Probably a silly question but has anyone ever had a DA dog that has become more accepting of dogs when wearing a muzzle? Just wondered if they knew they couldn't actually bite a dog if they were less aggressive. Flynn has been so good for the past few months around dogs, with the LAT game he has come on in leaps and bounds but today he so very nearly got to another dog and if he had he would have done it some serious damage i'm sure!

Although this is a one off he is so strong that he might get to a dog one day if he sustains the stamina he had today. He huffed at this dog ( a cocker spaniel) and tugged on the lead which set the CS off on a barking mission and to make things worse the owner just stood still, not moving on so they remained in Flynns sight until I eventually managed to drag him away - after he had dragged me in and out of the road I hasten to add. So if I am not physically strong enough to hold him (he is attached by a walking belt) then I think I will have to muzzle him even though this is kind of a one off I can't allow a dog to be put in danger because of him.

Also wanted to know if this is fear aggression or just plain aggression as he was trying to get at the dog and not away from it.

So pi**ed off at the mo!

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Bob is not keen on other dogs..

I bought him the basket muzzle.. if I put it on he is very subdued near other dogs.. I do believe that he knows he is unable to protect himself whilst wearing it..

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That's what I wondered so I am going to try one. It still won't stop him dragging me about if the feeling takes him but at least he won't be able to hurt another dog.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Made absolutely no difference with Rupert, he was just as likely to attack another dog while muzzled as he was unmuzzled. He was actually terrified of other dogs but had learned to attack them before they attacked him. On leash anyway, on the rare occasion he met one while off leash he either avoided it or made friends.

And unfortunately a muzzle doesn't necessarily prevent damage being done. Especially if there's quite a size difference. Rupe got attacked by a JRT type while muzzled and ended up breaking its ribs. If you're really struggling to control Flynn then it may be worth looking at something to help with that too.

Of course it's not just teeth that do damage and Mals actually do "punch" at things too which doesn't help but I have been walking Flynn for nearly four years and nothing like this has ever happened before and I just don't understand why it did today.

I don't struggle with Flynn and he is an exceptionally well behaved dog as far as lead walking goes, had many people comment and even a couple who foster GSD's asked how I managed to get him to behave so well but this DA today reared it's ugly head and has made me feel that I can't continue with his LAT training in case he ever does this again. In future he will be muzzled and I will avoid dogs that come our way. We have never been to the park across the road simply in case and off leaders came up, keeping other dogs safe has always been my priority.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Sometimes it's just one of those days I guess. Rupert had me flat on my back in the mud one day going after another dog. And all it takes is for a large dog to catch you off balance and it can be a nightmare trying to regain control.

Has Flynn had problems with this spaniel before? Or another spaniel. Rupert was far, far worse with some dogs than he was others and his reaction to staffies, bulldogs, bull terriers and labrador puppies was really extreme.

I am curious to understand why you accuse the other owner of making things worse?

It is not the responsibility of OTHER dog owners to take action to avoid the unwanted attention of a DA dog is it?

If my dogs have been the target of out of control dogs, I too have stood my ground as movement can make the DA dog worse.

There is no such thing as "fear aggression" how can a dog be fearful AND aggressive at the same time?

I certainly would not consider a muzzled DA dog to be "safe" with other dogs, as anyone who has seen a muzzle attack by a dog would agree with.

So what do I do with him smokeybear? cage him and treat him like a lion? If a muzzle is still too much of a risk and there is no such thing as fear aggression (see below) then what does one do with a dog who in four years has never shown this amount of anxiety? PTS - perhaps???

What is Dog Fear Aggression? And How to Deal with it

Different Types of Aggression in Aggressive Dogs

How Dogs Display Nervous or Fear Aggression « The Spirit Dog

If I were walking Bruce and a large dog showed what Flynn showed today the last thing I would do is stand there. Surely with the dog barking at him like it was, there is bound to be more of a reaction than if that dog was taken out of the scenario. Both dogs staring at each other is a sure fire way of this escalating.
Your post is full of negatives and of no help at all!

Sarah - I have always avoided this dog in the past and Flynn could have reacted because of this. He see's some dogs and is okay but I know he doesn't like black dogs, as many dogs don't according to a thread I once put up. This dog is partially black and maybe that's why he reacted. He shouldn't have got any vibes from me as I was feeling confident, had I not been I wouldn't have taken Flynn last the dog at all.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Might have been because she spent the whole time sulking but she never went for another dog with a muzzle on although she did have a full on growling with another malamute (didn't know it was a mal thing then).

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R.I.P Barney, I had 4 wonderful years with you, Thank you-29/04/06-25/11/09
The dog who saved my life
Proud owner of Maya, the Rescued Alaskan Malamute

http://www.dog-breeds-plus.com
Mine and My husband's Dog breed website

If you cannot control your dog you should now own it, if you are not strong enough to prevent yourself being dragged into the road you should not walk your dog.

I am not even going to bother to refute the internet links posted, there are still people who belong to the flat earth society.

You can either control your dog or you cannot, if you cannot control your dog when on a lead, then you are overdogged.

I repeat, it is not the responsiblity of other dog owners to control your dog, it is yours, other people are free to do what they wish, no point in blaming others for your own failures is there?

Although this is a common defence.

Of course my post is full of negatives, what is there positive to say?

Putting a muzzle on your dog is not going to prevent him dragging you into the road again is it?