Sick Of Big Dogs Stalking My Swf What Can I Do?

[poodlefan]

Walk your dog onlead whenever there are large dogs around. You need to stop her bolting away from you. If she won't come to you when she's frightened then a lead is required.

If you want her to have time offlead, you'll become adept at finding quiet places or visiting dogs parks at quiet hours.

You may not like this advice but it will keep your dog in one piece.

Edited June 16, 2010 by poodlefan

[Janba]

Janba - yeah I watch alot of working breeds play like this and yes it's Luna's fault for running if they run at her but I can't really blame her :D This dog didn't break off or wag it's tail as it got closer it just went for her. There were 2 kelpies at another park near my old house that used to stalk everything (including people) but they wouldn't chase and they pretty much ignored all other dogs just waiting for their owner to throw the ball... it was funny to watch them but abit unnerving :D

I don't blame her either and you shouldn't have to put up with dogs trying to play with yours when it doesn't want to play which is why I am very careful which dogs I let mine interact with and don't go to off lead dog parks unless they are deserted.

[Scarlet]

Don't take your dog in off-leash areas.

Don't take your dog in areas where there will be other dogs.

Kthnxbai.

This doesn't seem fair but it's what I do now.

I don't use off leash areas unless they're empty, if other dogs come then I leave.

Of course it is difficult at a beach but I would leash and carry your dog when another came into view and the owners would know about it if their dog attempted jumping up at me and my dog.

It's a pity as it disadvantages my dogs and they don't get to play with other dogs but at least they are safe.

Luckily everyone leashes their dogs on the street in my area so walks are OK

[juice]

my cattle dog approach's in exactly the same way, crouching down, fixed stare, crawling low down, then big rush.....quiet scary if you don't know him :D thats exactly why he isn't allowed to do it to anyone who doesn't already know him.

i consider it rude of them not to keep him near as they approached and walked past. :D

[Kelly_Louise]

I hate when small dogs annoy my big dog, but I'm not in fear for her life when it happens. I get the point that everyone should keep their dogs well controlled, no matter what size their dogs are, but I think there's a difference there too.

No, I'm not necessarily in fear of Sasha's life exactly... but what I am afraid of is that she has a tendency to try and pull out of her lead if she's frightened. So, if a SWF is taunting her, depending how bad it is (and we have some really mean ones around), IF she was to pull out and run... she may get hit by a car, I might lose her (which would kill me), a number of any scenarios. So whilst the obvious danger may not be there, there are other just as dangerous scenarios.

I feel, many people with SWF's make excuses because their dogs are small and refuse to see their own part. I agree that no matter what the size... ALL dogs need manners, whether they have physical presence or not. And with that, there shouldn't be a difference at all regarding size. Just as, the responsibilities of the owner should not be any different, regardless of the dogs size. Dogs of any size can cause problems that are dangerous.

[poodlefan]

I hate when small dogs annoy my big dog, but I'm not in fear for her life when it happens. I get the point that everyone should keep their dogs well controlled, no matter what size their dogs are, but I think there's a difference there too.

No, I'm not necessarily in fear of Sasha's life exactly... but what I am afraid of is that she has a tendency to try and pull out of her lead if she's frightened. So, if a SWF is taunting her, depending how bad it is (and we have some really mean ones around), IF she was to pull out and run... she may get hit by a car, I might lose her (which would kill me), a number of any scenarios. So whilst the obvious danger may not be there, there are other just as dangerous scenarios.

Do you walk her on a martingale collar?

[Kelly_Louise]

I hate when small dogs annoy my big dog, but I'm not in fear for her life when it happens. I get the point that everyone should keep their dogs well controlled, no matter what size their dogs are, but I think there's a difference there too.

No, I'm not necessarily in fear of Sasha's life exactly... but what I am afraid of is that she has a tendency to try and pull out of her lead if she's frightened. So, if a SWF is taunting her, depending how bad it is (and we have some really mean ones around), IF she was to pull out and run... she may get hit by a car, I might lose her (which would kill me), a number of any scenarios. So whilst the obvious danger may not be there, there are other just as dangerous scenarios.

Do you walk her on a martingale collar?

I certainly do now... however, the fear is still there. She doesn't react as badly as she used to - and I have tried to get her out of the hard backward pulling habit, she knows it's not allowed anymore. But still, I have that fear that if she was scared enough, she might try it and somehow succeed. When it's happened to you (she pulled out of a harness after a dog had a go) and I watched her dodging traffic with my heart in my mouth... it's not something you ever forget.

The martingale has been a Godsend and has helped both our confidence.

[Moselle]

I'm sick of SWF's stalking and bailing up my big dog... Total menaces.

What gives the owners of SWF's the idea that it is okay when their dog can run up to other dogs and bail them up? They are putting their own small fluffy's life in peril by allowing this to take place.

It really is so darn annoying that people are aware of what their own dog's peculiarities are and still turn a blind eye, patience has to prevail as it seems that such people are the rule and not the exception :D

Edited June 16, 2010 by Moselle

[poodlefan]

The martingale has been a Godsend and has helped both our confidence.

They are definitely a godsend for sighthound people with dogs with fine necks and heads. Mind you, I've seen a lot of different breeds in Blackdog sighthound collars. :D

[MalteseLuna]

Walk your dog onlead whenever there are large dogs around. You need to stop her bolting away from you. If she won't come to you when she's frightened then a lead is required.

If you want her to have time offlead, you'll become adept at finding quiet places or visiting dogs parks at quiet hours.

You may not like this advice but it will keep your dog in one piece.

I don't generally go to off lead parks - after being burned before I decided it wasn't worth it - I only was at the off lead beach because it was fairly deserted (maybe 5-10 people across a 2km beach) and it's where my parents go. I generally keep her on lead or pick her up if we go past a dog/something I don't like the look of but this happened when the dog was quite far away i.e. 50-100 m away the first time and she was heeling. She does run towards me if there is trouble but she had to dart and got cut off from me so was circling back to me.

DerRottwelier - most little dog owners have to be paranoid because unfortunately our dogs can be killed very easily even without the intention to do so. I am not overly paranoid given the past experiences I have had or heard of. I am not the sort of person to pick up my dog and scream if a big dog looks at me. I know the basics of dog behavior and have had dogs all my life - I know what a friendly playful dog looks like - and this wasn't obviously so.

We get as many issues in the small ON LEAD park as we do in the off lead park (which I don't go to anymore) - more so as most people don't use leads.

I love her so I try to avoid dangerous situations. Guess I thought deserted beach, few dogs/people, she is heeling behind me - it's O.K.

There should be special parks for responsible dog owners i.e. you have to do a test to get in :D have small, big and puppy sections ... each person could make a donation when they entered to cover vet costs if there was an incident, upkeep, keeping out trouble dogs etc if only

[MalteseLuna]

I'm sick of SWF's stalking and bailing up my big dog... Total menaces.

What gives the owners of SWF's the idea that it is okay when their dog can run up to other dogs and bail them up? They are putting their own small fluffy's life in peril by allowing this to take place.

It really is so darn annoying that people are aware of what their own dog's peculiarities are and still turn a blind eye, patience has to prevail as it seems that such people are the rule and not the exception :D

Ummm nobody said this? It's again not really a question of size but manners - dogs of any size can be nasty/poorly brought up and owners of any dog can be stupid/irresponsible.

My post wasn't really about SWF vs big dog but rather well behaved vs not well behaved...

Unfortunately alot of people impulse buy SWF at the pet store, don't socialize their dogs with people or other dogs and in return get a poorly behaved rude monster which bails up other dogs and snaps at people... more a issue of owner than dog imo. They also see it as non threatening because there dog is small. Wrong but this is what happens when people get impluse buy puppies... and it's not really the fault of the breed (most swf you see nowadays are X breeds).

[geo]

At the same time I see alot of working dogs who will 'stalk' their way up to my dogs say a quick hello and run off again.

Often with working dogs its when the SWF runs away that they get chased and herded. I just ask mine to sit or drop so that this doesn't happen and stand next to my dogs and ask the owner to call their dog away. It have solved LOTS of problems!!

Good idea.. i think some owners of SWF over react when they see a dog herding, not really stalking.. if it was showing aggression then fair enough.

Small dogs are a problem harrasing big dogs alot here, and with either of my dogs it's not really a problem but just their size can be an issue, and the dog owners get scared not the actula dog.

[wuffles]

My big dog stalks in play and when greeting other dogs and he is nothing but friendly. Just like you can't blame small dogs for being scared or running away, you can't blame herding dogs for herding!

I do agree that dogs should be kept under control, no matter what size they are. I don't expect them to be perfect, because they are dogs after all, but I at least expect owners to care

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I reckon the kelpie was in full on herding mode, and the SWF was in no danger.

But if SWF owner is worried, Kelpie owner should call their dog off.

I like to have my dog (another herding dog) greet SWF politely before she engages in stalking games and I stay with the SWF owner and make sure they're ok with the level of play, since my dog quite frequently skittles other dogs in play. Most of them don't seem the least bit bothered and leap up to continue, but if they or their owner doesn't want to play I make sure my dog leaves them alone.

I hate when owners of badly behaved dogs yell at you for correcting their dog or stopping it from behaving badly. And that goes to all owner of leg cocking beagles at the beach - it is not ok for your dog to pee on other people's things. And don't yell at me if I tell your dog off.

I do believe NSW dog and cat management law allows for defense of your dog by what ever means you deem necessary. So a super soaker would be fine. And the other owner would have to answer for breaking that law before they could sue you for assaulting them with a jet of water. Self defence is usually enough.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/con...8174/index.html

However all that could be avoided by actively seeking out the other owner and having both dogs properly greet each other and ask the other owner politely to keep their dog away from yours if that's what you prefer.

[DerRottweiler]

Well yeah there are annoying SWFs that think they are alpha (small dog syndrome).

But when I take my dog to the off-leash park, I'm not exactly scared of him getting mauled lol.

I think the best solution in this case is avoidance, sucks but means your dog won't get attacked. Like others have said, take the dog out during quiet times, or find somewhere else to take it. Maybe a small-dog only off-leash park is a good idea, or small-dog park in general.

[Hello Gorgeous]

I say produce the super soaker and give the owners a point blank wetting for being so stupid as not to call their dog back!!!

I was just going to add how for me it's always the SWFs with small dog syndrome which used to annoy my dog.

I read somewhere that picking them up in situation like this may reinforce small dog sydrome? I used to do it out of instinct, just in case the other dog tried something funny, but someone once told me not to. I think the same person may have told me that when an SWF starts barking at another dog and the other dog comes running up, to not pick them up as well because it reinforces that too? Not quite sure how true this is, but thought I'd ask anyway!

Edited June 16, 2010 by Hello Gorgeous

[Adnil444]

Walk your dog onlead whenever there are large dogs around. You need to stop her bolting away from you. If she won't come to you when she's frightened then a lead is required.

If you want her to have time offlead, you'll become adept at finding quiet places or visiting dogs parks at quiet hours.

You may not like this advice but it will keep your dog in one piece.

I don't generally go to off lead parks - after being burned before I decided it wasn't worth it - I only was at the off lead beach because it was fairly deserted (maybe 5-10 people across a 2km beach) and it's where my parents go. I generally keep her on lead or pick her up if we go past a dog/something I don't like the look of but this happened when the dog was quite far away i.e. 50-100 m away the first time and she was heeling. She does run towards me if there is trouble but she had to dart and got cut off from me so was circling back to me.

DerRottwelier - most little dog owners have to be paranoid because unfortunately our dogs can be killed very easily even without the intention to do so. I am not overly paranoid given the past experiences I have had or heard of. I am not the sort of person to pick up my dog and scream if a big dog looks at me. I know the basics of dog behavior and have had dogs all my life - I know what a friendly playful dog looks like - and this wasn't obviously so.

We get as many issues in the small ON LEAD park as we do in the off lead park (which I don't go to anymore) - more so as most people don't use leads.

I love her so I try to avoid dangerous situations. Guess I thought deserted beach, few dogs/people, she is heeling behind me - it's O.K.

There should be special parks for responsible dog owners i.e. you have to do a test to get in have small, big and puppy sections ... each person could make a donation when they entered to cover vet costs if there was an incident, upkeep, keeping out trouble dogs etc if only

Why don't you petition your council to have a small dog off-leash area/park or make the current dog parks segregated? It is worth a try.

[poodlefan]

I say produce the super soaker and give the owners a point blank wetting for being so stupid as not to call their dog back!!!

I was just going to add how for me it's always the SWFs with small dog syndrome which used to annoy my dog.

I read somewhere that picking them up in situation like this may reinforce small dog sydrome? I used to do it out of instinct, just in case the other dog tried something funny, but someone once told me not to. I think the same person may have told me that when an SWF starts barking at another dog and the other dog comes running up, to not pick them up as well because it reinforces that too? Not quite sure how true this is, but thought I'd ask anyway!

I'd rather have a dog with "small dog syndrome" than a dead dog. I will continue to pick up my small dogs if I can.

A dog displaying fear aggression requires protection, not tough love IMO.

Edited June 16, 2010 by poodlefan

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I say produce the super soaker and give the owners a point blank wetting for being so stupid as not to call their dog back!!!

I was just going to add how for me it's always the SWFs with small dog syndrome which used to annoy my dog.

I read somewhere that picking them up in situation like this may reinforce small dog sydrome? I used to do it out of instinct, just in case the other dog tried something funny, but someone once told me not to. I think the same person may have told me that when an SWF starts barking at another dog and the other dog comes running up, to not pick them up as well because it reinforces that too? Not quite sure how true this is, but thought I'd ask anyway!

I'd rather have a dog with "small dog syndrome" than a dead dog. I will continue to pick up my small dogs if I can.

A dog displaying fear aggression requires protection, not tough love IMO.

x2. i believe that it is our job for our dogs to know we will protect them. i think this makes them more confident and not pushy or aggressive.

[Adnil444]

I'm sick of SWF's stalking and bailing up my big dog... Total menaces.

What gives the owners of SWF's the idea that it is okay when their dog can run up to other dogs and bail them up? They are putting their own small fluffy's life in peril by allowing this to take place.

It really is so darn annoying that people are aware of what their own dog's peculiarities are and still turn a blind eye, patience has to prevail as it seems that such people are the rule and not the exception

Ummm nobody said this? It's again not really a question of size but manners - dogs of any size can be nasty/poorly brought up and owners of any dog can be stupid/irresponsible.

My post wasn't really about SWF vs big dog but rather well behaved vs not well behaved...

Unfortunately alot of people impulse buy SWF at the pet store, don't socialize their dogs with people or other dogs and in return get a poorly behaved rude monster which bails up other dogs and snaps at people... more a issue of owner than dog imo. They also see it as non threatening because there dog is small. Wrong but this is what happens when people get impluse buy puppies... and it's not really the fault of the breed (most swf you see nowadays are X breeds).

I agree with you - as an owner of a large, medium and small dog I can see from all angles. I have seen more and more SWFs coming to the off-leash park that shouldn't be there - either fearful or aggressive but quite a few have gone for my bigger girl that she is now starting to go back and because she is the bigger dog, she will always get the blame. My girl then goes back on lead while the SWF continues on it's merry way harrassing other dogs while the owner is either ignorant or doesn't care. I have explained many times to these owners that if my big dog did that to your SWF you would not appreciate it, in fact I know you would be downright upset and angry about it, but for some reason, many of these owners think it is cute, or funny to see a little dog take on a big dog - it's not and it makes what should be a pleasurable time for all, sometimes a stressful time. I won't risk my girl getting a reputation and she is perfectly fine with SWFs that have been socialised, that don't go for her, she enjoys playing with them (supervised of course).

I believe that there should be areas for small dogs and bigger dogs that way many of the issues at dog parks would cease (not all but many).

And I agree with you that many of these SWFs have been purchased at pet shops with no idea of what they are getting, probably on impulse too. I also think that because they are small, the owners don't have to train them like the bigger dogs as you can manhandle a small dog (it won't pull you over if it pulls on the lead, you can pick it up if you need to etc etc), so they don't get socialised properly, don't go to training classes (in fact where I go for training, there are very few SWFs considering how many you see around the place). The training classes are full of medium to larger breeds and Xbreeds.