How do I handle this?

[miacat]

Sorry - I meant that in the eyes of the small dog owner, they might feel their dog could be dead as a result of an altercation.

When your dog can fit inside the mouth of the other dog, even if your dog 'starts it', your concern is going to be that if the large dog reacts, yours is the one who could get hurt!

[miacat]

IMHO you aren't protecting YOUR dog FROM the little dogs. You are asking your dog to allow itself to be attacked AND if it doesn't, then what?

That's the flip side I'm worried about. I guess I liked it when she treated them like gnats - annoying but harmless. She would just back up and wag her tail. Like 'come on now, be nice!'

They are leashed too, so backing up solve the problem.

Oh, and I mentioned the 'prey' thing because some know that Akitas can sometimes be that way - anything very much smaller than them can be fair game! Cats, small dogs, even children.

I don't see that in her at all.

[jengirl483]

...maybe try giving her a "sport" she can get invloled with, it works for kids and it works for dogs to keep them out of trouble...try agility or obedience, etc. Not only does it give her something to do, it also allows her to be around dogs that are better trained.

[jengirl483]

Oh, and It is sad that a lot of small dog owners don't train their dogs properly. I own a very small dog and every time we go the dog park it is just sad how many of the other dogs in her size dog park are out of control...she tends to look up at me when one of them goes off like "what the heck is their problem?!" That being said, a lot of small dog owners have no clue about owning /raising dogs...they just wanted a cute little doggy (And some of them are afraid of dogs...which rubs off on their dogs attitude)

[Montani Semper Liberi]

I just think it's like when you went from being a teenager to realising you were an adult. That is how your dog acts. Like he is too mature for that stupid BS anymore. I agree with him, I'd growl too, BUT it could cause problems, so just avoid the psychos.

I feel bad for big dogs because they aren't "cute" to alot of people like ity bitty tiny dogs are. I still think you should just avoid the little B@$TAR)$.

Go to leerburg.com look to the left for "Training Articles". It will help you. There is a ton of info on there.

You won't like his views on dog parks, but he does have alot of emails from dog owners that are informative to read.

[miacat]

Oh no - I don't want the dog park ruined! She loves it! The big dogs don't start anything with her - they just play!

If other dogs are being aggressive with each other, she goes to the other side of the park,,,,,,,,, 'good girl!'

[miacat]

Originally Posted by Montani Semper Liberi

I just think it's like when you went from being a teenager to realising you were an adult. That is how your dog acts. Like he is too mature for that stupid BS anymore. I agree with him, I'd growl too, BUT it could cause problems, so just avoid the psychos.

I feel bad for big dogs because they aren't "cute" to alot of people like ity bitty tiny dogs are. I still think you should just avoid the little B@$TAR)$.

You're right - I had just wanted her to socialize with everything/everyone. But too many small dogs with owners who think it's 'cute' to watch them be aggressive ........... it's going to mess up her psyche.

I just don't want her to get an auto-response to small dogs. It's not an easy fix :-(

[jengirl483]

I think it bears mentioning that you have to approach going out with the other dogs like this "situation" never happened and just act like she will behave in normal fashion (but with new "precautions" in place)...if not, she will react to your fear of her misbehaving and keeping behaving this way (self-fulfilling prophecy :)
The sad fact maybe that she can't be around small dogs......Not to scare you, but my friend growing up had an akita and several other dogs, including a yorkie...the akita was a sweet dog, VERY well trained and well behaved, but one day he got tired of hearing the yorkie bark all the time and casually reached over and "shut the dog up" permanently, it was the first time he ever showed aggression...it is just in their nature (and their capability).
Sometimes, the only actions you can control is your own and since they are out of control, take control of the situation and go elsewhere...it makes it harder, true, but when owning a dog that is part "attack" dog (I use this very loosely...is does sound more negative than i meant it) you do have to re-structure how you go out and about.

[miacat]

I guess. She's really reached her tolerance level for small dogs acting badly. And I'm a Cesar fan - he would say to socialize her to make sure she is friendly to all dogs.

I will avoid the ones I know are apt to act nasty, continue to let her say hello to the nice ones, and try not to meet new, unknown doggies!

And I've decided I will correct her if she reacts to a small dog. I'm supposed to teach her that as pack leader, that is my job - she looks to me to protect her. I will correct the other dog too, or in some way show mine I am taking care of the situation.

She can protect me against people, lol.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

I think it would still be good for you to read Leerburgs email and training articles. They can really help. Yes I agree, IF your dog does not have a yappy psycho dog in it's face and the yappy psycho dog is a few feet away and your dog reatcs, then yes correct your dog. But if the yappy psycho dog is in your dogs face, then you need to get your dog out of the area..

While I agree with Ceasar...if you'll notice, he doesn't let aggressors continue to act mean to the kind dogs like "Daddy". He doesn't ignore the behaviour, he does the SHT! noise to them. Yes socialize, but not allow to be abused.