Dogs fighting

I am getting fed up with the amount of aggressive dogs I come across. Today Abby was involved in three fights, twice with one dog and once with another.

I went down to my local park this morning, and there was the usual group of dogs running about, and a couple of new ones I hadn't seen before. I let Abby go, and she ran to the group and started playing, as usual, then one of the strange dogs attacked her, for no apparent reason. (This was a bulldog type of dog, but I think it was probable a cross. Myself and the other owner, both grabbed our dogs and pulled them apart, and he released his again a few yards away.
What happened then, was I let Abbey go, and she started playing with another dog, when the aggresive dog came in for another attack. I was further away this time, and it took me longer to get to her, and I pulled her off the other dog, which was on the ground. Then the other dog stood there, ready to continue fighting, but standing off because I was standing over Abby. (I was holding Abby by the collar) So then the owner comes up, shouting and swearing at his dog, grabs it, and throws it about 6 feet, and the dog runs off in the other direction. At no time did the owner say anything to me. You could see from his manner that he was the arragant and ignorant type of charactor.

By this time I had had enough, and Abby was wound up, so I took Abby off in the opposite direction, where there was a bulldog, who we knew well, and a skinny looking GSD type of dog. So Abby, then goes running up to the GSD and they have a sniff, and circle each other. Abby is wagging her tail, and all seems OK. But the GSD's owner is calling his dog, which is taking no notice, so I called Abby. As she ran over to me, the GSD ran up behind her and went for her neck. Abby, being Abby, retaliated, and put the other dog on its back, but they were still going hammer and tongs. I called her, loud and harsh, as I ran towards her, and she looked up but didn't come, and I called her again and then she came to me. (Considering her adrenalin must have been running sky high, I was amazed she did) I think the other dog had had enough, because it stayed where it was, and the owner grabbed it, not saying anything to me, and walked away with it. Unfortunately, his back was turned when his dog attacked Abby, so he didn't see what happened.

Pleased to say, and much to my surprise, Abby appeared unhurt, but I don't know about the other dogs.

I was talking it over with my wife when Abby and I got home. (She wasn't over the park with us when this happened) When we had our two collies, in the 80's, they used to come everywhere with us, and only on one occasion, did they get involved in a fight with another dog. They would always be off lead, over parks and commons etc, and would meet many dogs, all which seemed friendly and good natured. So why is it now that things have changed? The only thing we can think of is that it could be all the artificial flavourings and preservatives they put in the food.

Abby is the type of dog, which is generally inclined to be friendly and playful, but will not back down if another dog shows aggression. To a degree, this worries me, because if she meets too other many agressive dogs, she may feel she needs to get in first. Then I would have an agressive dog on my hands, which I feel would be through no fault of my own.

Now, I know there have always been dogs that fight, but do other members think (and probably only older members could give an answer to this) dogs are more agressive today than, say 30 years ago, and what do they think could be the reason. The first dog I had, which was a beagle cross, was fed on the same food as the family, and lived to 16 years, and was in good health, never had any vacinations, and never went or needed to go to the vets untill her last few months. This is what makes me think there might be something in tins of dogfood, and/or the dry food.

I'm not sure i totally understand your post but why did you let your dog off lead in the 1st place when you knew there was a strange dog in the vicinity?

I personally wouldnt put mine in that positon of retaliation if they were known to 'stick up' for themselves it causes more trouble in the long run and harder to rectify than it is to cause.

As for your other question (i'm only 32) but i do remember when everyones neighbours dog was your friend how they followed us everywhere to make dens and the like but in todays society that just isnt an option no more sadly mums do go to work the dogs are left on their own more the lack of socialisation is there, kids prefer playstations instead of playing with the family dog and it gets overlooked so much so its a chore to many.

Bring back them days i say!!

I think part of it is as you say, all the additives in some of the foods which can certainly make dogs much more hyper. When I was young, ADHD in children was never heard of either and not just misdiagnosed, I think it just did`nt particularly occur because we did`nt eat so much additive laden junk as nowadays, and some dog foods have gone the same way imo.
I also think part of it is more dogs living closer to each other with so much crammed housebuilding these days, so more occurences are bound to happen in heavily built up areas compounded by fewer people [ comparatively speaking ], going to puppy socialisation and basic training classes because life is more hectic now than years ago, so more dogs tend to have more insular lives in many cases so when they do get to go out and about they have more steam to let off but with less dog savvy owners at the helm so to speak.

More and more people seem to keep dogs on lead, never letting them socialise at a time when their dogs are young and inquisitive and would benefit the most from it with other young dogs, but lets face it, the way crime is now with muggings and dog thefts while people are having a relaxed walk, its no wonder many people dare not let their dogs off lead if there is a chance they could go out of sight and be stolen.

It has to be said as well, there has been such a growth lately in the popularity of certain breeds originally bred for fighting, many owned by people who should`nt be allowed an Aibo let alone a real dog, that the sight of them has many people instantly panicking for their own dogs safety which the dogs pick up on and many become fear aggressive themselves for no other reason than that.

There are many other factors I think, but those seem to be the most predominant ones to me anyway

I think food could be partly to do with it,but also we are seeing more aggressive Children than when we were younger.I think it is society breaking down and peoples lack of consideration for others that is also to blame.Where I live and walk my dog we all know one another and which dogs are safe to play with if we see strangers on our field we are cautious until we meet them and the dog and then maybe let our dog off or not.
I think it is a sad fact of life now and something we have to be aware of.

I can't see what you don't understand about my post, as you don't say, but to answer your question.

The reason I let Abby off lead, was because the first dog was running around, and appeared OK with the group of dogs, that Abby is familiar and friendly with, and normally plays with. (If you never let your dog offlead with other dogs, how will they socialise?) Due to this, and also because the strange dog was off lead in the first place, I considered it would be OK.

My theory is that this strange dog, considering itself "pack leader" saw Abby as a challenge.

Again, in the case of the second dog, as it was happily playing with another dog we knew well, I assumed, again as the owner had it offlead, that it would be OK. This person saw me approaching, and had plenty of time to put his dog on lead, or shout a warning, if he knew his dog was aggressive. (This dog only attacked Abby when she was running away from it, as I had called her to me)

I think some of the dogs are unbalanced, and their owners are just as bad for not recognising this.

I think one of the most pleasing and rewarding things about owning a dog, is to see them running free, and playing happily with other dogs. (but only if they are non-agressive and well trained in the recall)

Again, a previous fight she got into, was with a GSD. On the previous accasion we saw this dog, she was playing, and running around with it quite happily. Next time she saw it, she approached it, and the GSD went for Abby without warning. This was a nasty fight, and Abby lost some of her fur, but luckily wasn't otherwise hurt. So this incident, which happened about two months ago, just doesn't make sense to me.

Patch, I think you make some good points, and I agree owners and circumstances are to some degree responsible for the situation. Certainly, aggressive dogs being kept on lead would help.

Lynn, you are right, kids have never been so badly behaved, and I think the responsibility lies with the parents. In many cases it is spare the rod, spoil the child. Likewise with bad dog behaviour, some owners just don't seem to care.

Sorry to hear this Ray, it is very upsetting isnt it, I was saying in a post I made yesterday about me and Jess being attacked by a nasty dog, it does seem more and more dogs are aggressive now than when I was a child..

I really cant comment about dogs 30years ago, im only 22. Yet they probably were friendlier, as society was in general back then from what I gather...

I cant understand why owners of aggressive dogs let thier dog off the lead, I know if my Jess was violent she wouldnt ever go off the lead...

I too agree with you patch.

I'm very pleased to announce that due to being only 27 I can't remember about dogs 30 years ago either!

But on a serious note, I think it has more to do with todays society. Some parents don't give a stuff about their kids - why are they going to give a stuff about a dog? These days nobody takes responsibility for their own actions, it's always someone elses fault!

God I sound like my Dad, if this is what I'm like at 27 can you imagine what I'll be like in 30 years time!

Not sure about this...30 years ago people opened their doors and let their dogs out to roam....perhaps we didn't see the fights.

ps. I din't however as I was only *6 30 years ago....