[id2008]

I have mentioned before that there is only a leash law in my town between designated times. We take Socrates out accordingly to avoid off-leash dogs.

Today we brought him to one of our favorite spots. It is an old battery with nice trails for hiking and some cool historic sites. We were walking back toward the car, Socrates was on leash in front of me, and my BF was walking behind me. None of us heard a thing and all of a sudden there were two dogs, one on either side of Socrates. They were big fluffy things (I have no idea what breed) and were RIGHT in his face. Socrates was trying to get away from them and they just stayed right with him, one licking his face, the other with his nose up his ass. They were not aggressive but were EXTREMELY rude and one was displaying very dominant behavior. I got out my treats and waved them right under Socrates nose to get him to follow me and tried to lead him off and my boyfriend was trying to fend them off. Through the entire experience Socrates was standing tall, ears pinned back, with his eyes completely LOCKED on me. He responded to me so well through the whole thing, focusing on me and following my direction as I tried to lead him away from them. Meanwhile, there is not an owner anywhere in sight. I screamed "WHOSE DOGS ARE THESE!?" no answer. As my BF was trying to keep them back, they were dodging him running up to Socrates and one jumped on him, paws on Socrates' shoulder, standing over him. At that, my BF kicked it in the ribs and it backed off for a second. Then the other one went for Socrates and he responded with loud growl. I yelled again "WHERE IS THE OWNER OF THESE DOGS!?" and heard far in the distance "Oh, sorry". As my boyfriend kicked the other one to try to keep them away I yelled to the owner "If you do not get your dogs RIGHT NOW there is going to be a fight". Socrates was so uncomfortable, like he had no idea what to do. He was just growling with his eyes straight ahead, and then kept looking to me. My BF picked him up and continued kicking the dogs away from him when the owner finally rounded the corner and called his dogs with a sweet little "here boy".

My BF turned to the guy and said "And when there's a fight it's my dogs fault huh? How about a leash?". The guy said "Hey off-leash is OK here buddy! Relax!". He went on his way to put Socrates in the car and I told the guy to read the sign RIGHT in front of his car and reminded him that there is a leash law for a reason.

I praised the CRAP out of Socrates for responding to me so well through the whole thing but he seemed visibly shaken up for quite a while. He came home and went right to sleep. My BF and I are both fuming. I just can't believe that anyone is that careless. It is one thing to have your dog off leash but in your sights and under control, it is an entirely other thing to let your dogs roam free ahead of you in a public place. It never seizes to amaze me how irresponsible, rude, and reckless dog owners are. And of course I always leave those situations wishing I had said or done more, but for Socrates sake it is probably best I keep my mouth shut.

[antonyandruleit]

Wow that must have been an adrenaline pumping kind of scary!
You did great though and so did Socrates. You and your Bf should sit back now and relax with a glass of wine (or whatever spirit soothes you) And say a toast to what a fine job you have done raising your dog.

Cheers!
Peggy

[anderriter]

I was hiking in a state forest, where there is a 6' leash law. While in the deep woods, an off leash poodle came running at my male pit bull. I told my dog to Down and he did and the stupid poodle started vigorously humping him. This all happened very, very fast. Because of the woods, I didn't see the little thing coming in time to stop him.

So, I scooped the poodle up and carried him like a football until I found the owner a ways down the trail. When I found the owner, I walked towards her, handed off the dog, and kept walking without a word.

She looked horrified. I hope it mattered to her.

Off leash dogs SUCK.

[id2008]

I was hiking in a state forest, where there is a 6' leash law. While in the deep woods, an off leash poodle came running at my male pit bull. I told my dog to Down and he did and the stupid poodle started vigorously humping him. This all happened very, very fast. Because of the woods, I didn't see the little thing coming in time to stop him.

So, I scooped the poodle up and carried him like a football until I found the owner a ways down the trail. When I found the owner, I walked towards her, handed off the dog, and kept walking without a word.

She looked horrified. I hope it mattered to her.

Off leash dogs SUCK.

I'm sure that at the time that was infuriating, but what a hilarious story

[anderriter]

It was fairly funny at the time too! But I was grateful that my dog has pretty decent tolerance for stupidity. Now, a direct challenge is totally different. If he feels disrespected by a dog that matters in the least, he can be a real powder keg.

I don't trust him to put up with much, so I am usually more careful.

I swear, if he would have killed the little fluffball, I would have kicked it into the tree line and kept going.

[theatadug]

Poor Socrates!! Sounds like he tried very hard to maintain control and to look to you for direction.

What really pisses me off, is that it is encounters like those that add up over time and can trip a dog's switch from friendly/tolerant to reactive/aggressive. Aside from the genetic factor, there is a learned behavior componant and negative experiences with other dogs can definitly help swing the pendulum.

I cannot believe people are not more careful with their dogs. Even if I had the friendliest dog in the world; I would be worried about protecting it from other people's not so friendly dogs...

I mean a minature poodle, running amock in the woods...anything could eat that sucker, wouldn't even have to be another dog.

[cialviagra]

I hate loose dogs! We were hiking last week on narrow trail. We were going up an incline and the trail was wide enough for one person or dog. Casper was in front, me middle, Ronon behind me. 2 loose pit bulls came out of no where. And were both running around Casper, going up under him and stuff. He was really good, especially when the male was up in his face. Finally 3 people come up and grab them. Then the older women had the nerve to make a comment about being scared of the way Casper looked and she hugged a tree to keep from falling off the trail and not have to be near Casper. Casper was calm, relaxed and hadn't even made a sound. He walked right past her like she wasn't there attached to that damn tree hyperventilating!

[zoppereurvito]

My puppy and I had a run-in with a tiny, odd looking white fluff ball of a dog the other way as we were talking a walk around our neighborhood. Little dog was just trotting ahead on the sidwalk, but it was so darn tiny....I'm sure Peyton thought it was a rabbit or something! He definitely tried to go for it, he barked and the little dog turned around and came CHARGING. Snarling, teeth baring, snapping. Thank god I had a friend with me, who was able to kind block the little dog from coming near Peyton as we quickly walked off. It was frustrating.

Then, as we round the corner, some lady's off leash chocolate lab was in her front yard as the lady watched him. He came running at Peyton and the lady just...WATCHED. I kept walking quickly and again my friend had to block the dog from coming at us, while screaming a few AWFUL but much needed words at the lady. ugh.

i hate people.

[VrQsgM7c]

U know also he can feel u get nervous when those dogs coming areound. U upped the ante when u started expecting something to happen.
That's also no excuse for the furballs owners to not even be NEAR his dogs.

[id2008]

I know dogs can sense nervous energy and it only makes things worse. But they were literally on top of him at the instant I saw them. My energy was not what escalated the situation, their behavior was. I didn't even have time to react between seeing them and them being on my dog. That's also why I used treats and assertive commands to simply gain my dogs attention. In fact, I think I did a damn good job staying calm and defusing the situation. My dog was not the issue, he was responsive and I was trying to calm him down. But knowing my dog, I can tell you very confidently had I had a freak out, he wouldn't have responded the same way. It wasn't until the other dogs JUMPED on him that he reacted. The only part of my reaction that I would attribute to freaking my dog out would maybe be me yelling for the owner. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

It has taken me the entire year that I have owned my dog to be able to control my energy and nerves in situations like these. It is visible by his reactions that I have gotten far better at it. I can pretty much guarantee that had this happened even 6 months ago, the outcome would have been far different. And that would surely have been due to me being unable to calmly handle the situation.

I would also like to add that I am always prepared for the worst when approached by an off leash dog. I try not to let it show, but I would rather be prepared than caught off guard.

[RalfDweflywex]

I'm not so sure Pinkie would have put up with that, she would have been nervous right up until the other dog jumped on her. Then she would have put an end to it, so I always walk with a penny can on a rope for that very reason. I can thro it at them and pull it right back up.
Good job Socrates.