How can I be a more responsible dog owner?
December 30, 2016 2:55 PM Subscribe
I have a wonderful, sweet, and normally very friendly dog. When we got home she was unleashed on her way inside and uncharacteristically went after an unleashed neighbors dog, that we had never interacted with before, on our way inside. Complications, she's a Great Dane and the neighbors dog is a very small Pomeranian.
This has literally NEVER happened before and I am having a bit of a panic about it. Up to this point she has been incredibly well-behaved, gone through many many obedience classes, and she spends a lot of time in the company of other dogs. We haven't ever seen that kind of outburst from her before. She didn't bite the other dog, but she did go after the other pup pretty hard and growled. It was shocking enough for me to post this question. Obviously, leash from car to door from now on, but what other steps should I take from here on? Also, if you were the owner of the other dog what would you want to see from me?
This has literally NEVER happened before and I am having a bit of a panic about it. Up to this point she has been incredibly well-behaved, gone through many many obedience classes, and she spends a lot of time in the company of other dogs. We haven't ever seen that kind of outburst from her before. She didn't bite the other dog, but she did go after the other pup pretty hard and growled. It was shocking enough for me to post this question. Obviously, leash from car to door from now on, but what other steps should I take from here on? Also, if you were the owner of the other dog what would you want to see from me?
If I was the other owner, I wouldn't want to see anything from you. I understand that sometimes this is how dogs act and I'm glad no one was hurt.
posted by humboldt32 at 3:01 PM on December 30, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by humboldt32 at 3:01 PM on December 30, 2016 [5 favorites]
You need to take your dog to the vet. Uncharacteristic aggression can be a sign of pain or confusion.
To smooth things over with your neighbors, I suggest a simple note apologizing for the situation and explaining what you're doing to prevent it from happening again. Yes, dogs sometimes act this way, but they were probably very scared for their little Pom, especially given the size of your dog.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:36 PM on December 30, 2016 [6 favorites]
To smooth things over with your neighbors, I suggest a simple note apologizing for the situation and explaining what you're doing to prevent it from happening again. Yes, dogs sometimes act this way, but they were probably very scared for their little Pom, especially given the size of your dog.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:36 PM on December 30, 2016 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Psychologically, a leashed dog is very very different from an unleashed dog, both for the dog's identity and the perceived power relationship to other dogs. Not being on a leash moved your dog up the social hierarchy; the other dog (presumably) being on-lead lowered it several notches. When that other dog is effectively a predator lure, a tiny fluffy one, there's additional basic brain functions at play too.
But also, there are extra responsibilities to owning and operating a large dog (and even more so with a Very Large Dog). All dogs are always capable of dog behavior, which includes territoriality and defending-their-humans posturing or protectiveness. This is a minor risk when your dog weighs 10 pounds; someone could die when they weigh 80 or 100 or more. Your dog is capable of accidentally knocking a fully-grown adult over where they might sustain fatal injuries just from the fall. Your dog could cause a road accident. Having him unleashed in common areas, where someone could presumably have left a door open or you could encounter any sort of uncontrolled interaction suggests you're a little naive about that responsibility.
It doesn't matter how sweet you think your dog is. It's still a dog. And you can train your dog to extraordinary recall, you can train your dog to police or army standards, and still have no control over them at a critical moment when base animal brain functions override human behavioral intervention. Even your sweet baby can do harm, just like your expensive car or your attractive brick you throw off the top of a building might.
Now, chances are that the other owner is not a stranger to this, because there are risks you accept when you get a dog that is a prey trigger to even large cats and urban rats. Pretty much every other animal on the street at least considers lunging at them. They are likely more aware than you are that if your dog was actually being aggressive and not just throwing his weight around or being protective of you, that Pom would have been dead instantly. It would likely be overkill to address this with them, except by leashing your dog in common areas like you're supposed to, and making sure you are using an actual control device - a harness - rather than a collar, if you weren't already.
It's up to you to provide an environment where the worst is least likely to happen, because you can't train a dog out of being a dog. And you can't do anything about other people, who could dream up 1000 totally new ways to provoke a dog. The extent of your control is the connector between you and the dog, and you removed that.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:54 PM on December 30, 2016 [34 favorites]
But also, there are extra responsibilities to owning and operating a large dog (and even more so with a Very Large Dog). All dogs are always capable of dog behavior, which includes territoriality and defending-their-humans posturing or protectiveness. This is a minor risk when your dog weighs 10 pounds; someone could die when they weigh 80 or 100 or more. Your dog is capable of accidentally knocking a fully-grown adult over where they might sustain fatal injuries just from the fall. Your dog could cause a road accident. Having him unleashed in common areas, where someone could presumably have left a door open or you could encounter any sort of uncontrolled interaction suggests you're a little naive about that responsibility.
It doesn't matter how sweet you think your dog is. It's still a dog. And you can train your dog to extraordinary recall, you can train your dog to police or army standards, and still have no control over them at a critical moment when base animal brain functions override human behavioral intervention. Even your sweet baby can do harm, just like your expensive car or your attractive brick you throw off the top of a building might.
Now, chances are that the other owner is not a stranger to this, because there are risks you accept when you get a dog that is a prey trigger to even large cats and urban rats. Pretty much every other animal on the street at least considers lunging at them. They are likely more aware than you are that if your dog was actually being aggressive and not just throwing his weight around or being protective of you, that Pom would have been dead instantly. It would likely be overkill to address this with them, except by leashing your dog in common areas like you're supposed to, and making sure you are using an actual control device - a harness - rather than a collar, if you weren't already.
It's up to you to provide an environment where the worst is least likely to happen, because you can't train a dog out of being a dog. And you can't do anything about other people, who could dream up 1000 totally new ways to provoke a dog. The extent of your control is the connector between you and the dog, and you removed that.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:54 PM on December 30, 2016 [34 favorites]
That little dog has probably been barking at your dog every time you come and go with her, and though you might not have heard it most of the time, your dog certainly did.
And it got on her nerves; it's a good sign that she just went for intimidation instead of a bite.
Maybe the little dog will be a little less vocal now when it hears your dog. In that case, the owner would likely thank you if they understood the chain of cause and effect.
posted by jamjam at 4:10 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
And it got on her nerves; it's a good sign that she just went for intimidation instead of a bite.
Maybe the little dog will be a little less vocal now when it hears your dog. In that case, the owner would likely thank you if they understood the chain of cause and effect.
posted by jamjam at 4:10 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yep, leash firmly on before you step out the door, and firmly on until you are back indoors with the door closed. And make absolutely certain that your dog can't manage to get the door open, should she see the small dog outside. (My parents had a Saint Bernard who could unlock and open doors and let herself out.)
posted by sarcasticah at 4:44 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sarcasticah at 4:44 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My pug is not as small as a Pomeranian but I'm definitely familiar with the big-little dynamic and realize that the little ones can be part of the problem. If that had happened to us, I would not expect anything in particular but if we ran into each other over the next couple of days, it would be nice to get a "hey, sorry for what happened there, she's not normally like that and I'm taking steps to make sure it won't happen again" from you.
Also, agree with the advice above re leashing from now on, revisiting training for "off/leave it" etc., and double-checking that there are no pain issues at play.
Don't be too hard on yourself, though. At the end of the day, your dog did not actually do any damage and stuff like this does happen once in a while, even to responsible owners. You are right to be on top of the situation, especially with an XL dog, but the event itself doesn't necessarily mean you have been remiss.
posted by rpfields at 4:58 PM on December 30, 2016 [5 favorites]
Also, agree with the advice above re leashing from now on, revisiting training for "off/leave it" etc., and double-checking that there are no pain issues at play.
Don't be too hard on yourself, though. At the end of the day, your dog did not actually do any damage and stuff like this does happen once in a while, even to responsible owners. You are right to be on top of the situation, especially with an XL dog, but the event itself doesn't necessarily mean you have been remiss.
posted by rpfields at 4:58 PM on December 30, 2016 [5 favorites]
My goodness, lots of theories here. Mine is that little dogs just trigger prey drive in big dogs sometimes. And I say this as the owner of little dogs. I don't like it, but I think it's normal. Regardless of the explanation, the answer is to keep your dog leashed.
posted by HotToddy at 5:02 PM on December 30, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by HotToddy at 5:02 PM on December 30, 2016 [4 favorites]
Same issue with my dog. It's embarrassing. My solution is to avoid other dogs. Which is so not possible, since I live in a big city. But oh well. We took him to obedience school and dog parks to socialize him. He's very sweet, but he's territorial. I hate to give up, but I think avoiding a problem is better than trying to fix one after the fact. We have a cat, so you would think the prey drive would be minimized. I just think some dogs are more prone to that behavior than others. Know your dog, leash him, avoid triggers.
posted by pierogipuppy at 5:23 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by pierogipuppy at 5:23 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
Just to add that proximity to home may well be an issue here too. Our largish rescued lab-staffy cross has acted up in a similar way in the past in/around the door/front garden area. Luckily it was with a similarly sized dog and no physical damage was done but it wasn't a great experience for all concerned. I was mortified and extremely apologetic but the owner of the other dog was relatively sanguine, and responded pretty much in the 'no worries, that's what dogs do sometimes' mode.
Since that incident we're much more vigilant than we used to be in terms of her entering and leaving the house on a lead and she doesn't get to wander out and greet people in the yard any more. Which she hates, but that's the way the dog biscuit crumbles.
posted by Chairboy at 6:25 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Since that incident we're much more vigilant than we used to be in terms of her entering and leaving the house on a lead and she doesn't get to wander out and greet people in the yard any more. Which she hates, but that's the way the dog biscuit crumbles.
posted by Chairboy at 6:25 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]
Our 85 Lbs Akita does great at day care and at dog parks. I've seen dogs posture, snarl, and snap at her and she just backs off and waits for them to calm down or move on. She LOVES other dogs and is generally super sweet.
But if we're out on a walk in the neighborhood and she's on-leash and some other dog gets in her face she will throw down. Both dogs were on their home turf rather than neutral and one was on leash.
Being on leash changes changes a dog's decision making because, if something trips their fight-or-flight response, the leash takes the "flight" option off the table which makes them jump to "fight" and do it just a little bit faster.
They might do better meeting on more neutral territory or something but mostly you just need to remember that your sweet little pupper is still an giant apex predator and always will be.
posted by VTX at 7:45 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
But if we're out on a walk in the neighborhood and she's on-leash and some other dog gets in her face she will throw down. Both dogs were on their home turf rather than neutral and one was on leash.
Being on leash changes changes a dog's decision making because, if something trips their fight-or-flight response, the leash takes the "flight" option off the table which makes them jump to "fight" and do it just a little bit faster.
They might do better meeting on more neutral territory or something but mostly you just need to remember that your sweet little pupper is still an giant apex predator and always will be.
posted by VTX at 7:45 PM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: You just need to apologize to the neighbors and bring their dog some treats. Obviously do this without your dog.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:22 AM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:22 AM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, all. Just a quick clarification, the other dog was off leash as well and wandered into our yard between the driveway and the house. My dog did stop as soon as we said to leave it.
We will be keeping our pup (obligatory photo) on a strict leash on at all times except for off-leash designated areas. We're definitely going to revisit sit/stay/leave it commands because we can never be too prepared and we have a vet appointment scheduled just in case. Went to the dog park this morning like always and she was great with all the little dogs there. Chalking this up to a territory issue and we'll be more careful in the future. Went by the neighbors house and dropped off some little treats too.
Thanks again, everyone! Sometimes I just need some of that good metafilter perspective and, as always, you delivered.
posted by Marinara at 11:53 AM on December 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
We will be keeping our pup (obligatory photo) on a strict leash on at all times except for off-leash designated areas. We're definitely going to revisit sit/stay/leave it commands because we can never be too prepared and we have a vet appointment scheduled just in case. Went to the dog park this morning like always and she was great with all the little dogs there. Chalking this up to a territory issue and we'll be more careful in the future. Went by the neighbors house and dropped off some little treats too.
Thanks again, everyone! Sometimes I just need some of that good metafilter perspective and, as always, you delivered.
posted by Marinara at 11:53 AM on December 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
that is a seriously goodlooking dog.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 4:40 AM on January 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 4:40 AM on January 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Never take your dog off leash until she is inside is the answer, as you stated. And, obviously, more training if your dog didn't respond to a sit or leave-it command when this happened.
posted by HuronBob at 2:59 PM on December 30, 2016 [20 favorites]