Charlie did it again

Some of you may remember that I posted a couple of weeks ago saying that Charlie had uncharacteristically gone for a dog and its owner. I thought (as did everyone that replied), that he was just having a bad day and sensed something about that person and dog.

Anyway, today, while out walking, we came across a man with an off lead Westie (Charlie was off lead too). The bloke asked if he was friendly, I said he was very friendly so he was happy to let them greet. All was fine at first, then Charlie growled and jumped on the Westie. I immediately grabbed him back and the owner (quite rightly) gave me an absolute mouthful and then as he walked off, he went to kick Charlie. Luckily Charlie jumped back because there's no way I would have let him get away with that. There was absolutely no reason for Charlie to go for the dog, the Westie was happily sniffing Charlie and letting Charlie sniff him, it came out of nowhere. I didn't see any teeth, but the noise Charlie made was awful when he jumped on the Westie.

I really don't know what to make of it. He's never shown any aggression apart from today and a couple of weeks ago with the Jack Russell. Charlie plays rough, but not like that, so I don't think it was play.

Any ideas anyone? Do I need to keep him on lead around all little dogs? (He's never done it to a big one), does he need to be muzzled (hate the thought of that, people give him a wide eough berth as it is but I don't want him hurting another dog). Really not sure what to do. I was just so shocked because he really is normally so good around all dogs he meets, big or small.

he coming into his prime me i would of keep him on the lead after the first time, some dog just dont like other dogs that why i dont let sam off the lead hes alright with some but want to kill other but now hes getting older hes calm down around other dogs

I would just keep him on a lead around other dogs for a bit see how he goes on , I certainly wouldn't muzzle him that as you say just creates a negative opinion from the start , what happened with the JRT then was it just unprovoked ?? I have to say though I don't trust Tilly around very small dogs as she always seems a bit growly round them but I ususally have her on a lead and that makes her worse I just dont like to take the chance and aleays put it down to her being bitten by a JRT when she was a pup, big dogs though absolutely no problem , the bigger the better

Sometimes around that age their tempermants can change. I would advise that you not muzzle him and bring him around as many types of dogs and people that you can while keeping him on lead. In essence is the same as starting the socialization process over.

I was worried after the first time but I agreed with everyone here that said it was just a one off because it was so completely out of charcter for him. He's probably fed up with all the little rat dogs around here having a pop at him when he walks past minding his own business. I'll keep him on lead around little dogs from now on, it's not worth the risk of him hurting someone's dog.

Dave it was the same with the JRT except they were both on the lead. Me and the other owner let them greet, then Charlie growled and snapped at it. I'm not sure if what he did today was just OTT play, because literally two seconds before, he was rough playing with a GSD, so maybe he was still hypo from that. Like Tilly, Charlie is no problem at all with big dogs - he loves them! I am going to put him back on lead whenever I see a small dog.

jstaff wrote:Sometimes around that age their tempermants can change. I would advise that you not muzzle him and bring him around as many types of dogs and people that you can while keeping him on lead. In essence is the same as starting the socialization process over.

He's not going to be happy with me, he loves off lead exercise

Flexi Lead Extra Long Cord Large Dog Extendible/Retractable Dog Lead




i would keep him on the lead at all time remember it may only take one bite to kill a small dog..

well Tommy is certainly a major handful when he's come in from the garden after a gladiator fight with Tilly so it could be some of that. I wouldn't worry yourself about it , if it is DA then you know about it and you can handle it accordingly but otherwise just take it easy baby steps

shontelle wrote:

jstaff wrote:Sometimes around that age their tempermants can change. I would advise that you not muzzle him and bring him around as many types of dogs and people that you can while keeping him on lead. In essence is the same as starting the socialization process over.

He's not going to be happy with me, he loves off lead exercise

You can switch to a long lead and just shorten it up if he is around a dog.

Hooch can be like this around some dogs, he has too be introduced too dogs properly walking behind too smell etc before he gets too interact with them. He has lunged at dogs before like with charlie its thhe little ones, i have noticed with some of the small ones there body language aint good hench why i think hooch has lunged at them.
I tend too keep hooch onlead if its somewhere busy with dogs, i certainly wouldnt muzzle him as you say it would create a negitive and imo make it worse. as long as you have him onlead under control. x

Thanks guys. It's a shame, but I think I'll have to keep him on a long lead, at least for a while and see how he is around little dogs.

Best of luck

Foiund an 8m flexi lead for strong dogs. Going to get that one, see how he goes. Thanks guys.

I have too agree with all the other posts caution is better than something terrible happening.
I can relate too what your going through my 6yr old who was fine with other dogs had never shown any aggression even when afew dogs had gone for her, suddenly got abit more snappy with other dogs, and at one incident it got abit nasty she was protecting my puppy but really got hold of another dog, thankfully i got her off with no real injury too the other dog, but its down too you too protect your dog and you don,t want him too seriously hurt another dog and risk getting taken off you or at least thats my fear, i go too a quiet field where i can still run my girl off and just put her back on a lead when i dog comes on,hope you can find a way around this keep us posted xx

Thanks Crystel. There's not really any quiet areas to walk Charlie, anywhere suitable for off lead exercise is always being used by at least a few other owners and dogs. I'm not too worried, I'm going to keep him on the long lead so he can still interact and socialise with bigger dogs and run around, but i'll reel him back to me when a small dog approaches. It's nothing I can't live with, and I certainly wouldn't put other dogs at risk just so he doesn't have to stay on the lead.

shontelle wrote:Thanks Crystel. There's not really any quiet areas to walk Charlie, anywhere suitable for off lead exercise is always being used by at least a few other owners and dogs. I'm not too worried, I'm going to keep him on the long lead so he can still interact and socialise with bigger dogs and run around, but i'll reel him back to me when a small dog approaches. It's nothing I can't live with, and I certainly wouldn't put other dogs at risk just so he doesn't have to stay on the lead.

the flex leads are great i have one too incase there are other dogs about, its a shame when it gets like this but my girl is actually getting better and has some good interactions with other dogs so just bare with it xx