CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: Goggins on August 25, 2011, 10:12:42 AM
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Please bear with me for this long post...also Im very upset whilst writing this... :'( :'(
On Freya's 1st walk she met a group of small dogs and as she approached a Jack Russel just made a beeline for her at speed and bowled her over 3 times...after the 3rd time Freya ran off screaming. Thankfully, she recalled back. The JR owner laughed and I tried to be calm for Freya's sake.
Anyhow, we meet lots of lovely dogs on this walk and Freya now has many friends and has grown from a nervy dog into a calm submissive but very happy girl.
Yet, everyday, this JR always bolts for Freya as soon as it sees her and Freya always ends up scrabbling at my legs and the JR comes behind me and has a go. I dont mean biting but always pins her down in what appears an aggressive way. The owner always laughs and Ive been getting more and more angry. So, yesterday I made sure Freya was sat behind me and I made myself look big and I pointed at it and shouted "No! Dont you dare, every day it happens and Im not having it anymore"...the JR owner said "oh, shes ok"...I walked off.
So, today, this owner is stood talking to a man with a GSD. I hear her say..."oh, here we go, better put her on a lead as this girl is nasty and had a go at her yesterday"...I said "well, everyday yours has a go and Im fed up with it"...at this point her JR is growling at Freya. I then get told I know nothing about dogs and behaviour and Freya actually wants to play with her JR and her JR is actually being very friendly. I said well as far as I can see Freya is submissive and wants an easy life and is scared of her JR. I got told by both of them I need to get a life and obviously have not owned dogs for as long as them and when I have I will know that the JR is friendly and Freya just wants to play.
I said I wasnt going to argue and walked off and could here them laughing at me and Freya. None of this had anything to do with the man with the gsd but he was really enjoying seeing me get upset and arguing.
I cant stop crying about being had a go at so aggressively...all I was trying to was protect Freya from this JR...
Thank you letting me offload...not sure where Id be without this site xx
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We also had almost the same problem with are Peggy she would scrabble and try and hide away from the J.R and her crying was like she was being killed...As she got older and wiser the tables have now turned on the J.R its Peggy that has the last laugh..(Bark)
Perhaps its needs the J.R to snap and warn your dog off(do not come near me)So your dog knows it place being young..I to was worried and have been reassured by the GREAT members on C.O.L that this behaver will go on and my dog as well as yours will need putting in place...But like i have said in the heading above time will come and rolls will be reversed...
Don worry :bigarmhug: for now..Chris
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So sorry you had a horrible walk. Even if he thinks his JR is playing there is no need to be rude and he should respect your opinion. You know your own girl better than anyone else and will know if she is stressed. Some people are just full of themselves these days that there is no sense in them. :huh:
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Aw Carol,please don't be upset
by rude, ignorant folk :buttkick:
Unfortunately they are out there!
I would do exactly what you did and
would probably now be thinking about
changing my walk route or time or walking
with other nicer dogs and their hoomans
for backup! ;)
steffxxx
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Thanks guys...am sat crying just reading the replies...
Seaangler: Freya has always been a calm pup and never initiates play or runs up to other dogs she will always just sit and look like she is thinking. She has always done this and it was the JR that just bolted at her--for what looked like no reason...I can understand younger ott woofs needing to be put in their place and dogs do this far better than us humans!! Thanks for your reply though.
Thanks Avis and Steff....such kind and very true words...I will try and keep my chin up!!
As for Freya...she is fast asleep without a care in the world! Best way to be me thinks...wish I could just forget all about it...
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Ah, don't cry. It's so frustrating. I had a JR once who was hell bent on attacking Jarvis. It was an evil little thing but fortunately, the owner put it on a lead when she saw us. These people are just ignorant and find it amusing that you should be upset and protecting your puppy. These sort of people shouldn't be dog owners in my opinion. I would do what Hairyfeet says and try to avoid them as best you can. There have been times in the past when I have been so worried about Jarvis being attacked that I actually came very close to carrying a stick with me to beat them off - I was so angry and frustrated.
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Hi Carol,
I think you are completely in the right. I was talking to a behavourist recently who said that it is bad manners for dogs to come flying over to other dogs in that manner. Unfortunately it sounds like the owner is someone who would never admit their dog is in the wrong.
It sounds like your dog behaved really well so try not to get too upset and I think if you can avoid them for a while then that would be a good idea.
Sharon x
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Hi Carol,
I really know how you feel, I've also been there. :badmood: Charlie has been attacked and this has left him nervous of other dogs. He sticks close to me on walks, but if another dog comes pelting over, even if it is just boisterous, it freaks him out. :'( I've also found some other dog owners not being very understanding when I tried to explain (especially if they have clearly had no control and just couldn't get their dog to come back to them). >:D I've had Charlie yelp when he was bowled over, had him run off when chased etc etc. :-\ Tbh, I don't know myself anymore what the best thing to do is in that situation, but I know how upsetting it can be! So big hugs to you! :bigarmhug:
Silke x
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Please don't get upset I know how hard it is...my youngest cocker Albie now 1 just doesnt get on with Jack Russells - I dont know what it is but he is normally such a happy friendly chap says allow and mingles with any dogs he sees normally the bigger the better but where we walk we meet a couple of jack russells and Albie always gets really uptight I dont know whether its because they can be snappy little things but now if I see a jack russell coming we make a hasty retreat in the opposite direction!
As for the people laughing at you then they sound very ignorant >:D whether or not they truly believe that the JR was only trying to play with Freya or not just the fact that you are upset with the way Freya reacts should make them more sensitive. Surely if they believe they are truely experts in dog behaviour they could have been far more constructive in their approach to the situation and certainly wouldnt laugh at a caring owner trying to do whats best for their dog.
Try not to let it spoil your walks unfortunately there are some people that just arent very nice
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Carol try not to get too upset. You were completely right to confront the owner, I'd have done the same thing.
Some people are so ignorant and rude it never ceases to amaze me, I was at the vets the other day when a lady came in with her border collie, when it saw my Indy it started to pull on the leader, hackles up and was snarling and growling really badly, we moved out of it's way and was promptly told he only wants to "play". I said "I don't think so" and her reply was that I should get a grip and that she'd had dogs for years and knew what she was talking about. Enough said :-\
If I was you I'd either change the time you walk Freya so that you can avoid the JR and it's ignorant owner, or change your route alltogether. A trainer friend of mine always carries a child's water pistol in her pocket and uses it to deter any dogs that try to attack her dog.
Wendy xx
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Agree - you are completely correct. It is VERY bad manners for this JR to charge up and bowl your dog over, and it is not "just wanting to play"
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/97/ (http://www.flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/97/)
FWIW Honey would eat this JR alive if it tried it with her - she has no tolerance for "rude" dogs and after 3yrs of her telling off other dogs who annoy her (and helping her to a point so it is now only rude dogs and not every dog who looks at her) I have no tolerance for the owners of rude dogs. I've had plenty of owners look at me horrified when Honey tells their beloved dog off, but I can always tell the dogs she will have a go at and it's down to manners - a polite dog approaches, slows on the approach, comes in on an arc and meets side on - they will give a gentle sniff and maybe progress to sniffing bums. A polite playful dog may bound up intially, but will stop at a distance, lie down or give a play bow from a distance and read the body language of the dog it is approaching.
I would avoid this JR if you can - there are a couple of dogs we avoid because I know their owners can't see them doing any wrong, yet they push and push at Honey until she reacts to them, and then the owner tells Honey she's being horrid.
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if she is fine with other dogs, but not the JR then i would agree with you - its the JR not Freya. Hate to say it, but you have to get used to ignorant/rude people. When i am out with my dogs, my priority is the safety of my dogs and myself, and i try to ignore rude people.
If possible, try and change your route so that you meet the friendlier dogs, the JR owner obviously has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
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I am so sorry you have had such a horrible experience...people can be so rude nowadays. I agree if I was you I would start taking a different route and just stay away from these silly people.
Last week a huge off lead chocolate lab came running up to Kayla 5 months and she started screaming and was petrified...she was on lead as we were in the street...I know I shouldn't have lifted her up but I got such a fright at her reaction (we have a chocolate lab also). Anyway since then she has been very nervous out walking and at puppy class this week a large dog came close to her and she growled...I gave her into trouble and boy what a telling off I got from the trainer about how growling was not acceptable. I tried to explain that I felt it was through fear as she has never does this before. You can safely say I came away from training feeling very down heartend. :'(
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I know exactly how you feel :'( I have had the same problem with a' Professional' dog walker >:(
When Mollie was 12wks and just out, one of her greyhounds came bounding over and snapped at her,she cried but wasn't hurt just scared i think :-\ The walker has 5 large dogs and was unable to get it on a lead. We just carried on. Few weeks later saw her and she said 'my greyhound doesn't do puppies'. Mollie was on her lead and we carried on. 2wks ago met her again,Mollie was on lead and we were just walking past and a chocolate lab with her came bounding behind Mollie hackles up and snapped at her,all her other dogs started barking and straining to join in >:D . I said this is the second time your dogs have done this and i then got a tirade of abuse,she was shouting at me that it was my dog giving off bad vibes, fear vibes :-\ that i should read the behaviour books etc. etc. Mollie meets lots of different dogs on her walks and never has a problem,she waits with me until i tell her to say hello and is learning her manners, and at the training classes she was used to teach the much bigger dogs (2 Huskies) how to play with smaller dogs as she was the most submissive :-\ (is that a fear vibe :-\ )
I, like you, was very upset,and still am. I now do all i can to avoid her, I try to think of the many nice people and dogs we meet ;)
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There are some idiots out there.
I'm aware Honey can be horrid to submissive dogs - strangely she's fine with nervous/anxious dogs, but with happy but submissive dogs she can be horrid - but I know that' *Honey's* problem, not the submissive dog's. "Fear vibes" indeed.... *rollseyes* >:(
sandie72 - if that was your puppy trainer's advice, I wouldn't be going back. We have a very hectic puppy class at the minute, with a little shit-zu who is very growly/barky if other dogs are looking at her - we are working with the owner to help keep her distracted and calm so that she can get used to the other dogs about her without having to confront them. What exactly did your trainer suggest you should be doing?
(Incidentally, if the situation you described happened in our puppy classes, we would ask the owner of the big dog to keep their dog away, and encourage all owners to keep their dog's focus on them rather than the other dogs. It's hard work, but it's the best way to keep the situation calm and relaxed for the pups!)
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There are some idiots out there.
I'm aware Honey can be horrid to submissive dogs - strangely she's fine with nervous/anxious dogs, but with happy but submissive dogs she can be horrid - but I know that' *Honey's* problem, not the submissive dog's. "Fear vibes" indeed.... *rollseyes* >:(
sandie72 - if that was your puppy trainer's advice, I wouldn't be going back. We have a very hectic puppy class at the minute, with a little shit-zu who is very growly/barky if other dogs are looking at her - we are working with the owner to help keep her distracted and calm so that she can get used to the other dogs about her without having to confront them. What exactly did your trainer suggest you should be doing?
(Incidentally, if the situation you described happened in our puppy classes, we would ask the owner of the big dog to keep their dog away, and encourage all owners to keep their dog's focus on them rather than the other dogs. It's hard work, but it's the best way to keep the situation calm and relaxed for the pups!)
What is really annoying is that Kayla has never growled at any dog until this incident with the chocolate lab...training class we go to is a mixture of ages and we have been attending since Kayla was 10 weeks old where she has already gained her bronze award. Trainer should know Kayla is not in the habit of growling so I was quite taken aback with the telling off.
The other dog was new to class so Kayla hadn't met it before...trainer has told us to turn your dog into you and hold their collar so you are face to face with your dog and angrily say 'don't you dare' if they do anything unacceptable.
The worst thing was she told me I should actually set up an event like this to happen again to see how Kayla would react. :'( Kayla is submissive and I know it was through fear that she reacted the way she did and through the event with the choc lab.
Any advice appreciated. :huh: Sorry for butting in on your thread. :'(
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So sorry to hear about this. It's inexcusable for people to be so rude and the JR owner should not be allowed to let her dog behave like that especially as she knows the reaction that will happen.
First a question: has Freya ever met the JR while she's off the lead? I'm asking because when Jonny and Jess met an aggressive GSD one day while all three were off lead, Jonny ran for the hills, even though the GSD was actually attacking Jess (he'd had a scary encounter with a GSD before and was and still is terrified of them). Jess, who was a very timid wee cocker, rolled over onto her back immediately and after a very scary (for me) moment, the GS lost interest and his owner managed to drag him away. Jess was fortunately unhurt and not particularly upset. Thereafter, with a few exceptions, she would avoid eye contact with other dogs we met and slink along the ditch or undergrowth and keep a low profile. Funny wee thing!
The other thing is, I used to have a JR long ago who could be aggressive to big dogs such as GSDs. I was very careful to watch her body language when we were out and about if another dog approached and if I saw the hackles go up, I knew to get her on the lead. However, if she approached with tail lowered and her body in a 'comma' shape, I knew she had friendly intentions.
I don't know if any of this is helpful, but I can so understand how you feel with Freya. Other dogs will be dogs, but owners can be a nightmare! (I once was clasped amorously round the waist by an oversexed collie who refused to let go while the owner walked by either oblivious or deliberately not looking!)
:bigarmhug:
Di
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The other dog was new to class so Kayla hadn't met it before...trainer has told us to turn your dog into you and hold their collar so you are face to face with your dog and angrily say 'don't you dare' if they do anything unacceptable.
The worst thing was she told me I should actually set up an event like this to happen again to see how Kayla would react. :'( Kayla is submissive and I know it was through fear that she reacted the way she did and through the event with the choc lab.
Any advice appreciated. :huh: Sorry for butting in on your thread. :'(
Seriously??
All that has is the potential to make a little bit of nervousness turn into full on reactive aggression.
This is a good article about dogs growling in general http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/dog-growls-snaps.aspx (http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/dog-growls-snaps.aspx)
In your circumstances I would try to prevent Kayla being put in that position - as this was a class situation, I assume she was on-lead? That would have meant she had no option of running away, so warning the other dog off would be her only way of telling it (and you) she was unhappy. So I would walk away with my dog if another dog approaches - if possible getting between my dog and the approaching dog.
I'd also work on a "look at me" command, so that you can ask Kayla to focus her attention on you rather than what she perceives as threats. But you need to be able to ensure that other dogs don't gatecrash this attention... You can also reward her looking at, but not reacting to, approaching dogs - so getting a reward in as she spots an approaching threat, and then moving away. In the longrun this will help change her reactions to threats.
I would also try and get as much off-lead socialisation with calm confident dogs as possible, to rebuild her confidence - especially larger breeds like labs, so that you can undo the negative association built up.
And I'd tell your trainer where to stick their advice... ph34r
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:bigarmhug: Just wanted to Thank you All for all your comments and its made me sad hearing how many others have been through this too...
Posted by: Jonnydog
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So sorry to hear about this. It's inexcusable for people to be so rude and the JR owner should not be allowed to let her dog behave like that especially as she knows the reaction that will happen.
First a question: has Freya ever met the JR while she's off the lead?
Everytime Freya has encountered this JR she has always been off lead. I didnt want to start putting her on the lead in case my tension and crossness went down the lead to her.
My poor sis came home to find me in floods of tears and after talking it through to my mum we have decided that one or both of them will walk with me and Freya if we go out and are likely to meet the woman and her JR. We will also take Merlin (mums collie) as one time we did take him with Freya, the JR went to have a go and Freya hid in between Merlins legs and it couldnt get to her. I walk Freya separately as I think its better for her not to rely on the other 2 woofs...and be independent. As I say she loves meeting all other woofs including the huge Northern Inuit dog at dog club who she tarts with and rolls on her back for him to have a very good sniff (rolleyes!!)...
Thank You All once again...I really dont know where Id be without you all :bigarmhug:
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You are not alone, unfortunately it happens to all of us at some time or another.This thread also discusses what is bad manners and what isn't.
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=84465.0
my problem is with two rottweillers,their owner is rude and aggressive so i shouldn't expect anything different from the dogs really.
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The other dog was new to class so Kayla hadn't met it before...trainer has told us to turn your dog into you and hold their collar so you are face to face with your dog and angrily say 'don't you dare' if they do anything unacceptable.
The worst thing was she told me I should actually set up an event like this to happen again to see how Kayla would react. :'( Kayla is submissive and I know it was through fear that she reacted the way she did and through the event with the choc lab.
Any advice appreciated. :huh: Sorry for butting in on your thread. :'(
Seriously??
All that has is the potential to make a little bit of nervousness turn into full on reactive aggression.
This is a good article about dogs growling in general http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/dog-growls-snaps.aspx (http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/dog-growls-snaps.aspx)
In your circumstances I would try to prevent Kayla being put in that position - as this was a class situation, I assume she was on-lead? That would have meant she had no option of running away, so warning the other dog off would be her only way of telling it (and you) she was unhappy. So I would walk away with my dog if another dog approaches - if possible getting between my dog and the approaching dog.
I'd also work on a "look at me" command, so that you can ask Kayla to focus her attention on you rather than what she perceives as threats. But you need to be able to ensure that other dogs don't gatecrash this attention... You can also reward her looking at, but not reacting to, approaching dogs - so getting a reward in as she spots an approaching threat, and then moving away. In the longrun this will help change her reactions to threats.
I would also try and get as much off-lead socialisation with calm confident dogs as possible, to rebuild her confidence - especially larger breeds like labs, so that you can undo the negative association built up.
And I'd tell your trainer where to stick their advice... ph34r
Thankyou for all your great advice above and it definately makes much more sense than what my trainer has told me to do. I am really going to work hard with Kayla with the socialising again...such a shame that she has lost this confidence due to other offlead dogs bounding up to her. :'(
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Isn't it just good manners for everyone to put their dogs on a lead when they encounter another for the first time? That is accepted etiquette where I am as hpwever friendly your dog is they may take exception to another.
I'm having a little trouble with the new girl who has gone from incredibly quiet and nervous to over confidence and bossiness, luckily we have some great dog owners here willing to help me teach her that friendly dogs get all the fuss and treats and silly barky ones who try to look tough get ignored!
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As someone who owns a JRT, I am appalled and sickened by how rude and ignorant that woman is. She is a disgrace to all responsible JRT owners and truly does a disservice to the breed.
Good for you for confronting her, though I probably would have been much more harsh in my tone and words. She sounds just like way her dog has turned out to be under her ownership: a bully.
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Isn't it just good manners for everyone to put their dogs on a lead when they encounter another for the first time? That is accepted etiquette where I am as hpwever friendly your dog is they may take exception to another.
If i put Ruby on lead every time we met a new dog,i would spend half my walk clipping and unclipping her lead,so no i don't.I leave the greetings to them,they are best at it as i don't speak dog. ;)
One dog taking exception to another is all part of walking your dog,sometimes it happens. :-\
The one thing i don't allow Ruby to do is to approach an onlead dog when she is offlead,the other dog is onlead for a reason so i just won't let her do it,i think that is good etiquette but no many people follow it.
My friends mini schnauzer approached an onlead saluki,and was grabbed and shook like a ragdoll for his trying to say hello,i did warn my friend............
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If i put Ruby on lead every time we met a new dog,i would spend half my walk clipping and unclipping her lead,so no i don't.I leave the greetings to them,they are best at it as i don't speak dog. ;)
One dog taking exception to another is all part of walking your dog,sometimes it happens. :-\
The one thing i don't allow Ruby to do is to approach an onlead dog when she is offlead,the other dog is onlead for a reason so i just won't let her
I think we shall have to agree to disagree there. Personally if it means clipping on and off the lead when your dog approaches a new one in order to ensure there is not a problem...then it is fine by me. Harvey was attacked by three JRT's when he was two - he was on a lead and they were not. Their owner had that attitude and they also had a rather large bill to pay and have to sign an agreement to ALWAYS keep their dogs on a lead in public areas. When you have control over your dog then you have taken responsibility. We are talking about our pets not our pack.
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Except that, where there are lots of off-lead dogs, by putting your dog on-lead, you put them at the disadvantage in communicating - off-lead Honey normally avoids other dogs, on-lead she doesn't have that option, so will have-a-go at them instead.
Yes, an off-lead dog shouldn't be allowed to approach an on-lead dog (though plenty of people round here do just that), but two off-lead dogs meeting is the best way for dogs to meet appropriately. ;)
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If everyone keeps their dogs on a lead for the first few seconds meeting a strange dog, then what harm could befall either dog? Is a risk free first aquaintance so bad?
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Millie is definitely worse meeting other dogs on lead. In fact I'd say she is probably 100% likely to react in a defensive manner when she is on a short lead. But if off lead or on the flexi lead she will only react if the other dog does something to provoke her.
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If everyone keeps their dogs on a lead for the first few seconds meeting a strange dog, then what harm could befall either dog? Is a risk free first aquaintance so bad?
Harm could still occur when both dogs are leashed,it is an un natural way to greet.
If one dog does take a dislike to another as you say,if both dogs are unleashed they have a chance to move/run/dodge/defend (you name it)them selves from harm.
When you say the JRT owner had "that attitude",what exactly do you mean :dunno:
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The attitude was that it was better for her dogs to be off the lead...that would be the dogs who attacked my dog which resulted in multiple wounds and an operation to stitch his throat back together - total cost nearly £600 in money and a lifetime in trauma for my dog.
I do appreciate what you say, but experience and a lot of work to make Harvey the bomb proof specimen he is (except with JRTs) tells me that perhaps letting your dog off to menace others potentially before knowing how the other owner or dog will react is not as brilliant as people are making out...I really feel for Freya
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Thanks once again for your thoughts about Freya...
She met a gorgeous JR in the park yesterday and played for a while with him...then today we were walking along and Freya must've recognised "said JR" and sje went from happy to frozen mode then started scrabbling at the backs of my legs...thankfully, we walked down the steps onto the promenade away from the poisoned dwarf and her JR so we didnt meet each other. Other than that Freya is as happy as Larry (whoever he is) and just loves life :luv:
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The attitude was that it was better for her dogs to be off the lead...that would be the dogs who attacked my dog which resulted in multiple wounds and an operation to stitch his throat back together - total cost nearly £600 in money and a lifetime in trauma for my dog.
I do appreciate what you say, but experience and a lot of work to make Harvey the bomb proof specimen he is (except with JRTs) tells me that perhaps letting your dog off to menace others potentially before knowing how the other owner or dog will react is not as brilliant as people are making out...I really feel for Freya
I think i could go on,but as you said earlier we will agree to disagree,but i must say i do have Ruby under control and she doesn't menace other dogs merely interacts with them :blink: ;)
Goggins- so glad you had a better day with little Freya :luv: i had a near miss with the two rotties today,so i know EXACTLY how you feel.
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At our puppy classes we expressly tell our puppy owners not to let their pup meet another dog on-lead - they cannot communicate effectively on-lead and if they are nervous they are more likely to fight, as they can't run away.
Meeting on-lead puts the dogs at a serious disadvantage.
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Brodie would go spare if every time she met a dog she was put online, she does not cope well at all at meeting dogs onlead. She could meet a strange black lab offlead and be totally fine - put a lead on her and she turns into a very nervous girl ;). She is never allowed to run up to dogs if they are onlead, as I know just how she reacts when it happens to her.
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Maybe things change by area. Here is is accepted that strangers are met (with and without dogs) with dogs on a lead until both owners agree (or the person who is simply rambling) is fine with it. That is etiquette here and I picked it up from accepted practice.
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Brodie would go spare if every time she met a dog she was put online, she does not cope well at all at meeting dogs onlead. She could meet a strange black lab offlead and be totally fine - put a lead on her and she turns into a very nervous girl ;). She is never allowed to run up to dogs if they are onlead, as I know just how she reacts when it happens to her.
To be fair, Brodies recall is probably excellent and so this conversation contains off lead meeting advice for those who have confidence in their dogs to meet and greet in an acceptable fashion. What if your dog is not ready to be off lead at all? Should they be menaced by the dogs whose owners assume that all dogs should be? That is a form of bullying isn't it? What about the person without a dog who may hate dogs? Should they have to be pestered by our pets?
I really feel that our responsibility lies further than letting our dogs off the lead...hell! We pick up their poo!
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I'm sorry to hear about your (and Freya's) experience. I can sort of see where the man is coming from though; for ages you seemed (to him) to be OK with his dog's behaviour, then suddenly turn around and are quite rude to him. I think if I were in his shoes I might react defensively too. Perhaps if you had said to him something along the lines of "I actually don't think my dog likes how your dog behaves towards her much; I know it's a pain but I'd really appreciate it if you could pop him on the lead when you see her" rather than laying into him out of the blue you may have had a different response :dunno: In a situation like this I think I would apologise next time I saw him for being so rude, explain why I had behaved like that (out of fear and concern) and request him to keep his dog on lead in future. If he refuses, then have a good go at him ;)
:bigarmhug: to you both
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Topic Summary
Posted on: Today at 06:40:35 PM
Posted by: Jeff & Annie
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I'm sorry to hear about your (and Freya's) experience. I can sort of see where the man is coming from though; for ages you seemed (to him) to be OK with his dog's behaviour, then suddenly turn around and are quite rude to him. I think if I were in his shoes I might react defensively too. Perhaps if you had said to him something along the lines of "I actually don't think my dog likes how your dog behaves towards her much; I know it's a pain but I'd really appreciate it if you could pop him on the lead when you see her" rather than laying into him out of the blue you may have had a different response dunno In a situation like this I think I would apologise next time I saw him for being so rude, explain why I had behaved like that (out of fear and concern) and request him to keep his dog on lead in future. If he refuses, then have a good go at him Wink
bigarmhug to you both
I have written and re-written this post lots of times so I hope it comes across as polite... ;)
Unfortunately, I do not always make everything clear 100% on my posts when re-telling events and keep trying to make posts shorter than they possibly should be...however, I would like to point out that I certainly was not "rude" to the woman and didnt "lay into her" either. Im afraid if I have to defend Freya then I will do...and I dont think I have anything to apologise for (in my opinion).
I let Freya mix with all dogs providing they are friendly and she romps with many of them. It seems only this dog, that to me is a problem. I know dogs will be dogs and I let Freya get on with it on her own in 99% of cases...
I do not have the time nor energy to pussyfoot around someone like this, who finds it very funny when her dog bullies mine...and will not accept her dog is at fault when clearly her friends around her feel it is. Her JR tried again at the w/end (despite changing my walking times) to pin Freya down and this womans "friends" all shouted out "leave Freya alone and let her go to her mummy"...I think that speaks volumes. Thankfully, them shouting deterred the JR and Freya was left alone.
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Sorry, got the wrong end of the stick (even thought it was a man :huh:).
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;) No worries...x
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At our puppy classes we expressly tell our puppy owners not to let their pup meet another dog on-lead - they cannot communicate effectively on-lead and if they are nervous they are more likely to fight, as they can't run away.
Meeting on-lead puts the dogs at a serious disadvantage.
Seeing animals 24/7 yesterday on T.V being trained they all met one another on there leads!!!!!!
No wonder there was bedlem with the training yesterday...
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I'm sorry to see your having problems with an ignorant owner ( yet another owner who thinks their dogs can do no wrong)
I have 2 collies and a cocker and had an issue with a gsd attacking my Millie (collie) whilst out on a walk. And got abuse because I couldn't recall her. Having a gsd 3 times the size of her chasing her away from me obviously wasn't the issue and once I did it attacked her from behind.
Now I have issues with her and any gsd ... And when competing her (1st yr of agility) she snarls and barks at them until I can distract her with her tuggy or food. Now when I spot gsd I always put her on her lead calmly and walk away or distract her. To which I get a lot of dirty looks from the owners of the gsd's. But I don't care my girl and her fear of them comes first.
Then she was also flipped and I actually mean flipped in the air by a grey hound whilst on a group walk so now I have a "dangerous" dog (according to some girls from the club I train at ... Strangely she has greyhounds whom mills barks at)
At the end of the day ... I know mills has fear aggression. But has never attacked and I mean never any other dog whilst on a walk and she's off lead 99% of the time.
As long as your aware of what's going on around you (and which dogs have the idiot owners) you'll be fine! Also you can report the JR if it's been like that with out dogs.