Hi all
When out walking the dogs today 2 dog dashed across the road at us barking and growling. Alice decided that she was as tough as them but Amy decided to hide behind my legs. My question is how should I have reacted to this situation? As I am trying to take control on the walk and lead the pack should I have ignored it and struggled to walk on dragging Alice barking behind me and Amy between my legs or should I have stepped in the middle of the dogs and stood my ground? I decided to walk on dragging the dogs with me
Carol

Having spent time thinking about this I think the best thing to do was walk away and ignore the other dogs barking and growling at us. Hopefully the girls would have realised that.

Hi Carol,
I sometimes have this problem with Toby. There are certain types of dog he's scared of and he tries to make out he's brave but if the dog gets too close Toby hides behind me! but he can sound so loud I'm sure people who don't know him would think he was aggressive.
I've tried giving him a row, I've tried ignoring it and I've tried distracting him (doesn't work) so I too could do with some advice on how to deal with this sort of situation.
Dot

Hiya Dot
TT's huh! :D
Carol

Hi Carol,
The problem with trying to ignore other dogs' behavior is that you sometimes have to actually pay attention to what they are doing for you and your dogs' safety. Some dogs are just barky and growly, others will charge to attack. Meeting up with loose dogs can be very unpredictable, despite the different "body language" tells :(

I don't think that there is any firm and fast rule on how to deal with this type of situation. It just "depends." Each time is new, if you're dealing with different dogs.

Some dogs decide to make a stand and let you walk out of their "spot." Others might see you as retreating and therefore should be hastened on your way by nipping or biting. If you stand quietly, they can also see it as a challenge. :rolleyes: Meanwhile your own dogs' behavior can be helping or hindering the situation.

Your one dog that decided to be just as assertive could have actually provoked the dogs into reacting more agressively. 2 on 1 is no fun to cope with (It's happened to me). Walking away, as I said, can also provoke a dog into chasing.

I try to first see to my dogs to have them be calm (sitting next to me). Or with Samma, one time, it was easier for her to sit in-between my feet, since the dog was trying to grab her, but not me.

Then I try to deal with the strange dogs and figure how out-of-control they are. Some will approach my dogs, but not me. I can usually "swoosh" them away by just standing my ground. I try not to ever let them get behind me. I've had several that decided leaping against my back would be "fun".

I usually pray that their owners will show up quickly if they are more agressive than this :( I just stay calm, not move, and someone has always showed up out-of-breath and very apologetic :rolleyes:
hope this helps a bit. Good luck,
toodles

Sara,
I can't answer for Carol but the problem I have is trying to calm Toby and get him to sit. If we meet a dog he's scared of he barks like mad, pulls towards it and won't take his eyes of it. He's so stubborn he won't let himself get distracted by me and I just drag him along so have you any suggestions of how to distract him and get him to sit?
Any help gratefully received because I get embarrassed when it happens :o and feel I'm doing something wrong. :(
Dot

If he is pulling towards the other dog I wouldn't say he is fearful. He wants to interact with his own kind, but lacks the social skills to do it properly. Many dogs are dying to say hello to another dog, and when the other reciprocates find it all too much and get snappy when they are unsure of the others good intentions. Also he maybe wanting to show he is beter than they are, and of course he would get a negative response from them.

I would sugest allowing him to great some very dog friendly clam dogs in a controlled fashion. This will help himlearn how to behave without fear of him being hurt. If he is infact being dominant and pushy a dog like this will tell him off, but not hurt him.

My girls are very good with strange dogs, but will put pushy/sexy youngsters in their place, without going too far.

U often have various friends dogs to stay, so they are used to being invaded.

Thank you Barbara. What you say makes sense because he's only recently learned to play and he's desperate to play. Also we were at SKC yesterday and he was perfectly happy and relaxed all day even standing close up against Newfoundlands and Rotweillers so it shows the size of the dogs don't matter to him just as long as they're calm.
Now I'll just need to hunt for plenty calm dogs to practise on!
Many thanks
Dot

Thanks all for replies
Carol :D