My Dog Is Not Agressive Some Advice Please

[A and G]

Hi all,

i just wanted your opinion please.( and to vent) As I am still quite worked up. This morning I took my lab for a walk around the park as I do every morning and she runs around in the off leash area with me most of the time right by my side. She is 6 we have had her now for almost three months. ( she was a stray) she doesn't really play with other dogs but runs very fast up to them for a sniff and says hello and then totally ignores them sometimes she'll chase them ( only if they engage with her first) about but only for fun. I have taken her to one dog obedience class but she doesn't really need it she is good on the lead sits stays and comes when called.

Anyhow this morning she ran up to two little black toy poodles and the owner went crazy at me and tried to scare my dog away telling me she is aggressive and growls at her dogs and get her shackles up ( i assmue this is the hair on the back of her neck???) and its the 7th time this has happened ( i have seen her at the park before) Anyway I tried to tell her she was not aggressive and just wants to sniff. She started telling me i was an irresponsible dog owner and I should have her on a leash or not bring her to the park and she will report me to the council if it happens again. I tried to stay calm but of course she hit a nerve with me as Penny is such a sweet dog great with kids and my cats etc. My partner even takes her to school with him sometimes.

i just wanted your advice on

a) does she have a leg to stand on; if she reports her as an aggressive dog( i know every council is different but just generally)

b) do you think this is aggressive behavior and I am just not aware and if so is there anyway I can train her not to do this.

Thanks for listening! I also just need to vent as I am so angry with how she approached the situation. if she had of nicely engaged with a discussion about it I think I would not be so angry.

[Clyde]

but runs very fast up to them

This in itself can be considered an offence. If any dog runs up fast to me or my dogs it gets my boot in it's face.

[Skitch]

Maybe she has mistaken your dog for another dog that frequents the park...? Labs aren't exactly an uncommon breed!

[TsarsMum]

where her dogs loose or on the lead? does your dog recall? sorry but I hate dogs that rush at other dogs. put her on a long lead she needs to learn how to meet properly.

[Skitch]

but runs very fast up to them

This in itself can be considered an offence. If any dog runs up fast to me or my dogs it gets my boot in it's face.

Even in an offlead dog park..?

[Sandra777]

but runs very fast up to them

This in itself can be considered an offence. If any dog runs up fast to me or my dogs it gets my boot in it's face.

Even in an offlead dog park..?

x2 for the boot and yes even in a off leash area. I have lost count of the number of friendly dogs that have rushed at me and mine over the years and proceeded to growl and posture.

OP - perhaps she has had a bad experience with Labs and her dogs before and doesn't want her dogs to be injured.

Next time you see her put your dog on a lead and go and speak to her. No point ranting here, only she knows why she reacted as she did.

[frufru]

I take my dogs to off leash parks for excercise and do not want or expect other peoples dogs to rush up to them!!!!

Recall the dog and check with other owners before letting them socialise

[poodlefan]

A dog rushing up to mine with its hackles raised would certainly not be a welcome sight.

Why don't you teach her to come when she's called and ask permission before allowing her to approach other dogs. What she wants to do shouldn't be the test of what she gets to do. Sure beats her getting a boot or reported.

While your girl may enjoy the interaction with other dogs, the other dogs may not. In dog terms, what she's doing is extremely rude.

Thanks for listening! I also just need to vent as I am so angry with how she approached the situation. if she had of nicely engaged with a discussion about it I think I would not be so angry.

Imagine a dog 6 times the size of your Labrador rushing up to her and "just wanting to sniff". Your dog didn't give her time to respond "nicely". Had that been me, you'd have been told to call your effing dog NOW! If that didn't work, I'd have been yelling at your dog to bugger off.

People who are worried for their dog's safety don't tend to be focussing on social niceities. Channel that anger into some recall training.

Edited December 20, 2010 by poodlefan

[poodlefan]

but runs very fast up to them

This in itself can be considered an offence. If any dog runs up fast to me or my dogs it gets my boot in it's face.

Even in an offlead dog park..?

You think dog attacks don't happen in offleash parks?

[Miranda]

I cannot stand dogs who run up to mine and start sniffing, it's actually very bad dog manners and if she picks on the wrong dog she may be attacked. There is a correct way for one dog to approach another, but obviously your dog is ignorant of the protocol.

[poodlefan]

I cannot stand dogs who run up to mine and start sniffing, it's actually very bad dog manners and if she picks on the wrong dog she may be attacked. There is a correct way for one dog to approach another, but obviously your dog is ignorant of the protocol.

Or, as has happened to me, my dog tells the other dog to back off and gets attacked.

[W Sibs]

but runs very fast up to them

This in itself can be considered an offence. If any dog runs up fast to me or my dogs it gets my boot in it's face.

Even in an offlead dog park..?

Yep.

Edited December 20, 2010 by CW EW

[jacqui835]

Afraid I have to agree. I don't kick other dogs that run straight up to mine, but, if another dog stares right at my dog and runs towards it, I do typically position myself between the dog and mine and get its attention. My dog is not one to start fights or attack before asking questions etc however there are plenty that are, and running up to a dog on a lead or even just ones that are already close to their owner because they're feeling a tad unsure is unfortunately a way to increase your chances of being attacked. I don't usually make too much of a scene of it, but I have had people get upset with me for telling their dogs off and that annoys me. If I don't do it, there's a chance my dog will worry about strange dogs charging at him and do it himself.

I imagine also it would be harder for people with little dogs. My dog is large and so I don't really fear any other dogs, with the exception of the bully breeds (I'm not worried they'll attack me, I have no fear when I'm out by myself and run into one, I'm only worried when I have my dog with me).

[A and G]

mmm ok Seem to have hit a nerve with some of you. But good to hear your views. i do consider myself a responsible dog owner and she doesnt growl or anything and simply wants to say hello and does not raise her shackles ( this is what she said not me)

Penny always comes when called. I didnt think it was such a big issue, and I don't think she is 'ignorant of the protocol' lol! BLAH BLAH Heaps of dogs run up to her to say hello and its all fine. I think I was just shocked and angry as no one has ever seemed to have a problem with her before And we socialise in the dog park at least twice a day and everyone loves her. We were at a Xmas party last week with 47 dogs off leash so I really don't think she has an aggression issue with dogs. But I will simply stay clear of the lady from now on.

those of you that put the boot in god I would never do that!

I just spoke to the council as well and I don't have anything to worry about in an off leash park as she has not actually done anything.

ummm i guess thanks!

[poodlefan]

mmm ok Seem to have hit a nerve with some of you. But good to hear your views. i do consider myself a responsible dog owner and she doesnt growl or anything and simply wants to say hello and does not raise her shackles ( this is what she said not me)

Penny always comes when called. I didnt think it was such a big issue, and I don't think she is 'ignorant of the protocol' lol! BLAH BLAH Heaps of dogs run up to her to say hello and its all fine. I think I was just shocked and angry as no one has ever seemed to have a problem with her before And we socialise in the dog park at least twice a day and everyone loves her. We were at a Xmas party last week with 47 dogs off leash so I really don't think she has an aggression issue with dogs. But I will simply stay clear of the lady from now on.

those of you that put the boot in god I would never do that!

I just spoke to the council as well and I don't have anything to worry about in an off leash park as she has not actually done anything.

ummm i guess thanks!

After the first time you see your dog in another dog's jaws, you might be be surprised what you're capable of.

Show some consideration for other park users and don't assume they're there to have their dogs socialise with yours. That goes double for small dogs.

Labradors are notorious for not respecting other dogs personal space by the way.

Edited December 20, 2010 by poodlefan

[juice]

I was of the same mindset as you years ago, my dally is friendly ,so i couldn't see what the problem was when he went up to say hello to other dogs.

I got told off once by a guy with a mini shnauzer, who kicked my boy when he approached, he said " i don't know he is friendly'

Good point! i hadn't thought of it that way before.

I am now the opposite, they all get put back on lead when another dog appears, and only allowed to socialise if both parties want to.

In fact i now get p#ssed off if a dog rush's us

[Dogsfevr]

Offleash doesn't mean a free to do what ever.Off leash means an area you can exercise your dog under effective control off leash not to annoy the other people using the area.

You allowed your dog to run for these dogs & it would seem without calling her back or having effective control.

The owner isn't to now how your dog will react.

Big or small makes no difference ,if your happy to allow your dog to "

but runs very fast up to them"

then you need to accept you will be abused or your dog will get some sort of foot/hand action.

[^^PIP^^]

"Rushing" at another dog or person IS considered an offence in Victoria. Its enough to have your dog declared dangerous! If your dog ran up to "say hello" (rushing) to my dogs I would have reacted exactly the same as the lady with the poodles, and I would have reported you to council

[A and G]

Thanks Juice! your reply gave some good advice which is what I was after. I guess not everyone who takes their dog to an off leash area expects or wants their dogs to socialise- but most take them their for that reason.

Poodle fan I guess you have had a bad experience I imagine you would do anything. Maybe this lady has had something happen to her.Not a nice thought.

anyway appreciate the responses i am not being ignorant or inconsiderate I am simply dont want this to esculate and after some advice otherwise I would have not even cared about what she said to me. I guess the other thing is that if she had of been nice to me I prob would've put my shelf straight in her shoes and apologized!

I also had a man tell me off for not picking up dog poo when she actually did a wee! think he has not had much experience with female dogs! was not my day today!

[poodlefan]

Thanks Juice! your reply gave some good advice which is what I was after. I guess not everyone who takes their dog to an off leash area expects or wants their dogs to socialise- but most take them their for that reason.

Poodle fan I guess you have had a bad experience I imagine you would do anything. Maybe this lady has had something happen to her.Not a nice thought.

If she'd had something really bad happen, my guess is she'd be like me and staying well clear of public offleash areas.

i am not being ignorant or inconsiderate

Many of the people posting here don't use them because they can't rely on other users to control their dogs. Right now, in allowing your dog to rush up to others, you'd be one of the people quite a few of us would be keen to avoid seeing in an off leash area.

Edited December 20, 2010 by poodlefan