My dog suddenly attacked another dog. Advice please...

siennamiller

siennamiller

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I have a labradoodle, who nearly 16 months old. He is the nicest, kindest dog, great with kids (mine are 5 and 7), and has never so much as growled at another dog before.
He knows I am the boss, does as he is told etc, but is not so responsive with my husband.
I was at work all day yesterday, and when I went to pick up from school, one of the mums came up and told me that my dog had attacked her dog on her doorstep.
Husband had walked up him, round the village, and then dropped down thru the housing estate to avoid busy rd, but had him off lead in the estate (!).
Apparently he was waiting outside the house when she opened the door and immediately went for her dog (who is approx 8 months), she tried to get between them, and said he bit her welly. Her words were vicious, and she said he went for the legs and neck whilst growling, and that her dog won't put his foot down, and he may need a vet.
When I spoke to husband, he said that our dog was playing, being v boisterous, but not attacking, he also had his niece with him (adult niece, not child), who said that she did not think he attacked the dog either.
So, I am getting two sides of the story's this is someone I have always got on with, not massively friendly etc, but got on well with, in a pass th time of day, chat about kids kind of way, so do t know why she would say this if it wasn't true.
I can't understand why my dog (he is entire) would suddenly display this kind of behaviour? He is just lovely, and has never displayed any kind of aggression with people/dogs etc, is even submissive at times if he is not sure.
Any help appreciated
Thanks
 
In my opinion your problem rests with your husband and not the dog. :)

In your shoes I would ditch the husband and if I needed someone else to walk my dog I would employ a RESPONSIBLE and insured dog walker.

You are obviously aware from your post that your husband should not have had a dog off lead on a housing estate; I would also suggest that he was not paying attention to the dog (ie he did not have the dog walking at heel) if he allowed it to traverse a front garden (no matter how small!) and appear at a front door. I'm guessing he was deep in conversation with the niece.

The way the two dogs met head on is not an ideal and can often lead to confrontation, especially when one is on home turf. Whether your dog attacked or was playing boisterously is neither here nor there in my book; he should never have been put in that position by your husband.

The dog is a teenager with a lot of testosterone which will shortly drop off to a more manageable levell; I would not hold this one possible transgression against the dog.

I would keep friendly with the woman and give the husband hell - that is if you're not prepared to ditch him! :)
 
People do ramp things up, especially if they got a fright which it sounds like this poor woman did. Even if your dog was playing not fighting, surely you can see her point of view that her pup shouldn't be bounced on its own doorstep...

Really your husband needs a kick up the ;arris :) and to go with wine/chocolate/flowers, an offer to pay the vet bill, profuse apologies and a promise that he will keep your dog under control in future. Hopefully if he can do that wholeheartedly she won't report him to the police/dog warden for having an out of control dog ( because playing or fighting, your dog wasn't under control) which bit her - that could cause a heap of trouble for all of you including your dog.

I'm not having a go at you, I've also had a husband who was careless with a large dog and made excuses rather than manning up and accepting that they were at fault! What worked sort of, for me was reminding him that it was the dog that would be put under a muzzle and lead control order or worst case scenario be put down if someone made a valid complaint. Oh and the excuse that 'he's only playing' is infuriating, rude and really not good enough...
 
I absolutely agree that it was his fault, and I have given him hell, as i have told him time and time again that he should be on a lead with him, as he does not come back t him. Men are so bloody stupid sometimes! He has said he will keep him on the lead from now on.
I can't afford a dog walker, so that's not going to happen, but he has promised he will behave (husband, not dog)
I won't fall out with her, I can completely understand her point of view, and I did offer to pay vets bills, but flowers are a v good idea, I will do that.
Good to know about testosterone, that's one of the things I wanted to hear.
Thanks
 
siennamiller said:
I absolutely agree that it was his fault, and I have given him hell, as i have told him time and time again that he should be on a lead with him, as he does not come back t him. Men are so bloody stupid sometimes! He has said he will keep him on the lead from now on.
I can't afford a dog walker, so that's not going to happen, but he has promised he will behave (husband, not dog)
I won't fall out with her, I can completely understand her point of view, and I did offer to pay vets bills, but flowers are a v good idea, I will do that.
Good to know about testosterone, that's one of the things I wanted to hear.
Thanks
Click to expand...

What is it about men who think its okay for dogs to behave this way? It's not - and basically (if I'm reading this right) he allowed your dog to invade another dog's patch and have a go.

Smack the hubby with a rolled up newspaper.
 
PucciNPoni said:
What is it about men who think its okay for dogs to behave this way? It's not - and basically (if I'm reading this right) he allowed your dog to invade another dog's patch and have a go.

Smack the hubby with a rolled up newspaper.
Click to expand...

I'd be smacking hubby with a breeze block personally :p
 
Just an update, spoke to a witness, who said that he absolutely did not attack him, he was very over boisterous in his attempt to make the puppy play, he did not growl, or bite. Spoke to a friend of the woman, who said she is being a complete drama queen at the moment, and probably exaggerated.
So, a weekend of stress for no reason- bit*h!
 
Great news! Hope that restores your confidence in your dog! :)

However, I would still keep giving the husband hell and not allow him to rest on his laurels as a result of this news. :D
 
I have two dogs who play fight, dog and a bitch, the bitch although far heavier is always the under dog. The amount of people who have seen them playing and actually thought they were fighting has surprised me, I been living of a new estate where dog owner ship seems to be taking them out twice a day to s*** on a footpath. I think there are a lot of people now who have dogs who think they are small people and are not allowed to display any sort of aggression even in playing, I know someone who never lets her dogs off the lead, ever. Husbands always think they know best, I am sure the puppy is better trained.
 
What you know and everyone said. Your husband was wrong allowing the dog off on a housing estate if he could not keep him to heel off lead. As I often say to people I'm working with..... Your dog will only raise eye brows when you allow it's behaviour to become alarming to others. I often sadly say it for bully breeds as they are often feared just for being what they are. I.e Had that been a staffy Instead of your X breed even more hell would have broken loose.

You are you dogs only hope at living life without being reported to authorities and possibly being pts should that be the wrong person at the wrong time (if you get my meaning) it's all about consideration control.
 
Absolutely, and I completely agree. I have told him so many times he needs to have him on the lead. I think (hope) he has learnt his lesson this time. Thanks everyone.
 
The castration of men and dogs achieves one thing only, the ability to sire the next generation, it doesn't deter either from seeking out freedom, nor their inbuilt thoughts!:p The entire horse is gelded for those who can't mange the complete animal, and the same applies to dogs. The sadness of course, is that once deprived of their masculinity, there are many canines, and equines too, who are still beyond the ability of those who would own them! :D

Alec.
 
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