What does this indicate?

[damaya]

Without going into the whole history. I can say that I think Icon was socialized very well. He is almost 1 year old now. He was exposed to young, old, dogs, cats and most of all his family this first year. He has never displayed any aggression or apprehension towards people or animals. He does good with basic obedience and has gotten vey good at leash walking.

Now here is where I would like opinions on what this type of behavior would indicate.

When we were walking at our regular park Saturday I noticed the 2 Akitas and their owners unloading. These dogs are regulars there also and seem to be good walkers too. They are VERY large dogs and intimidate on looks alone. For the first time ever Icon and I did a walk by on these dogs along the path. When they saw us approaching they (owners) move off the path into the grass. (responsible on their part) The 2 Akitas went berserk. Pulling, jumping, aggressive barking. I was really concerned the lady holding one of them was going to be able to hold on. I had to talk to Icon as we walked by. He was definitely interested, but not to the point he pulled to or away from them. As we walked past and away the Akitas continued to act insane, but at this point Icon was over it and uninterested.

Last night we took off on our neighborhood walk. We live on 5 acres but can be in a very populated subdivision pretty quickly. We passed (I counted) no less than 12 back yard/fenced in dogs on our walk. When I encouraged him on he proceeded with little to no interest in most of them. He has a Great Dane friend that I let him sniff noses with and always wants to go over to his fence. Then the 3 GIANT some kind of Wolfhounds he likes to check out. He met them as a puppy. Other than those the rest of the poor backyard never see a leash dogs pose no interest to him as they bark as if their lives depended on it. One being a beautiful black and tan GSD. We also for the first time walked along the highway. It was a very short stretch, and he was on a very short leash right at my knee. I wanted to see how he reacted to traffic. Same thing the first few cars that passed us interested him. After that the only thing that drew his attention was a large semi-truck. No look or reaction to the other cars.

What say the masses of this behavior? Good, bad, strong, weak, normal. I know how I feel about it, but was wondering about everyone else. How is your dog in these circumstances?

[Emoore]

Good. Sounds like strong nerves to me. Wish my pup was that disinterested in other dogs. He wants to PLAY!

[carmspack]

he sounds good !
I would be worried about the Akita's though . Physically controlling a dog is only part of it . Seems like the woman has no control , so if the dog slips her grasp - big trouble.
I understand they were considerate and gave you the path .
How about this . Next time you sit your dog out of the way and allow them to pass you. That way your dog is not walking through the gauntlet , the Akita has to focus. Hopefully he is one of these can't walk and talk, can't do two things at a time guys . The walker can shift the dog off balance , bump into him, pull him toward her , give a leash correction to shift his thinking. Standing still gives him an anchor for more pull power , a disadvantage to her .


Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[damaya]

Originally Posted by carmspack

Seems like the woman has no control , so if the dog slips her grasp - big trouble.

Next time you sit your dog out of the way and allow them to pass you.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

I thought the same thing about the woman. Her husband was actually trying to help her as he was trying to control his own. It relived me a bit to see that she had the leash wound around her arm to the elbow. I knew if he broke loose he would be dragging her, and that may slow him down a bit.

I like your idea, and will try that next time. I have done that with other dogs there, but these Akitas were the first one's to ever react like that. Icon did great as a rather large Lab passed by, and actually got to meet a Welsh Corgi. I had him sit to give a lady first crossing over a bridge and she asked if she could approach my dog with hers. It went really well.

As we came back around a second time they turned and went opposite direction to avoid it happening again. (wise on their part again) I have a feeling that may be the norm anytime we happen to be at the park together again.