Small dog attacking DShep

[PhilW]

Hello,

I'm new here, and this question is probably posted somewhere in here, but I couldn't find it. So sorry if it's a repost.

My DShep and I were at the "big" dog park (there's a "small" dog park nearby.) My shep walks over in a friendly manner (he's very friendly) and the little dog (maybe 2kg) attacks him. My dog trys to defend himself, and pushes the little one down. We break it up, seperate for awhile, but now my shep can't stay away from the little one.They get in another "fight" and the little dog gets a cut lip.

My shep is usually very very good about not bothering little dogs and coming back to me when I call, but today he just wanted to dominate that dog and keep from getting bit, and then couldn't keep away.

I guess what I am looking for is if anyone has experience or advice on this topic?

He is the best with dogs his size and has many friends (dogs) and is loved at the kennel and park in general.

I just don't want him to kill a dog. (which I don't think he would, but how can you ever be 100% sure?))

Thanks,
PhilW

[Schlussdibusti]

Ah, I better not answer this one.......

Let him grab the little punk and put him out of his misery

[PhilW]

I wouldn't mind an opinion.

[CaroleBoaz]

Generally speaking, dog parks are bad places. Little dogs with big dogs is also a recipe for disaster. I would not take your dog in there if that little dog is present. Your dog is never going to forget that incident. And I doubt if that little dog's manners will ever improve.

[PhilW]

I feel the same way generally. There are two parks next to each other one for big dogs like Javi and one for little dogs. Usually it stays that way and everything is fine. Occasionally a little dog comes in and most of the time it's fine but not this time. I would just like to train him to stay away from little dogs. Is that crazy?

[alspyce]

Then what will you do when you get your next DS puppy??

Seriously, I think teaching your dog to avoid All small dogs is going to give him the wrong message-thinking there really is something "wrong" with the little ones- and possibly increase the chances of him attacking them. I'd work on teaching him to just mind his own business in general, not a specifically targeted size/distraction.
I too never use dog parks (or any other free-for-all dog situations). You may get your dog to do exactly what you ask of him but you can't control OTHER People Dogs.
Others here are more informed on current training methods than I, so I'm sure you'll get some good advice.

[Dutchringgirl]

I agree with the others, I do NOT go to dog parks any more. I would go only with Thalie but NEVER with Sadie ( shes my pup). I would find other places to play. I do take both of them for walks down Main st, its more controlled and when I am going to pass someone else with a dog, I pull aside onto the grass and put both of them in a sit as they go by, I also have prongs on both of them for added power steering. Then they learn that other dogs are okay but not to go over to them.

[CaroleBoaz]

I would just like to train him to stay away from little dogs. Is that crazy?

Train a very good recall. But it won't keep the little dogs from pestering your dog.

[Dutchringgirl]

When I was in training for Ring, one of the excersises we did was, put the dog in a down-stay in a room, make sure the dog knows down and stay, then we would let a hamster in a ball free in the room, the dog could NOT move no matter what, even if the hamster rolled right up to the dog... it never did but... you get my point, start with the dog on a leash, you could have a toy thingy that moves, then start from there, so eventually when the real live thingy that moves comes up to her she would have a good down and stay, then you could yell at the owner for letting their dog jump on yours.

I had that happen the second time I took Sadie to my dog park, I stayed waaaaaaaaaay out on the edge and away from everyone, but since they let their dogs loose and dont teach any manners two came up to mine, Sadie is on a leash and Thalie is loose but has a tight heal, Sadie was pretty good and stayed with me the the other people thought it was cute when they couldnt get their dog under control, they heard my opinion.

[PhilW]

Thanks all. I'm reading these.

[kchristy]

I agree that Javi will probably always have a problem with that dog. I had the same situation with one of my moms dogs. Merlin (my ds) is very, very, easy to get along with. He loves all other dogs, unless they are barking and acting aggressive. Even then he just stares them down til the hair is so high on his neck he looks like a cat! Anyway, point of the story, my mom has this one little dog that is such a jerk and has no manners. He attacked Merlin once and Merlin backed down from the fight, being that he is a puppy, but still bit back as he was backing down. My moms dog, with just the little bite he received, was gushing blood from his face. Merlin has had TONS of social interaction with other dogs and never bit one til now. I can no longer let Merlin around this dog, because he tends to always get in an arguement with him.

[turnnburn52984]

We'd take our Pointer to dog parks, and let her blast around, but she'd generally ignore all other dogs, and just go act like a bird dog on crack. WHEN Koenig is allowed to join in the 'fun', he's nearly always got an e collar on, AND he's working. He'll be in a heel, doing a down stay, or some type of focused OB work.

I think dog parks are a recipe for disaster. In reality, it does not matter that my dog (Koenig) has a 100% reliable recall, and is always under voice command. Another dominant, nasty dog could come up, one who's owner has no control. A dog fight could easily start, and it'd get ugly. I've seen dog park fights- complete with people pulling out 8'' blades to slit throats of dogs that won't let go. It's not pretty.

I still go on occasion with Koe- but he's always working, and he also has a pretty cool love of jumping...which includes the foundry fence, so I could always send him over that if things got hairy.

I guess, in summary, I don't like dog parks. I do think they're an AWESOME training venue though! (WHEN YOUR DOG IS READY FOR THE LEVEL OF DISTRACTION THEY PRESENT!) What better place to proof a down stay, then with 20+ dogs running up to yours while he's in a long down? I think that training in this situation is the ONLY reason that my reactive dog passed his BH, when an intact male that was out of control charged him. Koenig had been in that situation before, and knew not to move a muscle, or he'd loose the tug reward.....

[Lauren]

I guess, in summary, I don't like dog parks. I do think they're an AWESOME training venue though! (WHEN YOUR DOG IS READY FOR THE LEVEL OF DISTRACTION THEY PRESENT!) What better place to proof a down stay, then with 20+ dogs running up to yours while he's in a long down? I think that training in this situation is the ONLY reason that my reactive dog passed his BH, when an intact male that was out of control charged him. Koenig had been in that situation before, and knew not to move a muscle, or he'd loose the tug reward.....

Thanks, Kelly. That gives me hope for the future with my reactive girl!

[PhilW]

Thanks again for the responses.