Action-Reaction, Newton’s Third Law
No, I won’t talk about physics, so you can breathe. In our last visit to the park things were as usual, Doggy playing with Candela until a new dog tried to enter the game, this dog was on the leash, a medium to large size adult black lab, the dog started to bark, the kids stopped playing and suddenly the lab charged at Doggy, kept barking and trying to bite him. Doggy doesn’t react to barks, he keeps his cool until it involves me. Before I continue let me take you back to a April, Doggy was then 4 months, another dog on a leash wearing a muzzle came to the park and started bark to everything that projected a shadow, owner decided to approach us and of course the dog was barking, Doggy kept his cool until that dog jumped on me, I was not worried at all, dog was wearing a muzzle but of course Doggy didn’t know that. I was taken aback with Doggy’s reaction, the minute the dog jumped on me Doggy came from behind and charged at the dog, charged like a killer beast, showing all his little teeth and going for the neck, everybody around was taken by surprise, nobody expected that reaction from a puppy, specially a puppy like Doggy that rarely barks and always avoids noisy dogs. Same thing happened today, but now Doggy is bigger, the minute the lab tried to jump on me Doggy lost his cool and attacked, bit the lab on his ear, I tried to get in the middle but the lab was too big, his owner was having a hard time controlling him. Lab grabbed Doggy by the side of his face, but since Doggy is hairy he just managed to grab the hair, Doggy cried a little and after shaking, went for the neck of the lab and wouldn’t let go. I’m not proud of his reaction but I don’t think I should condemn him, I would be concerned if that was the norm and not exception, but he has only reacted that way when another dog has “threatened” me, it’s not that I’m overly permissive, he’s just being a dog doing what his instinct tells him to do. I might be wrong but he’s a good dog.
He is. You should give him the “Purple Heart” for dogs or a big chewing bone.
I love it when people remember that a dog’s instincts do not always meet with a human’s. They are dogs, which people seems to forget too often. You are right, if he is only showing that side when you are threatened, then he has good protection instincts. Of course he’s a good boy, he is a dog after all!
Doggy is a good doggy! He only reacted that way because that’s his instinct. It would not be normal if he was attacked and just sat there without defending himself.
It frustrates me when I see humans out in public particular populated areas with dogs that they can’t control. If they know their dog is prone to that kind of behavior (attacking) and they don’t know how to handle it, perhaps they should stay away. I was almost attacked by a some huge horse-sized dog in the park where I run and his owner almost couldn’t grab the dog in time. Standing up, the dog was about a foot taller than me (I am 5’0″).
On a lighter note, Tonto has gotten into the habit of sniffing a new dog’s face to greet them then immediately barking super loud at their face when their noses touch. He doesn’t do anything besides that. Maybe he’s just testing them.
A lot of people lacks common sense, guess is not much of common. That happens a lot and so far what I have observed is that the problem the dog has is clearly a human issue. I feel sorry for the dogs honestly, they deserve better.
Doggy clearly loves you and wants to protect you. We do the same thing for our humans.
Bella and DiDi
I think Doggy reacted appropriately the new dog was out of line, how did the other dog’s owner react? Did they give you a bad time of it, or insist that some type of measures be taken?
How does Doggy react if a child approaches you? If he goes at the child THAT would concern me.
On a different note, I don’t see a contact form here and have a private question, would you mind dropping me an e-mail with your e-mail? auntiejodi@hotmail.com
Thanks!!
Owner was really embarrassed, he knew he shouldn’t have brought the dog there, I honestly think that the dog wasn’t that bad, but having him on the leash and try to make him play with dogs off leash put him in a rather vulnerable position. Doggy is ok with people, I’ve ever heard him growling or showing teeth to people in general and curiously enough he allows kids to ouch him and approach, he actually approach kids very gently, adults he’s not fan, he approaches, smells and leaves. I know I have no reason to worry he’s a well balanced puppy and I always keep an eye on him just in case.
I just sent you an email.
Thanks for the e-mail, I’ve replied back.
The owner puts his dog in a bad position by having the dog on leash. That dog now feels like it is trapped when approached by another dog. We call that ‘handler error’ where I come from. LOL
Not that you are asking my advice, if Doggy were my doggy, I would clamp down on that behavior. Doggy is still a puppy. What will happen when he is an adult? We own a breed prone to protect its people and its things (from far far back in their genetics). This is one reason we do not go to dog parks. From the time they are small pups we discourage any protective behavior from our dogs because if a dog fight happens, no one will care which dog started it, they will just label the dog that broke the skin the aggressor. Once that happens, nothing good can come. We try to convince our dogs that it is our job to protect and they do not need to protect us. I realize that my opinion is different from 99 percent of the pet bloggers, but I know a lot of dogs and I have seen the sad stories.
I’m incline to agree with you, mainly because by nature Doggy’s breed is very protective of its owner, they are really jealous and can be a problem with no socialize. After that happens, both times I “grounded” Doggy, I honestly do not encourage the behavior, because now he is about 30lbs, but he’ll get heavier and stronger and harder to control. I appreciate your opinion/advice, I realize you know about dogs cuz I’ve learnt things from reading your blog.