I have to vent my anger somewhere!.Whilst out walking my male bullmastiff today around the lakes near to my home 2 gsd's who were off the lead came running over to us and started to bark very aggressively.Trying to keep my boy near to me as to stop anything from happening,which went on for a few minutes before one of them went for him.My bully just grabbed it on top of his neck and pinned it.The other was barking at me which was very scary indeed.As this was happening their owners an elderly gent and lady saw what was going on and started to shout and call the dogs.In the end i seperated my bully off the dog and they both returned to the owners who then decided to call me all the names under the sun and that i had a devil dog!.This has made me very mad indeed as they said they might report it aswell.My dog was on a lead at all times and i am just worried as they said they were going to report it.Sorry to rant a bit but this has made me very angry and worried aswell.Also my arms are still hurting from trying to stop my bully who is 3 years old from pulling my arms off.

Thats awful! Irresponsable owners! What more can be said! I too have been in that position and fortunatley i can pick my min schnauzer up. Lucky it wasnt me other wise they would have got a piece of my mind! (dog in the car - march streight back over to them!)

All i can say is relax, i doubt they would have reported anything because they dont know who you are! If anything does turn up, explain your side and suggest that their dogs should be on a lead as yours was!

Roxanne

EXACTLY HERE HERE!

I honestly wouldn't worry. Your bully was on the lead so its THEIR fault. Infact, the very fact that their dog was barking at you in an aggressive manner gives you the upper hand from the start!

At least your boy taught the other one a lesson, it might think twice now before going for anything else.

Chloe :)

It seems to be the normal response of people of that intellectual lvel

I agree. I had a collie rush out from under a hedge at me and my dog (on a lead), it was really aggressive - growling, snarling etc. Made me jump a mile. Seems to be a real problem with farm dogs around here :(

Poor temperament, bad training, and lack of socialisation.

Edit: I'm not certain if I mean the dog or the owner....possibly both.

Oh definitely the owners, Jeangenie!!! :D :D

What a shame - a nice walk spoilt by fools. Your dog was only acting in a protective manner and understandable in the circumstances :)

Don't worry.

LIndsay

I don't personally own a Bullmastiff but my boyfriends sister has one and she got her when she was 3 tears old! She is most certainly the FAMILY PET as she greets us all when she see's us with a warm loving welcome. But what what you have experienced has happened to Zoe (Bullmastiff) on many occassions and all they see is a big dog so they blame her even although she was on her leed. She wouldn't hurt a fly as long as she or her family isn't threatend. Its about time this "Devil Dog" tag was removed it should be "Devil Owners" who don't know how to look after or treat their dogs! If we need to keep such dogs on leeds why the hell can't other people with other dogs do the same!

I'm sorry I'm off on one it justs really makes me mad!

I have this argument with my boyfriend all the time he's weary of Zoe or pitbulls etc as he's read and heard many bad stories but its the owners I keep telling him! I can put my face right into Zoe's to play and roll about with her she's as playfull as my standard poodle was! I tell you I was ill one day when she visited and I ran up stairs to be sick and she stood at the bottom of the stairs crying till I came out and sat next to me on my douvet and didn't move from my side! Who would call that a "Devil Dog"!

How infuriating! I bet you have thought of lots of nasty stuff you would like to say to them but it is now to late! Lets face it even if they did report it (and they would have to know who you are) your dog was on the lead and theirs was not. Your dog was under control and couldn't possible start a fight without being provoked. The fact that they didn't even notice what the dogs were doing showed that they aren't good owners and weren't in control as the minute they started barking they should have been called back. Anyway, your dog's breed may get some bad press, but gsd's aren't aways thought to be sweet and cuddly. (Don't get me wrong i have nothing against either - but there must be a reason why these dogs are used as good guard dogs - but properly trained they are lovely.) Its really annoying but i wouldn't worry.

I am sorry to hear of your experience.

Had similar problems myself in the past but luckily nothing with the pup yet fingers crossed.

But a few years ago I was in the park meet an aquaintance and stood chatting she had her dog with her a really nice border collie pup. He was on the lead because he'd just had stitches in his leg after cutting his foot on a broken bottle in the grass.

Anyhow, two large dogs one a G/S cross I think and one a heinz 57 but a large dog they approached same way the German shep's did to you barking aggresive and in your face. Proceeded to attack the collie dispite our best efforts to protect him.

Owners ? I question this because to me "owner means look after" arrived on the scence two men who thought the whole incident was funny.

Two women. 1 scared silly collie pup. One of the two dogs grabbed the pup by his tail, he screamed and I must admit so did I at the top of my voice.

This had not quite the outcome they expected on two counts.
No1. I advanced on them the men not the dogs.
No2. My two dogs arrived they had been searching the horizon for any small trees or logs they could take home.

Result total mayhem. My two intervened the two men then decided this wasn't quite as funny.

Obviously two large dogs v's one small collie pup is okay.
But two large dogs v's two staffords was not.

They ran YES RAN the distance to try to break up the disagreement. I must admit not for the men's sakes but their poor dogs I called my two off. Mine obviously released and went into a down stay as I told them. I "discussed their behaviour as owners with the two men" the two men then leashed their dogs and I must admit I never in the the remaining time I used the park saw them unleashed again.
Odd eh.
l

Hi Kazzstaff
The sad thing her is IF your staff had been off the lead and the other dogs instigated the attack on your dog, what is the betting YOUR dog being a staff would have got the blame.
I have staffs and unless I can see no other dogs around always walk them on a lead.
I do not like strange dogs running over to them as if the other dog was at all threatening to them I know my dogs would react how yours did. Which dog would get the blame? It would be just like the Bullmastiff above, because it has BULL in its name must be their fault! Nevermind that they were on the lead and some idiots allowed there dogs to come bounding over with no control.

What a cheek!
If anyone is going to be reported it should be you reporting them for not keeping their dogs under proper control!

If you have not done anything wrong do not worry, your bullie handled the situation in usual bully style. GSDs are quite often cowardly in their attacks, a dog that deals with them usually calls the shots. Sometimes its better to have a dog such as a bully, when two nasty labs decided they were going to have a go at my Glen Of Imall Terrier, my bully did what yours did, just think if she had not been there what would have happened.

My point exactly. BULL breeds of any description are always in the wrong in these situations.

Regardless of how the trouble starts or who starts it. I have to admit I have yet to meet a BULL breed owner who is not concious of this fact. All I have ever meet have been overly sensible/cautious, regarding their dogs.

It's sometimes a shame other dog owners aren't (obviously this does not apply to anyone who reads this board)

As they say "there's nowt as queer as folk"

I probably will get yelled at for this method but I use it and recommend it to anyone who has the gall to use it with gusto. If you are not very brave and very comfortable with defending your dog from an attack with gusto, don't try it at all -it can be dangerous for the weak-hearted or uncoordinated.

I have a Giant Schnauzer that was attacked by a GSD three times during the same walk (mine was on lead, the GSD was free and the owner let him attack us again and again and again). After the last attack my dog killed the GSD. This does sound horrid but I promise you he was left with little choice! The GSD was completely viscious (I would bet it was TRAINED to dog-fight). My dog is impeccably obedient at all times (on or off lead) and didn't loose his cool and 'freak out' at all. Actually, in the first 2 attacks he only pinned the GSD down without biting once. As we were walking home the GSD came back and went for my dogs neck.
I was devastated by the death of the GSD -obviously more so than the dog's owner!

Anyway, after that, I took a seminar on dog aggression. From then on I walk my dog on a long leather training lead (but in a perfect 'heel' position) and when the need arises this is what I do: while keeping my dog close with my left hand, I whip any attacking dog HARD on the nose with the end of the lead (in my right hand). The first couple of times my dog offerd to 'help' but I told him not to and since then he just calmly watches (except for once when we were attacked by a pack of three larger stray dogs -where my "intimidation" trick STILL worked great).

Most dogs will run just when you aim for them and take a step forward with a sure expression (but you HAVE to mean it, and HAVE to be ready to hit hard as soon as you get the chance to). They are suddenly confronted by a very confident stranger (this has never happend to them before) and it is terrifying for all but the best trained and bravest of guard dogs (who wouldn't behave it this way anyway). Only a few dogs will need to be hit but you must hit them and HARD, right on the nose. And be ready for a repeat hit if need be. Once, I actually had to kick a raving rotweiller in the nose FIVE times with all my might (and a hicking boot) to get it to back off a 6 month old GSD puppy I was training on the street! After kick #5 the Rottie jumped back into his yard and the puppy was not even frightened in the least (the meany never came close enough). If I hadn't done this the puppy would be either dead, maimed, or at least temperamentally distroyed for life.

Legally, you are completely covered (self defense) so don't worry about that. I wouldn't do it to a dog coming up nicely at a normal pace, just any dogs running straight to you, or obviously aggressive.

I am sorry if I sound terrible but I make a living as a dog trainer/behaviorist, so it goes without saying that I positively adore dogs.
On a last note, you WILL be yelled at by the dogs stupid and irresposible owners so be prepared. Threaten THEM with going to the police. And if you feel they will sue you, make sure you DO report the incident to the police. It will be harder to defend yourself a later in court if you never reported being attacked.

For the record, Bull Mastiffs are incredible dogs. They are one of the sweetest, most loyal and affectionate breeds. They are calm (even lazy) and very patient with children when raised with them. They are also of the braves and strongest dogs in existence. "Fear" is NOT in their vocabulary.
If anyone yells at you for trying my method just answer:

"Do you prefer HE deal with your dog?" and point to your Bully!
Be proud of HIM! You couldn't say that if you owned a whippet! ;)
Meanwhile, your Bull Mastiff is still growing, so make sure not to allow ANY aggression to other dogs coming from him. After that ugly insident he may decide to start the fight next time so be ready to correct him.
He must know what you want from him is NOT to scare every dog away (he may try this just to please you now), just to be nice until you or he are in danger.