Dog Advice Needed Please

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Shilasdair

Patting her thylacine
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Hi folks
At my livery yard, there's a young male Ridgeback who I've known for the few years I've had my horses there, and never thought twice about him wandering about.
He is a bit liable to sticking his nose in crotches, he rushed up to do this to me today, and when I gently pushed him away with the side of my hand on his neck he started growling with his teeth bared.
I was a tad shocked to say the least, but his owner went by and called him away. Now I believe he's bitten a couple of delivery drivers before - do you think he could be dangerous to me?
I now don't feel I can trust him, but wonder if I'm over-reacting as a non-dog owner (but a dog liker!)
Advice please?
S
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I don't think that is acceptable. You pay to keep your horse at livery, not a dog yard!!! I would speak to the owner to ask if he/she can keep the dog by them, or on a lead. If the dog owner gets funny with you, I would speak to the YO. As I say you pay livery to keep horses, not dogs.
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Edited : PS by the way I am an owner of three of my own dogs, and on the odd occassion I take them to my yard, they are always kept on a lead tied up, or in the car.
 
Not acceptable in the slightest. What if there was a child running about? I would be totally affronted if my dog reacted like that! I would have given it my toe up it's arse instead of just calling it away! Especially if he has been known to bite before he should not be let loose!
 
Is the dog owned by the YO or another visiting livery? If it is YO it is a slightly tricky one as maybe the dog is there as a guard, but certainly should not be wandering round threatening liveries. It if belongs to someone else I would ask the YO to tell them not to let it wander loose. As the dog has always been ok with you it is possible it is a bit under the weather and that is why it had a grumble. But whatever the reason a big dog like a RR should not ne allowed to wander about this if it has any temperament issues.
 
I forgot to ask - what should I do if/when he does this again, assuming his owner isn't around?
I don't know if it's significant but he still has his boy bits!
I'd rather not be eaten by a Ridgeback...
S
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Naughty Ridgie....

If Finn (My ridgeback) had done that to someone he would have got a slap on the a*se and I would have growled back at him!! ... It is not acceptable AT ALL...

You shouldn't have to deal with this situation... if it happens again turn to walk a different way even if you have to turn around and walk the opposite way - don't 'touch' the dog and just change direction as he will not be able to follwo your 'spin' ... what a naughty boy!!
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If he persists call the owner to deal with him.
 
The dog is owned by another livery...who works at the yard, if you understand. He did used to live at the yard so may be territorial.
I'm not frightened of dogs, and would just like a peaceful life!
S
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Agree with KJ, don't look him in the eye, just ignore him and turn away. Was the owner aware that he growled at you? If so then there's not much point in a confrontation as they obviously don't care that the dog is potentially dangerous but if they didn't realise then I would tell them what he did so there's no excuse if he does it again, and I would tell the yard owner that the dog could cause someone harm.
 
Yes, the owner was aware - that's why he called him away. He didn't tell him off though.
When the owners are up he is left to wander around on his own (doing unspeakable things in the hay) without restriction.
S
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Very unacceptable, the YO needs to be made aware, especially as this dog is given free-run of the yard.

The owners response is shocking, maybe he hadn't seen the dog growling/snapping at you? If that was my dog he would have had my boot firmly up his backside and be dragged back to the car and shut in it (and he is an entire male ridgeback).

My advice would be not to interact with the dog in any way.
 
Thanks all you knowledgeable dog people...I have a lot of experience with horses, but not much with dogs so your advice is invaluable.
I will do my best to ignore and avoid the dog, and raise it with the YO at the next opportunity.
S
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if he does it again and growls (i know this wil sound harsh but hes got to learn) hit his nose then tel him to go away and walk away from him! Dont look at him and if he comes to you walk of and dont say a thing! i hope i help! x
 
DON'T hit his nose !!! ....this is a large entire male guarding breed and believe me you would come off a lot worse than he would
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...tell the owners firmly that their dog is causing problems ( or the livery owners if you don't feel confident enough to approach the dog's owners direct).

He needs to either be left at home or securely contained if he is not 100% around other people.....this is an accident waiting to happen.
 
yes i dont think its on that its allowed to roam around free especially if he is known to bite,we do not allow any dogs on our yard for this reason also because they mess and the owners dont tend to pick it up !!!!
whats happens ive he ended up going for a horse then got kicked !!!
the dog owner wouldnt say sorry he would blame the horse and be sending you etc a vet bill
i would speak to yo and say u do not feel safe around this dog and please ask him not to bring it to yard anymore !!!
 
Have asked YO about it...she says it has attacked workmen working on her house and bitten a cyclist on the public road past the house, but it's owners don't believe it (they're in denial) so could I ask them myself?
They are lucky no one has reported it to the police, perhaps?
Argh!
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What a strange reaction from the YO. Who runs the place? The dog owner or the YO? IT sounds like the YO is scared of this person.

Who cares if they believe it or not. The YO can set a rule that all dogs to be kept on leads in yard/no dogs on yard. No need to debate it with the dog owner.
 
Thanks folks
I spoke to the dog's Mum yesterday (the owners are a very nice couple) and she was a bit shocked and then tried to say he was playing, or that he didn't do that with her, or her family.
I suggested that dogs might be different with their owners and that I didn't think he was playing. I said I'd let her know if he does it again (and the local police!)
But your advice was great (I'm only good at disciplining horses, and cats)
S
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