My dog just attacked another dog

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SpringArising

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My sister was taking him for a walk for me as she's done hundreds of times. Around my area there's a Lab that for some reason, he can't stand. He doesn't react like it with any other dog - every time he sees it he growls and wants to get it. I usually just cross the road when I see it and problem solved. He can be a bit funny with other dogs if they give off stand-offish energy but on the whole he's OK and will ignore dogs as much as possible if they come up to him.

Anyway, today he saw the Lab, made a lurch for him, my sister lost her footing, let go of the lead and my dog went for it. She said they were scrapping for a few seconds, then she managed to get mine off while the guy was screaming at her. She asked if the his dog was OK and the guy just said he was fine and then walked off.

We don't know where he lives but she said when she next sees him (he usually walks by a few times) she'll go and double check on the dog and apologise. Probably worth mentioning that my dog has only stubs for teeth so damage would be probably be minimal, worst case scenario.

I'm working myself up now - reading online that I could be sent to prison/fined unlimited amounts and dog might be put down. I'm assuming I'd be accountable as technically I own him - does anyone know what could actually happen if he did decide to report, given his dog was unharmed? I feel awful for both his dog and mine.
 
Muzzle and double lead.....one lead from his collar to your hand and another from a harness on to a belt around your waist. That way if someone trips over he can't get away. You can buy special padded belts for canicross that may be more comfortable for you. Dogs should from a legal point of view I believe be in the custody of someone capable of controlling them; if it could be proven that your sister was incapable then there may be a case to answer (eg small child walking a large powerful breed such as akita).

Trevor Cooper is the go to 'dog lawyer' if you require formal advice. You will find his details online.

Fingers crossed it comes to nothing though.
 
Thanks all. Feeling a bit calmer about it today.

We have tried muzzles in the past but he spent the whole time trying to get it off and making his nose bleed. We gave it a good go for six months but just couldn't get him used to it.

Usually he's walked in a Halti harness (which I bought specifically for the fact it also clips onto the collar should he God forbid get out of it and run off) and another lead attached to the collar. He walks beautifully on it - the problem yesterday was that she didn't put the harness on.

We've both spoken this morning and agreed that he's never to be walked on just the collar again and will think about trying the muzzle again.

What I want to know is why is it this one specific bloody dog he just can't stand?!
 
SpringArising said:
Thanks all. Feeling a bit calmer about it today.

We have tried muzzles in the past but he spent the whole time trying to get it off and making his nose bleed. We gave it a good go for six months but just couldn't get him used to it.

Usually he's walked in a Halti harness (which I bought specifically for the fact it also clips onto the collar should he God forbid get out of it and run off) and another lead attached to the collar. He walks beautifully on it - the problem yesterday was that she didn't put the harness on.

We've both spoken this morning and agreed that he's never to be walked on just the collar again and will think about trying the muzzle again.

What I want to know is why is it this one specific bloody dog he just can't stand?!
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I don't know but could you simply walk the other way? We have half the village not walk-able as there is a nasty dog the other way, so we avoid it.
 
Red-1 said:
I don't know but could you simply walk the other way? We have half the village not walk-able as there is a nasty dog the other way, so we avoid it.
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If I see him I do usually cross the road or change route and it's fine. I make an effort to avoid him as much as possible but sometimes our paths just cross.
 
Muzzles need to be introduced slowly and in a positive way if you want the dog to enjoy wearing them. Have a look at the muzzleupproject online and there's loads of tip on how to introduce them.
Double leash and no one walks the dog unless they are capable of controlling him

I would take this as the warning it is and be glad I wasn't worse.
Consequences depend on the person reporting....if they were made to feel afraid and state that then the full force of the dog control laws could come down on you even if the biting occurred to the animal not the human.

What breed is your boy out of interest?
 
gunnergundog said:
Muzzle and double lead.....one lead from his collar to your hand and another from a harness on to a belt around your waist. That way if someone trips over he can't get away. You can buy special padded belts for canicross that may be more comfortable for you. .
Click to expand...

I don't use a muzzle on my young GSD but he is always double leaded, one lead to a figure 8 headcollar and the second to a K9 harness. Both leads go on my waist belt. You don't need anything special just a wide belt and loop the leads on. That way he is going nowhere and if he were to "take off" there would be considerable and instant pressure on the headcollar from him pulling.
A very rude staffy came too close the other day and was pretty aggressive. I took hold of the headcollar very close to his head and it meant I could really hang onto him if he had tried to retaliate. This may seem a bit over the top but it makes if very safe for the handler and is a good insurance policy.

Mine behaves well with this and I can just keep both leads loose but the backup is there.
 
Thanks all. He's a rescue Staffie who (along with his brother who I don't have, but know of) had a pretty crappy life before I got him from what I can gather. He's not old TP - his teeth are just buggered from trying to bite his way out of the crate he was kept in for the majority of his first few years. :(
 
Aru said:
Muzzles need to be introduced slowly and in a positive way if you want the dog to enjoy wearing them. Have a look at the muzzleupproject online and there's loads of tip on how to introduce them.
Click to expand...

We did introduce slowly and made sure it was always a good experience for him - we'd put it on for five minutes and then use that time to feed him treats through it etc. But I'll have a look at what you've mentioned. Thanks.
 
Sounds like a bit of handbags and hopefully nothing negative will come of it, Aru's advice is sound. Who knows what started it, some freak connection he's made, or some dogs just give off vibes that are imperceptible to humans but seem to set other dogs off.
 
SpringArising said:
What I want to know is why is it this one specific bloody dog he just can't stand?!
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Zak can't stand a bearded collie we sometimes see. He was attacked by one years ago and now wants to have a go at this (unrelated) one. There was a labrador that couldn't stand another of my dogs, always attacked him if we came across and couldn't get away fast enough. He ignored Brig, very weird.
 
SpringArising said:
My sister was taking him for a walk for me as she's done hundreds of times. Around my area there's a Lab that for some reason, he can't stand. He doesn't react like it with any other dog - every time he sees it he growls and wants to get it. I usually just cross the road when I see it and problem solved. He can be a bit funny with other dogs if they give off stand-offish energy but on the whole he's OK and will ignore dogs as much as possible if they come up to him.

Anyway, today he saw the Lab, made a lurch for him, my sister lost her footing, let go of the lead and my dog went for it. She said they were scrapping for a few seconds, then she managed to get mine off while the guy was screaming at her. She asked if the his dog was OK and the guy just said he was fine and then walked off.

We don't know where he lives but she said when she next sees him (he usually walks by a few times) she'll go and double check on the dog and apologise. Probably worth mentioning that my dog has only stubs for teeth so damage would be probably be minimal, worst case scenario.

I'm working myself up now - reading online that I could be sent to prison/fined unlimited amounts and dog might be put down. I'm assuming I'd be accountable as technically I own him - does anyone know what could actually happen if he did decide to report, given his dog was unharmed? I feel awful for both his dog and mine.
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Well considering a staffie nearly tore apart a cockapoo in my area and nothing was done I think you'll be ok...if that staffie comes near my dog It will be an ex-staffie! Generally a dog on dog short scrap could at worst get you a telling off, but if no damage is done try not to worry.
 
Is the lab a black lab ?
I only ask as many dogs take a dislike to my cocker spaniel (who is soft as shite and a total wimp) and a number of people have mentioned that dogs often cant read a black dogs face and so get all defensive.
 
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