Rights Versus Responsibilities

My newest client reached out for help with her adolescent dog who'd been attacked by another dog while both were on leash, walking down a busy sidewalk. My client was horrified by the response she received from the other dog owner when she asked her why she'd even bring an aggressive dog out in a busy, public place?  The aggressive dog's owner responded that it was her right to walk her dog out in public and that it was a risk anyone walking a dog should know.  WOW.  That was my first response.  This person took no accountability for her dog's behavior, walking off without giving her name or any information.  Several people snapped photos so there's a chance that my client will find this dog owner via social media, but in the meantime, she had to cover the veterinary expenses her dog incurred with the torn ear and neck puncture wound. Unfortunately, now her dog is showing anxiety on leash, barking at other dogs, and trying to pull her owner the other way which is why she reached out for my help.  This is so sad as this dog had no fear on leash, no fear of other dogs, and loved going for walks before the attack. Now?  It's hard to even get her leashed up and out the door for a brief stroll in their neighborhood. 

Obviously, I'm going to help this dog owner and her sweet pup get back on track with their walks. We're going to start with leash walks inside their house and in their yard with lots of treats and praise to build back some of this dog's confidence.  Then, I'm going to bring Ozzie over to walk with this dog since he's very mild, slow moving now at 10 years young, and he won't respond aggressively if she barks or seems afraid; he'll just sniff around and be his usual goofy self.  I'm hoping his calm presence will remind her that not all big dogs are "bad dogs." If she can accept Ozzie, that will be a good sign, and we can then move on to walks in her neighborhood with a few of her friends' nice dogs.  Eventually, we hope to do a walk into town with her friends and their dogs, kind of a pack walk, in the hopes that doing that will increase this dog's comfort again as well with walking in public spaces.  And all of this because someone didn't take responsibility for their aggressive dog.

While I understand that there is always risk when taking a dog out in public, taking a dog you know is aggressive out in public is particularly risky.  You should be concerned about liability as any damage done by your dog is your responsibility.  And while technically it may be your right to walk your dog in public, you don't have the right to knowingly endanger others. This dog owner should have been walking her dog with a muzzle on. The muzzle would have signaled others on the sidewalk to give her space and keep her dog from making contact with anyone, human or other dog. While I agree that dogs need exercise, you don't necessarily need to be walking aggressive dogs in public places that trigger their aggression. Walking at off peak times in off peak places limits their encounters with whatever triggers their aggression AND protects you, their owner, from some of the liability inherent in taking an aggressive dog out in public.  Plus, your primary concern beyond the safety of others should be the safety and comfort of your dog!  Aggressive dogs are anxious dogs; repeatedly exposing them to the situations that make them anxious and aggressive isn't going to help them, and it's likely going to lead to an experience like what happened with my client and her dog.

I remain hopeful that my client will be able to identify this other dog owner so that she can follow up on her report to animal control, and maybe even get that other owner to cover the veterinary costs she incurred as a result of her negligence. In the meantime, we'll be working together to help her sweet dog back on the road to enjoying walks and public outings. It will take time, but for this young dog, the time spent now will be worth it.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Though Henley does the bulk of the work with me, sweet Ozzie still helps me out 

occasionally with clients and their pets.