The dog next door

Hi, the neighbours has a problem with there dog, it is about 8 years old now and has always had this problem but I saw it first hand last night.

It is supposedly a lakeland terrier, but ther might be a bit of something else in it.

The problem is it will attack any other dog it sees, they have to keep it muzzled at all times apart from when it is in the house. But it has been free running with Blackie and they are good friends (But I am still wary) It never seems to want to go for him or anything.

Last night the owner went to see a relation of theres with this dog and asked if I wanted to bring Blackie along too, so off we went both dog's quite happy and we got to the other persons gate and they let there dog out to greet our two. The neighbours dog ran at the relations dog ( a Labrador cross) jumped on his back and was in the fighting stance. he had to be dragged off this poor lab's back. Now the Lan is a bitch and he is a male.

Doe's anyone have any ideas why he doe's this. To me he is just a nasty dog, but why is he so friendly towards Blackie?

Ian
Here's a picture of it, Bye the way it was got from a rescue centre, so we don't know it's background.
[IMG][/IMG]

Sorry about the long post

theres no such thing as a nasty dog - just poor socialisation - the dog has not been taught how to be with other dogs - I have had a rescue dog that was dog aggressive and he would be great with some dogs and poor with others

Has Blackie ever given him a good telling off? If so, he probably respects Blackie too much to try it on. Or, it could just proximity - he is used to Blackie and sees him as no threat.

It would pay to keep a close eye out when they are together just in case. Some dogs, unfortunately, are aggressive through learned behaviour or genetic disposition. There are some dogs that are just plain nasty. The saying 'no bad dogs, only bad owners, is far too simplistic.

Do you think this terrier may be attacking out of fear that he might get set upon so he wants to get in first?

poor dog - sorry have to disagree I really don't believe that a dog is just nasty - jmho



Edited to add: forgot to add some dogs can be affected by mental problems - still don't think it makes them nasty - I guess it just depends on how you interpret the word nasty

Hello SB, I think that Blackie has given him the eye once or twice, and I did see this other dog looking at one of my cat's once and Blackie went and stood in front of him and give a bark, so I think he has been put in his place there. I don't know about the other part, I think it may be a case of little against large if you know what I mean, as he has taken chunks out of a rottie, so he sees no bounds. He may have had a bad start, but then again we will never know. Then I am seeing the same thing happening to the neighbour but one's dog, that is a border terrier and that is going the same way, and I know it is well cared for, so in my mind it might be a terrier thing, you get good and bad in all breeds.

I will be keeping a very close eye on them both if theyre ever out together, because Blackie won't fight, he just stands there getting attacked if you understand what I mean. Once a Alsation attacked him, got him by the scruff and Blackie just stood there screaming, luckily Blackie was ok but it could have been nasty.

Thanks for youre advice SB.

Ian

hi

This is what Bruno can be like - he is great with Josie - my friends bitch - but with anything elsde he just wants to attack. It took a while though and we socialised Bruno with Josie as much as possible - and introduced them slowly. Josie has goen for Bruno over food and Bruno did not retalitate so believe with Bruno its more fear/defensive aggression - as I act completely differently with JOsie than with other dogs as I walk with my friend a- my tone of voice is completely different and I dont tense uyp with Josie as I know that Bruno is ok with her - he obviously picks up on the fact that I am more relaxed.

I think it will just take time with this dog - it doesnt sound socialised and I have to disagree with SB, as if he was a truly nasty dog then he woudl be like this with all dogs IMO, not select few - its down to socialisation - perhaps he has been attacked by a lab in the past - you just dont know - but he doesnt sound like a lost cause tome and probably with a bit of socialisation he will come round..

dani

Well it has been going on for a long time now, about 4-5 years and he hasn't changed, he attacks any dog, that's why I can't understand why he is ok with Blackie. Unless Blackie's 'eye' is so strong that he daren't attempt anything. To miy recollection he has attacked about 12 dogs. So it isn't just one breed either.

Ian

They have asked the RSPCA, PDSA,vet etc but no one can help, I think he is a lost cause.

no dog is a lost cause - you just need a better understanding of the reasons behind the behaviour and also a check up just to make sure theres nothing wrong medically - but your neighbours need to see a dog behaviourist

That's the problem Emm, they can't really afford to see one, the cheapest around here is about £80 an hour, which if it was Blackie having problems I would scrimp and save for but they won't.

Ian

its crazy it costs so much to see a behaviourist - would they be willing to spend money on books on dog aggression? If they were theres a really good online shop called crosskeys and they have several good books on aggression and also a work book you can work through the reasons and understanding - the problem is because its gone on for so long it will probably take a very long time if ever to help the dog