

One question. Why?

marlasinger

Person_one wrote: »

There's really no need to be rude to me.

A lot of dog owners view a dog off a lead as a dog that can be approached. You might think the dog bounding over to say hello is 'out of control' while their owner thinks they are letting two off lead dogs socialise.

If you don't want your dog to interact with others, keep him on a lead, that's the generally accepted signal for 'don't let your dog approach mine.

Calm down. Your comment was antagonistic, so I responded accordingly.

I have no problem with my dog interacting with others, which is why he is allowed off lead. It is a only problem when someone allows their dog to approach mine and it gets aggressive, yet they have no way of calling it back. Most people I know like their dogs to socialise, but the owners should still maintain control if there looks like there is going to be a problem. I don't view a dog out of control simply because it comes bounding over to say hello. It is when the dog is aggressive towards mine and the owner can't call it back, that I see the dog as 'out of control'.

If we see a dog on the lead we keep ours away from it, as I see it that either the owner doesn't want to be bothered or the dog is a bit temperamental.

gettingready

3 people asked the same question - wonder if it will make OP think about it at all?

Shelters are bursting, too many dogs are PTS and someone wants to breed from ANOTHER dog? What for?

Person_one

marlasinger wrote: »

Calm down. Your comment was antagonistic, so I responded accordingly.

Gosh, if you view "is your dog always on a lead?" as antagonistic you must get into a lot of fights!