Only this morning, I watched a familiar scene play out with two other owners and their dogs. One owner with their dog on lead, the other owner with two dogs off lead. One of the off lead dogs (a Jack Russell) ran over to the on lead dog (Lurcher) and started to attack it. The Lurcher did retaliate and the Jack Russell backed off but then went back for more, the Lurcher's owner was using her ball thrower to try and get the Jack Russell to get off her dog. Meanwhile the Jack Russell's owner was repeatedly shouting her dogs name and trying to grab him.
Usually, I am the owner with the dog on lead who can potentially be aggressive, then I have an off lead dog running over wanting to say hello and I have to do my best to keep Ben calm and get out of there pronto. Because of other dog owners not having the courtesy to put their dog on a lead or not being able to control their dog, I walk with Ben in places I know I will not see many other dogs and where I can see far ahead in the distance. Early walks are great as well, the mornings where I have managed to get up at 5am have been brilliant, we are able to go to the local park where there is usually lots of dogs, but we don't see any at that time! I must try and do that more often.
Every time Ben reacts to a dog, he is practising this problematic behaviour and then I get us away immediately, therefore his barking and lunging has worked so its a no wonder he continues to do it! This is why I now do my best to prevent Ben reacting to other dogs, I carry high value treats with me at all times, treats he does not have at home. The best thing I have found to do is throw treats on the floor and tell him to find them, he loves playing find it games at home and he is the same on walks. Great distraction technique whilst the other dog walks by. He is still aware of the other dog going by but he is doing something fun and isn't stressed. I make sure I throw the treats away from the direction of the other dog.
I am not afraid to shout ahead to owners to ask them to put their dog on lead and to warn them that mine can be aggressive sometimes. I have even said this to people and they have put their dog on lead but then walked way to close to me, so Ben has reacted and they have said "oh dear I see what you mean". This is not helpful in any way. I have also avoided people with their dogs, and people with certain breeds like German Shepherds or Staffordshire Bull Terriers have been offended. I have to then explain its not their dog I am concerned about, its mine!
Don't get me wrong, there are many dog owners that happily put there dog on lead when I ask, or do it automatically. Its hard as Labradors are seen as a friendly breed so even with his muzzle on a lot of people think its because he is a scavenger.
So if you are a dog owner reading this or thinking of being a dog owner, have the courtesy to put your dog on a lead if you see an approaching dog that is on lead. When walking your dog, be aware of your surroundings, I have lost count of the amount of dog walkers I see on their phones or chatting with other dog walkers and not watching their dog and approaching dogs. I was guilty of this when I first got Ben before he developed these issues, but now I have experienced how difficult it is to manage a reactive dog I am 100% focused on my surroundings and what Ben is doing. If I walk my mums dog I am the same, I will put him on lead if I see a dog approaching on lead. At the end of the day it could be his safety at risk if he went over and got attacked.
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