Aggressive alsation

ChowChow

Hi I don't have a dog - but just looking for a bit of advice on an alsation that lives up the road from us. I regularly walk past the owners house which has a fair amount of road frontage with walls and an electric gate. The dog is very aggressive with any passersby and runs barking torwards the wall. He's able to get his two front paws over the wall but I haven't seem him out on the road yet. It's quite scary as he is only 3-4 metres away or so from my side of the road. I'm also aware of a man with a guide dog who has to walk past most days. Given the alsation is only six months old, I'm wondering is it a matter of time before he's able to get over the wall or is the dog just warning people?
I'm reluctant to approach the owners as they know this is going on (I've seen them call the dog in on occasion). Will the dog pound intervene in this case as the dog is still on private property?

EGAR

If the dog poses a nuisance to the public regardless of whether or not he is on private property, then yes, the dogwarden must investigate. I, however, would prefer the direct approach of the owners. Maybe a little chat would solve the problem?

michelleans

If he can get his paws up on it, he can get over it if he wants to.

You say he is 6 months old. This is a great time to approach the owners and ask them to do something about the behaviour. He is still young and the behaviour can be fairly easily changed with proper training, socialisation, and supervision in the garden.

Maybe try talking to the owners and explain the situation? Maybe they just don't know how to deal with it?

deaddonkey

maybe the dog is defending his territory and telling you to keep away, cos, y'know, like, that's kinda what they're meant to do, y'dig?

dogs warn people off their territory constantly, that doesn't mean they hurt anyone, right?

ChowChow

dogs warn people off their territory constantly, that doesn't mean they hurt anyone, right?

Well I've being bitten by an alsation before - outside his house - mind you the gate was open and he was free to roam.

If he can get his paws up on it, he can get over it if he wants to.

I had my suspicions this was case, I guess I'll see how it goes...

deaddonkey

ChowChow wrote: »

Well I've being bitten by an alsation before - outside his house - mind you the gate was open and he was free to roam.

I've been attacked by a labrador wandering around without a lead
I don't presume that every labrador I see is going to go for me. what's your point?
I've been bitten by a jack russell. I don't look at a jack russell and presume i'm about to get snapped at.

Your logic makes no sense. You've been bitten by one german shepherd, and you see another german shepherd bark and you presume you're going to get bitten if he can get at you.
The Dog is telling you to keep off his territory. You do just that and it'll be fine, and complain if the dog goes over the wall and then goes for you.

And btw, if the guide dog in question is worth his salt, another dog barking at him shouldn't bother him in the slightest, guide dogs are solid, they have to be. a guide dog that cowers away from a dog that barks at him is no use. a watch dog that cowers away when someone approaches the house is no use.

michelleans

Deaddonkey - I think the OP is making the point that it's not just simple defense of territory by that example and I agree.

I have a german shepherd. He defends his territory when he needs to. He woke me up on a few occassions barking loudly at the window and running to the door. I let him out and whatever (whomever) he had been barking at, had gone. This to me, is defense of territory and pack.

When he was outside during the day, he would lie down on top of a ridge overlooking the garden and watch people going by. When the children walked past and even when they threw pebbles at him from the gate, he still ignored them, no bark, no get up and go - unless of course I told him to. He wasn't barking at them because they were not a threat. If he had ever started that type of behaviour he would have been told no and brought inside.

This type of guarding of territory, while it may not be aggression yet, can easily lead to it.

Also, it is polite and common sense to not allow a dog to bark and scare people who walk by your property..

It is not about the breed of dog it is about the socialisation and training it receives. My boy is this way because I have socialised and trained him properly.

lurchin along

There was an incident in the UK some years ago this reminds me of.A labrador that was behing an 8' diamond mesh fence was in the habit of barking at passersby.It was ordered to be PTS by the court(under the DDA)because people FELT threatened by the dogs behaviour.It didn't matter that the dog couldn't possibly hurt anyone as it was safely contained,the dog died.

kerrysgold

my god, what a disgrace (about the poor lab) whoever the idiot judge was that ordered that should have been pts!

as for the Alsatian, you should probably talk to the owners. if the dog can get over the wall, then that's no good for his own safety, and they shouldn't be letting their dog behave aggressively anyway. (if he is being aggressive, maybe he's just barking, he is only a young dog after all) He should be being socialised so strangers don't bother him.

Saruman

Next time, try stopping.. look him in the eyes and show him your hand and let him sniff it... keep it far enough away that he can not bite you. See if he calms down after getting a good sniff then be on your way. If he looks like he is trying to attack you though then contact the owner.

kerrysgold

I've always thought looking a dog in the eye would make it seem to the dog that you were being confrontational. trying to make friends with him is a good idea though. If the owners didn't mind, maybe you could bring him some treats or something.

Saruman

Looking anything in the eye is confrontational but with a dog, it needs to know that humans are at the top of the food chain and a leader of the pack. You know the saying, animals sense fear.. so do not show any.

Freddie59

kerrysgold wrote: »

my god, what a disgrace (about the poor lab) whoever the idiot judge was that ordered that should have been pts!

as for the Alsatian, you should probably talk to the owners. if the dog can get over the wall, then that's no good for his own safety, and they shouldn't be letting their dog behave aggressively anyway. (if he is being aggressive, maybe he's just barking, he is only a young dog after all) He should be being socialised so strangers don't bother him.

Well done Judge! Take a bow. It's a pity there are not more like you. The problem with some dog owners (particularly ones who purchase, then subsequently neglect large breeds) is the 'small man with the big dog' mentality. This dog looks hard, by default so do I:rolleyes:. Plonkers.:mad:

summer_ina_bowl

Saruman wrote: »

look him in the eyes

IF the dog is potentially aggressive then this is probably not a great idea. If you have the strength, courage and know how to put a big chap like a 6 month alstation in its place then all well and good, but confronting dominant behaviour in dogs is dangerous at the best of times and tbh, i wouldn't be reccomending an inexperienced non-dog owner to try to stare down an unrestrained dog!

daveharnett

Yes, he can clear the wall with ease, he just doesn't know it yet.

For a start, this dog needs to learn that his territory stops at the front gate.
I'd sugguest that you approach the owners, in the nicest way possible. They may not realise that he is already starting to bother people.

He is still young enough to be thought - action needs to be taken quickly. The alternative is that he becomes either a nuisance or a danger for life.

daveharnett

Freddie59 wrote: »

Well done Judge! Take a bow. It's a pity there are not more like you.

Totally agree. These are very intelligent animals, and can make great pets with proper training. Without, they can become dangerous monsters who need to spend their whole miserable life restrained. Those who show such low regard for animals in their care should not have the right to keep them.

Freddie59

daveharnett wrote: »

Totally agree. These are very intelligent animals, and can make great pets with proper training. Without, they can become dangerous monsters who need to spend their whole miserable life restrained. Those who show such low regard for animals in their care should not have the right to keep them.

Indeed Dave. One word of advice. Be careful before approaching the neighbours. Even the most reasonable people become completely mad sometimes when it comes to Fido.;)

cowzerp

Freddie59 wrote: »

Well done Judge! Take a bow. It's a pity there are not more like you. The problem with some dog owners (particularly ones who purchase, then subsequently neglect large breeds) is the 'small man with the big dog' mentality. This dog looks hard, by default so do I:rolleyes:. Plonkers.:mad:

Your an idiot and a troll too, putting a dog down for barking at strangers is hideous and was a crime to nature..your the reason why dogs get a bad rap.

kerrysgold

I can't believe you think putting a dog down for doing nothing wrong, nor being able to attack anyone anyway, even if he wanted to, was a good idea?! :O

daveharnett

kerrysgold wrote: »

I can't believe you think putting a dog down for doing nothing wrong, nor being able to attack anyone anyway, even if he wanted to, was a good idea?! :O

Passers-by felt intimidated by the dog. This (to me) means that the dog's behaviour said "If i get out, i WILL attack you".

Imagine raising children next door to such an animal.

If an dogis agressive to the point where it will threaten people who are outside the owners property, it is a menace. To say that it's ok because it can't get out is neither here nor there.

peasant

daveharnett wrote: »

Passers-by felt intimidated by the dog. This (to me) means that the dog's behaviour said "If i get out, i WILL attack you".

Imagine raising children next door to such an animal.

If an dogis agressive to the point where it will threaten people who are outside the owners property, it is a menace. To say that it's ok because it can't get out is neither here nor there.

oooohhh ...won't somebody pleeez think of the tildren ....

What a load of rubbish.

A dog's territory doesn't end at a fence or a gate or some line in the sand. What it can see/overlook is "his" ...that's natural behaviour.


What isn't natural, is for dogs to be corralled in handkerchief sized gardens and to be left up to their own devices all day long.

If a dog is making a nuisance of itself by excessive barking, it's the owners responsibility to keep it calm(er) and not societies responsibilty to have it killed.

As for the dog in the OP ...have words with the owner, state that you're worried the dog might jump over the wall ...if needs be demand that a fence be put up some ways back from the wall/road ...problem solved.

Freddie59

cowzerp wrote: »

Your an idiot and a troll too, putting a dog down for barking at strangers is hideous and was a crime to nature..your the reason why dogs get a bad rap.

No you moron. The reason the dog was put down was because of irresponsible owners (again) and those like you who think it's OK for these beasts to live in housing estates. Far from a troll I have been involved in several of these threads over the last few months on boards.ie Housing estates are built for people - not animals. Again, well done Judge.:D

Freddie59

peasant wrote: »

oooohhh ...won't somebody pleeez think of the tildren ....

What a load of rubbish.

A dog's territory doesn't end at a fence or a gate or some line in the sand. What it can see/overlook is "his" ...that's natural behaviour.


What isn't natural, is for dogs to be corralled in handkerchief sized gardens and to be left up to their own devices all day long.

If a dog is making a nuisance of itself by excessive barking, it's the owners responsibility to keep it calm(er) and not societies responsibilty to have it killed.

As for the dog in the OP ...have words with the owner, state that you're worried the dog might jump over the wall ...if needs be demand that a fence be put up some ways back from the wall/road ...problem solved.

Problem there is what are your alternatives when the owner says 'f**k off'?
Your belittling of the comment on children is nothing short of scandalous. I'm assuming you do not have children yourself.

'Problem solved'. What planet are you on? Have you ever even encountered some of these irresponsible owners? Your attitude is the same one that leads to dozens of children being mauled and mutilated each year.

Cop yourself on man.

peasant

Freddie59 wrote: »

Your attitude is the same one that leads to dozens of children being mauled and mutilated each year.

Cop yourself on man.

Who is taking the sensationalist, alarmist "think of the children"-leap from a dog barking from behind a wall to dozens of mauled and mutilated (you forgot "savaged" ) children here?

...t'is you, my friend ...not me

So you cop yourself on... man ...


As for your question what if the owner tells you to feck off ...that's what a dog warden is for.

Dyr

Freddie59 wrote: »

No you moron.

oohh personal abuse, i feel the ban hammer a looming

on a side note, would you call cowzerp a moron to his face, and if so can i be there when you do?

Freddie59

Bambi wrote: »

oohh personal abuse, i feel the ban hammer a looming

on a side note, would you call cowzerp a moron to his face, and if so can i be there when you do?

If there's a ban it better apply two people. I would call anyone displaying that tone a moron. Where do you think you are - a schoolyard? Although, given the comments by that poster and peasant, it adequately demonstrates the contempt for human life shown in this thread - for what? n abused animal? Of course the dog can't jump over the wall.....FFS:rolleyes:

peasant

Freddie59 wrote: »

Although, given the comments by ...peasant, it adequately demonstrates the contempt for human life shown in this thread - for what? n abused animal? Of course the dog can't jump over the wall.....FFS:rolleyes:

How about you come back down to earth for a while, hmm?

So far, we've got one dog barking over a wall that someone is afraid of.

No abused dogs, no risk to human life in sight anywhere.

Stop being such a drama queen.

Valid tips on how to deal with the situation were given ...so calm down, willya

Freddie59

peasant wrote: »

Who is taking the sensationalist, alarmist "think of the children"-leap from a dog barking from behind a wall to dozens of mauled and mutilated (you forgot "savaged" ) children here?

...t'is you, my friend ...not me

So you cop yourself on... man ...


As for your question what if the owner tells you to feck off ...that's what a dog warden is for.

I have been in the situation - have you? Wardens have limited powers at best. Cop yourself on indeed. And appreciate the value of human life vs a dumb animal. And dumb owers.

peasant

Freddie59 wrote: »

I have been in the situation - have you? Wardens have limited powers at best. Cop yourself on indeed. And appreciate the value of human life vs a dumb animal. And dumb owers.

If you or one of yours have been attacked by a dog, then I am very sorry
for the pain and trauma it must have caused.

Nonetheless, I don't find your alarmist posts very helpful.
One barking dog does not equate to a dead or attacked child, so please keep it within persepctive.




On a more general note ...I am sick and tired of these tabloid-like statements like:
Imagine raising children next door to such an animal.

Anybody ever imagine what it's like trying to raise dogs next to "such" children?

Little gurriers that taunt the dog over the fence, throw rocks and fireworks at it, leave the gate open to let it out and kick it when it does get out?

Ohhh ..I can hear the outcry now ...but, but, but ...not ALL children are like that.

EXACTLY!

Not ALL dogs are furious biests either ... so let's get real.

Freddie59

peasant wrote: »

If you or one of yours have been attacked by a dog, then I am very sorry
for the pain and trauma it must have caused.

Nonetheless, I don't find your alarmist posts very helpful.
One barking dog does not equate to a dead or attacked child, so please keep it within persepctive.




On a more general note ...I am sick and tired of these tabloid-like statements like:
Imagine raising children next door to such an animal.

Anybody ever imagine what it's like trying to raise dogs next to "such" children?

Little gurriers that taunt the dog over the fence, throw rocks and fireworks at it, leave the gate open to let it out and kick it when it does get out?

Ohhh ..I can hear the outcry now ...but, but, but ...not ALL children are like that.

EXACTLY!

Not ALL dogs are furious biests either ... so let's get real.

I thought it was only in the UK where beasts were placed above humans in the scheme of things. it obviously has made its way across the water.

peasant

ahh ..there's no talking to you...

Have a very nice Christmas anyway