Stray Dogs

[Bailey08]

I know there have been a ton of threads on this subject. But this is as much about my kinda sorta freaking out and asking what one should do in this situation, as about this issue generally.

Bailey and I were just walking down the street when what I believe was an APBT started following us.
Background:
-- We were on a nice, well-populated street, but close to less nice areas
-- Stray Dog: unneutered adult male (who was doing lots of marking, lol), very excited about Bailey, some scars on his face (though of course that could happen in any dog, I noticed it), had tags though unfortunately no number or address
-- Bailey: just under 18 mos., mixed breed, about 40 lbs., super submissive. The only other time he's been "attacked," he was tackled by a couple of larger dogs, and he basically laid on the ground. The dogs were quickly pulled off of him by their owner (while I grabbed Bailey), and B was not bitten. I don't know how well he'd defend himself if he were involved in a real dog fight, but I have my doubts!

The stray dog did not act aggressively, really, but he was very, very interested in my dog. He kept following us. I yelled at him to go away and kind of kicked out my leg in his direction (not aggressively, but a blocking maneuver). The other dog was okay with that -- he stayed away -- but he was not about to stop following us. He was starting to get excited/frustrated that I wouldn't let him near my dog and kept running up to sniff him until I managed to get him back away again.

Thankfully for me, a homeowner on the street who was mowing his lawn stopped and helped me, and a neighbor of his stopped by as well. I managed to calm the stray dog down a bit (he was frustrated/barking because he wanted to "visit" with my dog and we were keeping them separated) and he finally let me check his tags. I don't know if he was just nervous around people or had had some bad experiences, but he wasn't excited about me coming closer until he calmed down. Anyway, we couldn't get a number from his tags, and couldn't get animal control or any of the other usual suspects to answer.

I ended up leaving because (a) there wasn't much more I could do and (b) the dog kept trying to get close to mine. As we walked away, he got upset and started barking.

Okay, if you've read to the end, my thanks. And now my question: what should I have done? The dog was very excited, but I really don't know what his "intentions" were once he got to my guy. Whenever he got near, he pretty much sniffed, and that was it before I was able to separate them again. I wouldn't have wanted to get him any more hopped up by acting too aggressively to get him away from us. I did my best to remain calm but firm. Bailey, I believe, was clueless the whole time and wanted to play with the stray dog.

 

[Sweet72947]

I think you did what you could in this situation. For future use, you could buy something like Halt! which is a sort of mace for canines. I've heard that it is effective, although I've never used it myself.

Glad that you and your dog are ok. It sounds like that APBT was still young; sometimes a dog doesn't become DA until two or three years of age, and sometimes even later than that.

 

[Lizmo]

Probably the same thing you did. As much as it sounds harsh, I can't stop and save every dog that I see on the side of the road or wandering around.

 

[smkie]

Leaves you with a heavy heart doesnt' it. Sorry for you and sorry for the dog. I think you did all you could do.

 

[Bailey08]

Thanks, guys. Ugh, it was so stressful!!!

Fortunately the two men were calling the cops (my last suggestion after the homeowner couldn't reach animal control, the vet on the dog's rabies tag, or the SPCA) when I left and they had leashed the dog (with the homeowner's dog's leash). I hope he'll be reunited with his family. The dog's name tag was all worn off in the back, so we couldn't get an address or phone number -- a good reminder for us all to get engraved or stamped tags and to check them! I'm slightly concerned because both men were nervous about the dog being a pittie (I was the one who actually approached the dog and got him calmed down), but they were good people -- so, while they aren't Chazzers, I think they'll do their best. I sure am thankful that they both stopped to help.

 

[pawzaddict]

I think you did what you could in this situation. For future use, you could buy something like Halt! which is a sort of mace for canines. I've heard that it is effective, although I've never used it myself.

Glad that you and your dog are ok. It sounds like that APBT was still young; sometimes a dog doesn't become DA until two or three years of age, and sometimes even later than that.

That does not mean the dog was not older...they don't all have DA issues...

I think you did what you could. If he did not seem malnourished he probably just got loose. The only time I call animal control or the HS is if the dog looks ill and thin. Otherwise as long as I do not see it a second time I leave it be.

 

[Sweet72947]

That does not mean the dog was not older...they don't all have DA issues...

The OP mentioned that the dog was marking a lot, and it also sounded like the dog was a bit easily frustrated by not being able to interact with her dog. These things sound like a dog who is younger. I guess I think of a younger dog because you really don't see many older APBT in this area; unfortunately, most are dumped at the shelter between 1-2 years of age and don't make it back out. But anyways.

I know that not all APBT are DA, but there are many who do exhibit DA to at least some extent, and I will never expect them to be as dog tolerant as say, my lab (although if they are its a nice bonus to their people-loving attitude). The rescue I volunteer for has an APBT who arrived when he was 6. He was not DA at that time. He is now 8 and wants to fight anything on four legs.

 

[pawzaddict]

The OP mentioned that the dog was marking a lot, and it also sounded like the dog was a bit easily frustrated by not being able to interact with her dog. These things sound like a dog who is younger. I guess I think of a younger dog because you really don't see many older APBT in this area; unfortunately, most are dumped at the shelter between 1-2 years of age and don't make it back out. But anyways.

I know that not all APBT are DA, but there are many who do exhibit DA to at least some extent, and I will never expect them to be as dog tolerant as say, my lab (although if they are its a nice bonus to their people-loving attitude). The rescue I volunteer for has an APBT who arrived when he was 6. He was not DA at that time. He is now 8 and wants to fight anything on four legs.

My apologies, I always forget every area is different with these guys. Where I live there are tons of APBT and lots of them are older ones roaming the streets unaltered.

Yea I know what you mean on when you get a nice one its a charm. I like how you point out that they all do not experience DA to the full extreme! Most pit owners I talk to expect their dog to become a vicious killer My border collie/lab has more aggression issues than my pit probably ever will.

 

[Bailey08]

^^ [ETA: to Sweet] I do think there was something going on. Bailey is probably the most dog friendly dog ever, and is always interested in and happy to meet new dogs, but he has never, ever acted as *intent* as this dog did. It simply did not back away and really, really wanted to get close to my dog. He was very frustrated when he couldn't get to my dog (lots of barking) -- and, like I said, basically threw a fit when we left.

I don't know what it was -- he certainly didn't attack, and I didn't get the impression that an attack was imminent -- but he was very focused on Bailey (and any other dogs that were in the area). I was able to calm him down and get him in a down, and that helped.

Anyway, thanks, Sweet, I will order the Halt, just in case. Hopefully any future situations will end like this one, without escalation, and it won't be necessary, but I'll feel better to have it. I was mentally trying to figure out how to locate a makeshift breakstick. It's too bad that there isn't a way to "practice" these things without actual dogs.

 

[pawzaddict]

I honestly think the dog was so persistent because 1. he is an APBT, I hate to generalize but they have that very strong drive/focus and 2. he was intact.

 

[mrose_s]

ergh, stary dogs are my least favourite thing in the world when out with Buster. Mainly because Buster actually wants to fight, doesn't matter size, age or sex of the other dog he wants to go. It just means he usually keeps dogs interested enough to follow us closely but to stay just out of his reach, its bloody annoying. I don't think I've ever even been able to stop to try to help a stray dog because I'm so busy trying to keep Mr. Agro close to me and preferably relativley calm.

 

[dogsarebetter]

I encounter the neighbors loose dogs almost daily. Luckily my two have learned to ignore the dog. I cannot do anything about the loose dogs... its out of the city limits and there is no leash law outside the city limits.