My Dog Is Friendly

[Salukifan]

You know, sometimes it's not about you or your dog.

Some people simply aren't interested in having their dogs interact with strange dogs on walks. I'm one of them.

A dog straining on a leash screaming is not a dog I'm interested in getting closer to when I walk multiple dogs or the little old dogs. The dog might be friendly but its an interaction I'm going to avoid regardless.

So don't take it personally. :) I'd not get closer to a dog quietly heeling along beside its owner either.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Haredown Whippets

[Sheridan]

Thanks everyone.

It was NOT an off leash area. It was a suburban street and I have seen this dog play outside the front of it's house and on the street alone before and have purposefully turned around to go the other way then. The man didn't even have a leash with him. I wasn't able to see them coming this time since it was around a bend.

My dog hasn't had any formal obedience training but I'd like to do that. I did do clicker training but will work on it again in these situations. Maybe take him somewhere from a far where there are other dogs and get closer and closer. I like that idea of getting the dogs to walk by each other in training. We haven't had much of an opportunity to play with other dogs. No one I know has dogs and we haven't been to dog parks much. The few times we have, he's really good with other dogs, very polite and very submissive and happy. I get worried of other dogs too though because he wouldn't defend himself. When I took him as a pup we would always get jumped on by other dogs just when they saw him (not even when he was right next to them) so I became really scared to socialise him with other dogs for a while but he loves dogs so much and I think he just really needs to play with them regularly.

I know what it's like being rushed at by other dogs so I definitely don't let my boy ever approach other dogs on walks unless the other person approaches us. This dog today didn't look scared. It looked happy to see us and was trying to get across the road to us but the man kept calling it back. It would go back then try to come over again (he had no leash) and did this repeatedly until he finally picked the dog up. Our dogs never got within a few metres of each other.

I understand it looks scary to other dog walkers and sometimes their dogs and I don't want this to happen. I want to be able to just walk by nice and calm. I really don't want people to see him as scary because he is the most friendly and kind dog around to all. But the screaming has to stop and the pulling me like he did today. He doesn't pull anymore otherwise which is why he's no longer on a harness.

Report the dog for being off lead if you know where it lives.

[Ashling]

You know, sometimes it's not about you or your dog.

Some people simply aren't interested in having their dogs interact with strange dogs on walks. I'm one of them.

A dog straining on a leash screaming is not a dog I'm interested in getting closer to when I walk multiple dogs or the little old dogs. The dog might be friendly but its an interaction I'm going to avoid regardless.

So don't take it personally. :) I'd not get closer to a dog quietly heeling along beside its owner either.

Thanks. I completely agree. I wouldn't want one approaching us either and I wouldn't let my boy approach one when he's being like that either or even if he was being super good. In no way was I going to let him go over there but it just upset me that the man looked at us like he was dangerous rather than just ignoring us or walking on or even laughing it off like often when you see dogs going all crazy. It just made me think more just how big and scary he could look to others. Really want to stop this behaviour so he doesn't come across that way. Again, he never pulls me all the way over to the other dog or even that close.

[Ashling]

Thank you everyone. He has the 'look at me' down at home. I will definitely take it out to the driveway now then the path etc. That's a really good idea. He loves training. If I say the word to him he will become all serious and pay attention to me but that is inside. We definitely need to work on it outside where there are distractions.

I decided to take him to a dog park this afternoon we'd never been to. I just told myself I'd check it out but we ended up going in because it was quiet. He was again excited while on leash but managed to pay attention to me to calm down before I let us walk to the gate. Once in he was very well mannered and such a good boy listening to me. He is great off leash, doesn't rush at dogs or anything. Just get a little nervous still about other dogs.

[Daisys Mum]

We take our dogs for a walk around suburban streets.. There is a house on our route that has 6 foot colourbond fencing, the dog that lives there we have never seen but every single time the dog hears us coming he rushes at the fence all aggressive.. Sometimes it's not about how a certain dog looks, sometimes like humans they may like one person but have hatred for another.

[Rayhay]

I am one of those people who would rather not interact with others peoples dogs out on my walk (unless I know them).

Sorry, far to many people who lack the proper respect for other people walking their dogs. I walk a 42kg young Rottweiler, she is pretty much always "in training mode" out on our walks, she can be extremely reactive to other dogs, especially those without manners, and as I am controlling a big strong dog, who does not appreciate "your friendly off leash dog" in her face, she gets very "excited" and "strong".

Funny how most people just don't get that I have enough on my plate as it is, without contending with your dog also!

I am not saying she never gets to have fun and play, but I prefer it with those that I know through my obedience club or friends, sorry but there are too many nuffy's out there for my liking, and if my dog happens to protect herself from someone's smaller in your face little dog, I am the bad guy. Therefore, these days, I would rather not take my chances.

I always ask people to please restrain their dog, or put it on leash as is required in this park or to please be mindful of those with bigger dogs who are still learning.

Most people are obliging, for those who yell to me that "oh my dog is friendly" my reply is, mine just may not be, could you please put it on leash.

(My problems usually arise from those with much smaller dogs and are often off leash near my area)

Ray

[Ashling]

I am one of those people who would rather not interact with others peoples dogs out on my walk (unless I know them).

Sorry, far to many people who lack the proper respect for other people walking their dogs. I walk a 42kg young Rottweiler, she is pretty much always "in training mode" out on our walks, she can be extremely reactive to other dogs, especially those without manners, and as I am controlling a big strong dog, who does not appreciate "your friendly off leash dog" in her face, she gets very "excited" and "strong".

Funny how most people just don't get that I have enough on my plate as it is, without contending with your dog also!

I am not saying she never gets to have fun and play, but I prefer it with those that I know through my obedience club or friends, sorry but there are too many nuffy's out there for my liking, and if my dog happens to protect herself from someone's smaller in your face little dog, I am the bad guy. Therefore, these days, I would rather not take my chances.

I always ask people to please restrain their dog, or put it on leash as is required in this park or to please be mindful of those with bigger dogs who are still learning.

Most people are obliging, for those who yell to me that "oh my dog is friendly" my reply is, mine just may not be, could you please put it on leash.

(My problems usually arise from those with much smaller dogs and are often off leash near my area)

Ray

I agree. I also don't want others coming up to my dog on our walks. We used to live in a lot busier area with people and dogs out walking and when he was a puppy and really cute it became ridiculous that I would look really angry at anyone looking at us just so they didn't come up. I think he was actually better when we lived there with it busier in ways but now we hardly ever run into dogs and when he sees one he generally will do that scream once or twice, like a tantrum, and try pulling me over to them but I haven't let him go all the way to them.

I also tend to think that when someone tells me not to worry they are friendly to be more cautious. I've had that before and their dog has then growled or something. But the point I was trying to make is that my dog really is friendly and not at all aggressive, I know that but others don't and I also know NOT to say that. I just do want them to be reassured somehow if he is trying to get over to them so they don't look at us with such fear. Of course I don't want that to happen at all in the first place so we need to work at this much much more.

[Agility Dogs]

I just wouldn't worry about the other owners reaction, he may have all sorts of reasons for being worried about other dogs including prior experiences or general nervousness but at the end of the day he was the one breaking the law.

I would just concentrate on your dog's behaviour for your own sake, even if he is just friendly now that kind of frustration can become a problem, so I would work on self control and social skills with him, and getting him to look to you for guidance in those kind of situations.

THis. My young boy can get over excited so I completely ignore the other dogs and focus on him focussing on me.

Other people are less likely to worry about what you are doing if you are totally into it and not worrying about what they are doing. ;)

[colliehound]

Hi Ashling,

To maybe give you a reason for the "fear" look - is that while your dog is and acts friendly - not all of mine are. They can be fosters, recovering from being attacked all manner of reasons. So when someone (and I know you are NOT doing this) yells - "Its ok he's friendly" as they are being dragged over to us. My reaction is definitely one of fear and anger as I just don't need to deal with the inevitable fight (dog or human) that will ensue as my pack determine this "intrusion" to be an attack and respond accordingly.

More times than not - of course we are ready and have space, behavioural training etc in place to avoid an actual confrontation - but it can really ruin my otherwise much needed peaceful walk to have to yell at someone to control their dog, to have to expose mine to an over eager dog and generally get my adrenaline pumping.

I know this won't entirely fit the question you asked, but will give you some insight into why some owners (and the other dog owner was completely in the wrong in your situation and should have had the dog on a lead) may give you a "look".

Good luck with your training and good on you for asking the question.

[Guest Clover]

I too avoid other dogs, especially ones that look like they are not in control (pulling, screaming etc). As the owner of reactive dogs it is my worse fear to have dogs run up to us friendly or not.

[Two Best Dogs!]

THis. My young boy can get over excited so I completely ignore the other dogs and focus on him focussing on me.

Other people are less likely to worry about what you are doing if you are totally into it and not worrying about what they are doing. ;)

This is also a very good statement, that I've only realised can apply to myself as well. I am much less worried about people I perceive as having control over their dogs (looking at their dog, checking in on their dog) versus those who are not (ignoring their dog, letting their dog rhomp all over the end of standard lead without any attempt to redirect or control).

Most recent example on my mind is two different people who both own a young GSD each (1yo?).

One of those GSD's recently nipped my dog, but I'm not overly concerned because they immediately recalled and redirected their dog. A+, thank you.

The other one I attempt to avoid as much as possible because she lets her GSD all over the place, doesn't keep an eye on him, doesn't respect my repeated requests to keep control of him around my dog as he tries to jump on her. That person worries me, even though their dog is not nippy like the other one. It's the visible lack of focus on their dog that worries me.

So keep doing your best to show you're working on it and don't worry about frowny faces, could be they're worried you're like my second GSD owner, when it sounds more like you're the first one.

[Rebanne]

I've always owned dogs that people cross the street to get away from no matter how well behaved they are. First were the GSD's, then then the lovely little crossbreed with the lovely ridge down her back (hackles up), now the greyhounds. You get used to it.