some time ago before other dog aggression developed fully in my Male Malamute. I was walking him through a park, there is this man with approx 6 dogs a mixture of JRT's yorkies etc all little dogs, but he has them all running about freely and they are not very well behaved, anyway I was walking along with my dog wearing a halti, and all these little dogs ran up and surrounded us, yapping and such, I was surrounded, I called to the man to call his dogs which he did but they took no notice, the dogs continues to yap at us, my male stood there totally confused with the whole thing and I was amazed he didnt kick off with them, then I happened to look behind my dog where a few of the dogs had gone, and couldnt believe my eyes two of the little buggars were trying to mount him they were handing onto his back legs for dear life going at it my dog looked like he was wearing bloomers, thank goodness, I had a tight hold of my dog, and eventually the fella managed to get his dogs hook up to some string he was carrying(did'nt have leads ) and then we continued our walk, this was the last time I know, that my male reacted fairly calmly when other dogs are near.

MO

we saw a lady a few weeks ago with 6 or 7 little tiny yappy dogs dont know what they were but max was so bemused but chased one at first as i think he thought it was a squirrel and when they started yapping very loudly the look on his face was priceless he didnt know what to do with himself

Don't get me started on this one. I think I've already ranted about this on another thread. I'm sick to death of these irresponsible (IMO) owners. Satch's never started a fight, but he will bark back if another dog starts on him, and I've no doubt he wouldn't just sit there if an aggressive dog started on him. He might be a complete softie, but he's a softie with 450psi in his jaws and a lot of muscle - I dread to think what'd happen to an unrealistically over-confident dog who started on him. And, of course, it'd all be my fault for owning a 'vicious' breed!

Becs

We walk Loki on lead in built up areas, by roads, etc. but in open fields we let him off because he has so much energy to use up and he needs a good run. He does have a tendency to run after other dogs but only because he loves to play, however we do put him on the lead if we see another on-lead dog, and if he runs after other dogs we do try to stop him/get him back. We also put him on the lead if we see a dog which looks like it might not want to play and only let him play if it is friendly.

i am very lucky. my best friend is a dog walker, and her aunt is a dog walker. i meet her at lunchtimes, and we all get together on weekends. Generally including my four there is 14/15 dogs, that all play together, or ignore each other. Weekends we have had a max of 25 dogs all romping about.
This makes for a great education for my dogs, who do their own thing even when alot of dogs about... my dogs are very dog friendly, and have learnt the doggy rules: occasionally a fight breaks out over a stick but the fight is short and the winner gets the stick and the loser accepts the 'subordinate' role. so when i am on my own with them, they arent 'desperate' to run up to other dogs, as so many dogs act these days (or over friendly, whatever you want to call it).
Also the boys will 'lie down' on command, so i just have to worry about getting the girls back i they are all off together (makes my life a bit easier) when we walk on the pavement only the two girls are on leads, and the boys walk ahead off lead. again if something comes up, i ask them to hold until its passed. Do you think this is irresponsible?
Also i agree with whoever said the small dogs (like yorkies) get away with murder, people forget they might not cause the problem, but they certainly do get into alot of trouble! My biggest peet-hate is people that let their older pups off the lead, who dont have that proper recall, and the dog follows us, and they dance and scream all they like, but that dog aint coming back. i just keep walking (unless i have time to stop and wait) but this seems to annoy the owners, like its MY fault!

My biggest annoyance is people who seem to think it is okay to let their dogs (no matter what size or shape) come straight up to my dogs to "greet" them or whatever without even asking my permission first. Kip is dog aggressive and on more than one occasion she has managed to get a hold of another dog who has come bounding over with the owner walking on completley oblivious, then I am told all about my "devil" dog etc when I politley inform them it is their responsibility to ensure their dogs are controlled and I will gladly call the police who will inform them I am in the right as my dogs are on a lead.

I have no problems with people walking their dogs off lead, I just expect a bit of courtesey when they pass me even just to hold their dogs collar or put the lead on until they are passed again (I meant it does not take much). A few times I have told people on approaching would they stop their dog from coming near mine as Kip is not good with other dogs (usually when it is charging for us) and they get quite annoyed because THEIR dog is friendly.....not so with mine though. My dog Kip is dog aggressive therefore I keep her on lead, I sometimes feel those who consistently let their dogs annoy mine oh fuck it I will let them off and see how long their dogs last - teach them a lesson. Of course I never actually do, and never would but the tought does go through my head from time to time.

Kip is dog aggressive so she only gets off lead when I am somewhere I have a clear view so I can get her back on lead (this is where a treat comes in handy) before the other people approach or when she is with me on a 1 to 1 basis as she is much more focused on me then. Cassy is quite laid back, has excellent recall and is completley focused on people and will do anything to please but I still choose to keep her on a lead as there are so many dogs running free and a lot of peole who let their dogs run ragged I know Cassy will tolerate these dogs and she is usually good with others but like I hav said in the past she will not start a fight but by god she will finish it.

Laura

I've had this problem many times before, I keep Ozzy on the lead in public places but the amount of times dogs run up to him and growl or snap off lead, grrr. I think it is because they are fearful with him being so big - small dogs are the worst for it, but I blame their owners though for not having them under control. I sometimes think they see him being on a lead and think to themselves oh well, I don't have to bother controlling mine.

I've even had people laugh and say stuff like "Oh he'd eat you for breakfast" - I'd like to see how funny they thought this was if Ozzy was to get hold of them while they were snapping at him - then you could guarantee it would be my 'vicious Rottweilers' fault and no doubt he would end up getting put to sleep.

I can fully sympathize with anyone who has to deal with this.

i'll tell ya wots annoying, when both parties allow their dogs to play, and the other persons dog attacks or something and the owner says 'oh hes never done that b4'

well I am glad that its not just me getting my knickers in a twist about it.

Jess you made a point about having your two male dogs stay when they are walking in front and anything is coming towards you -
Can I ask though- If I was walking towards you with Bruno - I know that if your two were not on the lead and coming towards him - he would bark and growl at them - I assume your dogs would not retaliate - which is why you dont have them on leads ??

Dont get me wrong - I quite envy people who have their dogs so well trained ( or that there dogs are naturally well behaved) that they can freely walk them off lead - it just irritates me that many of these people dotn have the necessary consideration for other dog owners to at least put them on a lead whilst passing me or calling them back when they are pounding across the park towards Bruno who by this point is already licking his lips !!!!

I agree with someone elses comment mentioning those who let their little dogs run round Bruno or sniffing him and they are halfway down the park paying no attention - they would be first to scream at me if Bruno actually managed to get one in his mouth....

I would also point out that a whole problem with dogs who are aggressibve towards other dogs tend to be worse on the lead and therefore the owners who allow their dogs to run up to them just actually go to reinforce the action in the aggressive dog as myself as an owner will automatically pull Bruno in close to me to make sure he doesnt hurt the other dog - but this reinforces to him that I am scared or whatever and need protection so he automatically goes on the defensive !!!

Dani

in answer to your question, i would ask for a sit-stay, and wait until you had passed, or preferably walk around you. i try to avoid people with dogs on leads where possible, as i dont know how those dogs will react to MINE, even though i know mine are fine.

now for the bit where i appear to be nasty - no offence intended..

why are so many dogs, dog-agressive? i have been putting it down when i meet people to them not socialising them properly from young... but that must not be the case with people on here... how about seeing a behavourist etc etc?
sorry dont mean to get your backs up, but isnt this fixable?