dog chases other dogs and barks causing agression in other dog

[cheryl virtue]

Three weeks ago we adopted a male rescue shar pei. He is fitting in very well and is socializing well at the dog park except that, like our other shar pei, he likes to chase other dogs who are chasing their balls or toys, which is usually fine, except with border collies and similar breeds who are bvery possesive with their ball and prefer to be the "herder". He gets very excited if they growl at him and wont leave it and starts to bark and close in on the collie which makes the collie growl and become agressive also. He wont leave it or listen to me, which he usually does otherwise, and the dog owners get nervous. No-one has gotten hurt, but the I have to keep him on leash when 3 particular dogs are at the park which is a shame because we go there every day and otherwise he is great with everyone, and very good at coming to me when I call him. The other owners are very co-operative and suggest we try to let them run together to see if they can work it our, but he keeps doing the same thing. My other shar pei female likes to chase the retreiving dogs too, but has always backed off from the border collie types that dont like it. How can I stop him from chasing these dogs?

[Lucky Rescue]

I do NOT suggest "letting them work it out". If neither is willing to back down, you could have an ugly situation on your hands. I also think dog parks are a very bad idea, mainly because you have no way of knowing what other people's dogs will do.

Many dog owners have no idea how to recognize signs of aggression or dominance until the dogs actually get into a fight. Fights can happen in the blink of an eye, and no one is fast enough to head it off.

Border collies often cause aggressive reactions in other dogs because of their tendancy to stare, (not to mention that many of them can be very aggressive themselves) and I think your dog is behaving normally under the circumstances. You are putting him in a position where he feels he must protect and defend his property.

Letting dogs who are inclined to be dog aggressive loose with balls and toys at a dog park is a recipe for diaster.

I have a pit bull who is not particularly aggressive, but I would never take her to a dog park. It's just not worth the risk.

Your dogs have each other to play with. I would stick with that.

[Carina]

I would not take these dogs to a dog park ever - it is way too risky...I'm not trying to be rude, but if I was at a park and someone's dogs were persistently and aggressively chasing other dogs, I would ask them to leave, or leave myself.

I have Rottweilers - two play nice with *almost* every dog there is, and one does not. I wouldn't even take the friendly ones to a dog park with strange dogs running around free - even as tolerant as my one male is, I assure you he would not put up with another dog harrassing him indefinitely! It's not worth the risk - and dog fight are terrifying. I've had to break up fights (including one between two 100lb dogs) and the risk of damage is really high to both dogs and people. Letting dogs work it out can result in terrible wounds and a horrendous vet bill (or a dead dog) in a blink of an eye.

If you really want to continue with the dog park idea, I think you have to first get your dog proofed so he will listen to you around distactions instead of blowing you off when he feels like it. A good group obedience class is a great place to start, sounds like he needs more solid obedience.

And maybe you can pick a time when there's fewer dogs, or talk to the ball-dogs' owners to find an alternative time to visit so their dogs & yours aren't there at the same time?

[Kunna]

Lucky....I guess I am a very strong proponent of off leash dog parks. Having supervised many, most dogs are much better becoming acquainted with other dogs (socializing) rather than keeping them away. I have been in both situations and I would much prefer to have a dog who is well socialized then one who is not. What we normally do at off leash dog parks is designate a section for ball tossing and a section for dog walking. So far, at a number of off leash dog parks, it works quite well. There are always going to be risks involved (both human and dog) and unfortunately that is a risk that many people will take. We take a water spray with us and in that way, if anyone becomes agressive, we can at least react. And, like anything, there are always the dick heads in the group who bring aggressive, unruly dogs (unfortunately I have had to forego off leash dog parks because my part border goes after people and until he becomes tolerant that's the way it will stay).

To the person with the sharpee's, take them to an area where there isn't ball tossing. Keep it to dog walking and avoid areas where you might encounter that problem.

[Lucky Rescue]

I have been in both situations and I would much prefer to have a dog who is well socialized then one who is not.

I agree - dogs should all be very well socialized. However, some breeds (and some individual dogs) are predisposed to being dog aggressive, and it's a good idea to understand that NO socialization or training is going to change that.

"It's all in how you raise them" does not apply if the dog in question is a pit bull, Akita or other breed that tends toward dog aggression. My own dog is very well socialized, loves all people and other animals - but not other dogs. I accept that, she knows she must behave when out on leash, but I know that trying to make her play with other dogs would end very badly (for the other dog.)

You can't train or socialize the urge to pull out of a husky, the urge to run out of a greyhound, or the urge to fight out of a pit bull.

As long as you know that your dog will never react aggressively, and if you can be absolutely sure that no other dog in the dog park will either, then dog parks are fine! For the rest of us,(including the owner of the shar pei) it just isn't worth it.

[Carina]

And may I point out, there are other ways to socialise dogs than off leash parks.

My dogs' default position when I'm out with them is they are simply not allowed to pay more than passing attention to other dogs - last weekend we were in a Halloween parade with about 100 other dogs (in silly costumes) and I do NOT want my dog indiscriminately going towards every dog he sees unless he has my permission. Of course, after the parade there was several hours of playing and romping around!

To me, this is also socialization. My dogs are large, and many people find them intimidating at first. Even my best behaved & trained guy, Cooper, puts some dogs off because he is so confident and in-your-face with strange dogs. I simply don't want to give my dogs the message that they can go up to any dog they want, in whatever manner they want. I don't like it when I'm walking and someone lets their dog rush mine.

I have friends with dogs, and we very often have play dates - although my other male does NOT play well with others so he is excluded. We go to Petsmart, regular parks, and any dog-friendly event around, and Cooper often comes to work with me.

I do have a friend nearby who goes daily to a dog park with her Dobie. But it's a membership deal, and owners & dogs actually get screened & have to take a little class on dog-park manners before joining up.

As stated, there is always risk. It's really not one I want to take, since I have other ways of socialising & exercising my dogs. Plus with certain breeds (Rottweilers, pitbulls...) one has to be extra careful because if there is an altercation, a: the owner will be held MORE liable just because of the breed, and b: some breeds are more likely to "finish a fight" and I would be devastated if one of my dogs seriously injured another!

[Kunna]

Good points from the both of you. Yes, it is hard with an aggressive dog. I know one of my part shepherds was NOT dog friendly and there was no way I could introduce her to any dog. It was just the way of the doggie worlds LOL. I think having monitored dog parks is the best route to go. There is a great one in Alberta and people take turns making sure that the 'rules and regs' are followed (including pooper scooper's) and that aggressive dogs- humans be asked to leave. Sometimes fights do occur but it is also a way for humans to interact with other like souls. I have found some of my best friends through the doggie parks. There is a park in Northern BC that has an area for aggressive dogs where they are fenced off. What an excellent idea! They can still play and run but they are fenced off from the rest of the dog park. I can understand, tho, the person with the sharpee's and it is frustrating to say the least. I think we expect dogs to be like humans and think like us when, as we all know, they have a totally different view of the world LOL. God love 'em. They give so much and ask for so little in return.

[Lucky Rescue]

Plus with certain breeds (Rottweilers, pitbulls...) one has to be extra careful because if there is an altercation, a: the owner will be held MORE liable just because of the breed, and b: some breeds are more likely to "finish a fight" and I would be devastated if one of my dogs seriously injured another!

YES. I have had any number of off-leash dogs (including a large Airedale) leaving their properties to run across the street after my dog, while the owners futilely call them, and yell to me "Don't worry - he's friendly!" "But MINE isn't!" I tell them - that never occurs to them, apparently.

While my pit bull is not overtly aggressive, she does not like out-of-control rude dogs getting in her face. (Who does?) But no matter who starts it, I know my dog will finish it AND be totally blamed for any resulting injury.

I am a very responsible owner. My dog is always on leash and is obedience trained, but all that means nothing when idiots let dogs loose and cannot call them back.

[Carina]

Originally posted by LuckyRescue
YES. I have had any number of off-leash dogs (including a large Airedale) leaving their properties to run across the street after my dog, while the owners futilely call them, and yell to me "Don't worry - he's friendly!" "But MINE isn't!" I tell them - that never occurs to them, apparently.

Ha! That is EXACTLY what I say.
Even Cooper, who is my most laid back dog, is not real patient with another dog rushing us without proper doggie manners, and he's pretty tolerant. But he will only put up with so much, especially with another large male. He's obedient, but once a dog is "in drive" it is almost impossible to get them to obey.

And like you I know that my dog would be blamed no matter who started it. I will not risk having my dog euthanised by court order. Plus I don't like seeing animals or people hurt!

[Luba]

I think I would just avoid that dog park. You won't be able to avoid dogs all together in other parks or on walks but maybe try another park and at times when it's not so busy.

Trying to let them sort it out could just end up in a fight in the long run. Some dogs just do not get along together, and well we all know what happens then right!