No recall/obedience? NO OFF LEASH! (Protecting my pup!)

[Wild Wolf]

My husband and I took Hunter out to a nearby forested trail for a nice, relaxing hike. Beautiful weather, Hunter was in a great mood and there weren't a lot of people.

My rules for off leash hiking are simple: Hunter is only allowed off leash if he has a solid recall, which he does right now. If the day comes that he doesn't, he loses the privilege. When we see people in the distance he is leashed until we're alone again, no exceptions. He gets leashed before anyone gets close, and if I can't see far enough ahead he gets leashed too.

As we were walking, we noticed people in the far distance. We called Hunter to us, leashed him up and continued on our way. Once they passed, I looked back to see where they were and noticed a German Shepherd mix off leash. My husband and I rushed ahead, Hunter still on leash, to try and put some distance between us. After walking quite a bit, I heard a noise and turned around to see the dog charging down the trail towards us. My husband still had Hunter on leash (because we knew there was a dog off leash behind, we knew it was safer to keep him on leash), so he put him in a sit while I stepped up to meet the dog.

The dog charged hard and fast, head low and tail up. I screamed "GET YOUR DOG ON LEASH NOW!!" as loud as I could, but there was no owner in sight. In the distance I heard "(whatever dogs name was), Come!"

When the dog got close, I screamed "GET BACK!!" as loud as I could and got in front of him and in between him and my 7 month old pup, Hunter. I spread my hands out and faced off with the dog. It kept its head low and its tail up, barking loudly and teeth bared between barks - hackles up from nose to tail. I can assure you that dog wasn't interested in playing. I kept screaming at the dog to get back, which seemed to throw it off.

Eventually, an older lady was walking up (yes, walking) with her flexi-lead trying to call her dog... "Come." "come." "come here." Dog ignored her, didn't even realize she was there.

The dog kept trying to run past me to charge or attack Hunter. I had to jump in front of it and block the path. I was willing to do whatever it took to avoid that dog interacting with my pup - I didn't want to risk Hunter becoming fear-aggressive to other dogs just because one day a dog tried to maul him.

I remember telling the lady that her dog shouldn't be off leash because he doesn't come when called. When she was within a foot of him, she told him loudly to sit and he did. When she clipped him to her flexi-lead, she began apologizing over and over. I didn't day another word, just turned and walked off with my husband and dog. I was so enraged that I knew if I said anything it would have been the most offensive, insulting and unfiltered thing my brain could produce.

I absolutely hated to have been put in that situation. I was put in danger, as was my puppy and my husband. Thank god the dog didn't try to attack me for protecting my "pack". No matter what I say, no matter what I do - disobedient dogs will still be off leash wherever I go. I hate it. It is beyond stressful, beyond aggravating.

I am just so grateful Hunter didn't have to get involved, and that I could keep the dog at bay myself until it was leashed. I know it is my job to protect Hunter, and I try to do everything I can to deal with bad situations when they arise so he doesn't feel like he has to. Hunter has an amazing, solid temperament and I am not willing to jeopardize it. Yet I absolutely love off-leash hiking... I am just so upset over this.

[Anastasia]

OMG how terrifying!!!!! I ordered pepper spray the week before we picked up my puppy because I was worried about something like this. I will always carry it with me and will use it as a last resort but clueless owners are everywhere. I would definitely not have held my tongue as well as you did though, that woman would have been left bloody and bruised from the tongue lashing I would have left her with!

[elisabeth_00117]

I know it sucks and happy that Hunter and you guys got out of that situation without too much issue.

I don't understand the logic behind unleashing a dog without any recall?

I guess because we work so hard with our pups/dogs on things that when we see people not even working on keeping their dog with them in public - it goes beyond frustrating. Especially an aggressive dog like that!

[Wild Wolf]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

OMG how terrifying!!!!! I ordered pepper spray the week before we picked up my puppy because I was worried about something like this. I will always carry it with me and will use it as a last resort but clueless owners are everywhere. I would definitely not have held my tongue as well as you did though, that woman would have been left bloody and bruised from the tongue lashing I would have left her with!

I was shaking quite badly after it was over, a mixture of being scared and very upset. I spent 5 years walking shelter dogs for my local humane society, and this situation is not new to me. I think I held my tongue because I am utterly exhausted with this situation that happens again and again and again. Nobody learns, nobody cares... all I can do it protect Hunter and hope I don't leave with terrible wounds.

I think I am going to start carrying a walking stick with me, it may help me deter or block any aggressive dogs we meet. Especially if I am alone, I can only imagine it will be difficult to confront a dog with Hunter at my side.

It's our job to protect our dogs and deal with the problem so that they don't have to. ESPECIALLY puppies, who can develop fear aggression if forced to deal with an aggressor. Not to mention get terribly wounded... SIGH.

[Wild Wolf]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

I know it sucks and happy that Hunter and you guys got out of that situation without too much issue.

I don't understand the logic behind unleashing a dog without any recall?

I guess because we work so hard with our pups/dogs on things that when we see people not even working on keeping their dog with them in public - it goes beyond frustrating. Especially an aggressive dog like that!

I think it is. How hard did I work to get Hunter's recall as awesome as it is? Why can't everyone make that effort? It is SO important. How hard is it to keep them on leash if they are a danger to others? I just want to enjoy hiking with my dog... ARG!

[CuriousKira]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

OMG how terrifying!!!!! I ordered pepper spray the week before we picked up my puppy because I was worried about something like this. I will always carry it with me and will use it as a last resort but clueless owners are everywhere. I would definitely not have held my tongue as well as you did though, that woman would have been left bloody and bruised from the tongue lashing I would have left her with!

For the dog or the owner ?!? JK!!

[elisabeth_00117]

I know, it's frustrating!

I know how hard you work with Hunter in EVERYTHING you do with him, so I understand.

I know Stark wouldn't put up with that crap and would of told that dog where to go.

[sashadog]

I feel your pain!! We have this happen all the time to us in the open space behind our house, as well as on a lot of the trails we like to frequent. My biggest stressor is that one of our dogs IS dog aggressive and probably would have tried her darndest to engage a dog like the one you described. Nothing gets me going more than walking with Sasha on leash and having some off leash, completely out of control dog, charge up behind us with their owner walking some distance behind yelling, "he's friendly!" Then having said owner get pissed at me when Sasha proceeds to bark at and try to get to their dog. She does really well ignoring dogs when we're out walking but she still can't resist the dog that comes barreling up to her face... Can't seem to figure out why...

[Wild Wolf]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

I know, it's frustrating!

I know how hard you work with Hunter in EVERYTHING you do with him, so I understand.

I know Stark wouldn't put up with that crap and would of told that dog where to go.

It really is. I mean, look at the effort you take with Stark to give him great recall. The extra work to make sure he knows he better come when called. Everyone should make it priority over all other commands.

[Wild Wolf]

Originally Posted by sashadog

I feel your pain!! We have this happen all the time to us in the open space behind our house, as well as on a lot of the trails we like to frequent. My biggest stressor is that one of our dogs IS dog aggressive and probably would have tried her darndest to engage a dog like the one you described. Nothing gets me going more than walking with Sasha on leash and having some off leash, completely out of control dog, charge up behind us with their owner walking some distance behind yelling, "he's friendly!" Then having said owner get pissed at me when Sasha proceeds to bark at and try to get to their dog. She does really well ignoring dogs when we're out walking but she still can't resist the dog that comes barreling up to her face... Can't seem to figure out why...

Yeah... the "he's friendly!" excuse is the most aggravating thing ever. I don't want anyone's dog running at me or Hunter - regardless! That is another thing - you are being responsible and keeping Sasha on a leash yet she is going to get blamed when some off leash dog charges her and she attacks... against your control. What are you supposed to do, lift her over your head?