Critter Geek
Anger, Unleashed
I’ve seen them on the trails at Ragle before…sometimes a woman is with the dog, sometimes a man. If they see another dog coming, they pull off the trail and hold the dogs head, bent over, telling the dog to be quiet as it growls because of us. I wondered about this training method…it seems like it’s adding energy to the situation, perhaps even unintentionally rewarding the dog with the focus and attention of its owners. But I figured it wasn’t my problem.
Recently, I’ve seen the dog off-leash, twice. In both cases, the owner saw us and called the dog back, leashing it and going through the same head-holding ritual. I wondered about this, too. Why would a dog like that be off-leash on a leash-only trail? They seemed to have reasonable voice command, but it seemed like risky behavior. But I figured it wasn’t my problem.
Today it became my problem.
Laika and I were doing our normal loop around the trails. I heard a voice around a bend ahead of us, then saw the dog and one of its owners. The owner had seen us and was calling the unleashed dog back, but it was too late. The dog saw Laika, and tore after us, attacking my dog.
I know you’re not supposed to get in the middle of a dog altercation, but Laika and I have a deal, and nothing goes after my dog without me doing something. So I got into the mix. At the same time I managed to grab the other dog’s harness, I dropped Laika’s leash, which let her escape. I’d been afraid to drop it earlier, worried that the dogs would take off and I wouldn’t be able to do anything to help her. The owner also got hold of the harness and got the leash attached.
Both of us holding the dog’s harness, I yelled at her, “What is a dog like that doing off leash?!” She apologized, over and over again, but I did some more yelling anyhow. Laika seemed fine, but I got the woman’s name and phone number anyhow, and thanked her for trying to do the right thing by giving me that.
I’m still angry, though. I’m so sick of hearing dog owners expound, sometimes at length, about why their dogs aren’t leashed on public property where a leash is required. I’ve heard endless inane excuses for this (in this case, “I just wanted to let him get a drink of water in the creek.”) But the fact is, they’re just excuses. If you want your dog to be off-leash, then you’re going to have to find a place to do that; they do exist. Unleashing your dog in a leash-only area is ruining it for the rest of us. That’s why dogs get banned entirely….”We tried allowing dogs on leash, but owners wouldn’t abide by the leash rule, so we had to ban them altogether.” The rules and laws end up getting made for the lowest common denominator, and I’m sick to death of being regulated for the sake of idiot dog owners.
An aggressive dog needs to be restrained while on public property, period. And even a typically non-aggressive dog needs to be on a leash where the regulations require it.
Don’t make your dog my problem.
And it gets my adrenaline going just hearing about it. I hope maybe you reach at least one person… We could make a list of known off-leash places in this area, in case any dog owners are just too brain-dead to look up and use this info on their own.
Poor Laika!
That is so frustrating and I feel your anger!!!
So many people neglect to take responsibility for their dog and it is infuriating, especially when it affects you! I’m sorry you had that experience.
I had a similar thing happen, but I was walking my dog (4year old rottweiler) and my son was walking his sisters 12week old pup.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw two dogs running down the driveway of a house we were passing (we were on the opposite side of the road) the gate to this driveway was open. There were 3, yes 3 people at the house in question.. and they watched as their two staffordshire terriers ran across the road, (in which time I gathered up Rox as close as I could and told Sam to grab Charlie up in his arms and keep walking. and not to stop for any reason).
These two dogs then proceeded to attack Rox, one at her throat and one going for her stomach. I was yelling and trying to get these dogs off, Rox held her own, which I was surprised I guess (as she hasnt a bad bone in her body)
I screamed at these people to come and get their *** dogs. Finally after I had to start kicking at these dogs, one of the owners came out.
She didnt apologise, and in no way acknowledged me whatsoever.
Rox was shaken, no major damage. My son was scared whitless, I was too.
I went home and rang the local Pound and put in a complaint.
The house now has their gate locked and a sign has been put up.
We were lucky..what if this had been a small child walking their dog, as is often the case.
I hate to think what could have happened.
Please dont get me wrong.. I dont blame the breed .. I love staffys (we now have two!)
But people need to be responsible for their dogs.
Keep the gates closed.Or keep them on a leash.
It makes the world a nicer place to walk with our furry friends.
Thanks all!
As it turned out, Laika had a few places where the skin was broken (ever so slightly). Luckily she was already scheduled for a vet appointment, so we could just clean them up and keep an eye on them…turned out to be no problem.
I took some info about the trainer we’ve worked with, printed it, and gave it to the other owner when we passed each other again a few days later. I don’t know if they’ll use it, but it made me feel better to do something a little more positive about it.
I still have trouble talking to other owners about their off-leash dogs in these kinds of areas. I really don’t want to get in anyone’s face, but I’m also really tired of parks making rules that cater to the lowest common denominator and banning dogs completely. I’m thinking about printing up some cards to hand these folks as we pass…hopefully allowing me to speak up without interrupting the enjoyable outdoors time for anyone.
That or just move to Mongolia! ;-)
My dog is dog-dog aggressive; that’s how I came to rescue him from is previous household.
I ONLY let him off-leash in remote places where there will be NO other dogs. This takes some scouting.
I spoke with a trainer about this. He told me to use treats, put myself between him and the other dog, and keep telling him to chill (a word he knows) and stay with me.
I try to walk him at off-peak times and try to change direction when I see the other dog first.
Walking him is more work for me than some owners; but we both NEED it.
I also had an aggressive Rottweiler and I did the same thing. I went to remote areas and checked them out first. My dog was never off a leash for 8 years. It ccan be done. You’re right thoug it is a little harder but it is what is best for everybody else. I never rgetted having that dog. I loved her very much. I also like to think of it as keeping her safe not just other things. She never bit anyone or did damage to another dog. It is your responsibilty to care for your dog regardless of its’ behaviuoral issues. Keep up the good work.
My dog is very mediocre with other dogs,and while I’ve never seen him actually fight (I don’t know that he would but I’m not going to find out) he does growl and snap at other dogs, especially when he is uncertain (apparently this is a characteristic of some Border Collies, he’s a cross with Cattle Dog).
My problem is with the people who have no control over their dogs who let them run on the beach. It certanly isn’t an off-leash area, which I think is quite clear with the big signs at every access. Some of these dogs come charging straight up to us, and when they come sneak up behind we both get a start. I don’t care if their dog ‘just wants to play’. Mine doesn’t!
For their dog’s sake as well as mine, I wish they’d just put it on a leash or teach it some manners. There are a few dogs who walk along there off-lead who are actually under control, usually with a ball or stick in their mouth trotting obediently at their owners heel.
What irks me is that the off-leash area is not two kilometres away. If they want their dog off-leash then why can’t they just go there?