Dog control .. again.. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dog control .. again..

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't give up the Dog.....I think you just had some bad luck....Thousands of Fulltimers out here with dogs managing just fine...I think you did however go wrong the way you handled yourself....the conversation should have ended with " can you leash your dog? " any response other than " yes, sorry about that " should have prompted a call by you to animal control.....

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yep.. I realized that the minute I said it...

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Junkman wrote:
..... My dog hates other dogs.. so she growled and barked. Wife picked ours up.. 20 lb shiba inu.. but she was a qtr mile from the rv.. The other dog jumping on her, all the way trying to get at our dog.. Most likly wanting to play.. our dog wasn't having it.

Understand the other dog wasn't on a leash............Even though yours was on a leash, sounds like yours has a little "Anger Management" problem.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

It does.. I do too, maybe.
Our dog was fed to group of pitbulls.. we expect a dog fighting ring. She got loose, found her in a pen.. in the woods. I got there just in time ... risked my own life as they where chasing her hard around a fenced in pen.. like 6 of them.. I grabbed her and ran for the gate. She got a bunch of stitches out of that.. But is the reason, we think .. she don't like dogs... and i don't like pitbulls.

But it's the wife who may be the one who goes out of control.. if a large dog gets a hold of mine.. I'm not sure what she will do. She loves her.
That why I told the guy his dog could get hurt.. I did apologize to him btw too.Couple times... but he didn't care.. there was going to be no leashing of his dog.Period. Slurring his words drunk.

I can handle most dog cases pretty easily.. But I'm hardly ever there when she's walking it. I guess I have to go from now on.

Calling animal control seems to be just causing more trouble here.. easier to walk away and be happy, I think. No one was hurt.. so let the next guy deal with it, and hope no one gets hurt in the future.? ( that is not like me.)

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

Everywhere you go you'll find dogs roaming loose. There are several in our neighborhood that walk up and down our street. Luckily none of them have attacked our cats and if they wander into our front yard I shoo them away. When I lived in Florida a pack killed two cats that belonged to two neighbors. The leader of that pack tried to go into a friend's cat door to get his cat. He shot that dog right in his front porch and the pack never came back. Sorry your wife had such a bad experience and I'm glad she, and your dog, didn't get hurt. Don't give up your dog, please, just be watchful.

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are in a CG where there are plenty of signs about Leash and Pick Up after your Dog.
I have stepped in Dog Poop twice this week and yesterday ran into a RVer from the next row walking his dog with no leash.
I wound up walking the other way so as to not start something, now that I know what site he is staying on, we will avoid that area.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

My view of dogs off leash or running at me...
I don't warn the owner, I don't threaten to intentionally hurt the other animal....
I ACT. I defend myself and what I own, and let the pieces fall where they may..

Now that being said, I will sidestep a confrontation, especially with a drunk if possible, I will not go out of my way to disturb others, but my well-being is my priority.
When we set-up in a new place, we either take a walk together with our service dog, or I will go alone and make my mental notes.... ie- The guy with no teeth playing a banjio, swigging back Mad Dog 2020, with a pit bull on a chain.... might not be so friendly....
Just sayin'...

In today,s day and age, I think people need to be more Situationally Aware. Be aware of your surroundings whether in a campground, mall parking lot, or getting out of your vehicle at a gas station. Many people can't tell you what their neighbor looks like, or the color of the vehicle next to you at a light. It's hard to teach, but can make a big difference in how YOU feel in different surroundings.

-- Edited by Alie and Jims Carrilite on Friday 31st of October 2014 05:45:20 AM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would recommend a Zap Knuckle Blaster (available from Amazon & others) at a minimum. Also, there aren't always leash laws on dogs in a particular area not that it really makes a difference since I had a conversation with Animal Control recently and I had to impress upon her that the neighbor was breaking the law when his dog was loose and in the street. It was like pulling teeth! In my home state, MI, they used to go around even in the county checking for rabies/license for dogs and they don't do that everywhere either. I asked the Animal Control Officer if when she went to talk with the neighbor if she would be checking to see if the dog was licensed and had a rabies shot and she said they did not do that. So, I'm wondering what her purpose is in taking a check from my tax dollars! We lived a total of 8 years long term in a combination of RV/Mobile home parks in 3 different states and our worst problems were with owners of smaller dogs, usually 2 or 3, since they would run everywhere pooping and nipping at the heels of the dogs on leashes. I will do anything to protect my dogs.

Junkman: You might try to find some people with friendly and social dogs that would be willing to help you with maybe getting your dog to be more accepting of other dogs. We order pet supplies online and they have a dog trainer on staff that will answer questions, I have used her a couple of times, there is no charge for her advice and if you would like her name/number/email, I could pm that to you. She works a lot with shelter dogs and works with pitbulls, yeah, not my favorite either but she saves a lot of dogs through the work she does. I do feel that it would help if your dog was more dog friendly but I do understand why she isn't. My dogs are not aggressive toward other dogs and I do feel that when the two pitbulls came after us that it helped since instead of a dog fight, I just faced dealing with the pits.

When it comes to dogs pooping, when I see it and the owner tries to walk off, I shout "I have extra bags." and walk over and give them one as they look at me with a sour face. Whatever it takes to get the job done.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Friday 31st of October 2014 06:15:19 AM

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought that zapper walking cane, and the fogger pepper spray stuff , Jack recommended. Wife also has a ccw. I bought the first 2 in a attempt to be less violent, and maybe more effective. However, carrying the zapper , and walking the dog by yourself is hard..the spray, I fear, may take too long to get out in some cases.. I think I will walk too from now on.. On guard duty.

We are prepared to defend ourselves. And no one wants to hurt a dog .. any dog. That was the point. rather than it going that far, I chose to confront the owner.. Wrong move, I think.. Maybe it would be better to have zapped the dog? and never say anything.. Maybe..

We paid a professional trainer a good chunk of cash after that incident. And it helped a little.. not much. In fact , my landlord recommended walking the 2 dogs.. I was going to muzzle my dog, and try it.. Other dog owner could not get past the leashing thing.. Plus I could see i was too direct for him.. saying "his dog could get hurt".. Although, I wonder how else I could have said it ? I was trying to warn him. Just came out too strong for a drunk "old homosassa" good ole boy, fellow, I guess. I have always had a problem being too direct, and straight forward. I never learned to skirt the issues, and make people read between the lines.. Takes too long, I guess..

We are off this morning to scout a couple rv parks in the area, in hopes to move our rig in the am..

Thanks Folks !

-- Edited by The Junkman on Friday 31st of October 2014 06:47:26 AM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Junkman: A lot of times, just the noise from the zapper will be enough to cause a dog to take off in the opposite direction and if it doesn't, you are ready to do a little more encouraging. The ones that didn't run were the pits and a boxer - both aggressive toward other dogs being their nature. I have had some run so far I think they relocated to another city! What if I harm another dog? I told the Animal Control Officer that the only thing I cared about was protecting my family and dogs and I would do that and deal with any consequences later. It is really bad where we live with aggressive dogs, it would be too political to discuss the reasons here but I have had it! No more houses that tie me down in this lifetime. My two seniors are pretty laid back, the chow/shepherd loves every living thing except the UPS man. Fed Ex sometimes brings treats! Treats can be another way to redirecting a dog's attention.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sounds like the drunk owner needs a jolt from the "Zapper".

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been on the road 15 years. 10+ with our Aussie. You will rarely encounter a situation in an RV park where there are dog issues. But as discussed previously they do exist and you have to be ready to take the necessary measures. Your encounter is relatively unusual....in most park environments that would not occur. But it can.

I would not even "consider" getting rid of the dog. Just find a better environment.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree - do not consider leaving your dog for that reason. If you have children, would you give them up because they were being bullied?

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

My Aussie, Sage, did not like other animals -- loved people of all kinds... hated all other kinds of animals. I spent lots a money with a trainer who specialized in dealing with aggressive dogs. He was very up front with me that she would never play well with the 4 legged animals. What he did do though is teach me how to deal with it. Part of what I learned is that I had to keep calm and keep her close to me. She was 55 lbs so picking her up and running was not an option. I learned to keep her very close to me when approached by other dogs and keep moving purposefully and most importantly calmly away from the other dog. If I got nervous or upset it heightened her desire to protect me and therefore attack the other animal.

I agree with Jack, most RV parks will not allow that sort of situation. So just keep working with your baby and find a better spot.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks folk.. We moved .. to our first RV park. Seems like everyone has a dog here.. But all of them are in full control of theirs. I'm glad to see it.
I thought it would be best, rather than deal with a disgruntled neighbor. It amazes me how easy it was to just walk away and move on.. I know I am getting old now ! lol.
I was told by the landlord at the old place he wanted to apologize , and would keep the dog leashed.. we ignored the text, and left.
The no see'em bugs where killing me there anyways.. My legs are still are itching like crazy..

yea, Keeping the dog moving works for us too.. Ours usually never a issue, or even barks , unless the other dog is in really close..

The dog isn't going anywhere... Wife would never let it happen. I would have to go first..lol.. Honestly, I couldn't let the dog go either.. Not for this..

Thanks again, People.