Bax finally got into a fight

[Shalista]

So Bax has gone from super dog-friendly and sucky with humans to awesome with humans and sucky with dogs. I've been very careful for some time with him to limit dog/dog interaction given a few growls and snarks on his part indicating a general lack of interest.

Today we were going on our usual walk when we went to pass Max. Now Max is a big dumb Shepard/ lab mix that sits at the end of a chain in all weather. he likes to run the length of his chain giving big gusty pants as he tries to get to Bax. Bax responds by walking briskly past him and stopping to mark on the closest possible bush. I ALWAYS cross the street to put as much turf between me and max. today was no different.

well, SURPRISE! Max wasn't ON his chain. he came barreling across the street at us full tilt. I just about died. Vet bills loomed large before my eyes.

The good news is, I truly think Max is a big loveable idiot. the bad news is, Bax really isn't. Bax lost every little marble in his tiny little head. he wailed like he was dying. he made sounds I've never heard come from a dogs throat before as he danced on his hind end and went for max's face. Max engaged as well and i did everything i was always told NOT to do and used my body as a shield between them. thankfully i didnt get bit, but i dont think either of them did either.

eventually, Max lost interest and i dragged my wiggling, growling, yowling menace by the leash to pound on Max's door to get them to collect their dog. (I didnt fancy walking bax all the way home with max following along).

I told them (somewhat truthfully ) that their off leash dog had attacked mine. they were very nonchalant about it. collected max. went inside.

Bax seems to be taking it well. I checked him for injuries and no blood is on him (his OR max's). i am worried about fall out from this though. He's about to take a group class in april 16 and i worry about his dog/dog interactions....

 

[JudyN]

Bums He wasn't unprovoked though, a great big lolloping bad-mannered lump of a dog running up to him all excited. Many dogs would have reacted in the same way, particularly when they have a terrier brain. Do you think Max's owners will make more of an effort to keep him chained from now on? If not, do you have any laws about dogs being off lead and out of control on a public highway, and a dog warden who could have a word in their ear?

Do you give Bax treats when he sees another dog? It might help - if you're far enough away from the other dog that Bax can focus on you rather than fixate on the other dog, and in time he might be more inclined to look at you when he sees another dog.

I think you'll have to see how it goes with the training class. Don't be afraid to just sit at the side of the room and give him treats while you watch the other dogs, and don't be afraid to decide that it isn't for him, at least not at this time.

I'm glad no one got bitten

 

[Ari_RR]

Great job jumping in and saving both quadrupeds from injuries!

 

[Shalista]

Bax usually acts hyper excited when he sees another dog. i know Dominance is a bad D word around here but when he "plays" it 100% looks like a competition to see whos top dog. he usually isnt fearful it's just this one big oaf that he's afraid of. im def going to bring alot of treats and find somewhere quite during the class. bax doesnt need to show he's "big" dog at class.

as to the off leash this is the first time ive seen it. the clip may have broken or something. he's usually chained up.

 

[JudyN]

Yes, when Jasper 'plays' you can see he's trying to establish that he's in control, and if he meets a young male, particularly entire and/or cocky, he will firmly tell them that he has the bigger wotsits even if he doesn't know where they are. Though being him, if he's fearful of another dog, he's purely defensive and scared and is more likely to hide under a bush or behind a tree rather than go into attack mode.

 

[Josie]

Oh no @Shalista - I bet the anticipation was awful when you saw he was off his lead.
I’m glad no one was injured and I hope it doesn’t set Bax back :-(

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

That sounds a bit scary for you!
Hope you're both okay, and I hope they get a stronger clip for that other dog!
Rox would have definitely reacted in the same way, she likes greeting dogs when they're friendly and calm, but a reactive mad dog running towards her will put her on edge and she'll get barky with them, I hope this doesn't make him nervy with other dogs now.