You may not like this... Kira grew a pair.

[msvette2u]

That's so awesome.
I wish more people understood we don't want to take away their fun. Just make it safer!
The way I see it...there's so many risks we can do nothing about. This is one we can.

[Sambuca]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

Yes, and she knows it too.

One dog was playing with a soccer ball, and the woman had the audacity to warn ME that her dog was possessive, and I should take precautions to make sure Kira doesn't go near her dog.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

This is how my dog was bitten at the dog park. The lady knows her dog is possessive yet decides to play ball with him inside a dog park right in the middle of everyone so she can socialize with other owners.

My dog went to pick up a ball on the ground when the lady's 8 MONTH OLD big him on his face. She didn't even come over to apologize. I told her off pretty good though.

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by Sambuca

This is how my dog was bitten at the dog park. The lady knows her dog is possessive yet decides to play ball with him inside a dog park right in the middle of everyone so she can socialize with other owners.

My dog went to pick up a ball on the ground when the lady's 8 MONTH OLD big him on his face. She didn't even come over to apologize. I told her off pretty good though.

That lady is no lady. Seems all too common for people to assume we will stop our dogs from acting normal or protecting themselves because their dog is aggressive for one reason or another... or that it is our (or our dog's fault) for not taking into account their dog's aberrations.

[2GSDmom]

Ooh, boy!--I feel for you Anthony!--I've never seen that kind of a feeding frenzy outside of the Great Barrier Reef!

As for your pride in Kira--Go right ahead..She deserves it. No, Virginia, not every defensive response is a bad thing. She's a dog---not a ticking timebomb. Just as "calming behaviors" (also known as "submissive signals") are used by canines to avoid conflict--canines also will use "dominant signals" and behaviors to "teach" other canines "proper" behaviors. This sometimes includes, "I'm sick of your s@#$...leave me alone". If your dog reverts to normal immediately afterwards, this is all that was occuring--If on the other hand, if the dog remains in a combative state--you have a problem... Sounds like your Kira did exactly what she was supposed to do in order to school the bully.

As for putting yourself in between aggressing dogs--Are these people NUTS? That has got to be one of the silliest things to go the rounds in current fashion. "I'll heal"?...SO will your dog---and it has a protective layer of hair--which humans do not. Lord knows, I love my dogs to pieces--but I'm no good to them ripped to smithereens. Get yourself BEHIND and pull the dogs apart--by their rear legs, if necessary--then remove them from the vicinity(preferably out of sight) of the other dog.

Not every "soft" dog is a timid or fearful dog. They just require a gentler and steadier training approach. "Soft" dogs can be made fearful by too forceful of training techniques---this is why forced "socializing" isn't a good idea for them. It's like throwing a child leery of the pool into the water to teach him to swim. It doesn't mean they're chicken--but they will be if you force it.

Sounds like you're doing very well for a newbie--Mrs. K is cool beans--she's absolutely right--if we were perfect, we wouldn't need dogs, now, would we?

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by 2GSDmom

Ooh, boy!--I feel for you Anthony!--I've never seen that kind of a feeding frenzy outside of the Great Barrier Reef!

As for your pride in Kira--Go right ahead..She deserves it. No, Virginia, not every defensive response is a bad thing. She's a dog---not a ticking timebomb. Just as "calming behaviors" (also known as "submissive signals") are used by canines to avoid conflict--canines also will use "dominant signals" and behaviors to "teach" other canines "proper" behaviors. This sometimes includes, "I'm sick of your s@#$...leave me alone". If your dog reverts to normal immediately afterwards, this is all that was occuring--If on the other hand, if the dog remains in a combative state--you have a problem... Sounds like your Kira did exactly what she was supposed to do in order to school the bully.

As for putting yourself in between aggressing dogs--Are these people NUTS? That has got to be one of the silliest things to go the rounds in current fashion. "I'll heal"?...SO will your dog---and it has a protective layer of hair--which humans do not. Lord knows, I love my dogs to pieces--but I'm no good to them ripped to smithereens. Get yourself BEHIND and pull the dogs apart--by their rear legs, if necessary--then remove them from the vicinity(preferably out of sight) of the other dog.

Not every "soft" dog is a timid or fearful dog. They just require a gentler and steadier training approach. "Soft" dogs can be made fearful by too forceful of training techniques---this is why forced "socializing" isn't a good idea for them. It's like throwing a child leery of the pool into the water to teach him to swim. It doesn't mean they're chicken--but they will be if you force it.

Sounds like you're doing very well for a newbie--Mrs. K is cool beans--she's absolutely right--if we were perfect, we wouldn't need dogs, now, would we?

She's been great since the incident. No issues or signs of aggression towards dogs or humans. She's now 7 months, and very stable. I can walk anywhere with her.
Just yesterday, we went to Petco, and they had the Rescues there. Maybe 10 dogs in a very small area. She just sat next to me, while I chatted. Couldn't care less.
That's the way I wanted it.

[SophieGSD]

I agree with the others. If you SAW this other dog coming, you should have TURNED YOURS AWAY and walked off. I honestly highly doubt you were walking through a cattle chute that inhibited you from maybe walking to the other side of the street, or turning away for a while until the other dog passed.

Or maybe you should have asked the other owner "Hey, can you keep your dog away? It CLEARLY makes mine uncomfortable, and it's not just puppy play. This can get dangerous. Please take your dog away from mine."

No big deal.
Random attacks like that don't just happen once. It'll happen again, and if your dog throws the first punch, YOU are the one paying the vet bills. YOU are the one giving in to the media's reputation that Shepherds are mean, vicious animals.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by SophieGSD

I agree with the others. If you SAW this other dog coming, you should have TURNED YOURS AWAY and walked off. I honestly highly doubt you were walking through a cattle chute that inhibited you from maybe walking to the other side of the street, or turning away for a while until the other dog passed.

Or maybe you should have asked the other owner "Hey, can you keep your dog away? It CLEARLY makes mine uncomfortable, and it's not just puppy play. This can get dangerous. Please take your dog away from mine."

No big deal.
Random attacks like that don't just happen once. It'll happen again, and if your dog throws the first punch, YOU are the one paying the vet bills. YOU are the one giving in to the media's reputation that Shepherds are mean, vicious animals.

Whoa!
Did you read the whole thread?

No attack whatsoever.

She just barked back at the meanie. I wouldn't qualify that as grounds for giving the media's reputation that Shepherds are mean.

[SophieGSD]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

Whoa!
Did you read the whole thread?

No attack whatsoever.

She just barked back at the meanie. I wouldn't qualify that as grounds for giving the media's reputation that Shepherds are mean.

You missed my point. And apparently several others.
I said IF your dog attacked.
Because IF she did attack and hurt the other dog, the other owner may decide that "Hey, that dog is mean and the owner doesn't know how to control it. If my dog's hurt, they're paying the vet bills!"

Also, did you not know that in the '80s the US tried to erraticate the breed? Why else would they be on a restricted/aggressive breeds list? Definitely not because unknowing people thing they're big teddy bears. The media advertises German Shepherds as ruthless killers and fighters, and a danger to people and their children. (I've seen several movies that have mean G-Sheps in them, that attack people.) People also see the K9 unit police dogs, and automatically think that if that dog is attacking a criminal, then they'll likely attack random people that they just don't like. But, because they don't know about the breed, they don't realize that the police work is all command-based.

So yeah. IF someone sees your dog hypothetically "attacking" someone or someone else's dog, yeah. You're playing into the media-given bad reputation.

[KaiserGSDLove]

Originally Posted by SophieGSD

You missed my point. And apparently several others.
I said IF your dog attacked.
Because IF she did attack and hurt the other dog, the other owner may decide that "Hey, that dog is mean and the owner doesn't know how to control it. If my dog's hurt, they're paying the vet bills!"

Also, did you not know that in the '80s the US tried to erraticate the breed? Why else would they be on a restricted/aggressive breeds list? Definitely not because unknowing people thing they're big teddy bears. The media advertises German Shepherds as ruthless killers and fighters, and a danger to people and their children. (I've seen several movies that have mean G-Sheps in them, that attack people.) People also see the K9 unit police dogs, and automatically think that if that dog is attacking a criminal, then they'll likely attack random people that they just don't like. But, because they don't know about the breed, they don't realize that the police work is all command-based.

So yeah. IF someone sees your dog hypothetically "attacking" someone or someone else's dog, yeah. You're playing into the media-given bad reputation.

You're being a little harsh. He admitted it might not of been the best response but it's the way he responded in that instant. He has gotten many responses and some good advice for the future. Maybe instead of some criticizing how he didn't respond the way how others would we should give helpful preventive tips in a not such a harsh matter.

[carmspack]

2GSDmom -- keep on reading . Not one person said that Anthony's dog was a ticking time bomb . The opposite. She displayed fear . She was a young dog in situations that were uncomfortable for her putting her into a flight mode .
I think Anthony has done a superb job in his quickness to understand what was going on and to take reins in the situation to turn it around .
Just look at this " She's been great since the incident. No issues or signs of aggression towards dogs or humans. She's now 7 months, and very stable. I can walk anywhere with her.
Just yesterday, we went to Petco, and they had the Rescues there. Maybe 10 dogs in a very small area. She just sat next to me, while I chatted. Couldn't care less.
That's the way I wanted it"
Isn't that good !!
Now when he goes out , the dog is relaxed, he is relaxed , and everyone that sees him wishes their dog was like his. I mean, look at the picture in the avatar .
Will there be other problems - sure . Anthony can handle it and the dog will know it belongs to a group that looks out for one another.

good going Anthony.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs