A big hello to everyone.

I have only just worked out how to post!! LOL :)

My problem is that I have a 22 week old Golden Retriever that keeps being attacked by other male dogs whilst we are out on our walks......

The other dogs are all off of the lead, they come bounding over give my boy a sniff, then their backs are up, they start growling at him, barking curling their lips and have even gone to bite him, ect ect. Before their owner comes to rescue us, with the, " Oh he's alright, he wouldn't hurt a fly. " ( they really dont seem harmless! )
It has happened 4 times to us now, all by different dogs and to tell you the truth our walks are turning into a bit of a nightmare to say the least, to the point where i've started to stay in with him.
Im so cross that I feel so threatened and im letting it spoil our time together, but I am really scared that one of them will really hurt him.
My boy is a gentle sort whom likes other dogs, but with this sort of situation every time we go out, he may become nervous and scared.

We live right on the edge of a big feild that is visited all the time by lots of different people and their dogs, all of the time.

Please can anyone suggest anything, I just dont know what to do??

Thanks

Nicky

Is your dog on lead at this time?

If he is it could be that they find him easy to pick on as he is on lead so to speak, knowing they can get out of reach if he was to retaliate

Theres people on here who know a lot more than me and I`m sure will be along to give their thoughts and ideas :thumbsup:

Hello Cyrus... :)

Yes he is on a lead, he is only a pup, and being out and about, is still rather new to him.

He gets all excited when he sees another dog approaching us, and as soon as they get nasty he lays down, or rolls over and I end up picking him up and lifting him out of harms way. ( Over protective maybe, but I am really frightened by all this)

He does not jump up at them or anything, he just gets a very waggy tail and does not know what to do with himself, he really is such a gentle sort, I dont think he has it in him to be aggresive back.

Thanks for your speedy reply, I on the other hand, am just learning although I have been reading posts on here for a couple of months now.

Thanks again

Nicky

Remember, if you pick up your puppy you're preventing him being accepted by other dogs, I'm afraid. If he lies down and rolls over, this behaviour will inhibit other dogs from hurting him - preventing this natural submission isn't the right thing to do.

When this used to happen to Cyrus we did the same either pulled him back or picked him up and he slowly seemed to become scared of other dogs, we met a dog trainer out and about once who told his to just loosen our hold on the lead and let Cy naturally react how he wants with other dogs and now he is great with them and also now bigger he doesn`t get quite so many dogs having a go

It sounds as though the other dogs could just be testing him and trying to show him they are the boss more than willfully attacking him let him roll on his back and be submissive with them and just see how they react if the dog gets really nasty then get him out of the way, you may find your pleasently suprised how nice they may be to yours

It is funny as we were all out tonight all walking the two youngsters and came across a Golden Retriever puppy :) He was only about 4 months old :D I know the people so we went over and he was straight on his back ! :D The girls went straight to his little winky and he decided to pee in his excitement !  :D :D The girls quickly retreated :D

It is however so important to let them socialise at all ages as if you do protect them how are they ever going to be able to be accepted ! Similar thing with children IMHO. Over protective parents make me cringe :)

Lucy
xx

Hi...

I understand exactly what you are saying, when this happened the first few times, I left him alone to cope but the other dog became more and more aggresive, by the time the owner came to get him, My boy and I were both covered in slime and shakeing like jelly....

The very next day it happened again, this time with a different dog which  bit at his throat, still I kept a hold on him and tried to walk away slowly, this approach did not work either, as the other dog became more upset and more aggresive.

The final straw came when a GS cross bull Mastiff decided he wanted to have a go too, with no owner in sight, and the fear that anything could happen, I picked him up until the owner finally got to us,this time we stayed where we were, and when the owner put him on his lead he had a very hard job pulling his dog away from us.

This was a very big dog who sent shivers down my spine, and I know I probably should not have picked him up, but it was a spare of the moment thing....I didn't have a plan of action or anything.

Thats why I am asking for help because I want to handle this the right way and not make things worse.. :)

Thanks for your help

Nicky

Do you take him to training classes? They're a good way for him to learn to mix with other dogs calmly. Try looking at the APDT site for classes in your area.
:)

Thanks for all your comments regarding this problem, I am really grateful..  :)

I have 4 children also, and yes I may be a little over protective of my family, but I dont think anyone would leave a child in a dangerous situation on purpose, just for a learning experience.

My Golden Retriever is no match for any of these other dogs, even if he were to get aggresive back, where would it get him?

Thats like leaving a child alone with an older child who wants to hit him with a bat!!! ( you have to draw the line somewhere dont you?? )

No we dont go to classes yet, but I am seriously thinking about it.....

He gets on great with female dogs, we often go for walks with a collie called Amber....shes lovely :)

I just wonder how familiar you are with canine body language.  You may be right that the dogs are aggressive, but this would be unusual for several dogs to display aggression to a pup.

It is quite normal for adults to expect a pup to show submission, and dogs when playing are extremely rough to our eyes.  Slobbering over the neck area etc.  Also if a pup is boisterous they will snarl at it to get it to be a bit more respectful.

Trouble is that we can't see.

Similar to the posts where owners think they have a savage puppy, when in fact the pup is playing and getting attention the only way it knows using it's teeth, perfectly normal and nothing to do with aggression.

I wasn't by the way having a go about what you are doing and sorry if it looked that way :)

I do however think that you need perhaps to get a bit tougher with the owners and ask them to take a bit more control over their dogs ? :) If it were you children I should think you would have something to say to the parents if their kids were been agressive ;)

Perhaps find  another place to try and socialise him where there are not so many dogs that are not controlled ? :)

Lucy
xx

I had the same problem with my bitch I  used to always have her on lead I now leave her off lead in the park dogs have chased her and she has run to get out the way a few meters ahead  but she always comes back  she never goes out of sight :P .shes not been attacked since . I supose to do this you really need to know your dog well and trust that he/she will come back never do it by a road .Ive found no matter what you say to these owners  most dont seem to be botherd

hello to all :)

Thanks for all your replies, we just went out on a lovely walk with my friend and her two beautiful golden retriever female dogs, I even got as far as letting him off the lead to play with the other two goldies.

This time there was no trouble, probably because there were no other dogs around for us to find out.

I do know the difference between a dog that is showing a pup whos boss and one which is being aggresive, we had a Golden Retriever when I was living at home with my parents, and I used to take the neighbours male dog for walks.

On one occasion another dog started on the dog I was walking and it turned really nasty, they started fighting and to be honest it was the worst thing i'd ever seen, neither myself or the owner of the other dog could stop it, and by the time it had finished they both needed to see the vet.

I have got cross with a couple of owners, because they seem to have a care free attitude, and the owners of a runaway bulldog which started, sent a teenager to sort it out.

Im at a loss really.

nicky

I have been through this msyelf, although it was years ago now. My Golden then was always being attacked, yet he himself would not hurt a fly, ever. He'd never retaliate. I think maybe, just maybe, it's a Golden thing. It's definitely a Golden thing to lay on your back and let everyone else jump on you -I have 3 like that. :) I'm wondering whether some dogs of other breeds simply don't understand them, and end up attacking a dog which already is showing his submission. Don't know, but to me it does seem that Goldens do tend to be prone to this. I don't really have an answer I'm afraid, it's just an observation.

Marianne

Hello Marianne,

Thankyou for your post. :)
Im so glad that it's not all in my head and that this sort of thing has happened to someone else....
He did get a bit full of himself with my friends 2 goldens tonight, but they soon put him in his place :) In true golden fashion (nicely)

I think the problem is that there are alot of very big strong, very powerful dogs around, and maybe people just aren't aware of what damage they can really do if they wanted to. Yes they might be harmless in their own home and very loveing to their owners, but at the end of the day if they take a dislike to another dog and they wish to fight, are their owners in control enough to stop them?

I think I may look into some classes anyway, I just want to be able to handle these situations better.

Thanks again for your post :)

Yes I think you're right -sadly there's a lot of people out there who just do not really know what their dogs are like, or can't control them, or don't bother to, and a nice friendly and submissive Golden will end up in trouble simply because he wouldn't hurt a fly. Bit like picking on the geeky kid with glasses at school! I think classes are a great idea, my dogs all love them and in particular my young Golden who is 1 ½. :) Good luck!! They're wonderful dogs, aren't they! :)

Marianne

Thanks so much. :)

Yes I am Golden Retriever mad, their friendly gentle nature makes them a pleasure to have around, and I think if you have ever been lucky enough to have one you probably wont have any other breed. ( but I cant speak for everyone of course )

I read alot of info about Goldens and I think it is such a shame that there are more cases of aggresive golden retrievers. I have been very lucky, my golden is typical of it's breed, not a bad bone in his body. :)

But I am starting to wonder whether they are becoming like that because of their surroundings:- because of the growing number of more powerful dominant and aggresive dogs. ( just a thought ) who knows?

Nicky

I think there are more cases of aggressive goldens simply because of their popularity as a breed. Whenever a breed becomes popular careless breeders jump on the bandwagon and churn out poorly-bred pups purely to feed the 'pet' market, with no thought for quality ("it looks like a golden/dalmatian/westie/whatever so that'll do"). Then the reputation of the whole breed falls. :(

Hello Poopscoop!!!

Welcome to CD - I'm glad to discovered how to do a post!!!

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you have been having with your golden.  Welcome to the world of dog ownership and the fact that not everybody is a responsible dog owner!!  Can I add a few comments to add the rest of the advice you have please?

A well bred golden (like your boy!!) nine times out of ten will have the characteristics that your boy has.  The problem with goldens is that they are a very popular breed and some unscrupulous breeders/puppy farmers have latched on to this and don't put the thought into breeding that a well respected and experienced breeder will.  Thus you end up with goldens with bad temperaments etc., etc.,  It is a sad fact of life that many breeds now suffer from this "dodgy dealing" and their reputations are being badly affected through no fault of their own.

FAr from "thinking" about training classes, I would strongly advise you to enrol in a good class immediately!  The reason for this is to socialise your puppy to positive experiences and to learn the basics!!  Contrary to popular belief, dogs don't come "trained" and they certainly won't train themselves.  The reason I say this is that your puppy is going to grow up to be a big dog and it matters not a bit that he has a lovely nature if he ends up jumping all over somebody.  Believe me.  I see it every day - one golden in particular who is a lovely dog, has had not a bit of training and is completely out of control.  So be warned.

You say that being out is still new to your boy.  At 22 weeks it really shouldn't be.  He should have been being socialised from 8 weeks to new situations, sounds, experiences etc.,  Perhaps he doesn't have the social skills at present to deal with these dogs but he needs to learn.  I can appreciate your worries but, believe me, you are not doing your dog any favours by shutting him away as you have stated in your post.  Get him out, get him to new places where there are nicer dogs if the field isn't suitable.  He really needs to have positive experiences now!!!  Puppies also have an inbuilt mechanism to "follow".  By keeping your puppy constantly on the lead he is not developing the habit of following you.  I have seen this so many times when a puppy gets to 6 months the owners decide to let him/her off the lead and it is off into the wilderness and, of course, is doesn't know any recall so it doesn't know to come back!!! 

I hope the above helps.  It is not meant to be a lecture, merely a few pointers to help you with your new puppy.  Enjoy him and, if you don't like walking in the field, find a new place where you can enjoy your walks.  This puppy stage is over very quickly and it would be a shame if it was spent worrying all the time. :) :)

Kind wishes
Annie

Hello, Thankyou for your comments, they are all taken on board.

The reason we are late starters for being out and about is beacause he had an ear infection, which delayed his injections for a while. :(

As soon as the vet thought he was ok, he had his jabs and I slowly started introducing him to the big wide world.

As I had been already reading posts on CD I took all help and advice on board, and decided to take him out in stages as I knew we were late in socialising.
So on one trip we went to meet other people,then on another to meet other dogs, another to get him used to traffic and so on.

I also tried the advice of somebody on here, who recommended leaving the dog alone and letting him find you.
It went like clockwork, he cried and was very worried, he started looking around for me, I could see him but he couldn't see me.
It was very hard to not to just come out, as he was getting so upset, but in the end he found me.  :)
He was so pleased with himself, and I was so very proud of him.Since then he follows me around like a shadow, although the advice stated to do this a couple of times, I have only done this the once because of the problems we have had lately.

I also let him off the lead last night, whilst walking with my friend and her 2 goldens.
It went very well to tell you the truth, he didn't run off, and when the other two got a little far away from us, he laid down and waited until we caught up.

I know that everybody will sing their own dogs praises, but I honestly have been really lucky so far to have such a good boy!! ha ha I was expecting everything from chewing to crying at night, pooping everywhere ect ect, and none of this happened at all.....It has been just to good to be true. :)

Apart from our problem with other male dogs, which I am keen to nip in the bud before fear of them is set in stone for my boy.

I find this site very valuable, and all advice is very welcome.

Thankyou all for your help and advice, I hope one day I may return the favour and be able to offer someone else in my shoes some help and advice with their dog. :)

Nicky x x

Hi Nicky

Well, you seem to have everything all under control. :)

You sound as if you know what you are doing and obviously my advice was just going from what you had written on your post!  Keep up the good work.  You are obviously a very dedicated lady and your dog is very lucky indeed. :) :)

Kind wishes
Annie

Hello again,

Thankyou so much, you are very kind. :)

I really do think I am the lucky one though.

Nicky x x

Hi Nicki, I think you are doing great. I have managed to change my evenings at work and now have a friday evening off, if you like I will come with you to the dog training classes at the vyne school, I will ring them and see if we can go without the dogs first and watch so you can see if its you and of coarse Bronson. You can then ask them many questions. Then we can go with Sydney and bronson and let watch for the next week. Then join in after that if all goes well.

HTH. Lynn

Hi Lynne,

That sounds great! :)

I didn't realise there was one so close by.....

Bronson was so worn out when we came in, he just climbed into bed and slept solid..he still managed to lift his head up for his night time biscuit though! LOL :)

Keep me updated on classes..see you and your girls soon...

Nicky x x

Hi Nicki, can you ring me asap or email me your phone number, Ive lost yours. we can go tonight at 7.30pm.

lynn

Hi Nicky,
I've not got any experience to speak of as I've only been a dog owner for 2 years, but we went through a similar thing with Sparky, when he was younger. He's a collie though, and I think he was giving out the wrong messages to other dogs when he first saw them in the distance by freezing on the spot and staring at them. As we got closer, he would almost hide between my legs and turn his head away, as if he was expecting trouble. Letting him off lead meant he could get out of the way more easily if another dog started on him, and I also taught him to sit and watch me when other dogs went past. This seems to have worked for us, usually, and might be worth a try. :)
Sounds like your little chap is a lucky boy!

Hi Sparkybusby,

Thanks so much for your comments,I dont really know why people keep telling me he's lucky...  :) ( I am the lucky one )
I am only looking after him the best way I can, which is what I think every one of our furry four legged friends deserves...

I am a person who beleives that if you make the choice to own a dog, then you must treat them with respect and give them whatever they need to live a happy healthy and comfortable life, also in times of trouble sickness and need, which will crop up from one time or another during their lifetime.

I made a choice to look after him for his whole life, and that is what I intend to do....to the best of my ability. ( the rewards are just endless, he is everything I had hoped he would be and more )

My life would not be the same without him now, he is a muched loved member of my family, I treat him like he's one of my children....and I think he thinks he is too... LOL :)

Anyway looks like my boy might be starting school soon :) I dont know who will have more fun though me or Bronson  ha ha ha I am going to have a look with my friend next week......I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks again for your posts, you have all been great :)

Nicky x x