agressive dogs...

What do you do when you run into an agressive dog?

I was at the dog park with Bella, and there is one dog and pitbull mix that always seems to be there when we go, and is VERY agressive. Bella is the friendliest dog you will meet, and she runs and hides from this dog, and the owner does nothing. Yesterday this dog got into two fights, the first time it was with a husky, and then it was with a small dog, the pitbull mix actually had the small dog in its mouth!!! This is when the owner finally left. But this dog keep chasing Bella, and Bella started to show her teeth which she NEVER does, I was trying to get them apart and the owner tells me, "oh its ok, I don't mind them playing like that, Happy need to be put in his place!" HELLO, I don't want my dog playing like that, especially with a dog that is constantly getting into fights!! What would you do?

Re: agressive dogs...

If I think that there is a chance of injury, my dog and I leave the park. There are a lot of injuries at dog parks.

Message edited 4/15/2007 8:59:04 PM.

Re: agressive dogs...

This happens with Scout - he's still a puppy, but is too big to be in the puppy area so he goes in with the big dogs, but he doesn't have the muscles developed yet to stand his ground at all. I get very upset when owners let their dogs be so aggressive, and then tell ME "Oh it's OK" == umm no, it isn't!!

I leave. Is there another dog park you can go to?

This is why I prefer to take Scout to Hempstead Lake or Belmont Lake and take him on the off beat trails so he can run around a bit.

Re: agressive dogs...

hmm, this is a toughie, because the owner seems apathetic to the fact that other dogs are being taunted & possibly injured.

If you see it becoming a constant issue I might try to find a pattern of when they go & call the ASPCA. The only problem there is that they might take the dog from the owner.

I hate to say that it is because of the mix, because there are many pit & bullterrier mixes that would not display such behaviour if trained properly.

Re: agressive dogs...

Posted by MsMBV

hmm, this is a toughie, because the owner seems apathetic to the fact that other dogs are being taunted & possibly injured.

If you see it becoming a constant issue I might try to find a pattern of when they go & call the ASPCA. The only problem there is that they might take the dog from the owner.

I hate to say that it is because of the mix, because there are many pit & bullterrier mixes that would not display such behaviour if trained properly.

Re: agressive dogs...

We have monitors that go to the dog park to make sure the dogs are licensed/etc. (i am in VA) but this dog is never there when the monitors are there, next time I am going to make DH go with me, he will be very vocal about an agressive dog messing with our puppy!!

I always watch carefully how Bella plays, because she likes to wrestle, and I know so people get nervous/don't like that kind of play, but Bella is so gentle when she plays, she is the one who is usually on the bottom and she loves it, and I don't mind either, if the other dog is just playing and not trying to show dominance.

Message edited 4/16/2007 10:36:31 PM.

Re: agressive dogs...

Well that is the differece. If they are just playing fine, but it seems to me like this dog is a little too aggressive and since the owner is not taking responsibility it sounds like maybe DH giving them a talking to would help.

Re: agressive dogs...

Owners should know better than to bring their aggressive dogs to dog parks. I have a very aggressive cocker spaniel (he is small but he is very nasty) and I will NEVER bring him to a dog park.