A Small Tiff In The Off-leash Park

[Earthdog]

I think by naming labs as a "dangerous" dog for your old boy is being a bit unfair, ALL of the large breed dogs would be a danger for him then such as ridgebacks, great danes, boxers, they are all large and high energy. The only reason that labs get picked on is that there are so many of them around. Personally if i had an old dog I would never take them to an off lead park because accidents do happen , a dog could be running for his own ball and step on your oldie by mistake.

Little, old dogs are just as entitled to use dog parks as big, bouncy boofs.

It all comes down to responsibility for your dog. I wouldn't like a bouncy boofhead to approach my Mini Foxie willy nilly. She's a friendly, social, little dog (who is not old) but she shouldn't have to cope with rambunctious dogs just because 'they are friendly'.

[Adnil444]

Mrs Tornsocks - I haven't read all the posts so I hope I'm not repeating everything. First off, well done for recognising that there may be an issue and asking for opinions. So many people think that if their dog isn't attacking another then anything goes.

I own a small dog that is very nervous of dogs that get in her face- labs are the worst offenders unfortunately. She is this way because she was kept as a puppy farm breeding bitch in a cage most of her life. She has improved in leaps and bounds but is still nervous when she feels "smothered". When a dog approaches her like this I ask the owner to get their dog.

I don't care if the dog is friendly or not - they are scaring my girl and with each bad interaction her behaviour becomes more and more ingrained. I know that most dogs aren't trying to attack her - that is beside the point. She will snap at any dog that does this to her and I don't know how the other dog will react. What if they take offence and attack her back? They are often much bigger than her.

I don't buy the whole "just let the dogs sort it out" bit. That works for "normal" dogs, not dogs who have been abused and have to learn what "normal" is.

All I want to do is take my girl for a walk. I really isn't much to ask.

Hi Megan, good on you for taking on this girl, and what a horrible start to her life.

Can I ask if you take her to off-leash parks and if so why if she doesn't seem to be enjoying it. Would you be better off taking her for walks at on-lead parks, around the neighbourhood etc. I know there are some dogs at our park that may take offence and snap back at her if she did this to them, therefore can I ask (and I don't want to be blasted here, but am trying to understand), why take her there in the first place if an incident could occur. Unfortunately, as another poster said, the general consensus is in off-leash parks, "well if your dog doesn't like it, don't come", which of course is not correct as all the signs at the entrance to the park state that even off-lead, all dogs must be under effective control, however I doubt anyone reads this or takes any notice and basically it is a free-for-all.

Every time I take mine to the park, I know there is a risk, albeit small, that something may go wrong and I am always watching and keeping an eye out not only for my dogs, but for the others in the park.

[Mas1981]

I think by naming labs as a "dangerous" dog for your old boy is being a bit unfair, ALL of the large breed dogs would be a danger for him then such as ridgebacks, great danes, boxers, they are all large and high energy. The only reason that labs get picked on is that there are so many of them around. Personally if i had an old dog I would never take them to an off lead park because accidents do happen , a dog could be running for his own ball and step on your oldie by mistake.

Little, old dogs are just as entitled to use dog parks as big, bouncy boofs.

It all comes down to responsibility for your dog. I wouldn't like a bouncy boofhead to approach my Mini Foxie willy nilly. She's a friendly, social, little dog (who is not old) but she shouldn't have to cope with rambunctious dogs just because 'they are friendly'.

No dog deserves to be bowled over or stood on but I am saying its a risk you take as accidents can happen anywhere and I dont think its fair that labs always get the blame because there are other large breeds out there who do run up to other dogs just as energetically!.

[jackie_a1]

Can I ask if you take her to off-leash parks and if so why if she doesn't seem to be enjoying it. Would you be better off taking her for walks at on-lead parks, around the neighbourhood etc

Adnil no way you're gonna get blasted cause I'm wondering the same thing.

[ninahartland]

I don't normally comment in these threads but..

Erny thank you for your contributions and I hope many dog owners are reading them and taking in what you are saying.

I have lived and interacted with dogs all my life. When did it become fashionable for dog owners to allow their dog to run up to strange dogs and people and harass them without either their invitation or permission?

Other dogs and their owners, off or particularly on leash should be able to enjoy the their walk and the ambiance and open space of a park without having to fend off unwanted loose dogs running over, off-lead and completely NOT under the control of their minder. Off lead does not mean out of control.

If you are there with a group of dog owners and you all agree that your dogs can play together off lead, then fine. However, do not allow your dog to bound up to other dogs and people you do not know, uninvited. This is plainly irresponsible and you and your dog are entertaining yourself at the expense of someone' else's enjoyment of their walk. Not good etiquette.

Other dogs are not there for the entertainment of your own. If you or your dog want to interact, then please ASK the other owner's first.

If I can relate in incident from yesterday. Husband and I are walking dogs on lead, two each. We are using a route used for over 10 years, part of which crosses a large oval. If there are no dogs loose on the oval we do allow our dogs off-lead for this section, still under our control as they can be recalled. Any young ones still without reliable recall remain on lead.

Yesterday there was a mixed group of several dogs and owners having a lovely time playing and throwing balls etc in the middle of the oval so our dogs stayed on lead and we gave them a wide berth, skirting around the far perimeter.

Half way around, I heard shouting and looked up to see a little white fluffy dog barreling across the oval towards us, totally ignoring his handlers calling. Our dogs are not in the least aggressive HOWEVER they are walking in their pack (which to their minds includes us) and this little dog is making a beeline for us, barking loudly and using dominant body language. The dogs lunge forward to meet this perceived threat and I have to hold them back behind me and step between them and the little dog as it closes in.

When he gets within close range he has second thoughts.. (as sensible dogs do when faced with four larger dogs facing up to them and appearing to be unintimidated.) So he stands just out of range, up on tippy toes, hackles up, staring in an unfriendly way and bawls us out instead. We cannot walk on as every time we try to do so he gets Dutch Courage and hones in on their heels, to which they quickly swing around and get ready to take him on.

Our walk stopped, I hear his name being called so step forward and talk to him "Hellooo, is your name Oscar?" "What a good boy" I say in my hypocritically sweetest tone. He is not interested in people, just our dogs so he doesn't mind as I hold his collar to try and keep him at bay from my two straining charges and tickle him under the chin. He finds this a bit confusing; "Huh? I didn't know you guys were our friends, how did you know my name. Here I am being a big guard dog yet now I'm not sure...?"

The reason for doing this is so that my own dogs (who want to deal with him) take a cue from me and relax their guarding reflex - but one wrong move and this little dog could be toast in an instant.

It is not his fault, but our nice walk has been spoiled and he is in imminent danger. We cannot move so wait,. with me trying to keep the little dog at a distance from ours but he is loose and free to dart in while they are on lead. - So not easy to do. We are stuck.

Eventually a young girl comes over from the group - I ask her to pick up her little dog. She just stands there, says nothing and stares at us. After some minutes a lady arrives and we manage to get her to pick the still blustering little "Oscar" up. Whew! She is a nice lady and Oscar is a nice little dog - just doing what is natural for a dog. "He won't do anything" she says.

All I can answer as we beat a hasty retreat is to say; "Yes but my dogs are part of a pack and he is not. He is in danger if he takes on a strange pack of dogs without getting to know them first." Oscar was not looking to make friends, in his own way he was guarding territory and trying to be a smart-arse. My 4 dogs walking on lead with us would have all gone him if he had barreled into the middle of their group acting in the aggressive way he was initially. It could have been a very nasty and unnecessary incident if we had been as ignorant of dog behaviour as dear little Oscar's owner.

Please keep your off-lead dogs under control, do not allow them to harass other people and their dogs without permission. If other dogs are sharing the park or oval and particularly when they're on lead, do not allow your unrestrained dog to run up to them and invade their space.

Yes dogs are sociable animals but they are all different and some do not like or even want to meet others outside of their own pack. In many dogs eyes, doggy-polite introductions are first required and a strange dog barreling up to them will most certainly not be welcome.

It is much more pleasant for everyone if we could all appreciate that. We should not allow our dogs to spoil the enjoyment of someone else's walk.

Brilliant Turkey Trip ....thats all I have to say ;)

[Adnil444]

Fairy nuff, and absolutely, it is easy to put him on the leash and I can totally appreciate little 'uns paranoia. Was reading that horrible other thread with the injuries to schnauzer and maltese, which looked awful. I suppose I was a little surprised by the harsh reaction of the owner, particularly as Archie had sniffed one or two others small ones and owners generally smile and we all move on (including Archie who usually finds no interest in the littlies and vice versa). As far as bounding, no, it's not ideal, he is still pretty young though, and he is improving every time we go to this particular park (too crowded for my liking so we go once every few months at best). He recalled pretty much every time, and my mistake for not realising earlier that I should have called him off this particular dog sooner. The other dog was actually displaying some quite aggressive behaviour in his mum's arms although obviously I don't know his history.

All good

Warning: A Rant

There have been so many posts on annoying out of control yappy aggressive little dogs. I thought I'd offer "The little dog POV ..."

Playful bouncy young labs are among the most dangerous dogs for my old chi cross. He has luxating patellas and a bad back. One playful knock would mean not only pain but quite likely the need for surgery. Even when I keep him on lead and tell the owners of these dogs that he does not like labs or that he may get hurt, they insist their dogs are friendly. When I pick him up to keep him out of their way, they lecture me on how bad it is to pick up small dogs--it makes them aggressive, etc, etc. However, when my dog is in obedience classes with well trained labs in a controlled situation he shows no aggression at all towards them. He'll sit next to a lab in long stays. He'll act as 'a post' and allow the labs to weave around him. We rarely go to off lead areas but even owners with onlead dogs want to force my dog to socialise with their dogs or want to "cure" my dog of his discomfort with bouncy young dogs by forcing him to interact. It drives me nuts.

Di

I think by naming labs as a "dangerous" dog for your old boy is being a bit unfair, ALL of the large breed dogs would be a danger for him then such as ridgebacks, great danes, boxers, they are all large and high energy. The only reason that labs get picked on is that there are so many of them around. Personally if i had an old dog I would never take them to an off lead park because accidents do happen , a dog could be running for his own ball and step on your oldie by mistake.

Agree, I don't take my older mini schnauzer to the dog park anymore - she is no longer dog tolerant and she is losing her sight and hearing (and most of her teeth). She would feel threatened and I would be worried that she would get knocked over and hurt - why put a dog (especially a small one) in that situation? She now just gets gentle short leash walks which she enjoys. There are plenty of other options other than off-leash parks.

[Adnil444]

I don't normally comment in these threads but..

Erny thank you for your contributions and I hope many dog owners are reading them and taking in what you are saying.

I have lived and interacted with dogs all my life. When did it become fashionable for dog owners to allow their dog to run up to strange dogs and people and harass them without either their invitation or permission?

Other dogs and their owners, off or particularly on leash should be able to enjoy the their walk and the ambiance and open space of a park without having to fend off unwanted loose dogs running over, off-lead and completely NOT under the control of their minder. Off lead does not mean out of control.

If you are there with a group of dog owners and you all agree that your dogs can play together off lead, then fine. However, do not allow your dog to bound up to other dogs and people you do not know, uninvited. This is plainly irresponsible and you and your dog are entertaining yourself at the expense of someone' else's enjoyment of their walk. Not good etiquette.

Other dogs are not there for the entertainment of your own. If you or your dog want to interact, then please ASK the other owner's first.

If I can relate in incident from yesterday. Husband and I are walking dogs on lead, two each. We are using a route used for over 10 years, part of which crosses a large oval. If there are no dogs loose on the oval we do allow our dogs off-lead for this section, still under our control as they can be recalled. Any young ones still without reliable recall remain on lead.

Yesterday there was a mixed group of several dogs and owners having a lovely time playing and throwing balls etc in the middle of the oval so our dogs stayed on lead and we gave them a wide berth, skirting around the far perimeter.

Half way around, I heard shouting and looked up to see a little white fluffy dog barreling across the oval towards us, totally ignoring his handlers calling. Our dogs are not in the least aggressive HOWEVER they are walking in their pack (which to their minds includes us) and this little dog is making a beeline for us, barking loudly and using dominant body language. The dogs lunge forward to meet this perceived threat and I have to hold them back behind me and step between them and the little dog as it closes in.

When he gets within close range he has second thoughts.. (as sensible dogs do when faced with four larger dogs facing up to them and appearing to be unintimidated.) So he stands just out of range, up on tippy toes, hackles up, staring in an unfriendly way and bawls us out instead. We cannot walk on as every time we try to do so he gets Dutch Courage and hones in on their heels, to which they quickly swing around and get ready to take him on.

Our walk stopped, I hear his name being called so step forward and talk to him "Hellooo, is your name Oscar?" "What a good boy" I say in my hypocritically sweetest tone. He is not interested in people, just our dogs so he doesn't mind as I hold his collar to try and keep him at bay from my two straining charges and tickle him under the chin. He finds this a bit confusing; "Huh? I didn't know you guys were our friends, how did you know my name. Here I am being a big guard dog yet now I'm not sure...?"

The reason for doing this is so that my own dogs (who want to deal with him) take a cue from me and relax their guarding reflex - but one wrong move and this little dog could be toast in an instant.

It is not his fault, but our nice walk has been spoiled and he is in imminent danger. We cannot move so wait,. with me trying to keep the little dog at a distance from ours but he is loose and free to dart in while they are on lead. - So not easy to do. We are stuck.

Eventually a young girl comes over from the group - I ask her to pick up her little dog. She just stands there, says nothing and stares at us. After some minutes a lady arrives and we manage to get her to pick the still blustering little "Oscar" up. Whew! She is a nice lady and Oscar is a nice little dog - just doing what is natural for a dog. "He won't do anything" she says.

All I can answer as we beat a hasty retreat is to say; "Yes but my dogs are part of a pack and he is not. He is in danger if he takes on a strange pack of dogs without getting to know them first." Oscar was not looking to make friends, in his own way he was guarding territory and trying to be a smart-arse. My 4 dogs walking on lead with us would have all gone him if he had barreled into the middle of their group acting in the aggressive way he was initially. It could have been a very nasty and unnecessary incident if we had been as ignorant of dog behaviour as dear little Oscar's owner.

Please keep your off-lead dogs under control, do not allow them to harass other people and their dogs without permission. If other dogs are sharing the park or oval and particularly when they're on lead, do not allow your unrestrained dog to run up to them and invade their space.

Yes dogs are sociable animals but they are all different and some do not like or even want to meet others outside of their own pack. In many dogs eyes, doggy-polite introductions are first required and a strange dog barreling up to them will most certainly not be welcome.

It is much more pleasant for everyone if we could all appreciate that. We should not allow our dogs to spoil the enjoyment of someone else's walk.

Brilliant Turkey Trip ....thats all I have to say ;)

Well said and put.

[megan_]

Hi Megan, good on you for taking on this girl, and what a horrible start to her life.

Can I ask if you take her to off-leash parks and if so why if she doesn't seem to be enjoying it. Would you be better off taking her for walks at on-lead parks, around the neighbourhood etc. I know there are some dogs at our park that may take offence and snap back at her if she did this to them, therefore can I ask (and I don't want to be blasted here, but am trying to understand), why take her there in the first place if an incident could occur. Unfortunately, as another poster said, the general consensus is in off-leash parks, "well if your dog doesn't like it, don't come", which of course is not correct as all the signs at the entrance to the park state that even off-lead, all dogs must be under effective control, however I doubt anyone reads this or takes any notice and basically it is a free-for-all.

Every time I take mine to the park, I know there is a risk, albeit small, that something may go wrong and I am always watching and keeping an eye out not only for my dogs, but for the others in the park.

Good question.

Firstly, I should point out that our off leash park is small and I know most of the dogs there. Most owners know Lucy and know how to act around her. If there is an overly friendly dog or a dog that I don't know there when I pull up we turn around and go somewhere else. Sometimes we're half-way through our walk (and away from the car) when this happens though.

99% of the time all is fine. She actually loves meeting dogs - she just doesn't like (usually large) dogs that jump on top of her. Our park is a multi-use series of ovals with a path on the outside. I stick to the outside path while dogs that are off leash play in the middle. It is not a dog park - it is used by kids to play footy, joggers etc, so most of the dogs are very well behaved (or else they simply wouldn't last there).

For example, this evening we went to the park and the usual crowd was there. I let my boy off leash and we (Lucy and I) stood to the side. She knows these dogs and happily said hello to each of them.

As she can't be trusted off leash (she will bolt if someone scares her) her life would be pretty boring if we only went for street walks. She loves foraging under the trees in our park. If we go to onlead parks some half-wit usually has their dog off leash anyway, so there is no avoiding off leash dogs unfortunately. Oddly, I find the dogs that are offleash better behaved that dogs that are offleash in on leash areas.

[Erny]

I own a small dog that is very nervous of dogs that get in her face... She is this way because she was kept as a puppy farm breeding bitch in a cage most of her life. She has improved in leaps and bounds but is still nervous when she feels "smothered". When a dog approaches her like this I ask the owner to get their dog. ... I don't buy the whole "just let the dogs sort it out" bit. That works for "normal" dogs, not dogs who have been abused and have to learn what "normal" is. All I want to do is take my girl for a walk. I really isn't much to ask.

Hi Megan, good on you for taking on this girl, and what a horrible start to her life.

;) but this is an opportune time for me to give Megan the for what she has done as well. I know Megan and her girl dog she's speaking of, and Megan's hard work and dedication has had her dog coming a long way from where she had been.

[Adnil444]

Hi Megan, good on you for taking on this girl, and what a horrible start to her life.

Can I ask if you take her to off-leash parks and if so why if she doesn't seem to be enjoying it. Would you be better off taking her for walks at on-lead parks, around the neighbourhood etc. I know there are some dogs at our park that may take offence and snap back at her if she did this to them, therefore can I ask (and I don't want to be blasted here, but am trying to understand), why take her there in the first place if an incident could occur. Unfortunately, as another poster said, the general consensus is in off-leash parks, "well if your dog doesn't like it, don't come", which of course is not correct as all the signs at the entrance to the park state that even off-lead, all dogs must be under effective control, however I doubt anyone reads this or takes any notice and basically it is a free-for-all.

Every time I take mine to the park, I know there is a risk, albeit small, that something may go wrong and I am always watching and keeping an eye out not only for my dogs, but for the others in the park.

Good question.

Firstly, I should point out that our off leash park is small and I know most of the dogs there. Most owners know Lucy and know how to act around her. If there is an overly friendly dog or a dog that I don't know there when I pull up we turn around and go somewhere else. Sometimes we're half-way through our walk (and away from the car) when this happens though.

99% of the time all is fine. She actually loves meeting dogs - she just doesn't like (usually large) dogs that jump on top of her. Our park is a multi-use series of ovals with a path on the outside. I stick to the outside path while dogs that are off leash play in the middle. It is not a dog park - it is used by kids to play footy, joggers etc, so most of the dogs are very well behaved (or else they simply wouldn't last there).

For example, this evening we went to the park and the usual crowd was there. I let my boy off leash and we (Lucy and I) stood to the side. She knows these dogs and happily said hello to each of them.

As she can't be trusted off leash (she will bolt if someone scares her) her life would be pretty boring if we only went for street walks. She loves foraging under the trees in our park. If we go to onlead parks some half-wit usually has their dog off leash anyway, so there is no avoiding off leash dogs unfortunately. Oddly, I find the dogs that are offleash better behaved that dogs that are offleash in on leash areas.

Hi Megan, thanks for answering this. This now makes sense to me and I understand why you do that.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Yes, I have noticed that dogs in off lead areas that are not well fenced, are much better behaved, the owners have more control and exercise it. I think it would be ok to dedicate a fenced area to small or decrepid dogs for off lead, the bulk of an area, should not be all that well fenced.

Then your effective control gets enforced, by the environment. And dogs cannot be bailed up against the fence leading to no more flight option, turning to the fight option.

[Just love my dogs!]

Fairy nuff, and absolutely, it is easy to put him on the leash and I can totally appreciate little 'uns paranoia. Was reading that horrible other thread with the injuries to schnauzer and maltese, which looked awful. I suppose I was a little surprised by the harsh reaction of the owner, particularly as Archie had sniffed one or two others small ones and owners generally smile and we all move on (including Archie who usually finds no interest in the littlies and vice versa). As far as bounding, no, it's not ideal, he is still pretty young though, and he is improving every time we go to this particular park (too crowded for my liking so we go once every few months at best). He recalled pretty much every time, and my mistake for not realising earlier that I should have called him off this particular dog sooner. The other dog was actually displaying some quite aggressive behaviour in his mum's arms although obviously I don't know his history.

All good

Warning: A Rant

There have been so many posts on annoying out of control yappy aggressive little dogs. I thought I'd offer "The little dog POV ..."

Playful bouncy young labs are among the most dangerous dogs for my old chi cross. He has luxating patellas and a bad back. One playful knock would mean not only pain but quite likely the need for surgery. Even when I keep him on lead and tell the owners of these dogs that he does not like labs or that he may get hurt, they insist their dogs are friendly. When I pick him up to keep him out of their way, they lecture me on how bad it is to pick up small dogs--it makes them aggressive, etc, etc. However, when my dog is in obedience classes with well trained labs in a controlled situation he shows no aggression at all towards them. He'll sit next to a lab in long stays. He'll act as 'a post' and allow the labs to weave around him. We rarely go to off lead areas but even owners with onlead dogs want to force my dog to socialise with their dogs or want to "cure" my dog of his discomfort with bouncy young dogs by forcing him to interact. It drives me nuts.

Di

I think by naming labs as a "dangerous" dog for your old boy is being a bit unfair, ALL of the large breed dogs would be a danger for him then such as ridgebacks, great danes, boxers, they are all large and high energy. The only reason that labs get picked on is that there are so many of them around. Personally if i had an old dog I would never take them to an off lead park because accidents do happen , a dog could be running for his own ball and step on your oldie by mistake.

;) Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

[Lady Flying Furball]

Well your dog was "going for " their dog, even if to play. And it is such a classic thing to say "don't worry my dog is gentle." The point is that their dog obviously wasn't tolerating another dog approaching. You have to respect boundaries and requests around other dogs and owners, and not take it personally. When my dog wasn't tolerating other dogs approaching him, it really f@###ed up my training when others let their dogs run up despite my requests they call their dogs away

[megan_]

Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

[Just love my dogs!]

Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

I'm deadly serious! Who could be scared of a labrador?! ;) They're known as the world's friendliest and most family orientated dog! I would never cross the street if I see a labrador on a leash. If I see a little yappy thing, then I cross the street!

[Lady Flying Furball]

Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

I'm deadly serious! Who could be scared of a labrador?! ;) They're known as the world's friendliest and most family orientated dog! I would never cross the street if I see a labrador on a leash. If I see a little yappy thing, then I cross the street!

Seriously, in a recent media interview about the very topic of seeking to nominate "dangerous breeds", a vet who had worked in the US said that the worst dog attack they had ever seen was a lab!! Having been bitten once by a dog in my life, a lovely smiling, wagging tail lab nearly bit my bloody hand off when I was nine!

I'm tired of small dog bashing. Obviously small dogs make big noises to protect themselves...get over it please people.

[megan_]

Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

I'm deadly serious! Who could be scared of a labrador?! ;) They're known as the world's friendliest and most family orientated dog! I would never cross the street if I see a labrador on a leash. If I see a little yappy thing, then I cross the street!

An unruly lab, owned by someone who thinks that all labs are friendly and wouldn't harm anyone, could easily bowl over a toddler, body slam a smaller dog (has happened to mine) or, as I pointed out in my previous post, become aggressive due to a lack of socialisation.

Any dog, in the wrong hands, can be dangerous. Sometimes "the wrong hands" aren't just bogans with aggressive dogs, but ignorant people who assume that their dog will turn out to be friendly by virtue of its breed.

FWIW, for the last few years running, labs have been responsible for most bites to children in the US.

Lab owners please note: I'm not having a go at labs. Love them. I just can't stand it when someone says that all labs are friendly and can't understand why some people are scared of them. I'm scared of owners like that.

ETA: Do you know there is a difference between human and dog aggression? A dogs might be family friendly but aggressive to other dogs. They are totally different things.

Edited May 6, 2010 by megan_

[sumosmum]

Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

I'm deadly serious! Who could be scared of a labrador?! ;) They're known as the world's friendliest and most family orientated dog! I would never cross the street if I see a labrador on a leash. If I see a little yappy thing, then I cross the street!

My SBT was seriously attacked by a Lab. The attack went on for quite a while, the person walking the dog deserted us and the dog he was walking, leaving it attacking my dog. My dog tried to stay behind me but the other dog kept circling and attacking. My dog wet himself and he was injured. The person in charge of the dog was heavily fined. Absolutely horrible experience for my dog and for me.

ETA My dog was on leash. The Lab was being walked off leash on the street.

Edited May 6, 2010 by sumosmum

[Nevafollo]

;) Ha ha ha Who ever heard of an aggressive or dangerous labrador!?!?!?

You're not serious?

There is a very HA and DA lab down the street from me - people cross the street when they see it approaching (on leash).

Most labs also play very physically. They can easily hurt a small dog even if they didn't mean it.

I'm deadly serious! Who could be scared of a labrador?! They're known as the world's friendliest and most family orientated dog! I would never cross the street if I see a labrador on a leash. If I see a little yappy thing, then I cross the street!

What a ridiculous narrow minded veiw to have! ALL breeds have the potential to be agressive...Labs are not immune to it. I've come across a few nasty Labs, Ive come across nasty dogs of most breeds...

Just cause Labs are one of the most POPULAR family breeds doesnt mean they are one of the best suited breeds for familys. And they definately arnt all friendly. Most that come into work that are under the age of say 6 are out of control...alot of others are very timid/fear agressive and then there are the lovely ones who you can tell have had training, socialization and disapline to make them so wonderful!

Edited May 6, 2010 by sammy_ballerina

[kimigirl]

I have a papillon puppy (6 mths) who unfortunately barks and growls in fear at dogs who are bigger than her, generally if they are off lead and approaching. (She is scared of everything including her own shadow!) It is something I am working on with her to try and overcome. I always have her on lead and will always ask to approach other dogs on lead who seem 'calm' to try and get her used to large dogs.

I also always get the line 'don't worry they're friendly' as numerous large dog bounds up to us off lead. The problem is mine isn't! And I am conscious of the fact that her demeanour/aggression may trigger an unpleasant reaction in the larger dog. At 2.8kg she would have no hope of defending herself.

It makes me really reluctant to walk her when I know that there is going to be other dogs around at the park, which I feel is compounding her socialisation problem. Much easier walking her after dark when the park is deserted, than trying to avoid all the offlead dogs.