Dog walking etiquette

[lvoss]

It is rude behavior for dogs to jump on other dogs and invade their space. It is natural for the dog whose space is being invaded to give distance increasing signals including snapping when other signals are ineffective. The big problem with off leash dogs being around on leash dogs is that the off leash dog usually invades the space of the on leash dog and the on leash dog does not have the option to leave so they escalate to other distance increasing signals.

[nobarkus]

@lvoss:

It is rude behavior for dogs to jump on other dogs and invade their space. It is natural for the dog whose space is being invaded to give distance increasing signals including snapping when other signals are ineffective. The big problem with off leash dogs being around on leash dogs is that the off leash dog usually invades the space of the on leash dog and the on leash dog does not have the option to leave so they escalate to other distance increasing signals.

The thing that happens is these people let their off leash dog walk up to Buddy, who is leashed saying their dog is friendly then Buddy jumps up on the dog to play and the dog snaps. I then get a "he's never done that before".

[lvoss]

And he may not have done that before. Buddy's behavior is very rude and it is not inappropriate for another dog to react by snapping at him to increase the distance between them.

Before Buddy jumps on the other dogs does he invite play by bowing or does he just jump on the other dog? If he invites play, is it reciprocated by the other dog?

It is not right for the other owner to allow their dog to invade Buddy's space and she is setting up a situation that could result in the serious injury of her dog.

[AJs Human]

Mr. Nobarkus, you are right. Proper etiquette for walking a dog in public areas that are not dog parks is on a leash with the owner in control of his or her animal. I have run in to this too. AJ tends to be ornery with other dogs, especially when his space is invaded. He will not take rudeness from any dog and will snap at them.

I was at a groomer one time and two big, galumphing idiot retrievers in a row got bitten right on top of their heads because they rushed him. He was on a leash. The owners were collecting their animals and gave the "look how friendly my dog is" line. I got a dirty look from each of them after AJ corrected their dogs for their rudeness. I just smiled and agreed with them. There's not much they can say when your dog is on a leash and theirs is being rude.

[Quercus]

Right….the dogs that seem the most friendly..jumping on other dogs, approching straight on, are really being the most rude. Labs are a good example...as a whole the breed has absolutely no concept of how to approach more serious dogs politely. Through selective breeding they have been completely neotinized to be compatible with humans, not necessarily dogs speaking dog.

Buddy's 'problem' is really common when some dogs are on leash, and some aren't. He might be more confident because he is ON leash (connected to the power source ), so he throws caution to the wind, and happily jumps on oncoming dogs...who take it as offensive.

Either way...the unleashed dogs are at fault in this case, since the law in this area is on lead. I hate off-leash parks for this very reason. I have to leash my dogs for their safetly, so then they are compromised in their interactions with other dogs, and it always ends badly.

[Shaye's Mom]

Where I live all dogs are required to be leashed, all the time. Naturally mine are, because both Shaye and Gemma will strain at their harnesses trying to get to the other dogs to say hello - I generally tell the owners of smaller dogs that it's best if they don't get close because mine will jump up to play, and smaller dogs do not appreciate that. If they want their large dogs to say hello, usually I will let mine, since neither is aggressive in a bad way, and if they go up on their hind legs, the larger dogs are not threatened by it. Never would I let my dogs near a dog if the owner doesn't agree. I'm hoping that as my stll puppy-brained girls will learn not to jump up as they get older - we try constantly to keep that from happening. A loose dog in our development is quickly reported by everyone who sees it, and our maintenance crew will go collect that dog or drive it off.

[Basenjimamma]

I also have seen that here in our "hood" and it drives me up a wall..you are doing your part by walking your dog on a leash, so IMO, if a dog that is unleashed rushes you or your dog..it is fair game..after all, you want your dog to be protective of you and themselves, right?
When we went to the dog park a few weeks ago to drop Dotty(now Tonks) off to her new owners, we had just pulled into the parking lot when this huge choc.lab came running out of the park and came right towards our car, by now we had parked and were getting out of the car and he was literally in my daughters lap trying to get into the car and, I don't know, say hi or maul Dotty and Otis, who can tell, right? …and he was wet and muddy..if I wanted that in my car or on my children, I would be on the Labrador Forum, not the Basenji forum..
Well the owner, a large female, lets leave it at that, came walking in the distance, not calling her dog or rushing to come help, no she was griping that she had to follow him
instead of him following her..Before she got to him, without apologizing to us mind you, he ran back out into the parking lot and almost got hit by one huge truck, all she was doing is screaming his name, cussing him out in a very loud manner....she didn't even have a leash with her...now that made me mad..

[wizard]

Well while I agree with all that has been said, as with people laws are only for the law-abiding. My Gossy is a very friendly dog, however, it another dog becomes agressive towards her she will reciprocate. I generally pick her up when I see one of these dogs coming before something can happen (although I've been bitten on the elbow as the other dog tries to get at Gossy). But we meet new dogs all the time – maybe carrying a spray bottle of bitter apple or something equally disgusting might help diffuse things -- of course the other person might get upset but T.S., they're in the wrong to let their dog loose in the first place.

[AJs Human]

Wizard, Dog Fog is actually a good idea…could save your dog from horrendous injury or worse...not everyone keeps their dog-aggressive animals under control. Even if your own dog gets it a little, it would be better than the alternative. Good call.

[Basenjimamma]

I have mace with me for my protection, but if it ever got to the point of averting disaster, I would use it on a dog as well..

[AJs Human]

Petra, "Mace" doesn't work on dogs as well as on humans. Pepper spray sort of works, but Wizard is right: bitter apple is very effective.

[Basenjimamma]

Bitter Apple doesn't work at all on our podengo pup, I spray it on furniture and he licks it off, so we tried it on our hands and he licked it off..so much for that, now Otis hates Bitter apple..but as far as walks in tha early am, about 5 am or late pm, after dark, I rather carry Mace for my own protection, against humans..and if I happen upon a dog that is not friendly I will just try what I have on me..walking a dog with two things would be very complicated..
I don't think Bitter Apple would prove very effictive on man..

I just looked on my little walk carry-on and it says pepper mace, so I hope it would work if needed.

[AJs Human]

You should be good with the pepper spray. Try putting a bit of that on a tissue paper and wave it in front of Moses…see how he reacts. It might not work the same, though, because the aerosol effect is lost. Just don't let it get on your skin...it's concentrated capsicum...the active ingredient in chili peppers and it will burn you.

Hey, you're in Texas. If what you carry is Walmart issue, I suggest you go to the local gun store and get the strongest mix you are allowed to have. Last time I bought some, it ran around $20 for a 3-oz can. And it painted the receiver's face orange as a bonus.

[nobarkus]

@lvoss:

And he may not have done that before. Buddy's behavior is very rude and it is not inappropriate for another dog to react by snapping at him to increase the distance between them.

Before Buddy jumps on the other dogs does he invite play by bowing or does he just jump on the other dog? If he invites play, is it reciprocated by the other dog?

It is not right for the other owner to allow their dog to invade Buddy's space and she is setting up a situation that could result in the serious injury of her dog.

Buddy's behavior is very rude?? He's on leash in his own space. If you let your dog walk up off leash to any dog on leash you you are taking your chances on the other dogs behavior. You cannot expect anything. It's like rolling the dice. That's why I have him on leash is because whether on or off he likes to jump up and play with the other dog. I tell people that he will jump up on their dog.

[AJs Human]

Buddy is still a puppy and will behave as puppies do. After he matures, his jumping will probably diminish somewhat and he will become the distinguished Basenji gentleman. Other dogs, if they are offended by his jumping, will correct him on their own terms. If he's not jumping on people, part of that training is already done.

However, I believe Mr. Nobarkus is right…it is up to the owner to keep their animal in check. If they can't do it by voice command, they need to leash their animal. Any dog rushing a Basenji is taking a chance at getting nipped. Unfortunately, most people who own those bounding buffoons do not understand this.

[imbj]

@nobarkus:

I take Buddy sometimes out to this large business park out along SF Bay. It has a nice walkway around it for the public. I used to take my previous 2 Basenjis out there as well. There's a woman who walks her 3 little dogs and 2 are not friendly and one is very aggressive in running up and snarling. I have to hold Buddy back because he'll grab the dog to play. The stupid woman let's the dog run up as she's telling the dog to be nice and it isn't. I passed this lady again and she does the same thing and I hold Buddy back. I got ticked off :mad: and yelled at her "why don't you put him on a leash, he's going to get hurt"!!. She just keeps walking, calling the dog and ignores me. Very rude in that her dog was bothering me when mine was on a leash which is the law actually here. This isn't the first time this has happened with her…

This happens to us ever so often in a park we go to regularly. What I do is call Animal Control/Services, describe the problem, describe the person and the pets, the time of day they come to the park… I think Animal Control/Services will come to the park at that general time of day you specify and the dog owner can/will be cited if the dogs are off-leashed... (In our area, ALL city/public parks have leash laws...)

[Quercus]

@AJs:

Buddy is still a puppy and will behave as puppies do. After he matures, his jumping will probably diminish somewhat and he will become the distinguished Basenji gentleman. Other dogs, if they are offended by his jumping, will correct him on their own terms. If he's not jumping on people, part of that training is already done.

However, I believe Mr. Nobarkus is right…it is up to the owner to keep their animal in check. If they can't do it by voice command, they need to leash their animal. Any dog rushing a Basenji is taking a chance at getting nipped. Unfortunately, most people who own those bounding buffoons do not understand this.

I agree it IS the human's responsiblity to control the situation, and Dan is definitely doing that. But it is also really irritating and frustrating to have your dog getting "in trouble" because other people aren't controlling their dogs. Personally, I can't take that kind of irritation…so I yell at people to leash their dogs, or my dog will hurt them (whether they would or not). Some people actually have to learn the hard way...and they will STILL blame the dog on the leash

[Quercus]

@imbj:

This happens to us ever so often in a park we go to regularly. What I do is call Animal Control/Services, describe the problem, describe the person and the pets, the time of day they come to the park… I think Animal Control/Services will come to the park at that general time of day you specify and the dog owner can/will be cited if the dogs are off-leashed... (In our area, ALL city/public parks have leash laws...)

Wow! How awesome that Animal Control is so responsive! Last week I had a hard time getting the POLICE to come out and intervene with a drunk driver about to return to the streets!

[nobarkus]

@Quercus:

I agree it IS the human's responsiblity to control the situation, and Dan is definitely doing that. But it is also really irritating and frustrating to have your dog getting "in trouble" because other people aren't controlling their dogs. Personally, I can't take that kind of irritation…so I yell at people to leash their dogs, or my dog will hurt them (whether they would or not). Some people actually have to learn the hard way...and they will STILL blame the dog on the leash

That's right Andrea, I can't say your B has bad manners because he snaps when it's on a leash and theirs is running loose up to it. There's a guy that walks his 2 Pitbulls at the same place and he has them leashed and he will walk way around me, like 30 feet out so as not to bother me. I can see they might be trouble but he's being very responsible in keeping away. If I let Buddy loose and he ran up to them to just smell, not even jumping up, and they bit him it's my fault. Now if he walked right by me, without warning me his dogs might be aggressive to where the dogs could mingle that would be a different story. I keep Buddy back, by stepping off to the side even when I pass people on a thin hiking trail so Buddy does not jump up or get close whether they have a dog or not.

[lvoss]

@nobarkus:

Buddy's behavior is very rude?? He's on leash in his own space. If you let your dog walk up off leash to any dog on leash you you are taking your chances on the other dogs behavior. You cannot expect anything. It's like rolling the dice. That's why I have him on leash is because whether on or off he likes to jump up and play with the other dog. I tell people that he will jump up on their dog.

The woman is wrong to let her dog off leash and allow it to invade other dog's space but Buddy's behavior of jumping on other dogs is rude dog behavior and I would absolutely expect that the other dog would react by snapping at him if growling and other lower level signals didn't back him off. You are doing the right thing by walking him leashed and not allowing him to do this to other dogs.

To read the articles on the site below you need to sign up for a free account but there is a very good one called "He Just Wants To Say Hi" which addresses the issue of rude behavior and the response other dogs have to it. http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/18/94/

Sophie's litter brother Ringo behaves this way and it got him beat up at the dog park by a husky who didn't much appreciate his rudeness. His owners are very careful when they have him out on walks or at dog parks and try to head off this behavior before it leads to problems. Their dog walker has not always been so careful.