Evening everyone, I'm posting this while still in a bit of shock.
I've just got back from a walk with my dog, a one-year-old Akita Inu. I was walking him around my housing estate, which has plenty of green space. My dog was, of course, on his lead. Then I saw another dog (a Spitz, weighing about 22 lbs I'd say) charging at us aggressively, and obviously it wasn't on a lead. In the blink of an eye, mine fought back and, given the weight difference, I was absolutely terrified when I heard the Spitz yelping in my dog's mouth. The Spitz's owner arrived after the dust had settled—it was a child, who was just as frightened (at least as much as I was) by what had just happened. The Spitz didn't seem to have any serious injuries, but I was really shaken. The child's father then turned up and explained that most of the dogs in the estate are let off their leads.
The question I'm asking myself is, who is at fault:
-Walking a dog off-lead?
-Not muzzling a dog (even if it's not a restricted breed)?
If, god forbid, the Spitz had been hurt, would it be my fault? I suspect so, but what am I risking? And what would happen to my dog?!
Thanks in advance.
Translated from French
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I agree, but in this instance, if my dog has never shown any signs of aggression towards humans or other dogs, then no muzzle!! Even if there are owners where I walk who have their dogs off-lead!! It’s still potentially dangerous, but that’s at their own peril!!
Dangerous at their own peril? So basically, if you ever come across... let's say, a stray dog. If your dog attacks and kills it (depending on the size difference, it’s entirely possible), you couldn't care less, it doesn't bother you at all, because it shouldn't have been a stray? Or off-lead? Or... Except it’s not the dog’s fault if its owners are clueless. And if they report it to the police, don't think for a second that being on a lead will fully protect your dog. If someone tries to intervene and gets bitten (as it often happens when you try to step in, getting caught in the crossfire), the fact you’re holding him isn't going to change much...
If your dog has never shown any signs of aggression and is sociable, then I agree, there's no need for a muzzle. But this person has described their own dog as "ultra-dominant" / "aggressive"... We're a long way from the image of a big softie who was just defending itself. Besides, I've come across dogs before that provoke a fight and make it look like they’re just defending themselves...
There’s a difference between a dog roaming and being "under the owner’s control", which doesn’t necessarily mean being on a lead in many cases. I’d be curious to see a law stating that if a dog is on a lead, it can bite without any potential consequences for it. If a dog attacks, even in self-defence, it’s potentially in a lot of trouble.
I totally agree, why muzzle your dog if they aren’t the one who starts it? A dog is bound to defend itself if it's attacked, it’s only natural... I reckon owners of small dogs, or even big ones for that matter, should be the ones keeping their pets on a lead to avoid these sorts of nasty encounters.
I agree, but as far as I’m concerned, if my dog has never shown any signs of aggression towards people or other dogs, then there’s no way he’s wearing a muzzle!! Even if where I go for walks there are owners who walk their dogs off the lead!! It’s still potentially dangerous, but that’s at their own risk!!
Junlo, I never said I was in favour of muzzling every single Akita. What I meant was that owners should muzzle any dogs that are at risk of attacking others, at least while they work on the issue, which is a serious problem. It’s not about size, build, or even strength. To be honest, I wouldn’t be shocked to see even tiny dogs wearing a muzzle.
For me, it’s not about the breed, it’s about the jaws and the potential damage if they bite! You’re right junlo, why not muzzle the smaller dogs too? I saw some really snappy little dogs only this Sunday at the Paris Dog Show.
How are we supposed to define whether this or that breed or category of dog is dangerous or aggressive!! Especially outside of the official categories, which don't include the Akita—and what about my own knowledge of my dog!!!
I know my dog, but I don't know the dogs we come across here and there!! Case in point: my dog doesn't behave the same way depending on whether she's on a lead or not!! She's playful when she's off-lead, but there's a bit of nastiness (I won't say aggression, as there’s a nuance there) when she's on the lead!! My point is, if everyone just kept their dogs on a lead in busy areas!!! we wouldn't even need to have this kind of debate!! It’s just that some people think they’re above the rules!! They think that because their dog only weighs about 11 lbs, there’s no need to keep them on a lead because they won't do any harm!!
All of that is NONSENSE, obviously!! Even if the damage caused by a Yorkie bite isn't comparable to an Akita bite!! a bite is still a bite and therefore a sign of aggression. So, same behaviour, same rules... let's muzzle the small dogs too!!
Well, if I were in your shoes, I’d just keep walking my dog exactly as you’ve always done!
Your dog isn’t a danger to people, as you said, and he only gets aggressive with dogs that are aggressive first. You know this, SO you keep him on a lead—in other words, you’ve got him under control. Where’s the problem?
Making your dog wear a muzzle just because he reacted to being provoked makes no sense to me at all.
The other person, on the other hand, is the one who is completely in the wrong.
"But basically, in this case, my dog is just reacting... But he does tend to be generally ultra-dominant (the politically correct way of saying 'aggressive'...) Typical Akita, I guess!"
Dominant isn't the same as aggressive, but based on your comment in brackets, you're telling us your dog is aggressive—and even "ultra-aggressive" at that.
"He's never the first to attack another dog, but he always reacts twice as hard... With people, on the other hand, he’s an absolute angel!!"
Quick story. I’m on the pavement. Cars are going past. An Akita on a lead approaches. I can’t cross the road (because of the cars) and anyway, we can all agree that I shouldn't have to, right? I have every right to be on that pavement, and if there’s a reactive dog, it's up to the owner to move out of the way. Anyway, that’s what I do when I pass people that Haï Olly might bark at (and it’s only barking!!!). A few seconds later, we pass each other, the Akita tries to lunge at my dog; he’s rearing up on his lead with his owner doing her best to stop him from getting hold of my dog. My dog weighs around 16 lbs—what would an Akita bite do to him? Both dogs were on leads.
I really wish dogs like that were muzzled, because they’re simply dangerous to others. There's no shame in keeping everyone safe...
"And that leads me to another question!! Imagine the same situation but my dog is on a lead and muzzled, and another dog charges mine and bites him!! How is my dog supposed to defend himself, and in that case, what am I supposed to do at the end of the lead!! How do you stop the attack, how should I react in a case like that!!"
Actually, if your dog fights back, he’s likely to escalate the situation... Breaking up a dog fight is always incredibly difficult, but it’s even worse when both dogs are going at it and trying to bite each other.
I personally won't be putting one on. If anything ever happened, I'd be able to defend myself as I'd be in the right for keeping her on a lead... but at least if an off-lead dog attacks us, my Jun would be able to defend herself...
Yeah, that’s true, I hadn’t thought of it like that... But then again, I reckon if your dog bites a dog that jumps on him, well, it’s not really his fault, is it? I mean... the other dog should have been on a lead anyway.
