Growling at other dogs who are on there leash

[Yomper]

well i did just read that and that has nothing to do with disused farms or river walks in the middle of nowhere. That is mainly near roads and the general public. I go to places where there are no roads or houses. just general ramblers/hikers and other dog owners who let there dogs off the lead. only for a dog to be seen coming towards us/me on a lead so we have to stop our dog and put him on a lead and wait for the aggressive dog to pass.
Now why did i say aggressive dog? thats because of the dogs i am on about. if there aggressive then they should have a muzzle.

we wlil have to disagree with this one as i have told many people with so said aggressive dogs to put a muzzle on.

[Rhona W]

Well I'm a DINOS, or I own a dog that is. As he needs space, we walk in disused farms or in the middle of no where, so that we can avoid other people and their dogs.
The other side of the argument is 'If your dog is nice and friendly, why don't you stick to public places and the popular dog walking areas where you can mix freely, and leave us DINOS in peace?'
And why should my on lead dog have to be muzzled just because you can't be bothered to control your own dog?  

[Ben's mum]

Its partly because of other dog owners letting their dogs come up to mine that we took the decision to rent our own fields - its not cheap, but it is so good to be able to walk my dogs without being pestered by well meaning dogs and their owners.  I know there are heaps of lovely dogs (and owners) out there, but I don't want to be forced to explain about my dogs when theirs pester mine. 

Ben is a growly and grumbly cocker  and he hates other dogs coming up to him, it doesn't matter if he is on or off lead he just doesn't like it.  When I shout out to owner's that he will tell their dog off they usually say it doesn't matter or even sillier that it will do their dog good to be told off, which makes me mad, why should Ben have to get cross when he is minding his own business, keeping to himself and enjoying his walk.  He won't go up to someone elses dog he just wants to do his own thing

Harry is completely different and loves all dogs, but he bounces and plays rough and while people smile at him when he wants to play, when he has flattened their little darling and bounced all over it like tigger they are not always so amused 

I like to choose who my boys meet up with and we know lovely dogs that play with Harry and leave Ben alone, but I have to admit I am not best pleased when people let their dogs come up to mine, especially if they can't recall them away when I ask them too.

[Karma]

Hi
Lately oscar has had a few growls at other dogs he sees if there on their owners leash. Not all the time just the odd occasion but today i was told he really turned a bit nasty and growling and went for this other dog. oscar was off the leash but the other dog was on a leash. Nothing happened as he was then grabbed and put on his leash and of course an apology to the other dogs owner. I wasn't there so can't say for sure what happened but he has growled at a couple of other dogs who are on there leash. Apart from this oscar is brilliant playing with other dogs submissive to little dogs and will more than hold his own with bigger dogs in there mad antics.
Is there a way to stop him growling as i wouldn;t want him to get hurt or hurt another dog

So presumably you'll be keeping Oscar on-lead and muzzled from now on??  (NOTE, I'm NOT suggesting you should, just making a point about "aggression".) 
There are different degrees of aggression... and some "aggression" is actually perfectly normal dog behaviour that the owners seem to feel is unacceptable... If a dog is only going to defend itself from a loose dog bouncing all over them, to me that is not aggression (though plenty of owners would label it as such)... there might be a lot of noise, but damage is unlikely to be caused.  The only dogs who need muzzling, in my opinion, are ones who are likely to instigate fights or attack another dog, not those who just won't put up with rude behaviour.  Also, some of these "aggressive" dogs might be rescues who's owners are trying to gradually acclimatise them to other dogs... or a whole host of other situations.

The link I posted wasn't supposed to fit your exact circumstances, but I'd hoped it might give you some understanding of the issues you may come across allowing your dog to approach on-lead dogs...

My dog is off-lead for the majority of her walk - she avoids most dogs, but will tell them off if they invade her space too much... though polite dogs she will greet happily, and sometimes go on to play with them.  If any dog ran up to her while she was on-lead, she would sound like she was trying to kill them (there would be no injury, but she would sound like she meant business).  Not only would this earn her the label of aggressive from the owner of the rude/out-of-control dog, but it would mean I would have to spend the rest of the week on high alert for any potentially "scary" (for her) dogs that we met, as she will lose her confidence to avoid/diffuse situations, and so warn-off first and think later.  One of the main reasons for her defensiveness around other dogs is a bad back.  However she was also attacked at an adolescent by a German Shepherd.  She also guards balls from other dogs.
Some people would call her "aggressive", but she's not, she just needs careful management and space from rude friendly dogs.... (when her behaviour started, I was convinced she was becoming "aggressive" and she'd end up needing to stay on-lead etc... but we had great advice from our training school and learned more about how her behaviour is (for the most part) acceptable for a dog (though not particularly tolerant!).
So just because someone says their dog is aggressive, doesn't necessarily mean a muzzle is needed...

And, at the end of the day, by the time you have asked an owner why their dog is on-lead, your dog has already bounced all over them... unless you know 100% that the dog is a) only on-lead because of a no-recall issue AND b) happy to greet other dogs on-lead, it is YOUR responsibility to keep YOUR dog under control. 

I do understand your frustration at those owners who simply don't bother to train their dogs and keep them on-lead as a consequence (and we see those at puppy classes all the time - and those are the owners who have, at least, signed up for puppy classes in the first place) - but even if the owners say the reason the dog is on-lead is due to "aggression" or "being a bit funny with other dogs" or "no recall" you can't possibly know the full story.  There are many owners on here who have reverted to lead walks while they firm up a recall that has been derailed... again, a rescue dog may have no recall and a high chase drive, and need further training before off-lead walks can be considered. 

I think the fact that you stated it was a pain to be recalling your dog for the sake of on-lead dogs has led to this becoming rather more heated than you anticipated, as there are owners here who work very hard to manage their dogs anxieties, and have experienced many absolutely frustrating walks where weeks of training has been undone by one friendly dog... so people are just trying to explain why it means so much to them for you to keep your dog away from on-lead dogs as a matter of course.  Most people here share your frustration at the owners who just don't bother to train... 

[Danni and Freya]

Hi
Lately oscar has had a few growls at other dogs he sees if there on their owners leash. Not all the time just the odd occasion but today i was told he really turned a bit nasty and growling and went for this other dog. oscar was off the leash but the other dog was on a leash. Nothing happened as he was then grabbed and put on his leash and of course an apology to the other dogs owner. I wasn't there so can't say for sure what happened but he has growled at a couple of other dogs who are on there leash. Apart from this oscar is brilliant playing with other dogs submissive to little dogs and will more than hold his own with bigger dogs in there mad antics.
Is there a way to stop him growling as i wouldn;t want him to get hurt or hurt another dog

So presumably you'll be keeping Oscar on-lead and muzzled from now on??  (NOTE, I'm NOT suggesting you should, just making a point about "aggression".) 
There are different degrees of aggression... and some "aggression" is actually perfectly normal dog behaviour that the owners seem to feel is unacceptable... If a dog is only going to defend itself from a loose dog bouncing all over them, to me that is not aggression (though plenty of owners would label it as such)... there might be a lot of noise, but damage is unlikely to be caused.  The only dogs who need muzzling, in my opinion, are ones who are likely to instigate fights or attack another dog, not those who just won't put up with rude behaviour.  Also, some of these "aggressive" dogs might be rescues who's owners are trying to gradually acclimatise them to other dogs... or a whole host of other situations.

The link I posted wasn't supposed to fit your exact circumstances, but I'd hoped it might give you some understanding of the issues you may come across allowing your dog to approach on-lead dogs...

My dog is off-lead for the majority of her walk - she avoids most dogs, but will tell them off if they invade her space too much... though polite dogs she will greet happily, and sometimes go on to play with them.  If any dog ran up to her while she was on-lead, she would sound like she was trying to kill them (there would be no injury, but she would sound like she meant business).  Not only would this earn her the label of aggressive from the owner of the rude/out-of-control dog, but it would mean I would have to spend the rest of the week on high alert for any potentially "scary" (for her) dogs that we met, as she will lose her confidence to avoid/diffuse situations, and so warn-off first and think later.  One of the main reasons for her defensiveness around other dogs is a bad back.  However she was also attacked at an adolescent by a German Shepherd.  She also guards balls from other dogs.
Some people would call her "aggressive", but she's not, she just needs careful management and space from rude friendly dogs.... (when her behaviour started, I was convinced she was becoming "aggressive" and she'd end up needing to stay on-lead etc... but we had great advice from our training school and learned more about how her behaviour is (for the most part) acceptable for a dog (though not particularly tolerant!).
So just because someone says their dog is aggressive, doesn't necessarily mean a muzzle is needed...

And, at the end of the day, by the time you have asked an owner why their dog is on-lead, your dog has already bounced all over them... unless you know 100% that the dog is a) only on-lead because of a no-recall issue AND b) happy to greet other dogs on-lead, it is YOUR responsibility to keep YOUR dog under control. 

I do understand your frustration at those owners who simply don't bother to train their dogs and keep them on-lead as a consequence (and we see those at puppy classes all the time - and those are the owners who have, at least, signed up for puppy classes in the first place) - but even if the owners say the reason the dog is on-lead is due to "aggression" or "being a bit funny with other dogs" or "no recall" you can't possibly know the full story.  There are many owners on here who have reverted to lead walks while they firm up a recall that has been derailed... again, a rescue dog may have no recall and a high chase drive, and need further training before off-lead walks can be considered. 

I think the fact that you stated it was a pain to be recalling your dog for the sake of on-lead dogs has led to this becoming rather more heated than you anticipated, as there are owners here who work very hard to manage their dogs anxieties, and have experienced many absolutely frustrating walks where weeks of training has been undone by one friendly dog... so people are just trying to explain why it means so much to them for you to keep your dog away from on-lead dogs as a matter of course.  Most people here share your frustration at the owners who just don't bother to train... 

Well said Karma, I always respect on lead dogs and keep my dogs away. Ellie my new rescue lab has to be on lead at times as she has a tendancy to bolt after other dogs and has varied recall. Its not because i'm lazy and haven't trained her, its because I am making sure we are in places where I know she is safe before I let her off

[Alex77]

Ooh what a good debate! 
We can all judge other people, their treatment of their animals (and kids ) at times.  But back to the point of your off lead dog growling at another dog on lead.  it does happen as previously explained, about dog behaviour, body language/signals etc.  at the end of the day, the dog on the lead is not the problem.  My older girl is deaf and is often kept on a flexi lead/short lead for this reason -  she just doesn't hear me so unless she's looking at me, she'll wonder off on her own merry way.  if your dog or any other offlead dog comes up to any of my woofs and growls or worse, it's you or the owner of said offlead dog who is at fault (i don't mean to sound rude ).  I love my off lead walks, and so do my dogs, but i always call them to heel (and tasty biscuits help here) when other dogs approach, even if they too are off lead, but particularly if the other dog is on a lead because the lead is a restrictive device and as such can make the dog uncomfortable if he/she feels invaded by another dog.  there are people in the world who i meet and take a dislike to one way or another. and people who insist of invading my personal space at times!  but i'm more advanced than my canine companions and can manage these feelings politely, and walk away.  There's no reason all dogs should like each other.  They don't have to be labelled just because they say 'oy naff off'. 

In your situation with Oscar growling at this other dog, don't over think it.  Simply prevent it from happening again (where of course you see it comin! we can all be caught out!).  Oscar doesn't sound aggressive, it was just the situation.  I've had it happen once or twice over the years and it's taught me to be vigilant in recall and doggy etiquette!

[Yomper]

I did agree with Karma response and as i wasn't there i couldn;t explain what happened exactly. The couple of times he has has a growl at other dogs is when there on there leads and pulling/panting.

I wasn't having a go at every dog on the lead just had a bad day where i walk oscar in the middle of nowhere and had to keep calling him back  as people were walking with their dog/s on the lead every few minutes and i always ask of their friendly and they always seem to be aggressive and thge ones that weren't said they have never let them off the lead. Oscar doesn't bound upto every dog and pounce all over him. his quite a chilled dog and will stay if i tell him too 98% of the time and will only play if the other dog wants too otherwise he pretty much goes about his sniffing.

[Dinah]

I foster ex-breeding dogs.  They are on lead until recall is established.  None of the females like having their bottoms sniffed (old experiences!).  Some put their tail between their legs and try to make themselves 'disappear' by flattening on the ground.  It is upsetting for the dog who is still being socialised, and very annoying when the sniffer persists, sometimes to the point of trying to mount,  and the owner does nothing to get their dog away.  Some ex-breeders - like my own (off lead) Daisy - swear at the sniffers.  This usually works for her but on occasion, a dog persists and I have to tell the owner she might well snap.  An example of this was when a bouncy, pushy, collie would not back off and Daisy did swear in his face.  Only then did the owner put her mobile away and rush up to check her collie wasn't injured!  Of course it wasn't.   It comes down to manners really - from both humans and dogs.

[Yomper]

well i guess we will have to disagree on certain points. i still think a dog is a dog and they do what dogs do sniff each others behinds is one of them. if i go to a secluded dog walking/play area then thats what he will do. if other dogs on leads walk past with aggressive problems then surely there owners should walk them in a less busy dog walking area and muzzle them. aggressive dogs should be muzzled or at least kept away from public areas full stop. i am on about aggressive dogs not ones that warn other dogs away with a growl or a little nip on the ear. i do ask if other peoples dogs are friendly and ok for oscar to say hello before oscar can approach but lately theres to many aggressive ones. funny how most of these aggressive dogs aren't seen on the cold or rainy days.

[SkyeandOllie]

Simples,  Control your dog,  don't let him annoy on lead dogs, Afterall its YOUR dog who has been growling at the onlead dog!  If the on lead dog retaliates and Oscar gets hurt whos fault is it? the Owner who has their dog on a lead or yours as you let your dog go up to on lead dogs and growl at them?! How would you feel if his negative encounters cause him to become agressive? Would you then keep away from dog walking areas and keep him muzzled?  You don't seem to realise that this is a potential big issue.....

[Laura]

Hi Yomper, this isn't aimed at you but more an opportunity to share my frustrations.

Off lead dogs don't always want to be approached either. My female was charged by a collie when she was 9 months old.  No physical damage was done. However, it mentally traumatised her and her brother. They became reactive (barking)when anxious or anxious/excited after that.   A year down the line, they're making fabulous progress, although we still have a way to go.   We have worked very hard counter conditioning and desensitising them both to situations that bother them. I have also worked hard on their impulse control.  However, our training has been slowed and set back time and time again by uninvited dogs being allowed to approach mine.    If I am clearly training, playing with my dogs or I call mine close, I expect other owners to keep their dogs away; even if mine are off lead.  Being off lead isn't an open invite for all and sundry. I don't walk at my local park anymore for this reason, even though it's on my doorstep. 

More often than not I know which dogs mine will happily greet by watching for stress responses, behaviour and body language.     If I turn around and walk quickly in the opposite direction or create distance, I definitely want the dog kept from following.   If this is all ignored, my dogs can become panicked and will then bark anxiously. This is stressful for them, for me and not a pleasant experience for the other dog either.  Once stressed out it can take mine several days to recover from the physiological stress response it triggers.   Mine don't tell other dogs off once close but, it doesn't mean they are comfortable. 

If my dogs are on lead, I will not thank anyone for allowing their dog to come over - however friendly or cute it is.   I can excuse the dog that cocks an occasional deafen to its owner, after all none of us own robots. 

[PennyB]

if there dog is aggressive then not only should it be on a lead it should have a muzzle on. no excuse for having an aggressive dog out without a muzzle in any circumstances.

I don't think this should be the case - if the owner has the dog under control on a lead why should they muzzle their dog - there are different levels of aggression + I know my dogs get stroppy on lead if a dog comes charging up to them which in some owners can be misinterpreted for aggression so could my dogs then be labelled aggressive.

[Dinah]

well i guess we will have to disagree on certain points. i still think a dog is a dog and they do what dogs do sniff each others behinds is one of them. if i go to a secluded dog walking/play area then thats what he will do.

I fully agree that sniffing other dogs' bottoms is part of the meet and greet process.  However, if the dog being sniffed is clearly unhappy with this, then responsible owners should (and do) call their dog off.  Most dogs are on lead for a reason. 

[Rhona W]

well i guess we will have to disagree on certain points. i still think a dog is a dog and they do what dogs do sniff each others behinds is one of them. if i go to a secluded dog walking/play area then thats what he will do. if other dogs on leads walk past with aggressive problems then surely there owners should walk them in a less busy dog walking area and muzzle them. aggressive dogs should be muzzled or at least kept away from public areas full stop. i am on about aggressive dogs not ones that warn other dogs away with a growl or a little nip on the ear. i do ask if other peoples dogs are friendly and ok for oscar to say hello before oscar can approach but lately theres to many aggressive ones. funny how most of these aggressive dogs aren't seen on the cold or rainy days.

So aggressive dogs should not be walked in secluded areas and they should be kept away from public areas.

Where exactly do you suggest people with aggressive dogs should walk them then? 

[Sarah.H]

Well i am not being judgemental as i do know some dogs have problems especially with there hips. i always ask why there on the lead as i talk to everyone (trait of mine!) and the story i hear most is because there aggressive or they think the dogs wont come back. So getting back to my point if i am walking my non aggressive friendly dog in the middle of a disused farm or a 30 minute walk from any road or housing which is what i do as do a of other dog owners near where i live why should i have to put my dog on the lead or recall him if an aggressive dog is approaching without a muzzle. I haven't said a bad health dog who can't be let off the lead. 

ps i do go on a bit i know!

When people ask me why Millie's on a lead I say it's because she'll run off. I don't go into the years of training and her past history with a stranger - usually I just want to quickly get away from the other dog.

Unless it's private land and you have sole permission to use it why do you have any more right than anyone else? I do agree that there are some dogs with serious aggression issues (as in if they got hold of another dog they would try to kill it) that should always be muzzled. But sadly some people are irresponsible or plain stupid so you should be prepared for that, and it is a very good reason why not to let your dog approach.