Don't know what I would do with a nasty dog.

[Ben's mum]

[
 I just feel that I don't know how I would cope if I had an aggressive dog.  I would feel so nervous if I couldn't trust its reaction to other dogs.  

I lived for years with Ben being unpredictable and snarly to other dogs, in fact on some days he still is especially if they ignore his warning 'leave me alone' growls.  Its not always cut and dried, with dogs that have an attitude problem, I will never know what caused Ben's issues with other dogs and some people, but know it could be any of the following;
our inexperience with cockers
his bad experience as a small pup at 'socialisation' classes where he was chased and pinned down by a rottie which has left him fearful and reactive
inherited grumpiness from his mum - who is also a bit snarly
or a combination of these things plus his own nature thrown in
I used to think like you and wonder how or why people ended up with grumpy or agressive dogs - now I know    You are right it is worrying but you learn to be on your guard and let others know that if they don't control thier own dogs and let them coome up to Ben then he will go for them.  I must say it is a joy to have Harry who is so relaxed with other dogs, kids and life in general its lovely not to have to watch him all the time 'just in case'

no excuse however for the man being rude, and I'd like to bet that my Ben has more brain cells than the man anyway  

[vixen]

It's easy to judge but things are not always as clear as they seem. :. In saying that, the guy in the OP sounds like a right eejit

There is a very large doberman in my area who has a reputation that he is to be avoided. 
He is always on a lead and the lady owner does have a problem holding him as he is so strong.
Other dog owners have criticized him and his owner.
I have spoken to her and I feel really sorry for the dog.  He had been passed from at least 3 dog rescues as no one was interested in him.    His owner took pity on him and she says he is fantastic in the house but because of his background, he is nervous of other dogs and puts on an 'act'. 
She is acting responsibly by keeping him on a lead and doesn't blame others for her dog's behaviour. 
I think it was  the dalmatian owner who was to blame for having an opinion on other people's dogs. 
And not a very accurate opinion on cockers. 

[Lily Freya]

From reading some of your replies, I guess that what I would have to do is get on with it, and try to help the dog as much as I could.  You can only really do your best by your dog, and warn others that there might be problems.

I think that this man, in some respects, is letting his dogs down.  He really just lashed out at them............and was out of control.  Maybe it is him that needs the help not his poor dogs.

[Lily Freya]

It's easy to judge but things are not always as clear as they seem. :. In saying that, the guy in the OP sounds like a right eejit

There is a very large doberman in my area who has a reputation that he is to be avoided. 
He is always on a lead and the lady owner does have a problem holding him as he is so strong.
Other dog owners have criticized him and his owner.
I have spoken to her and I feel really sorry for the dog.  He had been passed from at least 3 dog rescues as no one was interested in him.    His owner took pity on him and she says he is fantastic in the house but because of his background, he is nervous of other dogs and puts on an 'act'. 
She is acting responsibly by keeping him on a lead and doesn't blame others for her dog's behaviour. 
I think it was  the dalmatian owner who was to blame for having an opinion on other people's dogs. 
And not a very accurate opinion on cockers. 

I couldn't agree with you more.  And, I admire people who take dogs in, irrespective of their reputation.  I suppose you just have to work with them that bit harder, and be extra vigilent.  It must be very hard though.

This man was wrongly defensive though.  I wasn't even criticising his two............I walked away so as not to aggravate his situation.............but he just hurled abuse at my dogs as we left.  Shame really........I felt sorry for his dogs, and it just left me wondering what I would do in his place.

[Linz13]

There are a few dogs local to us that are to be avoided, and one of the owners had a go at me for letting my stupid wee dogs off the lead, their dog could kill mine you know.     I do my best to avoid them now.

Don't know how I'd cope in my area with an agressive dog, but I'm glad there are people out there who take on these dogs and give them a shot at life 

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

His Dalmatians are probably aggressive because he has always kept them on the lead. I meet 2 Dalmatians when walking Bonnie and they are no problem at all, a bit of a run towards each other a sniff and go on their way. I could not own a nasty dog the stress would make what should be one of the most pleasurable things to do a nightmare.

So if bonnie got attacked (heaven forbid) and ended up fear aggressive you would rehome then?

[lindseyp]

IMO communication & understanding with owners can help (understandably not in the case of the man your speaking of LF    )

Last week on our walk, we met a lovely black lab & it's owner.    On meeting new dogs he is muzzled as he can't cope with dogs coming near his face after having his throat riped apart during an unprevoked attack & can tend to go for the other dog - once he's met the dog he's fine & can be unmuzzled but as the owner said - lots of fellow walkers avoid him before knowing, thus he's labelled aggressive & to be avoided      He was really lovely & completely fine with the girls & we had a great walk together - the owner was brilliant though - totally devoted to her dog but understanding of how others may feel.

[Lily Freya]

I can understand a dog being aggressive out of fear.  If they have been attacked, or had a traumatic experience like the one you are talking about...........it is totally understandable.  But, good on the owner for the things she does for her dog, and for her understanding of him.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

I was just wondering LF how close your dogs came to the on lead dogs?

[Mel]

Tali and I had a similar experience today. I took him out for a wee and met a neighnour who stood talking for a bit. She kept saying how Tali was sitting very proudly and "how well behaved he is especially with those dogs barking". Some muppet had left 2 greyhounds in their estate car and one was going garrity at Tali. Tali was alert to the barking but said nothing back.

However, I kept Tali very calm and I was pretty sure the greyhound was more than likely over guarding because he/she was confined, but I was outside with Tali over 30 mins and the dogs were still there barking when we went in, the back windows were slightly open though. But I did wonder if the dog was truely aggressive or just feeling confind, I don't think that's spelled correctly but I can't think how to spell it 

My vet also thinks cockers are generally vicious dogs that bite and snap alot. A few people who live here have commented that cockers are a bit mad and noisy! People have strange opinions of cockers sometimes.

[Jan/Billy]

You don't have a choice, you just have to get on with it  

I was just wondering LF how close your dogs came to the on lead dogs?

I was going to ask the same  

I have a cocker with issues. His didn't develop until he was two years of age. I'd say that nowadays 95% of his reactions are caused by other owners and their dogs, either other dogs not noticing Billy's "stay away" signals ( he will look away, then he will freeze, then he will growl and then he will launch/snap)  or other owners allowing their dogs to come bounding over too close to Billy. It's not deliberate I know, but some people just don't realise that if a dog is on lead it' usually for a reason.

I do my best for Billy, but there is only so much I can do. Unless all dog owners that we meet out and about are prepared to stop and show some etiquette, Billy's problems will never go away.

Until you have owned a dog with issues you cannot imagine the amount of additional work involved. You have to constantly be on guard. Billy will do the look away, freeze, growl etc whilst out on walks, but sometimes after he has had say the third dog  ignore his warningsand he's stressed out he'll skip the warnings and go straight into launch mode  

[Lily Freya]

I was just wondering LF how close your dogs came to the on lead dogs?

Not too close.  When the dogs and I got to the top of a hill on the tops, they were already there..................and on seeing us the man was trying to control his dogs (lashing at them, and shouting).  I called my three, and walked in another direction, as I felt the man might have more chance of controlling his dogs, if we were not there to make the situation worse.

As we were walking away, the dogs were pulling and trying to get to mine..............and the man just began shouting that cockers had not got a brain cell between them.............

It just made me wonder how I would cope, in the same situation, hence this thread.  I really don't know what I would do.  I am so grateful not to be in his position actually. 

[Mel]

Off topic - I'd already written confined, who's the muppet now? Apologies for my senior moment.

[dogsgalore]

I have a beautiful black lab who has fear agression issues.  She is so much better these days, but that is after 2 years of hard work and many tears on my part.  On more than one occasion I thought I couldn't cope and didn't know what to do.     I now understand that she isn't a nasty dog - just very scared.

Before I found help with doggie people who taught me how to handle and work with her to give her confidence and a better understanding of the big wide world, people may have thought I was an irresponsible dog owner.  She would lunge at other dogs when on lead, and sometimes off lead too, although I now know it was all handbags at dawn and never full blown agression attacks.  But try explaining that to someone you meet casually who doesn't know your dogs history.  It is a very difficult position to be in, so I always try to be aware that sometimes people are acting in a defensive manner because they need help with their dogs.  No excuse for rude behaviour though!  My cocker certainly has lots of brains - too many for her own good sometimes!  And she has been a saviour to my lab, helping her to see that the world is actually quite fun if you just chill out a bit!!

[Sarah1985]

I'd say that nowadays 95% of his reactions are caused by other owners and their dogs, either other dogs not noticing Billy's "stay away" signals ( he will look away, then he will freeze, then he will growl and then he will launch/snap)  or other owners allowing their dogs to come bounding over too close to Billy. It's not deliberate I know, but some people just don't realise that if a dog is on lead it' usually for a reason.

Couldnt agree more

I walk with a friend who owned a very elderly dog. He was deaf and mostly blind and as a result his confidence off lead plummitted ad he became dog aggressive. I was horrified at the number of dogs that came up to him despite him giving off every calming signal there was. Meanwhile the owners would slow amble up behind with comment such as "oh do you not like other dogs?" whilest their dog continues to bounce in his face. Im surprised my friend held her tongue. My thoughts were "yes so can you please take your (insert swear word here) dog away"

I always think leaded dogs either
1)have something contagious - such as kennel cough
2) are in season
3) are dog aggressive
4)are post operative
5)have poor recall

So out of the 5 options theres only the poor recall dogs that arent going to mind my dog fussing round. Odds are the owners and the other dog isnt going over, so I call them away and lead them while we go past. If the owner wants to socialise their dog they will often stop and chat.