Recently, i was walking my three dogs in a green area. All were ok, and playing with each other. There is a circle area in the middle, which is gated. Anyways i was just playing with them when i turn around and see a man and his staffy in the circle area. My dog went up to him, and the other dog barked and locked onto his whole muzzle. Somehow, my dog turned it around and had the other dogs bottom jaw in between his mouth, the other dog was crying annd crying. Then the worse thing that could of happened did, my other dog started to nip at him through the gates as well. I nearly had a heart attack, i thought i was going to lose one of my dogs. Somehow i managed to separate them, and carried them all home.

Anyway, my question is, how do you prevent this from happening, people have suggested that i have my dog on a leash, but he in perfectly fine with dogs who don't attack him. He is a good dog, and doesn't deserve the sterotype most people give him. I cant go through the experience of having a dog locked on to minne or vice versa, a horrible experience.

He is so obedient in the house, his recall is superb when there are no other dogs around. Can anyone help me?

To start with, muzzle him when he's out. Then people will be able to see you're being responsible.

Razor, as you say, his recall is good when there are no other dogs around well........... that is one of the most important reasons for teaching recall, ;-) not just for dogs who won't take aggression from other dogs, but because most untrained dogs at some time will run off and ignore their owners when other dogs are around.

His recall may be great otherwise, but until it is great with all dogs, he needs to be on a long line, it still gives him plenty of freedom to meet and greet, and even have a jog, but more importantly you can reel him in when you need to and continue to practise recall all the time, without the worry of him disobeying you.

Your other dog probably also attacked as that is what dogs can do, when there is a lot of howling and crying dogs are known to nip and bite either dog to stop it. :-)

If EVERYONE had their dogs on a lead then this situation wouldnt happen

If EVERYONE had their dogs on a lead then this situation wouldnt happen

So do you not do any off lead walking with your dog?

the poster asked how to prevent thiese situations happening ....

Oh, right :)

I have to admit my girls are rarely ON leads. They do not rush up to other dogs but pass by and say hello as they go. They don't fight and on the rare accasion on of them was attacked by a boxer all she and the others did was stand in amazement that the other dog was unfriendly.
I think they have been walked off lead all thier lives and they seem to have a better understanding of how to behave around other dogs as they have learnt as they went along. They don't seem to feel the need to rush of and greet as they see loads of other dogs and can be sociable without being over the top. Maybe more could learn if they were given the opportunity to meet and greet more often. Just my opinion.

Surely it would be much better and much much nicer.. to have better education (of owners) and management. :)
Given the already woeful knowledge levels I'd say there would be much more behavioural problems with on lead dogs handled incorrectly (and therefore with a 'tight' lead exacerbating anti social behaviour) :(

and what a miserable existence they would have  The vast majority of dogs rub along perfectly micable off lead, in fact it is on lead that many can become defensive.  If we know our dog is not reliable then we take steps to avoid confrontations.

Yesterday whilst I was in the woods nearby, a border collie bitch who we have seen out on lead walk growling or lip curling was loose.  It ran up to my Pharaoh bitch (Patti - 22 months - who was off lead) and attacked her - thankfully Patti was not injured but she was quite shaken up by the 'experience'.  The woman didn't even apologize.

Pam

Inform the Dog Warden.

My dog went up to him, and the other dog barked and locked onto his whole muzzle. Somehow, my dog turned it around and had the other dogs bottom jaw in between his mouth, the other dog was crying annd crying.

In this particular situation, he was  most likely defending himself. However he didn't let go when the other dog was crying, (which could have been because he didn't know how to safely get himself out of that situation once he was in it, or could mean he was enjoying it) and did go up to the other dog first (but that's normal canine behaviour) :)

If you have really good control you could use training (recall, sit, etc) to keep him and other dogs safe.  I'd be looking at his bite inhibition here (ie did he break the skin of the other dog, if so was it a puncture wound etc) and also just how reactive he is if another dog pushes him. I'd also look at rewarding him when he interacts in a friendly way with other dogs he knows, and generally make it very clear you highly approve of this appropriate behaviour. If you feel his reactions to a dog who pushes him are way over the top, then I'd be using a muzzle to ensure their safety.

Lindsay
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