Dog Aggession - need advice ??

[kaiser's mom]

I have a 4 month old rottie rescue... very well socialized with pets/people/kids etc... work on it everyday in all places as well as obedience classes...

Need training advice: Neighbor dogs throughout the island neighborhood run loose... we cannot walk down any of these blocks without at least one dog aggressive pooch flying out snarling and snapping at us circling us... Max has been attacked bitten once thru the jaw two weeks ago..and charged at yesterday again...

I have hopes/working for his Temperment Test, CGC and therapy test...

** What advice do you have for training/heeling when dogs charge snarling at us onto the roadway/walk path?

OR when we approach a house with barking dogs behind a fence? ****


My pup gets terrified... I try to be the leader and take charge and move along..but its hard when we are circled by snarling /growling pooches.......

[Jamie & Odin]

kaiser's mom, this sounds so frustrating! I'm sure you have already contacted AC, if not, I would do so. I don't know how to handle the situation when it occurs, I would think the best thing you could do is to avoid it altogether. Can you drive even half a mile away? or further to avoid these dogs?

[moondog]

Hi kaiser's mom :) The FIRST thing you need to do is PROTECT YOUR PUPPY! Since the roaming aggressive dogs are an ongoing problem and your puppy has already been attacked, you need to do something different than what you've been doing. There is nothing positive for him to learn while walking in your neighborhood, so find one to walk in where there is.

He may be fearful now, as a young puppy, but if you continue to expose him to places where he is subjected to aggressive dogs....well, he's going to grow up and he may just get to a point where he's feeling tough enough to take those dogs on. Then you're going to have a much bigger problem. He needs tons of playtime with FRIENDLY dogs so he learns how to interact appropriately.

Aggressive dogs behind a fence can't hurt him (or you). When going by this type of thing, give some distance between the fence and Max. Move into the street or to the opposite side so Max isn't feeling stressed by it. As he grows up and his training becomes more solid (he's going to classes, yes?) you will be better able to teach him how to ignore a non-threat.

Get serious about calling animal control and the police department about all those roaming dogs and don't stop reporting them. Noone should have to tolerate that kind of environment in any neighborhood, let alone their own. ;)

[halliebear]

Hi Kaisers Mom
I belong to a pitbull forum as well as this one. Many of us have dogs who are quite intolerant of strange dogs and someone suggested carrying an umbrella to ward off loose dogs. One of those where you push a button and it pops open. In most cases this will surprise the other dog and they will take off. Just get your puppy used to the umbrella opening, so you don't startle him as well. Also, call AC to report any loose dogs you see. Besides being a hazard to you and your puppy, they are a hazard to themselves as well.
I'm sorry to hear he was bitten, I hope he is okay.

Amy

[DanaDW]

Hi Kaiser's mom! I have the exact same situation, an almost 4 month old & living in a wild dog neighborhood. One person down the street actually puts his (3 very large) dogs out of the yard at night! We don't even attempt to walk him around here, it would be suicide. I drive him to one of the local parks though even there we have encountered a lot of loose dogs.

Animal control is swamped here though they do (at least seem to)try, this isn't likely to change anytime soon. People around here seem to not have heard about spaying/neutering and don't feel any desire to contain their animals. On my days off from work I actually drive to other nearby towns where there are fewer problems.

I know that sooner or later I'm probably going to end up getting hurt defending my dog but at least I'm bigger than him & have more insurance. In the meantime raise h#@* with your city council & document & report every incident. It may not help but it will sure help your case when you have to sue for damages. The council will hate you, animal control will hate you, all your neighbors will hate you but at least in my case this works out nicely since I hate them too, lol.

I'm sick of it, I can't even put my garbage out for collection until the last minute. I love animals but I don't think allowing them to run free & in packs is doing them any favors. Maybe when they eat a few of the councilmens' children something will change.

[kaiser's mom]

Thank you for the input and advice! I have a small piece of bamboo culm I carry in my back pocket now.. I use a european leash which leaves my hands free in loose leash walking ...

Max and I went on to the next level of obedience training last night... A whole new group of dogs with the exception of one border collie that was in his puppy class.... he did great with all the dogs...even the dog aggressive ones...... Max is a big clown and just wants to meet and greet play with everyone...
He is doing great in class and we are having fun together..that's what is important for both of us to learn together..

We will continue to call AC on the loose dogs...
They keep telling me... fill out the forms we send you and send them in.... there are no guarantees anything will be done...
it's discretionary.. ( I believe they DO NOT take any action because most of the loose dogs are Collies, scotties, terriers, med to small breeds running off property chasing us down the street circling and snarling/snapping at us)...

I can guarantee if it was a large breed who has gotten a bad press rap (rotts,pitbulls, etc ) they would be GONE the first time chasing after someone that AC was notified about...

For some reason...they just don't take the Cute dog incidents seriously... go figure..and yet the border collie in our class is ready to take your arm off if you approach him...

I thank you all for your advice and input!