Random attack at the dog park
Today is Thor's 1st birthday. I thought I'd take him and our other pup (Asher female 6mo) to the dog park. It was early and there was only one other dog there. An 8 or so month old female lab about his height but no where near as stocky of course. As soon as we got to the enclosure where you take off the leash, Thor was barking at the lab through the fence. I pinned him and waited till he was calm before letting him in though I must say I had a strange feeling about this particular bark.
All three were instantly together, my two trying to play with and jump all over this lab meanwhile lab completely overwhelmed with tail wrapped under body. A minute or so later Thor went off to do his own thing, sniff around and whatnot (he's a very independant dog and often prefers his own company. He's never really cared much for human or dog attention) Asher and this Lab continued to play and this lab's tail loosened up. Another minute later Asher went off to sniff around while this lab ran over to where Thor was inspecting. They played and sniffed each other and then both ran over to where the lab owner and I were standing and chatting.
They played for about another minute and then without warning Thor just started fighting the lab. They were about 2 metres away from us. There was no snarling, growling, nipping, or anything I noticed that preceded. The lab was yelping the whole time and the owner was frantic, I was shocked. We've been to this dog park numerous times, though this was the poor lab's first visit. As far as I know the lab ended up with a small (pea sized) bloody wound on each of her front legs. Though she was black so it was hard to tell. The owner took my details and was hysterical.
This is so out of character for Thor. He's actually always been so
submissive towards all of the dogs we socialised him with, instantly
lying on his side etc. He's never been possessive but since we got Asher he's been a bit touchy with bones and toys, but there's always extensive warning if he isn't happy with her taking his stuff. They even swap food bowls at dinner time. He's usually such a docile dog and at home he let's Asher walk (or sleep) all over him.
I have no idea where this has come from and with him having such strong jaws, I want to have some kind of predictability of his behaviour in case he randomly decides to maul another dog.
Any ideas, insight or comments would be greatly appreciated. We love our pups to death and this really breaks our heart.
ps sorry for the novel. I just want to give as much detail as I can.
All three were instantly together, my two trying to play with and jump all over this lab meanwhile lab completely overwhelmed with tail wrapped under body. A minute or so later Thor went off to do his own thing, sniff around and whatnot (he's a very independant dog and often prefers his own company. He's never really cared much for human or dog attention) Asher and this Lab continued to play and this lab's tail loosened up. Another minute later Asher went off to sniff around while this lab ran over to where Thor was inspecting. They played and sniffed each other and then both ran over to where the lab owner and I were standing and chatting.
They played for about another minute and then without warning Thor just started fighting the lab. They were about 2 metres away from us. There was no snarling, growling, nipping, or anything I noticed that preceded. The lab was yelping the whole time and the owner was frantic, I was shocked. We've been to this dog park numerous times, though this was the poor lab's first visit. As far as I know the lab ended up with a small (pea sized) bloody wound on each of her front legs. Though she was black so it was hard to tell. The owner took my details and was hysterical.
This is so out of character for Thor. He's actually always been so
submissive towards all of the dogs we socialised him with, instantly
lying on his side etc. He's never been possessive but since we got Asher he's been a bit touchy with bones and toys, but there's always extensive warning if he isn't happy with her taking his stuff. They even swap food bowls at dinner time. He's usually such a docile dog and at home he let's Asher walk (or sleep) all over him.
I have no idea where this has come from and with him having such strong jaws, I want to have some kind of predictability of his behaviour in case he randomly decides to maul another dog.
Any ideas, insight or comments would be greatly appreciated. We love our pups to death and this really breaks our heart.
ps sorry for the novel. I just want to give as much detail as I can.
Thor Asher cuddle.jpg
3264 x 2448 - 1M
Comments
He clearly knows he did the wrong thing. If you could just see the way he's been sulking around and sucking up all evening!
With regard to further socialisation, the dog park is obviously out of the question, especially that particular one. We will do the rounds as much as possible with our friend's dogs that he's met before. I'm not going to lie though, I am having vivid images of him getting into fights with our friends' dogs. What a nightmare!
Something else I want to ask about Thor - he prefers to play on his own. He often plays with our little girl, but he very rarely wants to play with us anymore. He acts like he's in trouble whenever we try to stir him up into playing like we always have (gently pushing him each side of his shoulder and chest area or also tugging with a rope - he used to love it, now he doesn't really grab the rope at all). I worry if we've disciplined him too much and now he doesn't know how to enjoy playing with us. He still cuddles us and gives us his toys to throw if we ask.
Honestly, I go outside and kick around the basketball with Asher who goes nutso and loves it to death, meanwhile Thor is just watching from afar with his own little toy in his mouth! Is this normal?!
If you can see the video, that's pretty much what he does all day! (His concentration in this weird little game is pretty extreme and I wish he could focus like that in training! Although he is getting a lot more reliable with commands especially come, give and sit...finally!) Should we be concerned, and how can we rekindle his human playfulness.
I truly hope it doesn't get ugly with the lab owner. Looking forward to hearing from others on the forum, and hoping the wonderful personality that BTs have starts to come out more in him.
He did go to the park many times before she come along, and when she started coming they've always gone their own way.
Thor has never seemed put out by Asher being around. If anything he brightened up when we got her. His behaviour also calmed down a lot! He stopped chewing the furniture and us for that matter, and also other behavioural issues improved. He never had much of an appetite for any food we gave him either, until she came along with her bottomless pit of a stomach! I don't know, maybe I'm just over thinking it. He is a lovely puppy and gives the best cuddles and ear kisses when he's in the mood.
I have seen many very well behaved Bull Terriers have no tolerance what so ever with some dogs while they're in heaven playing with others. You won't completely know your Bull Terriers true temperament and patience level with other dogs until they are more than 2 years old and have been socialized well with many "unfamiliar" dogs.
My best advice would be to take the time to slowly introduce Thor to other dogs and pay close attention not only to the way Thor reacts but to the way the other dogs react to HIM. Sometimes a hyper or energetic Bull Terrier can be too much for another dog to handle and if that dog hasn't been socialized very well and naturally let's out a snarl it may very well be a quick ticket for a dog fight. Thor must likely needs to be taught to approach other dogs in a less hyper and domineering fashion. Just because he doesn't immediately strike out for an attack doesn't mean he isn't provoking one. Some breeds just don't like the energy of a Bull Terrier no matter how friendly they may be and your Bull Terrier needs to have the experience, maturity, and social skills to recognize the displeasure within another dogs reactions and conform properly vice strike out with fury.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
I've noticed that some of the best behaved Bull Terriers I've met are often ones that the owners kept calm and relaxed without too much confusing excitement.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
However, Quinn has a low tolerance of dogs being aggressive with her. if a dog simply takes her toy with no aggression, she will not react. But if a dog attacks HER to take her toy (or any other reason) she will fight back. I think this is common in bull terriers in that they won't start fights (usually) but they will finish them, and that they also have tendencies to become aggressive when overexcited. Everyone else has hit the nail on the head here.
For Thor, I think dog parks are 100% out. Perhaps he could be around calm dogs, but even before that I think you should contact that behavioralist your brother had success with. It's a good start. Also, I personally would be hesitant to train or teach dogs on a leash. I have seen dogs that are far more aggressive on leash than off, either due to proximity to owner, feeling at a disadvantage, or any other reason. And if you are tense your dog will feel it. Perhaps a lunge line or long leash? And he's still very young...get in a bit of training and then he'll calm down a tad in about 10 years and you'll be set!
Having been on the side of the dog being attacked without provocation, a dog with even the slightest inclination to attack is not a candidate for a dog park. Hopefully, you have some friends with dogs that Thor can socialize with...maybe one-on-one without Asher at first. If the trainer has group sessions, that would probably be a great help because the trainer could get a good gauge on Thor's behavior around new dogs in a controlled environment. Lots of luck and good wishes that things work out well for Thor.
Long story short, the pit bull's owner wasn't concerned and really didn't care at all. When confronted about it, he denied and tried to say everyone else's dogs were asking to be attacked for playing in the park.