Backyard aggression

This is such a perfect example Amanda.  Thanks for posting it.

Spiritdogs:  Firstly, we are not talking about an unknown dog here and secondly the dog is not doing what it is doing out of fear.  You seem to be implying that I would grab my dog and commit some kind of aggression which I would not. None of my dogs (or anyone else's) have ever been hit or shaken by me. To insult me by saying that my dog is a "poor thing" is ridiculous.  He is a happy little guy that reads me like a book and I read him like a book so we don't have to do a lot of anything except hang out together.

I will concede here though because it is not helpful to anyone. 

I appreciate your quote by Chief Dan George.

Ever had a book that really threw you for a loop??  Sudden, unexpected change of direction?

I think that Anne's point was that they are DOGS, first, last and always and not always 100% perdictable.

I've repeatedly made the point to my family that while the dogs SEEM to get along great with the duck, they are still dogs.  DS made the mistake of taking her out of her crate (long story, but she's disabled) to go out for her swim, and one of the boys took a mouth full of feathers out of her backside.  Not something I would have expected, but, he IS a dog, and as such, not totally predictable.

glenmar

Ever had a book that really threw you for a loop??  Sudden, unexpected change of direction?

I think that Anne's point was that they are DOGS, first, last and always and not always 100% perdictable.

I've repeatedly made the point to my family that while the dogs SEEM to get along great with the duck, they are still dogs.  DS made the mistake of taking her out of her crate (long story, but she's disabled) to go out for her swim, and one of the boys took a mouth full of feathers out of her backside.  Not something I would have expected, but, he IS a dog, and as such, not totally predictable.

Thanks, glenmar,  for the analogy. Yes, books and movies can throw us for a loop, but I have to say that with dogs I always expect the unexpected.  At the same time, I understand why some folks have reacted to my posts. 

spiritdogs (anne?) has suggested that I would grab my dog over his head.  I would not do that.  When it was necessary to stop him in his tracks, I would go from underneath his chin, hold him steady and then talk to him like the buddy he is. I have worked with rescues for about twenty years now.  The most challenging dog of my own was the Rottie.... i thought it was going to be the Pit Bull, but not so.  Once he knew he was safe and belonged, he was an angel boy to work with.  He just relaxed and gave and gave. 

I honestly and truly believe that spirit dogs quote from Chief Dan George is the truest way possible.  Maybe we should do some work around what the Chief meant. I have some experience with dogs, horses, bears, eagles and a couple of squirrels...lived in the bush for a few years.

The person I would most like to appeal to here is the original poster.  I am so sorry if this became uncomfortable for you. This is a great site with many knowledgeable folks.  Hope you and your lad are doing well.

 Bruister, there's much wisdom to be gained from the elders.  I placed that quote in my signature because I truly believe that all animals have a language, and that we humans are arrogant fools if we do not attempt to understand them as much as they try to understand us.  I don't regard animals as subordinates - maybe that's why punishing them for just being them is so offensive to me - I believe it's better to *explain* how I wish to be greeted rather than just telling the dog that his way is not acceptable.  Sort of the same way you might explain to another person that the customs in your land are different from theirs;-)

BEVOLASVEGAS

Two weeks ago one of my dogs attacked someone.  The attack was warranted, as the person was looking to harm me.  After the police arrived, I tried to pull my dog off of the man.  Stupidly, I grabbed my boy's collar to try to remove him from the guy's face.  I got my dog loose, but in the process he redirected & chewed on my arm.  I had nine deep punctures on my hand & arm, along with a broken arm due to my dog's redirection.  I'm not upset with him in the least.  It was totally my fault that he bit me.  I know better than to grab a collar on a dog that is worked up, yet for some reason I didn't use my head & grab his leash.

OT....OMG- Are you OK?!! Did I miss something? What the heck happend?

BlackLabbie

What the heck happend?

Short answer??

Amanda & Brutus - 1

Strange Stalker Dude - 0

Deb W.

iluvjamison

BlackLabbie

What the heck happend?

Short answer??

Amanda & Brutus - 1

Strange Stalker Dude - 0

 

Deb W.

Wow, scary!!! Way to protect your Mom, Brutus!

Thanks for the explanation, Deb!

BEVOLASVEGAS

Thanks for the explanation, Deb!

Least I could do.

Deb W.

Bruister

 

tiffy

 IMO, grabbing a dogs collar is a no-no.Make him drag a leash or a long line, so you can control the unwanted behavior.

A long leash doesn't even register with a large dog that needs to be subdued...the dog needs to be controlled immediately.  We are  talking about controlling a 75 pound dog that is jumping on the owner's back .... what does dragging a long leash do? 

Tiffy - I agree

Bruister - I agree

The thing is in an ideal world having a long lead to grab onto would be a lot safer than putting your hand near an out of control dog. I guess if you had a dog that you didn't or couldn't trust a line should be a staple apparel. In the real world however, we are often taken by surprise with such behaviour and we don't have that line on. On a few occasions I have had to reach in a grab a dog who is fighting. Risky? Yes, but at the time necessary.

Hey all!  So I finally have an update -- Hugo and I were out in the backyard a couple of days ago and he started to come at me like he was going to jump on me.  I immediately crouched down, held my arms out and gave him a firm "NO".  Amazingly, it seemed to work!  I'm not sure if he was just confused, but he did not jump on me after that, and I even got him into a sit.  Sooo, hopefully this will continue to work!  Thanks everyone for all the suggestions -- you have been super helpful.  I love my boy, and I just want him to be the best dog he can be! 

 But you can keep the suggestions coming -- switching up tactics might also be helpful, too! 

Good News! Sounds simple enough. 

MalOwner

Hey all!  So I finally have an update -- Hugo and I were out in the backyard a couple of days ago and he started to come at me like he was going to jump on me.  I immediately crouched down, held my arms out and gave him a firm "NO".  Amazingly, it seemed to work!  Thanks everyone for all the suggestions -- you have been super helpful.  I love my boy, and I just want him to be the best dog he can be! 

 But you can keep the suggestions coming -- switching up tactics might also be helpful, too! 

Congrats, Malowner....you have already switched up the tactics (with love and kindness) and it worked.   As long as you remain cautious, you will be able to switch down the tactics, which is the goal. It is all about knowing our dogs and our dogs knowing us thus setting boundaries.  Thanks for the update.