A bit of a dilemma !!

[Libra Gran]

My very dear friend and I go walking together on average 2/3 times a week, we go to Upton Country Park mainly as there are woods,streams and for Shiloh lots of mud to play in. My dilemma is my friends DD has adopted a 4 year old German Shepherd who hasn't had much in the way of training, not the dogs fault clearly. But it was the first time I had met this dog today and although friendly enough I didn't like the way it jumped Shiloh twice and on the second jump bared it's teeth and I know Shiloh was hurt as he yelped. My dog is only 8 months and I don't want him to become fearful of other dogs, my friends youngest RC is boisterous but my friend checks her when she leaps on Shiloh as she is much bigger and he still has forming joints. A wee bit of rough and tumble is okay but not when it get's OTT. Mine is really good off lead,very attentive to me and really not interested in people or other dogs, a quick sniff and he's back to doing his own thing. My friends youngest is a bit of a pickle for running off, this causes no problem to me obviously only to my friend. My dilemma is I'm going to have to decline walks if the DD's partner and Alsation are going to be in tow, as I was really upset by it's reaction to Shiloh who was minding his own business, this dog went to him not the other way around, she doesn't go off lead at all because her recall is unpredictable so it's kept on a long line. Instead of a pleasurable and fun walk I ended up like a coiled spring and very anxious, I think my friend could tell I wasn't a happy bunny. I really don't want to cause her to be upset by my reluctance to walk with them,but I do have to do what's best for my dog and it's not about being precious about him at all. He's had loads of lovely doggy encounters with other springers and different breeds with no issues- as these dogs have also had good manners. What would you do if you were in my shoes.

[Oma]

Libra I think I would tell her that your not happy taking Shilo for walks with this dog , she may have guessed and not bring him on walks with you and takes him out separate to her own dog , It's not worth upsetting Shilo when he's training so well around other dogs , I'm sure she will be aware of your concerns

[Libra Gran]

Her DD's partner accompanys her Oma with their dog, she doesn't take it herself.He's tagged on to walks whether by her invitation I don't know. But yes I can't risk undoing all my training or make Shiloh fearful of other dogs, so I am going to have to work out how to word what I say to her. This has really been stressful for me. Just hope she doesn't take the huff

[Nana]

That's really a difficult one Libra. I know how much you enjoy your walks from your FBk pics. Personally I would have a chat to your friend about your concerns so she could have a word with her DD, if she feels it's necessary. The other option is to just go on walks when your friend's DD isn't with her. The 4yr old dog is showing his dominance & as you know your dog the best I would say it's up to you to know when to step in. As you say, it is a difficult one as you don't want to upset anyone. I remember when our dog (then puppy) was attacked by another dog. He hadn't come across a dog like this before & was terrified. There are just dogs who attack etc for no unknown reason. However, I do know that dogs feel at a disadvantage when other dogs are free & they're on a lead. Shilo was free so that obviously didn't apply.

It is such a shame that your friend's DD wasn't on top of the situation. Walks are for relaxing & enjoyment. Hope that you get it sorted soon & get back to your fun walks.

[Daisy]

LG - I'll come back to this post - I'm a bit preoccupied with something else that happened today (I'll post on that later as well), but we are in a vaguely similar position to your friend's DD with Eva. She's very friendly with other dogs to the point of being fixated on them. That's just as much of a problem in a way and I'll come back later and reply more fully. I know you have everyone's interests at heart and are a genuine dog lover and I can understand your worries. Back later.

[Shemadee]

I had to stop walking with a friend when a third party started coming along. Walks then became stressful instead of being relaxing and enjoyable. Even more difficult for you as your dog is still so young and could be badly effected by this intimidation. It is usually a case of establishing pack order but I wouldn't be so happy about the teeth baring - that sounds a bit more worrying.

[Nanto2girls]

Libra, you have to put Shilo first. I know you won't want to cause any upset with your friend, but how would you and her feel if the other dog hurt Shilo.

[Gemini]

Oh Libra, it's difficult I can see! I'm not a dog owner so don't have anything useful to contribute, but I do agree you must put Shiloh first.

[Shemadee]

She must be aware that you were not happy about how things went. She may well be upset and wondering how best to tackle the problem. It may be possible to come to some kind of compromise which may mean only walking with you friend some of the time. It may also depend on the relationship she has with the dog's owners whether they will be understanding and considerate. Hope you can work something out.

[Libra Gran]

Its her DD''s partner Shem, whether he tags along or she invites him I don't know.Obviously anyone can walk with her,its not my place to say who she can and cannot invite along.But as has been said Shiloh has to come 1st for me. I have put so much into his training and it has paid dividends,he really is a good dog around people,kiddies and other furry people. Going to have to have the tact of a diplomat I think.

[Daisy]

LG - I really think your friend's DD's German Shepherd needs some specialist training. If he's (she?) on a long (trailing?) lead and isn't responding to recall, the owner has in fact got no control over him and this is dangerous. The fact that he has already made Shiloh yelp proves the point. He (the GS, not Shiloh) needs to be on a training lead so the owner can control him before he jumps on another dog. Without seeing what his body language was like, it's hard to know what his intentions were but he's a big strong lad and even in play he can cause harm. I certainly wouldn't want to walk Shiloh with him and I think your friend will understand that Shiloh is still a puppy and it could be damaging to him to knowingly expose him to a dog with so many uncertainties.

Did he come from a local rescue centre? (PM me if you want to name it). Some rescue centres offer ongoing help with the dogs they've rehomed.

We're still finding out things about Eva (99.9% of them good), but we're not 100% sure how she is with other dogs. Her recall at home, in the garden, at friends' houses etc is excellent but out on the Forest it might be different. We can't let her off the lead until the rescue centre transfer her microchip details to us and she gets so excited when she sees other dogs that we can't be sure she'd come back. She isn't showing any interest in the Forest livestock which is great and she's really friendly with family and friends' dogs. But she's strong, young, boisterous - and we're not prepared to take any chances. We've had a few one-to-one sessions with a good dog trainer, but think she would be overwhelmed going to a socialisation type of class, so we're going to talk to a specialist trainer who's been recommended to us to see how best to go forward.

This is the downside of having a rescue dog (and I know you know a lot about it, too) and I think the owner of the GS have got to face up to that and do things properly.

[Libra Gran]

Daisy they got the dog from the well known rescue in Ashley Heath,the name which escapes me. The classes they are going to take her to don't normally take adopted dogs apparently but have made an exception. She was in Wales originally and I was told the family lived in rented accommodation and were moving and the new landlord didn't accept pets. She is 4 years old, what her full history is I don't know but they were advised not to let her off lead for at least 4 weeks.Observing today she doesn't seem to pay attention when they call her name, she is a very strong dog and I have no doubt she could do some damage to a smaller dog. She did lunge at a couple of dogs,but my concern was to keep looking to make sure Shiloh was keeping out of her way. She went to Shiloh to jump him,he was minding his own business as per usual. I haven't yet spoken to my friend this evening,but if she texts me as she normally does in the morning I am going to have to make an excuse or ask directly is her DD's partner is taking Jade on the walk. My personal feeling is she hasn't been socialised adequately to learn how to play in a gentle manner. Sadly my face is an open book and it must have been obvious I wasn't happy as well as being stressed I was cross with the dog and for him not keeping it on a short leash, Shiloh has only just recovered from limping for a few days, this either through too much exercise or treading on something.

[Plantaholic]

I personally think you should say to your friend that you enjoy your walks together but you are not happy walking with her DD's dog, I am sure she will understand that you are worried and not enjoying your walk.

[Gemini]

Libra, I agree with Plant. That would be honest, and your friend will understand that it is nothing personal against the DD, or her dog, but that the walk will neither be enjoyable for you nor safe for Shiloh if they come along. Good luck!

[Shemadee]

It is hard to say something that might upset such a good friend and to some extent the outcome might depend on how understanding her family are likely to be. She might even be glad of a reason not to walk with this GS. Can't be much pleasure in it! Not the dog's fault but a big strong dog who is out of control is not safe for anyone to be around.