dog on dog aggression

[lizbud]

pnance,

You may be new to the board, but what you have to say makes
perfect sense to me. Liz.

[jennifert9]

Yes Pnance, thank you for your advice and help. It does make sense but it is just very sad.
Duncan is just like the dog in your story, except I don't use a pinch collar on him. He cannot be around anyone but me really. Not even Collin. It makes me sad that he will never have any friends or be able to play freely.
I have to muzzle him when company comes over also, just to be safe. I hate it because I know how sweet he really is and having the muzzle on just sets him apart even more... But I understand that in order for him to stay alive, I have to be cautious in every situation.
It just makes me sad and upset and I always think that maybe there is hope for him, maybe I'm the problem, would he be happier if I did something different...you know?

Anyway, welcome to Pet Talk!!

[pnance]

I agree, I hate that I can't take her to dog beach and let her run around, she loves to play and when she likes a dog she has fun playing, unfortunately the number of dogs she likes is about 1%. Unfortunately as a puppy she was severely abused based on the scars on her so like Duncan I'm guessing it's not something that she'll ever overcome. At least Duncan has you to play with so he's not totally alone, think of it that way.

[Thandi]

My Rhodie ridgeback was just like pnance describes. She only had one friend her whole life, back in South Africa, and only until that dog disappeared (a common occurrance there). We brought her to the USA, and until the day she went to RB she was never allowed near other dogs or children. If my cats got in her way (i.e. between her and a bag of groceries) they were chewed on. We loved her with our lives, but knew just what her limits were, and kept her extremely happy with leash walks or unleashed runs if there were no other dogs. NEVER allowed near small children, she would be so freaked if they came near her she'd bite them.

Just know what you are dealing with and never get them into that situation. Sometimes all the behaviorists in the world and various methods of help,just don't!

Now we have a rescue dog who loves everyone, except some men and other dogs when she's on a leash. She loves the dog park, is the friendliest dog we've ever had. But I keep her out of situations I know will make her anxious.

[jennifert9]

Originally posted by pnance
At least Duncan has you to play with so he's not totally alone, think of it that way.

I do think that all the time. And that is why I try so hard to make sure he is happy...I take him with me whenever possible, I go home every night from work and walk him until the sun starts to go down whether I feel up to it or not...on the weekends, I don't make plans that don't include him. Even if we have things to do like errands or family obligations, I make sure to schedule at least a few hours a day to spend with him exercising or playing ball. It has caused a few disagreements with Collin and I because we don't always see eye to eye on how much time I/we should spend with Duncan. But Collin has also finally realized that Duncan is the #1 man in my life and will always come first!!
I dont' know much about his life before I adopted him, just that he was living on the streets for ~ a month and before that he was tied up somewhere and left until the collar/wire/rope grew right into his neck and left a 2 inch scar all the way around his neck. The people at the shelter didn't seem to like him much and I think I was the first person in his life to ever sit down and spend time with him. They seemed afraid of him and his sometimes "wolf/wild dog" behavior but he was a doll with me from day one.
I appreciate your advice and commiseration however.

[Maja]

Dogs do NOT need strange dogs.Its people that need strange dogs and people, So called play parks are just wierd arenas where dogs are trying to figure out 1.why are we here? 2. who is in heat? 3. and who is alfa?. Its a human lack that we cant see that "all a dog need is its owner".

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Maja
Dogs do NOT need strange dogs.Its people that need strange dogs and people, So called play parks are just wierd arenas where dogs are trying to figure out 1.why are we here? 2. who is in heat? 3. and who is alfa?. Its a human lack that we cant see that "all a dog need is its owner".

While it may be true that all a dog really "NEEDS" is it's owner, that is NOT practical. A dog that isn't socialised will become aggressive to other dogs. It can be difficult to go for a walk because the dog might see another dog across the street and try and get to it. He can't join agility, flyball, or any other fun dog sports. Dog parks are not to satisfy owners. There is nothing more fun to a well-socialised dog than going to a dog park.

[Maja]

"Not practical" thats was your catch word..Dogs are not practical.We want them to be that..Dogs are hunters and defenders of their tribe..Sorry they havent got the latest bulletin from the GOV that they should be practical in urban enviroment.

[wolfsoul]

Do you know what practical means? What I meant was that it isn't smart (it isn't practical) to assume that your dog will never encounter another dog in it's entire life, so it's important to socialise it while it is still possible.

[K9soul]

There is no need for wolves (dogs' wild ancesters) to be socialized outside of their packs because they will more than likely not run into strange wolves and if they do, they oftentimes do what they need to in order to get rid of the intruder or threat. However, since dogs live within human society and will encounter other people and dogs, socialization is crucial so that they DON'T behave like a wild wolf and attempt to kill, maim, or chase away the threat. If they do that, they can ultimately end up having to be euthanized for aggression.

That is why dog parks can be very beneficial for socializing.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by K9soul
If they do that, they can ultimately end up having to be euthanized for aggression.

There's the biggest reason to socialise, right there. Especially these days with all of the breed bans surfacing everywhere.

[Maja]

thats why we need people parks.cause dogs would never
do to each other what people do

[Maja]

reply to wolfsoul
"Do you know what practical means? "


more than ever,its being iin a litter of 11 pups and singing and being a human and seeing the differences between them and eventiually selling them, to homes unknown.Hurts like hell if you love em...,... thats life.,...

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by Maja
reply to wolfsoul
"Do you know what practical means? "


more than ever,its being iin a litter of 11 pups and singing and being a human and seeing the differences between them and eventiually selling them, to homes unknown.Hurts like hell if you love em...,... thats life.,...

WHAT? I dont. . understand. . n_n

You dont have to sell your pups to "unknown homes". You can screen homes, become friends with the future owners, and keep in touch with them for the rest of the dogs lives. Thats what responsible breeders do. This is OT, anyways.

Dog parks are really great, for dog-social dogs, especially dogs who live in apartments/small yards to exercise and play. If you've ever been to a good dog park, you'd know why there are dog parks in the world! Lets not compare dogs to wolves - they are relatives and share some instincts, that doesn't make them exactly the same. Dogs have to live in society, to protect our dogs they need to be as socialized and friendly as possible.

[K9soul]

Originally posted by Maja
thats why we need people parks.cause dogs would never
do to each other what people do

I'm not sure if your point here is supposed to be that people kill each other and dogs don't, but some unsocialized dogs have and will maul/kill other dogs.