This is really more of a HUMAN behaviour problem, but I thought I might get some advice here. There have been several times that I've taken our lab to the dog park and there has been a very aggressive, very mean dog that won't leave our dog alone. I'm not sure what breed he is, but I do know that he's not neutered. This dog will not leave our dog alone -- he is constantly trying to bite him and mount him, all done very aggressive-like, not puppy-like. Our lab usually just tries to run away from him and go back to his game of fetch, but this dog follows him around, sinking his teeth into our dog's back or muzzle. Our lab is the friendliest of dogs and will only bare his teeth after getting extremely frustrated. The man who ownes this dog doesn't do anything about it, and I've been forced to leash our dog and take him home because I don't want him getting hurt, which hardly seems fair, but after a while it just gets ridiculous and I have to think of the safety of my dog. He yelped so loudly at one point that I just felt terrible for him. Our dog could care less about being part of the dominence hierarchy at the park (he just wants his tennis ball!), but this dog really seems to have it out for him. Any suggestions for speaking to this man about his dog? When I mention it to him, he just says, "Oh, he just wants to be the leader of the pack," but does nothing about it. I'd hate to have to take him to another park because this is the largest, most popular one around that allows off-leash dogs, and there's usually 30-40 dogs there at one time (lab heaven!) Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Well, You've asked politely that he try and control his dog and he's given you excuses, sooo, in that case, both this man and dog would find out that my bark is very much worse than my dogs bite and I'd sort the ruddy dog out!
Try a drink can filled with pennies, then sealed, and launch it at the dog next time he comes to approach your dog...along with a 'leave it' in your growliest voice ;)
You are your dogs pack leader, remember. It's up to you to protect him when out on walks from any unwanted attention. If not, your dog may decide it's up to him to take contol...
You also have every right to walk your well behaved dog without being confronted by somebody elses unruly, uncontrolled, bolshy dog. There's no way I'd change parks!

I would definately mention to the owner again that you dislike his dogs behaviour . If he gives you the same "silly" reply then mention that it is his duty as a RESPONSIBLE dog owner to keep his dog under control .
I'm sure he wouldnt come out with that glib reply if it was your dog doing the biting !!!!!
Lel

Do the other dog owners have problmes with him too? If so, maybe it's worth having a chat with some of them, and whilst it's important to avoid confrontation, if people are politely complaining to him each time he appears he might decide it's easier for him to change parks. From the sound of his reply to your comments, the owner just sounds daft rather than aggressive.

Might not work, but might be worth a try .........

I'm not sure what happens when we're not there, but my dog is the only one he seems to go after (and with a vengence!) This could be because our lab is still puppy-ish, that is kind of goofy and very energetic! Unfortunately, the people at the park tend to take the attitude of "well, it's not my dog so I should mind my own business." It burns me up to just watch this man not really caring that his dog is inflicting pain on my dog!

Sympathise greatly with this, as I have had owners laugh while their dogs chased mine into the sunset, saying "he's only playing". Tell that to my dog before she runs under a car .......

She loves other dogs normally, but does have an aversion to large dogs (normally, I have to confess, black Labs, sorry!) running at her full pelt and doesn't hang around to find out if they're friendly or not. As long as I just get hold of her collar briefly, and let her say hello before letting her go again, she's fine. I'm not a fussy dog owner, but find this way she's happy, whereas I run the risk of her taking off if I don't.

Whilst the noisy can of pebbles is tempting, maybe a can of something unpleasant tasting such as Bitter Apple to subtly spray in his dog's mouth might be effective but less confrontational? Just an idea, don't know if it would work.

M.

I would not think that such a person is worth attempting to reason with, but, you do not even know what breed the other dog is, if its one of the fighting breeds it could jst suddenly snap his temper hard, your dog is in deep trouble then.

If the other dog owners have had problems then several written statements and a formal trip to the police station might get him charged under the dangerous dogs, it appears to be dangerously out of control or something like that is in it.

Haveing said that we Brits are desrevedly notorious for not complaining when right is on our side so I guess talking to other owners who have had probs, if any, will just be talk and no action.

If I were in a position like that I would find out what breed it is and if a fighting breed just go to another park if no one would complain to the police, if they had complaints to give to the police.

If the owner doesn't take responsibility for his dogs behaviour then I am afraid it would be getting my boot up its rear end in no uncertain terms. Maybe this guy only understands the problem if you reverse it...ie if his dog pesters you, then you will boot his dog & hurt it...maybe then he will keep it away. No doubt someone will complain about my method!

other than what everyone else has said it might be worth speaking to the dog warden or even the local plod !
If the dog is off leash and causing a nuisance then it is not under control and that is an offence
or vary your time in the park so as not to clash with him
Liz :)

I agree with liz, have a word with the local dog warden:) I have seen this time and time again in our local park, I know which dogs to avoid, and my lot aren't really into playing with others, and if any get particularly shirty its my little springer that chases them away. A lady who has a rescue JRT was telling me, that there is a GSD that makes a beeline for him, it will tear across the park at her dog, who is on lead, and try to mount it, and be agressive with it. Her husband , who walks with a stick, was with her and this GSD did the same thing, and he tried to steer it away with his stick, the next thing the GSD's owner had raced across the park, (she normally pretends she cant see whats going on) and grabbed his stick and started hitting him with it, shouting that he had hit her dog. The lady called the police, who when they turned up just said it was 50/50 even though the old man had been assaulted by the other owner. They didnt want to know, but said they would advice her to keep her dog on lead in future. she doesn't Ive seen her, Her dog doesnt bat an eyelid at mine, so I personally have never had a run in with her. So, ringing the dog warden and telling them about it, and what time the dog is in park etc, might be the way to go. You probably dont want to get into a confrontation with the owner, and as they seem very unbothered by it so far, the dog warden may get through better. HTH Julie:)

That's horrendous. I can't *believe* some people :(

I started a puppy class with my Great Dane. On the 3rd visit we were joined by an 18 month old GSD/Alsatian (sorry, i don't know which, only that it was the short haired police dog type?). It was being handled by an 18 year old lad who had got it from rescue. My puppy was only 15 weeks old and this bl**dy dog was evil with him. Glaring, pulling, barking, jumping, snarling. Willis (daft as a brush) just stood there wagging his tail. It could have been really nasty if that dog had pulled away - and the whole situation was not what I was expecting in a puppy socialisation class. It just seems that the minority spoil it for the majority.
I haven't been back since.

Heavens, what on earth is the trainer thinking of, letting an aggor 18 month dog in with a pup class? Pup classes should be for just that, pups, and maybe a well behaved adult dog just to interact a bit.

LIndsay

I don't know... when I started I was in a class of about 6 or 7, all pups the same age. There was lots of interaction inbetween training. Then one week, half the class had disappeared, she split the class up and two of the people went with the trainer I had had the week before and I ended up with the other trainer who decided to take me and this other GSD. There was no interaction (cos the GSD would have taken my dogs head off) and she treated it as a training class as opposed to a puppy class - she didn't even advise this young lad how to stop his dog intimidating mine.

Put me off a bit - I get more interaction for my pup walking him down the canal and meeting people :(

Hi, I work for a local authority and I do strongly suggest you contact your local animal warden he/she will be able to help.

Banya has been "attacked" twice in 2 days, which has made me mad because she has a slight tendency to defensive aggression, due to being still a bit socially immature, to my which she has been marvellously coming out of and responding, and then these 2 ruddy dogs - grrr!!!

We were doing nothing, just walking, and playing, and each time a dog raced across and had a go at her. In fact I noticed she has a small mark on her muzzle but she is OK :)

I left it to her to solve and luckily she had the confidence to defend herself and then back off, which i knew she would. Ive worked so hard with her on this and we have been coming along in leaps and bounds. I feel she coped very well and will continue to walk there, because the majority of dogs there are very sociable :) i do however agree with whoever said we must be the pack leader and defend out dogs, we have to accept this responsibility.

Dim owners sadly seem to stay that way, so not sure what the anwer is, just hope it all works out, maybe try a chat just the once or if not the dog wrden?

Lindsay

I agree with Sam the other dog deserves a good boot up from behind and when the owner comes across to complain ( more than likely if he cares for it he will ) then you can easily reply that it was mentioned but he was obviously not concerened as to his dogs behaviour, hence your reaction. If any other dog did that to my 'boys' ( yellow and black labs ) then they would soon see my attitude to uncontrolled and aggressive dogs!!

Good Luck

Mark

Try this ... take a toy water pistol with you and give the offending mutt a good squirt with it next time he comes near your dog. Then stride right up to the blokie in question (if you can do this without getting mauled by his mutt), be Ms or Mr Friendly, but say in no uncertain terms that his dog's behaviour is really upsetting your dog and can he please keep an eye on it when your lab is around. If he refuses to listen, prance around him like a demented lunatic, cackle evilly and start squirting him with the toy water pistol. He'll soon realise that you're not a person to be trifled with (ok, I didn't actually mean the last bit ... )

Tricky one - you don't want to create an unpleasant atmosphere in the park between you and this blokie by having a confrontation ... on the other hand, these things do blow over and your lab should not be terrorized.

Good luck

Jo

this all brings back to me the time my hubby was training a gun dog puppy, a woman with a very aggresive border terrier used to come out of the wood from nowhere, the border would fly at the pup, who was petrified and would run off!!! despite my hubby asking her to keep her dog away she smirked and made a point of bringing her dog over for its bit of fun!!! --the answer!!!! he took my male rott with him the next time, sat him down and got on with the puppy, when the woman appeared wearing her usual smirk!!!!!!it soon vanished, as the rott, who was a BIG BOY!!! stood up to see who it was coming, it was amazing to find that she could call her dog back and leash it when she needed to, :D , nothing happened ,but it was a lessen learnt, -[theres always something bigger and harder than yours :D]

Good idea about the water pistol Jo - fill it with something harmless that smells like a skunk :D

lol lol lol jo!

I would like to see that!!

Mark

My dog absolutely loves being blasted in the face by the hose - he tries to drink all the water. A water pistol would just turn him on :D :D

Daisy

I wouldn't be so pleased however :D

Daisy

Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. We went to the dog park again today, and although that particular dog was not there, I got to talking with others who have also had problems with the dog. No one is quite sure what to do -- I think that people are reluctant to speak to authorities because it is one of the few dog parks around and bringing this to attention might in some way close it down to dogs. BUT -- something should be done because this dog is truly a nuisance to other dogs, and although it does not act aggressive towards people, there are often children at the park and who knows what could happen?

I am afraid that I am on the other boot my dog Jake is like that with some other dogs!! We keep him off the lead when we walk in the park but I will put him stright on the lead when I see other dogs because I know what he is like I always ask what sex the other dog is if female then I let him off and he plays like a baby but other males and he stays on the lead.Since I have had Amber he has been a lot better which is great, I take him to ringcraft and training classes and he is like a diffreant dog he is off the the lead in training classes takes no notice of the other dogs male and female nobody can beleave that he misbehaves when we are out but looks can decive.
Nina

Just have a plea - please don't whack the mean dog. We take our puppy to lots of different parks which means we don't always meet the friends he knows. He approaches all dogs with equal friendliness with the really obvious playing body language. On 2 separate occasions he has run in front of me to say hello and before I've had the chance to ask the owner if it is ok, each of them has kicked my dog. I think both people have been psychotic and/or criminally stupid and so I now sprint faster but a whack will only escalate the problem. I agree the water pistol would be a much better solution unless it turns out that the dog thinks that is fun. If you can find something to make a loud noise [like a bike horn] but shouting/roaring like a lion etc probably won't work as this could excite the dog even more.

Cizzy

I don't think that I could ever whack another person's dog because who knows how that dog would react? I could care less about the owner (obviously doesn't care too much about dogs if he's letting his viciously bite another), but I wouldn't want to get bit.

I understand what you are saying, Cizzy, but, not all dogs that aproach 'on lead' dogs are friendly like your guy...and not all 'on lead' dogs are friendly, either. Perhaps the owners of the dogs who went to kick your guy were actually saving him from an attack off their own dogs?!

But if a dog witnesses their owner, master and god-like being kicking another dog then they are going to think it's OK!
Sorry Jacqui, I see your point :) but I could never kick out at a dog and I really really don't understand the mentality of someone doing this - especially when they have a dog of their own :(

Perhaps I should rephrase it a bit :o I don't mean kick as in football, though if it was a nasty enough dog, I'd do whatever, but I normally find my can (aimed at the dogs body) is enough.
A friendly (but off lead) dog would be told to go away. My dogs, thankfully, are fine with others, but when they're on lead they are not allowed to play.
Because I walk two, I have stuck my foot out to ward away an evil, yappy, snappy JRT as it was the only freed up limb left to me. The owner did think that I was going to kick it and accused me so....why should I do that when really all I have to do is let go of one lead and tell one of my dogs to 'get it'? ;)
I can understand the mentality of somebody doing this, though. If it's a nasty dog on the end of the lead, I'd rather have mine kicked away for aproaching it than a fight ensue.
Your dog is not going to think it's ok, that's not how they think...they think 'well, pack leader's sorting out the rude dog, I don't have too'! :)

sorry to disagree arenwolf but I would defend my own dogs to the hilt, especially a puppy, & if that meant giving a kick to an attacking dog then so be it.

ive slapped an attacking dog in full flight with the far end of a leash, it stopped it in its tracks!!! thought about it, and backed off-the owner came thundering toward me-so i waited, she also thought twice and vanished back to her car-

I've met dizzy and by god that dog and owner dont know how lucky they were ;)
She is scaryyyyy :) :) :) :)

ooooh!! and after i offered to let you sing to me too :D

Please everybody, be careful before kicking ANY dog, especially a small one, but any dog, as it can rupture the liver :( and kill the dog.

I would kick a dog if I had no other plan, there was a serious fight and thought it might save my dog's life, even if it meant the other dog was killed in the process, but IMHO it should be a very last resort. Otherwise it is too extreme.

Besides it is the owner who needs the "kicking" :p ;) : but some are just so blase and unaware of others that only a bomb would make them react :(

I have to say though, even I would be tempted because you did say that the dog sinks its teeth in yiour Labs back and muzzle. If this is what happens, then this is a serious dog attack and the owner must be made aware that (presumably) puncture wounds are resulting; these are nasty wounds and need (from my limited knowledge about them) an antibiotic, vets treatment etc.

If this man won't listen to reason, maybe attack his wallet and say that he has to pay the vet bills. But I say have a word with the dog wardem.

It may be possible to "head off" the dog with your own body language, but obvioulsy only if you feel the dog is basically OK. I have several times intercepted an aggressive dog, by a sort of "dont you dare" approach. If the dog is really bad then I too would use a lead a la Dizzy, :p if the dog got past me. I am afraid sometimesemotions get the best of us all, and I agree with Sam that you have to defend your own dog from repeatd attacks of this sort.

Good luck anyway,

Lindsay