We've had trouble in the past with Buster being pestered by 2 loose JRT's.
I got fed up with keeping Buster under close control while they circled him, jumped on him and generaly tried to be as intimidating as possible (including barking, growling and attacking my OHs ankles.) Buster has never been intimated and only wanted to play so as they were running at us one day, I let Buster out on his long-line and gave him the cue to go and see them. He lolloped towards them, did a play-bow and they legged it. Since then, they have always been very well behaved with Buster, the elder of the 2 even shows fantastic sociable doggy language now :)

HOWEVER - yesterday the younger of the 2 came at us, was fine with Buster but was very hosite towards me, barking, growling and 'standing his ground'. I stopped walking, turned sideways on to him in addition to not staring at him in an attempt to show him I am no threat, but he contnued to bark at me and came closer - with that Buster sort of pounced at him  (a little like a play-bow but the hiar was up on his shoulders, there was no side-ways movement, it was a jump forward and he looked a bit niffed off) just as Busters muzzle was about to hit the little dog in the neck (think Buster was trying to bowl him over) the little dog jumped back and I took up the slack on Busters lead (I leave him on his long-line around these JRTS as they are bullies, if they see he has room to move they treat him with respect!). Bust then stood by me and he no longer looked like he wanted to play with the JRT.
The little dog continued to bark and growl at me, I did not want to turn around and go the other way as I've tried this before and it makes the little dog worse - he'll follow and get even more chopsy. I got fed up with the little dog trying to intimidate me so I marched toward it and it moved away a few steps back, but Buster refused to walk towards it, he stayed standing firmly where he was (bless him, he didn't want any confrontation).
The elder dog appeared from behind us, greeted Buster very politely, trotted past us and met up with it's chopsy little mate, they then trotted on and left the field (after the younger one had cocked his leg on his mate ).

I then heard the little dog giong mental, a few moments later, 2 men emerged form the bottom of the field looking a bit gob-smaked. The little JRT had gone at them and tried to bite them in the legs

This little dog WILL attack, but it seems as if he is reluctant to attack me (I think it's becasue I am very confidant and not in the least bit intimdated by it?) but is still trying to make me get away from it , which I can't do as if I turn around it will follow.

What would you do?

If I didn't have Buster with me, I'd run at the pesky thing and show it I am not afraid and will not be intimidated by something that is smaller than my tiny cat! but I don't want to teach Buster any hostile behaviour :( I'm also a little worried that with me standing side-ways on and trying to NOT look intimdating is giving the green light to the dog to get more bossy with me (as I said, it appears to be a bully), if it actually dared to physically attack me I think Buster would defend me and I don't want him to do that, it should be ME protecting HIM.

Any ideas?
Oh, I've tried chucking some treats for it (gentle tossed some cubes of cheese to the side of it), but it makes it more chopsy.

ETA, sorry, wasn't meant to be a huge ramble!

Why is the dog roaming loose?   Surely he has a home and his owners should not be allowing him to roam ?

Personally I'd report to the Dog Warden.   As you've seen the dog is a menace, he's already attacked an adult, what if he attacks a child?

I'd be complaining to the dog warden and police too, narks the hell out of me when owners let their small dogs harass other dogs and people, they seem to think their size gives them cart blanch to behave how ever they please with no recriminations. Just remember and mention the very real danger to children and that should get some action going on the situation.

>narks the hell out of me when owners let their small dogs harass other dogs and people,

Oh CElli!!!

I won't repeat myself, but would like (as a small dog owner) for you to read my comment on the thread called OTHER PEOPLES DOGS.

I just want you to know that not ALL small dog owners have horrible dogs!  :-)

Lol, sorry, I wasn't meaning to tar all small dogs with the same brush, not all little un's have the " Napoleon syndrome " or have owners who allow them to. I have of course met small dogs who are little charmers to people and dogs alike .
Consider me suitably chastened .

>Consider me suitably chastened

:-)
Hey - I didn't mean it to sound THAT harsh!   :-)

send the OH in like I do ..or take a big stick.. ie walking stick..!!

I was told once to always carry a big umbrella with me (I own a smallish breed - more coat than weight who used to get jumped on constantly by heavier dogs on walks) - if a dog is charging me or the dogs, Hold the umbrella towards the dog(s) and open it! Usually stops a dog in its tracks or at worst the umbrella takes the brunt! :-)

good idea ..one to remember

I have both small and large dogs and they have suffered hostility both ways round from loose dogs. My GSD ( now at the rainbow bridge ) was nipped all round her ankles from a JR while she was on a lead, (she didn't respond but was very upset,)the owner just laughed !!!  but even more scary was when one of my little terriers  had a very large loose dog standing over her with teeth bared while she cowered down to the ground. I now carry a very large stick and as much as I love dogs, I would use it to protect my own if needed.

so do I ... although its not something that people will admit too .. but the way I see it there are horrible dogs just as there are some horrible people..I look after my own.. ( BTW I dont go around pelting horrible people with a stick ... before someone suggests I do I just ignore them as they are less likely to bite me or my dogs  :)  )

>BTW I dont go around pelting horrible people with a stick

That's a shame!  :-)

Some people would deserve it!  :-)

I have a Leki walking pole that I bought with the sole intention of keeping dogs away from my leashed fear aggressive dog ( why oh why do other dogs insist on trying to sniff her when she's telling them to bog off ) , it has a T shaped cork handle which I've found to be just the right shape to push or keep another dog at a distance. But if it came to it I wouldn't hesitate to give a dog a quick skelp with it.

If you know or can find the owner, I'd have a quiet word and explain that they are causing problems and that they might even become liable under the law. Perhaps suggest they get some help for their dog?

Also contact the dog warden ... and encourage others to do the same.

Lindsay
x

I'm finding reading this thread very interesting as we all take our dogs outside for exercise every day and will be encountering other dogs of all shapes and sizes (and temperaments!).

I have a pup, 10 months now, who seems to be getting better all the time at reading body language of other dogs. Of course she has emotional "back up" from her mother and my other dog, but she seems to be "just right", not rushing up and bothering others, holding back until everyone has had a sniff, then either having a little play or following me (as I've found that walking past, essentially "crossing packs" helps the dogs to learn to keep up with me, and that just because we meet another dog/s whilst out doesn't mean she has to play with them!). I'm so pleased with her tbh, as my breed is prone to being very bouncy when younger.

As the OP is meeting this annoying and aggressive terrier on a regular basis, and it seems the terrier isn't worried about taking a bite at a person, then as others have suggested, a word with the owner, and also the DW seems to be in order.

I too get really annoyed when owners of small dogs pass off their bad behaviour just because of their size! If they just socialised their "little" dog from the start, they wouldn't end up with the snarling, snapping dog who invariably gets scooped up by their owner when they see the "big dogs" coming! My 3 large breed dogs are exceptionally calm when greeting other dogs. They don't judge a situation by the size of dog they encounter, it's the body language which is given off, and my boy especially will do anything to avoid aggression (even knocking someone over once to avoid another dog which had charged him!).

I met a very posh lady in my local park a couple of years ago, who had two very feisty fluffy toy breeds (think "tricky woo" and you'd be on the right lines!). These dogs were being very defensive at the same time as being "protected" by the owner! When I said hello to her in passing and she told me one of hers had almost been killed by one of my breed (Golden Retriever), I told her I wasn't surprised as if her dog could speak, it would be saying "Come on if you're hard enough!" Don't think she was amused, but it had to be said!!

On the other hand, when I used to take my pup out on her own (to help with socialisation & training), we would come across a lady with a very scared but feisty minature LH Dachshund. It transpired that she had rehomed it from a breeder at a year old & it had always been in kennels so not socialised, especially with any other breed. In that case, I would turn my pup around, and let the other dog sniff her without any confrontation. She visibly improved over the times we met them. I hope it helped!

In the case of the JRT, I'd have my dogs on lead around it or just walking past it (I find this helps ME be more in charge of the situation) therefore the owner is more duty bound to have control of their dog. Then, I would always body block, standing inbetween myself and the dog who is showing too much interest. Then, I would calmly demand that the other owner takes control of their dog. Failing that, the dog would probably get a quick shove or boot from me.

Would just add, I have nothing at all against small dogs, I am always aware of big dogs bouncing and injuring smaller ones, but it's the blatant aggression coming from some of them which is always fobbed off by the owners which gets my goat. When a bigger dog acts aggressively everyone holds their hands up in horror...

Thanks everyone :)

> Then, I would calmly demand that the other owner takes control of their dog

There is never an owner with these dogs :( On one occasion last year, a boy (about 11yrs old) came running after them and said he was catching them for a neighbour, at that time they were causing me a lot of trouble pestering Buster so I was too busy trying to stay on my feet while fending off the dogs to ask about the owner. I don't know who owns them, or what street they are from :(

I walk Buster in a dis-used orchard, which is in the middle of several different estates. The orchard has 8 different entrances, Ive seen the loose dogs use most of them, so there is not really any indication as to which way they live.

I can't get through direct to our dog warden.The dog warden service is run through the environmental health, I rang them and all they advise is if I see the dogs again, to 'phone them and they'll send a dog-warden out to catch the dogs - I'll make sure I take my mobile with me.

Would you consider purchasing the canned air which gives a wooshing noise when sprayed? I'm thinking if your boy won't be scared silly by it, then a quick squirt in close proximity to this dog might give it enough of a fright to bog off and maybe think twice before trying again.

Must be very frustrating for you, but wouldn't be a pretty sight if your boy got to the end of his tether and grabbed one of the terrors!

I wouldn't hesitate to call the DW's if you see these dogs out again, perhaps put the number on your mobile then you can contact them straight away. Other than that, perhaps speak to other dog walkers and see if anyone else knows where they live? No doubt you aren't alone on this one, I expect everyone would breathe a big sigh of relief if the owners were paid a visit.

Anyway, whatever happens, I hope you manage to resolve it soon...