Can I request YO to do this?

caitlin95uk

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Super aggressive dog at the yard, it's not the yard owners but his daughters so therefore it is on the yard most of the day. Dogs are very much welcome to the yard.

I have got a 3 month old puppy who has been going to the yard since he was vaccinated. Plenty of dogs at the yard free roam, some are the YO's, some his daughters and then plenty of others that come with the liveries/staff and all dogs get on well or if not have learnt to avoid each other respectfully. One dog is particularly aggressive and has attacked multiple dogs at the yard however he has been lovely to my puppy, although I always had a slight worry that once old enough not to be small and not a threat, the dog would turn. Today that happened.

My puppy was on his lead as I had noticed that the aggressive dog had recently shown some negative signs towards my puppy. I was feeding my horse with the puppy tied to the door behind me when the aggressive dog attacked him and it takes a lot of screaming, punching and kicking to get this dog off my puppy. He's ok mainly but has plenty of puncture wounds and was very shocked and howled in shock/pain. The dog was put in the cage and shouted at and everyone helped me stop the bleeding and soothe my puppy.

I know that it was stupid of me to take him to the yard knowing what this dog had been like in the past, but honestly I didn't realise he'd run and attack like he did and trust me, I very much regret it. However, I am sure that tomorrow he will be there again and my puppy really loves the yard and all the other dogs and I don't think it's fair to leave him at home and walk him elsewhere.

The YO hates the dog, he's a pain to have on the yard, he chases the postman and the neighbours and to be honest he wouldn't surprise me if he went for a person. The dog obviously has major behavioural issues and probably some physical issues but it's not my business and would promptly be told that.
Do you think I can request that this dog is muzzled/caged at busy times during the day? This is usually 2-5 so would only be 3 hours a day. Or is that completely out of place for me to say? Part of me realises I'm lucky that the yard allows dogs and as the owners relatives should have priority.

Everyone else on the yard would be happy to see the dog be PTS if i'm brutally honest but obviously that's not up to us.
 
I would either leave the pup at home or change yards. A serious attack on your pup might not only cause physical injury but also leave mental scars that can be difficult to heal. Just not worth the risk imo.

If the YO is reasonable then you could have a word with him, but as the dog is owned by his daughter it is unlikely he will take your side.
 
The dog could also kill another livery's dog, or worse. So perhaps get some support and approach the YO with a delegation? But if you do this, be aware that you might be told that if you don't like it you can go elsewhere.

But I think the YO should be informed. She could then be jointly liable with the dog's owner if it did bite someone! You'd never forgive yourself for staying silent if the dog later injured a child.
 
Just don't take your dog. Let them know what has happened and leave the ball in their court. You pay for a livery service not a dog play area at the end of the day. I just wouldn't risk my dog. I have two very large dogs and neither are good with other dogs of the same sex so I make it a rule that no dogs are allowed on the yard. Your YO either needs to do the same or remove the threat, but it's up to them which they do. I don't think it's your place to request they take any particular action, but you should make them aware of what has happened so they can take action if they want to.
 
Fair enough. I presumed people would say that and rightly so. It just seems such a shame, but you are right. He could kill him easily and that should be my priority.
It is a deal breaker for me, I have to say because even without the puppy, I myself don't feel 100% around him knowing what he's like.
I will tell my yard owner this part about my safety rather than highlighting the puppy's safety as being the main issue though as there is children here.
 
Livery yards tend to be private property and the dog belongs to a family member so its basically that animals home(or second home). It is a nice or balanced memeber of society clearly not! but this is its home.
You are being unreasonable to suggest it is contained so you can bring your pets as this is a horse yard not a dog exercising yard.

Taking dogs to a yard that has an unpredictable dog who frequently attacks others living there is negligent on the visiting dog owners parts as well as the YO.This is an entirely preventable situation. Should the yard owner let this happen of course not...but its their property and their families pet. Pets enter at your own risk.It would be different if he was attacking people.

This dog could kill your puppy please think before you put him at risk again.
An adult dog who leaves puncture wounds on a pup is trying to damage them not teach them. No good will come from exposing your pup to a dog like this.

Being unpreditable and dog aggressive does not mean human aggressive however unless its also shifty with people so this dog may be fine to have around a yard. Just stop bringing strange dogs into its space and being surprised when things go badly.

I would not be trusting in that dog being locked away even if its promised to happen tbh.this isnt the first attack and nothing has changed so far... may be worth talking to the yard owner in a non confrontational way to see if they are aware its a issue thats recurring..but unless its attacking humans theres little you can demand tbh.Your paying to keep your horse there not to exercise your dog.

Out of curiosity what breed is the attacking dog?
 
Definitely tell the YO - you say he hates the dog and that it's chasing humans who visit the yard, so it may be that he just needs something tangible to go on before he can do something about it. Not easy for him if it's his daughter's, but an actual incident would help.

I wouldn't ask on the basis of being able to bring your puppy, I'd ask on the basis of keeping humans safe!
 
Firstly I would take your pup to the vet, if you haven't already, puncture wounds from dog bites can be deeper than you think and can get infected very easily.

I would keep your puppy away from the yard, unless that dog is no longer there and start looking for nice dogs for him to interact with and quickly. This will of been a really traumatic incident and could easily cloud his view on any dog approaching him, it takes very little to change a nice, happy dog into a defensive, scared and aggressive dog, especially at such a young age.

As Theocat has said, the yard owner needs to know, but not from a 'I cant bring MY dog anymore' point of view, but because people are worried about being chased and possibly bitten point of view. The current DDA ( Dangerous Dogs Act) means if anyone has been threatened by a dog or bitten, the police can get involved and the dog seized.
 
I can't understand why yards do let liveries bring their dogs with them anyway, your description sounds chaotic at best.

I would take your dog to the vets and then leave it at home in future where it is safe.
 
I can't understand why yards do let liveries bring their dogs with them anyway, your description sounds chaotic at best.

I would take your dog to the vets and then leave it at home in future where it is safe.

I completely agree. I've never been on a yard that allows dogs.
 
Both yards I have been at allow dogs. However I can accept that two yards in my lifetime isn't a massive amount and is probably a rarity. I have to say it does sound like chaos but it isn't really, dogs tend to stay close to their owners and all get on well (except for obviously this dog). Saying this, I completely understand anybody who doesn't want this type of set up and therefore doesn't allow dogs at the yard.

For people worrying about the puppy, yes he's been seen to and the puncture wounds weren't deep after all, as I had immediately panicked about that. The job is to just keep it clean. He's fine today and back to his normal self and thankfully hasn't affected his opinion about other dogs and was the same as he always has been when meeting a dog this morning.

Thank you for some honest opinions, I will leave him at home from now on.
 
I would defiantly speak to YOer if you have informed and said how frightened you were and you thought the dog might bite you he will if he's sensible make sure the dog is confined during busy times .
If that dog bites someone and he's been told in the past he's in a lot of trouble .
 
I think it's quite rare that a dog aggressive dog is also human aggressive, I think that is an argument I often see and just roll my eyes at. I've heard the ' it could be q child that aggressive dog attacks next'. Maybe, but probably very rare.

I can't take my lot to the yard, they have an aggressive dog and why would I risk my lot? Keep the pup home, socialise loads, walk with friendly dogs to ensure he's not permanently affected by the attack.
 
He will still need a walk, even if he has been to the yard, when he is older. Knocking about is fun but he won't learn anything, or use his nose and brain like he will on a walk.
 
The whole situation sounds a nightmare I don't think livery yards should allow liveries dogs to run loose it's an accident waiting to happen, for that reason I wouldn't take my dog there why is it not fair to walk him elsewhere? his not going to care where his walked and surely keeping him safe is the priority.
 
Why? It's a livery yard not doggy day care.

Sounds more like you can't be bothered to walk him to be honest.

Well yes if you read my replies you would see I admitted it was wrong of me to expect that.

I can be bothered to walk him, in fact I over-worry that I walk him too much for his age. He attends puppy classes and is walked daily, the yard is where all the training is put to practice.

But to everyone else yes, he does love the yard but he loves other places too (as most puppies do!), it's silly of me to think that it's not fair on him to stay at home. Again, I do understand that some yards don't like dogs on the yard and can sound chaotic, however that's not the issue at this yard.

Anyway, the aggressive dog is now on a lead at all times when at yard and won't be up all day anymore only when the owner is there. YO has had enough of his behaviour.
 
I think it's quite rare that a dog aggressive dog is also human aggressive, I think that is an argument I often see and just roll my eyes at. I've heard the ' it could be q child that aggressive dog attacks next'. Maybe, but probably very rare.

I can't take my lot to the yard, they have an aggressive dog and why would I risk my lot? Keep the pup home, socialise loads, walk with friendly dogs to ensure he's not permanently affected by the attack.

The most common way a person is bitten by a dog is when they are trying to deal with a dog fight .
You can roll your eyes all you like but that's my experiance.
 
I think it's quite rare that a dog aggressive dog is also human aggressive,........ I've heard the ' it could be q child that aggressive dog attacks next'. Maybe, but probably very rare.

.

The most common way a person is bitten by a dog is when they are trying to deal with a dog fight .
.

I agree with both of you! :)

Many people do get bitten when trying to separate fighting dogs but I would suggest that is generally NOT due to the dog targeting the human but rather due to the human (his arm/hand or whatever) getting in the way of two highly aroused dogs that are so focussed on each other due to the red mist that they see nothing else. As the human goes to grab the collar of one of the miscreants his arm/hand bears the brunt of the bite that was aimed at the other dog.

Have known quite a few dogs that have 'bitten' a human in such circumstance but that have never previously or subsequently displayed such behaviour.
 
I've never heard of a yard that allows dogs as most YO's have their own and they are often aggressive or seemingly aggressive breeds which reassures me vis-à-vis potential thieves. It would be lovely to be able to take your dog to the yard but I'm glad you've decided not to because there's no guarantee that the aggressive dog will be kept on a lead at all times and it's not worth taking the risk.

I was on a yard with a very aggressive (to liveries themselves) dog and a lot of clients voted with their feet and left, as did I in the end. Creeping around trying not to attract the dog's attention was wearying at best and so many people had been bitten that it was only a matter of time before it was my turn. The YO has since turned the yard into Fort Knox and shut herself away from the world completely. She had a lot of mental issues in my opinion and I hate to think what's happening to her own horses, if they are still alive :(
 
I do think dogs on yards are a complete 'mare tbh. From the one yard where every dog crapped and peed on the haylage to another where the YO's Weimaraner bit people and the YO's DiL's pack of dogs chased the horses and eventually attacked a livery owner's dog (a ROW ran through the farm).
 
I do think dogs on yards are a complete 'mare tbh. From the one yard where every dog crapped and peed on the haylage to another where the YO's Weimaraner bit people and the YO's DiL's pack of dogs chased the horses and eventually attacked a livery owner's dog (a ROW ran through the farm).

I'm so with you on this.
 
I do think dogs on yards are a complete 'mare tbh. From the one yard where every dog crapped and peed on the haylage to another where the YO's Weimaraner bit people and the YO's DiL's pack of dogs chased the horses and eventually attacked a livery owner's dog (a ROW ran through the farm).

It's not just that, it's the potential danger to the dog as well. When I was on livery at uni it was a free for all with dogs, about 20 running about and I'm not exaggerating when I say that at least 50% of their owners didn't know which barn they were in half of the time (large uni/business yard with approx. 50liveries).

My friend's young mare was tied up outside her stable, little sausage dog was yapping about her feet, friend in tack room getting tack, not expecting random strange dog to be annoying her horse, came back out to find the mare had stepped backwards and trodden on it - killed it outright. It was horrific for the owner, but also for my friend, who felt a huge amount of guilt. It really affected quite a few of us who were there to witness it, and as a result I will not have my dogs out at home when we are doing the horses, it is absolutely not worth the risk, despite them being well hunted and used to hounds, it's a risk I won't take.
 
good point RTE. I now have the horses at home and do not have the dog(s) out with me when doing stuff with them however well socialised they are with them-not worth the risk especially as I have two geldings who'll take no prisoners (and have been seen chasing off next door's farm collie).
 
Our yard allows dogs, only on lead. We've not had any problems, partly because the YO takes that kind of thing very seriously.
We don't bring ours down as he's not good with horses, but it's lovely being able to fuss other people's, especially when there's a puppy!
 
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