Dog Community

Loose dogs I know I've made a thread like this before

Posted : 10/26/2006 9:03:14 AM

Ok, I don't currently have Ella in training course of any kind, but I am REALLY, REALLY thinking about it. Mainly for socialization more than anything else.
Since she is part pit bull, I have no idea what kind or if any dog aggression exists with her. Anyway, I'm going to start carrying a stick with me or something to ward off loose dogs when I'm walking her.
I was walking on the OPPOSITE side of the street and some people were out in their yard and someone opened up the door and their dog bolted out and ran towards us. This dog is a like an English Springer Spaniel or something like that, maybe more setter, but anyway, smaller dog than Ella. The neighbor goes, "Oh, don't worry he's friendly!" and he came running to get him, and I said, "She may NOT be though!!!!!" before he got his dog, and I go, "I have NO idea if she has any dog aggression or not but I don't want to risk it." and he apologized. I mean, I didn't get mad at the guy, accidents happen, I understand. But this same dog was left outside (not leash or tie out and in front of the house near the street) this morning at 6 am, and he started coming at us again. He's friendly enough, but Ella goes crazy wanting to see him. She doesn't growl, but she pulls and wants to check him out. Sure, I could let her, but I'm more concerned that she's going to sniff him, decide she doesn't like him and suddenly bite at him. I'm a tiny person and not sure if I could pull her off a dog if she decided she wanted a piece of it! And if she bit that dog, I'D be the one in trouble!
I know as a responsible owner I should get Ella into some training courses, but like I said, she's REALLY well-behaved and I've been training her at home. She is WONDERFUL with humans, and I have NO worries that she would ever bite a human, but another dog is a different story.

I ended up telling this dog to go home and he obeyed, thank god!
I know I"ve made a thread similar to this before, but I think I'll be carrying a stick around with me from now on. I wouldn't hit a dog with it, just wave it and shoo them home.
Do you guys ever carry anything with you to ward off loose dogs?

Mark

Posted : 10/26/2006 10:14:57 AM

i was biking with my husky the other day on a well travelled path and had no less that 4 dogs come out to "greet "us....

i wont get into breeds,because it doesnt matter really..

the 1st was not teid up and was unsupervised and came barreling out at us..smaller overweifght dog,so we just took off..

the second was let out of a door un leashed as i was going by,and this dog came right out at us..

the 3rd dog we have met before,and though my dogs and this one are friends,it still kills me to see this dog near the road unsupervised,where i have seen it almost get hit before.

and the 4th dog was the scariest.. their were two dogs,and they werre very big...tall and well built...looked sort of sheperdish but much bigger...anyway,i saw them on our approachand saw they were tied to the house with thick chains..as we neared,one of them got closer and closer,and as we got right in front,the dog was on my heel,and that is when he snapped his chain ...needless to say i got out of there pretty quickly..we were at mile 7 by this point tho,and i hate pushing my huskies all out after this many miles..

i am thinking of getting pepper spray to carry with me..

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 10/26/2006 11:01:30 AM

mhaddog - when i am biking, i usually give charging dogs a squirt in the face with my water bottle. it is as effective as pepper spray (in my experience) and poses no potential harm to the dog. [sm=2cents.gif]

Janet Bradley

Posted : 10/26/2006 11:51:39 AM

I live in fear of ebing attacked by a loose dog on our walks. Fortunately we have been lucky, thoiugh we have had some close calls. My neighbor carried pepper spray. I think I am lazy--it would be one more thing to carry besides treats, keys, poop bags and cell phone. Sunny needs a back pack! My one saving grace is that she is not dog aggressive and is very submissive.

jode88

Posted : 10/26/2006 12:02:56 PM

Im with Janet, i don't like carrying all the stuff i carry now. We run into the occasional loose dog. Yesterday a man was biking with his boxer but the boxer
was running so far ahead of him (close to us) that i couldnt even see the guy on the bike and i was a little nervous cuz the dog would get close to us and i dont know if he was aggessive. So far most boxers ive met are very friendly but ya never know. Most of the time the only loose dogs we see are coyotes, we dont get too close. I personally wouldnt carry a stick with me to shoo away dogs. Now if your are afraid of being attacked or harmed then i would.

stardog85

Posted : 10/26/2006 2:30:34 PM

Chewbecca, I would definately get yourself into a class - I have a feeling that what you're doing will actually be more likely to make you girl dog aggressive because she sees that you're worried about her interactions. If she's wanting to say hi while on lead and you tense, pull her back, etc. she'll take that as a sign that dogs="mom gets tense" and that's never a good equation if you're hoping to create a dog friendly dog.

A class will give her good skills around others and allow you to work her w/ other animals until you feel comfy letting her play w/ others. Often doggie playgroups made up of people and dogs from class can be great.

Re: keeping loose dogs away - I'd try carrying a squirt bottle or citronella spray rather than pepper spray as they arent as harmful if they get blown back on you. A handful of treats scattered away from you also often does the trick for friendly dogs and even some aggressive ones and is much easier to carry than a big stick.

spiritdogs

Posted : 10/26/2006 3:44:41 PM

I agree with Erin. Few Pits have any problem with people, and as juveniles, they seldom have problems with other dogs. It's when they reach maturity that the switch often goes off. Pit owners should really socialize their pup from the age of 8 weeks on, until the dog is mature, if possible. Many of them end up ok. But, as you say, it isn't something you want to take a chance with if you are too small or don't know how to break the dogs apart. Unfortunately, if you keep a breaking stick, some law enforcement authorities think you are fighting your dog. The product that sprays citronella is called "Direct Stop" - Google and you should find it.

chewbecca

Posted : 10/26/2006 4:11:02 PM

thanks, guys.
I'll see what I can afford as far as training classes are concerned.
One lady (the only real trainer available in my area) that does training here told me that if I'm afraid of how Ella will react to other dogs that she would have me come to her house (or she would come to mine) and she has a GSD girl that is very non-reactive to other dogs that she uses in testing dog aggression. She said that if her dog starts reacting to Ella then we obviously know there is a problem. That initial evaluation will cost me $30, I think. I'm not sure how much classes are going to cost.
From what I've heard, she is very good middle ground type trainer. She believes in a balance between treats and no treats or something like that. I'm clueless on this training stuff.

Ella is 3 years old and I adopted her a few months ago. She only had aggression issues with one dog at the shelter and that was another female pit mix. She gets a long great with my in-law's giant schnauzer, but he's HUGE. I don't know if size matters to dogs or not, but I'm so afraid that it might with her.
No, I don't know how to break up a dog fight. I've read how to, but still don't know if I'd be physically capable of doing it. I try not to freak out if I see loose dogs, but I just know that if something DID happen, I probably wouldn't be able to break it up.

Mark

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:54:06 PM

i do guess your right about the pepper spray...and i do carry a water bottle...just need to remember to grab it before i have to get between two dogs...hasnt happened yet,but we have been close.
Kiara is a dominant female,and will attack if she feels threatened...she did actually get a bite on one of the dogs who got out at us the other day,and the dog thought twice about comming back for another go..luckily the dogs owner(a guy i know)was there to call his back.

Sometimes having a dog that is submissive is worse..i have seen dogs lay down and get attacked even worse.

ron2

Posted : 10/27/2006 5:43:50 AM

I used to carry a 4 foot section of 1/2 in electrical pipe, then I switched out to a scooper. I've used both to shoo away loose dogs.

Loose dogs *I know I've made a thread like this before*

Loose dogs *I know I've made a thread like this before*

Loose dogs I know I've made a thread like this before

Loose dogs I know I've made a thread like this before