Aggressive dogs - what do you do?

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Kerry,

I am very sorry - I apologise unreservedly for my angry response to your earlier post.

Pete

Apology accepted. I do know how you feel and there are times when I have desperately wished that shooting, or at the least stun guns could be used. And by the way the shooting and stun gun is for the owner not the dog!

[m1.carson]

Hi doug,

Yes you're right, on both counts

"I think dogs should be well-trained, or on a lead (if nothing else to protect them).
Thats responsible ownership in my opinion."

Small dogs bite many many more people than large and the people don't often go to hospital as a result, a quick wipe over with Dettol usually does, as they're small it's not newsworthy, and always with a larger dog they "savage" people not just bite them.

Back to thread though, If you go to a farm there are nearly alway barking dogs, the only real answer to them is to stand perfectly still, yes they'll continue to bark until the owner calls them off.

Carrying a stick is NOT a good idea, the dog is likely to think you want to play and will run and jump at it, a ball that you can throw away from yourself will probably work in most cases, or carry something that gives off a very loud noise.

Max.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi doug,

Yes you're right, on both counts

"I think dogs should be well-trained, or on a lead (if nothing else to protect them).
Thats responsible ownership in my opinion."

Small dogs bite many many more people than large and the people don't often go to hospital as a result, a quick wipe over with Dettol usually does, as they're small it's not newsworthy, and always with a larger dog they "savage" people not just bite them.

Back to thread though, If you go to a farm there are nearly alway barking dogs, the only real answer to them is to stand perfectly still, yes they'll continue to bark until the owner calls them off.

Carrying a stick is NOT a good idea, the dog is likely to think you want to play and will run and jump at it, a ball that you can throw away from yourself will probably work in most cases, or carry something that gives off a very loud noise.

Max.

Thanks Max.

Off topic again:
I can now publicy admit, that recently I have developed a blood-curdling phobia of.....


Stoats!


Doug

[Buzzy]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi doug,

Yes you're right, on both counts

"I think dogs should be well-trained, or on a lead (if nothing else to protect them).
Thats responsible ownership in my opinion."

Small dogs bite many many more people than large and the people don't often go to hospital as a result, a quick wipe over with Dettol usually does, as they're small it's not newsworthy, and always with a larger dog they "savage" people not just bite them.

Back to thread though, If you go to a farm there are nearly alway barking dogs, the only real answer to them is to stand perfectly still, yes they'll continue to bark until the owner calls them off.

Carrying a stick is NOT a good idea, the dog is likely to think you want to play and will run and jump at it, a ball that you can throw away from yourself will probably work in most cases, or carry something that gives off a very loud noise.

Max.

A gun?

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by Kerry

...there are times when I have desperately wished that shooting, or at the least stun guns could be used. And by the way the shooting and stun gun is for the owner not the dog!

I know just how you feel!

After all, these unpleasant incidents are not the dog's fault - it's the owner's fault for failing to control the dogs and failing to train them correctly.

[Buzzy]

I have been reading this thread with interest.
I have been put off of walking because of the possible threat felt from dogs off their lead. Dogs are not wild animals by training but instinctively they are. Why should any owner need to let thier dog off a lead when in public spaces? Surely that is what a garden is for. Dogs are pets and should be kept close when out of the house environs.
If it was law that all dogs should be kept on a lead at all times other than in its own home/garden then we would not encounter the problems of people becoming threatened (no matter how friendly the dog) in this way.

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Thanks Max.

Off topic again:
I can now publicy admit, that recently I have developed a blood-curdling phobia of.....


Stoats!


Doug

Doug,

With the recent thread about people being injured by cows, then this thread, please don't tell me there's another vicious animal I need to fear on my walks!

Is it still safe to go out into into our wonderful countryside?

Pete

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Doug,

With the recent thread about people being injured by cows, then this thread, please don't tell me there's another vicious animal I need to fear on my walks!

Is it still safe to go out into into our wonderful countryside?

Pete

You....
you don't know about the... the.... sssshhhh ....
*whispers* sss.....ssstoats?

I wouldn't want to worry you Pete!
doug

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Doug,

With the recent thread about people being injured by cows, then this thread, please don't tell me there's another vicious animal I need to fear on my walks!

Is it still safe to go out into into our wonderful countryside?

Pete

You haven't been attacked by cats yet?! One person I that know was walking along a country lane when they just happened to arrive at the place where a feral cat was moving young from one side of the lane to the other. The feral cat wasted not a moment in flinging itself on the persons legs and savaging them quite badly. Dogs you expect, cows you expect, but savaged by a CAT! Perhaps it was a direct descendant of one the escaped big cats.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Kerry

You haven't been attacked by cats yet?! One person I that know was walking along a country lane when they just happened to arrive at the place where a feral cat was moving young from one side of the lane to the other. The feral cat wasted not a moment in flinging itself on the persons legs and savaging them quite badly. Dogs you expect, cows you expect, but savaged by a CAT! Perhaps it was a direct descendant of one the escaped big cats.

or had been taking lessons from the white Rabbit in the Holy Grail (monty Python)

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by mh68

A dog running up to a child and barking regardless of its temperament Honeybee is still enough to frighten the living daylights out of them.

Mark H

...and not just children.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam Cheeseman]

Special requirements exist to control dogs on land covered by the CROW Act. There is a general requirement for dogs to be kept on a short fixed lead of no more than two metres in length between 1 March and 31 July, and at any time in the vicinity of livestock.

Cheers,

Adam

[Emma S]

Hi folks,

I've read this thread with great interest because the problem of unpredictable or aggressive dogs consistantly puts me off walking alone, which is a major pain.

I'm a bit concerned about the previous advice given to turn one's back on an aggressive dog - surely this would place you in an extremely vulnerable position? Would a better position that also avoids direct eye contact not be sideways on, so that you're pointing in adifferent direction and not 'eyeballing' the dog but it can still be seen out of the corner of one's eye? That would be my preferance, anyway.

Has anyone tried those high pitched anti-dog alarms to ward off an attack?

Apologies if any of this has been mentioned - have not had time to read all the pages of responses.

P.S. re - cat attack - while walking one time in some out-of-the-way woods with my elderly dog (who was on a lead, and just quietly walking along) a very large tom cat started following us, then began several attempted attacks on my dog, who was terrified! It was really ferocious and I had to drive it away by throwing stones in its direction (not at it). I have no idea what prompted the attempted attacks!

[vole-woman]

Has anyone tried those high pitched anti-dog alarms to ward off an attack?

Yes, I commented earlier that my husband got given a dog dazer when he worked for the council and regularly had to field aggressive dogs. He found it effective.

[moo]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Special requirements exist to control dogs on land covered by the CROW Act. There is a general requirement for dogs to be kept on a short fixed lead of no more than two metres in length between 1 March and 31 July, and at any time in the vicinity of livestock.

Cheers,

Adam

which the landowner can choose not to enforce, I believe - as the Forestry Commission generally do not?

[hannahpanda]

I'd report an aggressive dog.

What about grumpy men being aggressive to dogs
An elderly lady who walks her lovely golden retreiver in the fields i walk my dog, told me that a man who repairs some fences (its not his land though) told her if her dog came any closer to him he would shoot it! All he did was bark, like he does at any stranger he wasnt being aggressive in anyway hes a lovely calm dog.
I dont think she reported him but I would have done, also apparently he has some dogs in the back of his landrover who throw themselves at the metal grate in the back at people who walk past whilst barking aggressively

[ron1863]

I stand perfectly still and pucker - if you know what I mean

[APC]

I get bitten or at least nipped at least once a week on my sites. Not one apology from owners, only laughing. I'm not bothered about actually being bitten, I'm more bothered about the lack of concern and control from the owner. I really should kick off more.

/makes mental note to kick right off at at least one dog owner this week so i can report back on here.

[Lance Morgan]

Dogs should be under control at all times. Dogs should not approach, bark at, jump up at another human being without being told to do so by its owner. If it does then it is not properly trained and should be on a lead period. End of story.

[coasty]

Interesting reading the above posts and hearing all the different views.This is not a post defending aggresive dogs or bad owners but my thoughts about things given my first few months with a new pup...

Our dog,,, see avator is a 6month old choc lab,,, She will lick you to death given a chance but is already a large dog (20 Kg plus ) and is extremely playful she could easily knock someone over,
What hasnt been mentioned above is the incredible variation of reaction that other people have towards her and therefore I guess other dogs and Puppies. From Adults who fling them selves on her and try to cuddle her ( yes really) to people who shepherd their children behind them at the approach of her even on a lead. How is the dog to make sense of these signals?
We have worked very hard to train her and to socialise her with other dogs. and she has worked out most of those doggy signals if the other dog wants to play or wants to be left alone, She will sit , stay and stop on command ( well most of the time ) . I try very hard to stop her begging for food and yet strangers when out have given her chocolate and biscuits behind my back and then wonder why I get annoyed, People encourage her to jump up and dont like when I ask them not to,,

There is absolutely no excuse for a badly trained and aggresive dog. But with all the distractions and conflicting signals a puppy is faced put together with bad owners I am not surprisedthat there are a few...