Bad Dogs

At Dog Park yesterday,  over the course of time we had four German Shepherds (3 medium 1 XL)  3-4 Pit crosses, a Rottweiler and 3 Hüskies plus an Anatolian Shepherd. Bunch O' big Dogs !

All coexisted peacefully enough until  a pair of Blue Heelers (or Australian Cattle Dog,  I mix them up) joined the group.  They are smaller dogs than the others,  but acted aggressively toward other pack members.  I think they don't get out much.  One of the larger dogs snarled and tackled a Heeler,  but no biting.  The owners were quick to step in.  Things returned to normal and the Heelers left after a while.

Generally the Dogs segregate themselves;  Northern Dogs and Anatolian play together; the German Shepherds play together  and the Pitts will play with random Dogs but usually 'fetch' or 'tug' with their people.  My Hüsky likes most of the Pitts, having grown up with them.  But some are not well socialized,  and those are the ones to avoid.

One Pit,  not a 'regular' took a nip at my Dog once,  not in a playful way,  but got only fur.  Mine was about to lunge at it;  fortunately I was right there and grabbed H.I.M.  to the other side of the park.  Another minute and the Pit was over-aggressive again,  so I explained to the owner that they had to leave.  Most of the Pitts are very nice,  but some haven't been socialized or have been trained for aggression.  And when they chomp,  they don't let go.

Usually I try for the same time of late afternoon when the usual group of Dogs are there.  They are all accustomed toward one another and get along.  However, because of the large number of unknown Pit Bulls that visit,  I always carry a sharp lockback to Dog Park.  If one of those clamps on my Dog,  I'll slice it off.

My pup is a rescue. The first 18 months of his life he was tied up, neglected and abused. As a result, especially when on the leash, he immediately goes into a fight response. It's his learned behavior, and two years later it's infinitely better, but still not great. We'd never bring him someplace that would put him or another dog in jeopardy.

He was starting to get way better when meeting new dogs, but last winter he got attacked 5 times while on the leash, by dogs not on the leash. One of them was a big, mean pit who came flying down the trail and jumped on him. The people were nowhere to be seen. He had punctures on his neck, back and leg. It definitely set hm back in his " trusting."

I've only seen one incident at DP which resulted in a laceration.  A Shiba Inu rushed the entry gate and bit a shy, non-aggressive Labrador in the face as the Lab was just entering the Park.  It wasn't terribly hurt, but bled a little above the eye.  Both Dog and owner were emotionally scarred over the incident.  Shiba's owner agreed to ride over to the Vet immediately and cover the expenses.  I'd seen that Lab there before and it's just a sweet Chocolate Lab,  very docile,  wouldn't bother anyone.

The same Shiba had been running around for a while and trying to pick fights with other Dogs,  and I noticed that mine was avoiding the fracas.  He seems to be sensible at staying away from potential brawls.  I'd thought that the Shiba Inu was just a cute little miniature Hüsky,  but upon reading up I learned that attacking other animals is a common trait of the breed.

Anyway, there's a half-dozen or so Pit crosses that frequent the park,  and get along fine with everyone.  Then there's some I only see once but are obviously aggressive (usually non-neutered Males) and they are the ones I'm wary of.  The ones with the Goth metal-studded collars are always brats.   One of them tackled my hound at full-throttle run,  knocking H.I.M. over, but they both treated the incident as part of playground maneuvers,  not escalating into a Fight.  He was limping a bit after that,  but acted like everything was fine.

So Dog Park can be a dangerous place,  but my Hound has really taken a liking to it.  Not for everyone, and some of the people can be assholes.  The rewards can be great when the Dogs bond and make friends.  It's just the cutest when people bring a new Puppy and my Hound teaches it 'How to act like a Dog'.  I've watched some of those Puppies go from a Hatful up to 64 lbs (and still growing !!)

Here is an Anatolian Shepherd photo:

Some couple at the DP have one,  and it looks much like the photo.  However,  it does not show many of the traits associated with the breed.  They are supposed to get up to 130 lbs. and be aggressive toward strangers & other Dogs.  This one is 65-70 lbs. and a total Sweetheart.  They are not sure if he's the Runt of the litter, or bred with some other variety of smaller Dog.  He came from another family that couldn't keep a Dog. 

But he acts and moves like the Northern Dawg group,  runs like them,  play-fights in the same pattern.  They are all best pals,  although he gets along with the German Shepherds just fine.  Difference is that Anatolian will guard your Sheep & Chickens from predators;  Hüsky will eat them.  If I could find a similar Hound at the Pound,  my Dawg would have a new  Pal.

I think  that "Barney"  is a bit too thin;  you can feel his ribs on the side.  His owners say he's a fussy eater  and they have to change up the Food to maintain interest in his meals.  But he's got a great temperament.

lotta words here stu. enjoy yourself.

if your dog keeps shitting in my yard, I'm going to kick it in the throat and kill it

I remember one of my neighbor's father telling an old lady neighbor this. 

Kim Jong-un likes dogs. He has one everyday.

If you see a dog fight, try to spray them with water if there's a hose nearby, prying them apart when they're trying to rip each other's throats out only makes them more aggressive.