Most nights, I walk Harley in a brilliant location that has woods, long grass, short grass, several access points to a stream, quiet, but popular with dogs as roads not a problem. Anyway, a black lab (11 months old) has started walking there too (at different times!). On Harley's first encounter with him, she ran a lot, then I intervened when I thought he was getting too rough - I put Harley on lead and said bye and walked off. Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous problems with this dog. He is OTT and is extremely rough with Harley - sometimes bites her neck and drags her along the floor. Most of the time I intervene as the man keeps saying 'it's ok, they are playing', the wife gets annoyed with her husband and states that their dog is far too rough. 2 weeks ago I told the man that I wasn't happy with his dog being so rough so every time I see them, I walk off in a different direction. 2 nights ago, the son was walking him (never met the son before), was unsure if it was the same dog, so let then play for 2 mins, then worked out it was the dog. I asked the young man to get his dog as he had Harley pinned down ans was biting/snapping at her.....I ended up pulling him off and shoving him away with my leg. Tonight, my hubby walked Harley. When he got home he said he said he met 'the dog' and ended up dragging him off Harley as he was being very aggressive and biting Harley and trying to pin her down. Now, hubby has never intervened before, but said he was really annoyed with the owner and told them they need to control him because if he goes for Harley again, he will report their dog. I'm just really frustrated as I've spoke to the owners several times but nothing is changing. What should I do??
Re: Frustrated! Ah, so sorry to hear this - Charlie is super gentle with other dogs, and I had a lot of problems with play being too rough for him. Not so much now, as I'm super choosy who he gets to play with. Harley is approaching a year old now? Her puppy socialisation days are over. She still needs contact with other dogs, but she doesn't need to play with every dog she meets. So I think Harley shouldn't play with this dog - keep her away (my own long struggles with Charlie mean I know that's easier said than done but still even with mad Charlie he only plays with who I say, long lines, leads, recall etc - just keep her away from the dog). Once you can stop Harley approaching, or if you already can do so, then just insist that the dog does not approach Harley. Simply say you are not playing, please can they get their dog, put it on lead and so on (but then Harley really must stay with you). Otherwise, it depends what you are comfortable doing - I'm comfortable in putting other dogs on a spare lead and marching them over to their owners, or holding two dogs on their collars either side of me while I insist another person gets their dog - but appreciate not everyone feels the same (although I bet a lot more would if they had walked a dog for 8 months recovering from a cruciate op....).
Re: Frustrated! Thanks Julie. Harley never initiates play when we are out as she is too focused on her ball. I have asked them to keep their dog away from Harley, but they let him run off and often around corners.....no owners to be seen for several minutes!! Harley doesn't venture too far from me as she's always looking for me to throw the ball. I'm going to take a spare lead with me in future and March him to the owners......I would prefer to do something rather than let Harley get hurt or become afraid of others dogs. Thanks for the suggestion
Re: Frustrated! No, for a change it's not it's forty Acres in Stoke Gifford. It's only 5 mins away from my house so is convenient during the week.
Re: Frustrated! Can you not walk at a different time to the other dog? I know you shouldn't have to alter your life because of this dog, but it may make life easier.
Re: Frustrated! I do walk at different times, and I think they do too. I haven't found a pattern for them yet! I walk any time between 3-9pm - mainly depending on weather as too hot at 3pm at the minute
Re: Frustrated! Poor Harley, how frustrating and so inconsiderate...if you want company with Benson, just shout..
Re: Frustrated! The other dog is out of control. If it is out of the owner's sight it could easily knock a small child over - an accident waiting to happen I'd be tempted to ask them what time they will be walking their dog as you want to avoid it!! Or, failing that, finding a new place to walk Play can get too rough and needs supervising. Young, strong exuberant dogs need to learn how to play with smaller, less excitable dogs. Tatze is learning this lesson right now. It's not easy, but it must be done.
Re: Frustrated! Good point from Boogie, young labs are strong dogs, wouldn't take much to knock over a child or a person for that matter...I am constantly watching out for Benson, especially this time of year when families are out walking
Re: Frustrated! Thanks Boogie, it is an accident waiting to happen.....he wiped my 19 year old daughter out 2 weeks ago! She face planted the floor ;( she said she was glad it was her and not me as it would hospitalise me with my spine problems! He really is out of control I see lots of dogs over there, there are only 1 or 2 Harley plays with, but she looses interest after a few mins as she just wants her ball I am going to continue trying to avoid them. It has made me so much more observant on what's around. There are very few children around forty acres but I am always looking out just incase. Kate - definitely need to meet up soon with you and Benson I'm a bit more flexible with work over the next few weeks, so let me know when you are free x
Re: Frustrated! Sorry that you are having your walks spoiled by the rude dog and his (mostly) clueless people. The mother in the family seems to see what's happening - maybe if you come across them again it'd be best to talk with her (asking when they walk etc).
Re: Frustrated! Oh Naya, I know just how you feel. I think wherever possible I would turn around and walk the other way when you see the other dog, or pop Harley back on lead just so she feels a bit more secure. If the dog is away from its owner consistently I would be tempted to take it and March it straight to my local stray kennels (I think you're south Gloucestershire aren't you so I don't know which kennels that is I'm afraid) or do as you said and carry a spare lead and march it back to its owner with some stern words. It wouldn't take much for that dog to be labelled 'dangerous' as someone only has to feel threatened, or for it to knock over a child or person who takes offence to it. Dogs don't actually to have to be aggressive to have a control order slapped on them. Hopefully you will figure out their pattern and be able to adjust accordingly to miss them, although I agree that you shouldn't have to, but I have found this easier myself rather than risk bumping into people and dogs like that.
Re: Frustrated! Very discourteous from the owner. Maybe they think their dog is 'OK', but that is completely not the point - the point is that you don't want their dog acting in that way with Harley, you've told them that, and they are still ignoring you. I often worry that Pongo is rough in play with other dogs (because he's such a big lad now), and just hope that someone would tell me immediately if they thought he was behaving badly (as a new dog owner I don't have any other way of knowing...). Those of you who've been on walks with us.... you would tell me, wouldn't you? :-\ Rosie (waiting for replies with some trepidation...)
Re: Frustrated! I hope you sort something out, Naya, I know how troublesome some off lead dogs can be (and although Charlie isn't one of them, in that I never let him bother any person or dog, I have my challenges in managing to make sure this is always the case). I feel a bit sorry for the family and the dog. I see so many people who clearly have no control over their dogs and who go to places hoping to find other dogs to play with (I see this a lot on Wimbledon Common and some of the beaches here in Cornwall). I honestly think this is the only effective way they have of exercising their dogs, who are nightmares both on and off lead. It must be worrying and stressful to live like that - for both dog and family. Finding a good dog trainer can be difficult (if you have a good one, hang on to them) and what with rubbish nonsense on the telly like Ceaser Millan...sometimes I think people just don't know where to start. Naya, if you talk to them, maybe you could point them in the right direction too...
Re: Frustrated! [quote author=Rosie link=topic=7082.msg97018#msg97018 date=1406274554] Those of you who've been on walks with us.... you would tell me, wouldn't you? :-\ Rosie (waiting for replies with some trepidation...) [/quote] It's pretty rare that another dog is too rough for Tatze - she's a feisty madam! But if one is, I say 'that's enough' and get her on the lead. I am sure you'd take the hint for Pongo if someone did this - so fear not!
Re: Frustrated! [quote author=Rosie link=topic=7082.msg97018#msg97018 date=1406274554] Those of you who've been on walks with us.... you would tell me, wouldn't you? :-\ Rosie (waiting for replies with some trepidation...) [/quote] Pongon has been fine in my view!! In fact he actually encouraged some actual play behaviour out of Penny so he's perfect
Re: Frustrated! [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=7082.msg97066#msg97066 date=1406291240] [quote author=Rosie link=topic=7082.msg97018#msg97018 date=1406274554] Pongo has been fine in my view!! In fact he actually encouraged some actual play behaviour out of Penny so he's perfect [/quote] Phew - glad to hear that, thanks Lauren (and Penny)
Re: Frustrated! Thanks all I do feel sorry for the family too, I have tried talking to them, but the husband states it's ok, whereas the wife and son acknowledge there is a problem but can't do anything about it. I think it will take so done to really get harsh with the man before he acknowledges the issues and gets help ;( I've never had any problems with any dogs on our group walks.....in my opinion they are all fab they like to play, but also know when to stop
Re: Frustrated! [quote author=Rosie link=topic=7082.msg97018#msg97018 date=1406274554] Very discourteous from the owner. Maybe they think their dog is 'OK', but that is completely not the point - the point is that you don't want their dog acting in that way with Harley, you've told them that, and they are still ignoring you. I often worry that Pongo is rough in play with other dogs (because he's such a big lad now), and just hope that someone would tell me immediately if they thought he was behaving badly (as a new dog owner I don't have any other way of knowing...). Those of you who've been on walks with us.... you would tell me, wouldn't you? :-\ Rosie (waiting for replies with some trepidation...) [/quote] Just loved watching the puppy wrestling between Pongo and Benson....they both were having soo much fun
