It finally happened

[Karfae69]

We took off for Memorial Day weekend to our local favorite spot. We got checked in and took our dog over to the dog walk area. Our dog a Amstaff with already a flag(because of how she looks) on her met another dog on a leash. There was growling and both dogs reacted, no bites but stage was set. Next morning heading to the beach ran into the 2 week new hire who asked what happened. Had a talk on how both dogs reacted but no harm. Made a great effort to explain that the dogs just did not get along. Was told that other owners stated that "dog was distraught all night", here we go. Fast forward an hour call from local manager as we have had a incident. Again try to explain was nothing serious, our dog has a history there over 3 years of great behavior and both dogs acted up. Letting dogs meet on leash nose to nose was our mistake(both owners). I knew where this was headed and next came the "what if it was a small child?" line and your dog is a pit bull, went downhill from there. So from a grumpy moment at a dog walk we went to your dog may maul a child. I asked if we needed to leave which was requested. Luckily a place nearby that knows us and our dog welcomed us and had space. So this Army vet packed up and moved on. The lesson here is to not put your dog in a position to fail. I should have recognized that the other owner was letting his dog too much in my dogs space rather than letting dogs do what they do, sniff rear ends first. Everyone wants their dog to be buddies with other dogs, do it right.

[Hondavalk]

dks wrote:
I did not know a ribbon on a leash was a warning either, is this something common?

Just some trivia for anyone interested but in the horse world ribbons in tails also have meanings:

Red- Horse kicks
Green- Inexperienced horse, (never know what it will do)
Blue- Horse is a stallion, (some can be very aggressive)
White- A discrete way of letting people know the horse is for sale

[Karfae69]

summerhouse wrote:
I 100% agree with the above comment, when I am out walking my dog, and I come across someone else walking theirs, I go out of my way to avoid a meeting. I will shorten up my leash and cross the street or trail. I tell my dog "on by", and he knows that means, ' pay that dog or person no attention.'
I too have heard of the yellow ribbon indicating ' no approach'. I try to live by that motto when out walking.
When I want to socialize my dog with others, I take him to a fenced dog park. Most dogs are in much more ready for social time off leash in neutral territory. I find however,that I do this less and less when traveling. We have our regular group at our home dog park where it is much more stress free!

Clementine has her morning social group of dogs, established pack of dogs much better. Everything from 8 pounds to 80 and mindful owners. Most times just a lot of walking and sniffing with a established group, zero drama.

[toedtoes]

The one and only time I took a dog to a leashless park, I walked in to the fenced area with her, took off her leash, and had a large chocolate lab walk up and pee all over her (she was 2 yrs old and had been spayed at 6 months - so no signals coming off her). The owner stood there laughing and did nothing to correct his dog. I put her leash back on and walked out. Never attempted to socialize with unknown dogs again.

The only dogs mine hang out with are dogs who I have met before and seen how their owner's handle them.

[summerhouse]

I 100% agree with the above comment, when I am out walking my dog, and I come across someone else walking theirs, I go out of my way to avoid a meeting. I will shorten up my leash and cross the street or trail. I tell my dog "on by", and he knows that means, ' pay that dog or person no attention.'
I too have heard of the yellow ribbon indicating ' no approach'. I try to live by that motto when out walking.
When I want to socialize my dog with others, I take him to a fenced dog park. Most dogs are in much more ready for social time off leash in neutral territory. I find however,that I do this less and less when traveling. We have our regular group at our home dog park where it is much more stress free!

[Executive45]

I'm now going to wear a yellow ribbon around MY neck when I'm out for a walk.:M:M:M..thanks for the advice...:B....Dennis

[Karfae69]

Thanks to everyone for your support, our dog actually lives with 2 bunnies and a cat. She also is in a Therapy Dog program so I am very mindful of her behavior for years now(she is 4). This was a kick in the gut but as many of you have mentioned I took the high road and we moved on. I failed my dog as a owner in that I allowed her to be in a position that had a overbearing dog in her face. As soon as the manager declared my dog a dangerous breed we were done no matter what. Our dog has been a part of our family and to leave her behind would be unthinkable. Thanks for the support.

[toedtoes]

Dog Folks wrote:
You can flame me if you like. My flame suit composed of a lifetime of being around dogs, both personally and professionally, is on.

I do not let my dogs make "friends" with any other strange dog on a leash. They do not need any "friends" or exposure to any animal where the heath status and vaccinations are unknown.

Further, if you allow two dogs to meet, nose to nose, within a short period of time one of them will often start to assert dominance, which often will lead to a dog fight. I am walking my dogs to relax, not to break up dog fights.

So, no hard feelings, I'm sure your dogs are great, but we do not need a "meet and greet."

X4

In addition, I don't leave my dogs at kennels or doggie day care places where they co-mingle the dogs. I do not want anyone else deciding whether my dog should interact with another dog. That's MY decision to make.

[nineoaks2004]

Our three Chihuahuas all think they are 10 ft. tall, but they are really good when camping, our favorite State park is very animal friendly and we have no problem, the hosts have their dogs too. We even took a bottle baby goat once as we had to bottle feed her every few hours, she was the hit of the campground, especially all the kids who just loved her. Our trip next month we are taking a bottle baby kitten that found me last week. ( she was in a ditch and it started to rain so I brought her to the DW who loves babies anyway.
However when walking our terrible trio we keep them out of the way of the big dogs and therefore as stated avoid a situation.

[Scottiemom]

Yep, totally agree!

Dale

[dturm]

No flames from me. Totally agree.

[Dog_Folks]

You can flame me if you like. My flame suit composed of a lifetime of being around dogs, both personally and professionally, is on.

I do not let my dogs make "friends" with any other strange dog on a leash. They do not need any "friends" or exposure to any animal where the heath status and vaccinations are unknown.

Further, if you allow two dogs to meet, nose to nose, within a short period of time one of them will often start to assert dominance, which often will lead to a dog fight. I am walking my dogs to relax, not to break up dog fights.

So, no hard feelings, I'm sure your dogs are great, but we do not need a "meet and greet."

[GizmosMom]

Yes, a yellow ribbon or anything else yellow on or near your dog means CAUTION.

[magnusfide]

dturm wrote:
Your reactions to the situation shows a real understanding of dogs and dog behavior. Too bad everybody doesn't have that and that many of the people that make and enforce the rules don't have a clue.

Double ditto. Thank you for being the mature and understanding party.

ReneeG wrote:

Executive wrote:
I hope the OTHER camper was asked to leave also...takes two to tangle...just sayin...Dennis

Agree.

Agreed x2

[ReneeG]

Executive wrote:
I hope the OTHER camper was asked to leave also...takes two to tangle...just sayin...Dennis

Agree.

[dks]

I did not know a ribbon on a leash was a warning either, is this something common?