What to do when a dog off-leah approaches?

[Kristen Kuhn]

Hi all,
I am not sure if this is the right place to post this question but here goes. I have a 4 year old heinz 57 mutt (ridgeback and shepherd mostly) named Tommy. I rescued him when he was 8 weeks old and initially had some domminance problems. He was the runt of the litter by half and had to proove he was just as big as the others. We went to obediance and he goes to doggie daycare once a week and he is an excellent boy. He is very kind and very smart. He loves all other dogs and has not issues when other dogs are in the house and even shares his toys with no problems (he will let other dogs take the toys out of his mouth and never tries to grab them back). He does great will all other dogs when they are all on leash or all off leash. But here is my problem, if he is on leash and another dog off leash approaches, he gets defensive. He growls and jumps, but that is the extent of it (I don't think he would bite or hurt the other dog, he just feels like the weeker one). Some of the other owners acknowledge that it was their fault letting their dog run free (we have leash laws), but others blame me. Is there anything I can do to prevent him from acting this way?
Thanks for the advice.
Kristen and Tommy

[heathea]

This happened to me not too long ago, I was walking my dogs (on leash) and a dog of similar (large size) ran up in a defensive manner to my dogs. I prepared to let go of my dogs leashes if need be (IMHO getting wrapped in leashes while dogs fight is not a good thing) and greeted the new dog with a high pitched happy greeting (Hello, good boy!). Had this not worked (it did, sniffing and playing ensued) I would have let go of my dogs leashes to 'even' out the playing field so to speak which would have allowed them to greet each other normally.
I am not a trainer or professional, and I am not sure I would recomend this method to others. It was just what was going through my mind when it happened. I am sure if I had a smaller or unsocialized dog I would have proceeded differently.
I was lucky, it all worked out and the owner came running out and all was well. I really think had I tensed up and become more nervous my dogs would have instinctively protected me and that would have been worse.
Just sharing my experience in case this will help you. I believe there is an article regarding on leash aggession.
Take care,
Heather

[Kristen Kuhn]

Heather,
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, Tommy cannot be off-leah like that. I think it is better for me to hold onto him and divert him away. Walking with him on lead and having a dog approach is not terrible (though some instances are bad when the other owners don't help or apoligize). My main problem is when he is tied out in my yard when I am out working (I never leave him unattended). He often sleeps tied out when I am working in the yard. However, I live in a townhouse with a common area for all of the surrounding yards and neighbors often let their dogs run free. Some apoligize, others do not (even when they see Tommy tied to my porch sleeping). Twice this past weekend he was sound asleep and when a dog charged him (2 different dogs). I know he was just defending himself, but it sounds and looks scary. The neighbors keep saying "he just wants to say hi". I just wish there was a way to lessen the reaction, other than telling the neighbors repetedly they have to keep their dogs tied (though I know there probably is not).
Thanks-
Kristen

[Alberta Hanko]

Hi Kristen - I have the same problem--except my Linus is definitely aggressive to any dog he doesn't know who approaches him, and I also cannot drop the lead. I do agree with Heather's approach if you have a dog is reliable on recall even during an emergency situation. And in a defensive situation like she was facing, I probably would have dropped the lead also. We are having the same problem--many are loose in my neighborhood. I work a "turn" with him--and we are also doing a "watch" with me using peanut butter--or cooked chicken liver--both are favorites and are only used at these times. It was also suggested to me that if another dog charges--even in a friendly manner--I should toss a bunch of treats towards it if a strong "stay" doesn't work, and then work on turning Linus. I do yell "stay" at the other dog if it is approaching. This is a shame because it really makes training these dogs more difficult, and for me creates setbacks. And it is not your fault, so don't feel bad--your Tommy is feeling threatened on lead by rude dogs who are approaching him.

Good luck.

Alberta & Linus

[Renee]

Kristen

Here is an article by Suzanne Clothier called He Just Wants to Say HI! I think you will find it useful and amusing. Perhaps you could make a few copies and hand it out to those neighbors that continue to cause problems.

http://www.flyingdogpress.c om/sayhi.html