Strange Incident w/ My Dog

[msteddom]

Every day I take my 9 mo. old puppy Jake for a walk on the field of the elementary school near my house. If there is no one else around I take him off his leash so he can run around. I'm pretty careful about making sure we're alone because Jake is a very friendly dog and he will run up to whoever is there to say hi. Unfortunately a lot of people mistake him running towards them as agression.

Yesterday I had Jake off his leash at the field and we were having a great time. All of a sudden Jake bolts to the other side of the field. There is a man, an 8 yo little girl and a smaller dog on a leash. Well, before I could do anything to stop him, Jake is over there trying to get these people to play.

This man scooped up his dog and placed himself between Jake and his little girl and was shaking a large stick at him. He acted really frightened of my little puppy. I was really embarassed and immediately put Jake back on his leash and apologized to them. The gentleman wouldn't even look at me So Jake and I went home with my tail between my legs.

This incident has really bothered me for a few reasons:

1. Jake would not come when I called him. I already have him signed up for obedience classes as he obviously needs a refresher course.

2. This man acted VERY frightened by my dog. I have never noticed any type of agression in him, but could I be missing something?

3. I have been frigtened of dogs for most of my life, so there is no way I will have a dog that makes others feel that way.

So I have Jake signed up for more obedience classes and I'm now going to be much more careful about taking him off leash. Should I be doing anything else?


Melissa

 

[phorsenuf]

I really don't have anything to add.....just that my dogs name is Jake. to. he's a black lab-golden retriever mix.

 

[Mermaid02]

What kind of dog is he? It makes a difference to a lot of people.

 

[msteddom]

Jake is a lab mix, but he looks more like a mini-golden retriever. He is about 35 pounds. He doesn't look very threatening to me, but then again I'm mom, so I'm biased.



Melissa

 

[phorsenuf]

melissa...that's my Jake! They are the sweetest (yet dumbest) dogs. I wouldn't trade mine for the world!

 

[TigerBear]

I am skiddish around loose dogs - but only when I am with my dogs. I had a bad experience once while walking my husky. This dog attacked her, even though the owner was right there. Maybe the man has had a similar experience. Or maybe his dog tends to growl at other dogs and he was concerned that the growling might agitate Jake.

 

[damo]

It could be that HIS dog is afraid of dogs and turns aggressive. That's why it is important to keep dogs on leashes in public areas. You may trust your dog but you can't trust anyone else's.

 

[KristaTX]

I'm glad you are planning to take him to obedience training. I am not comfortable with dogs, and if one headed toward me I would have done the same thing that man did. But then I would have talked to you (nicely) after you apologized and got him back on the leash. He was rude not to even acknowledge your apology.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would tend to agree with TigerBear. The other owner could have been involved in an incident with another loose dog. And since he had a child with him, it may have just made matters worse. Nothing bouncier than a 9 month old retriever mix!!! Could be intimidating. Yep, I would get him back into a class. My 3 y/o golden is pretty good as far as commands go, but the 'come' doesn't work well if he's really interested in something else. So...I always have a pocket full of liver treats when we're out of the house. And never off leash. Sorry. I don't mean to be inflammatory but if he isn't 100% trained to 'come' then there's a bad situation just waiting to happen. Not that he would attack anyone. I would be more concerned with running into a road, chasing after a really aggressive dog...that type of thing. I know, I've been there, done it. Poor Jake, just looking for a little fun and attention and he gets treated like a killer. Give him a hug from us.

 

[FreshTressa]

My DD is afraid of dogs, and I really appreciate it when people keep their dog leashed. She is even afraid of little cute ones.

I just wish there were more parks where it was allowed for dogs to go free. I feel sorry for them always having to be on leashes.

Sounds like you are handling the problem, and I wouldn't feel too bad. You sound like a responsible pet owner.