Why do people think it's okay to let their dog shout at people who walk by?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is the strongest instinct in a dog to guard it's people and the hardest to train out.

Just ignore them. They aren't biting you, following you off leash through town - so who cares.

We pass a house (walking our dog) where 2 dogs throw themselves at the glass and bark. I just find it funny. My dog doesn't care and often pees on their lawn while watching them go insane. It is irrelevant.

I disagree. It depends a lot on the breed. Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman, Pit Bull, sure... But, then you better be on top of training if you want to own a protective breed like that in DC. People who own breeds like that know you can't let them aggressively bark at the window or door, unless you want them to bite people who come into your home.

It's not commonly those people who seem to be the problem though.

In my neighborhood, it is often doodles. Those breeds are not supposed to have guarding instincts (golden retrievers, poodles, labs, etc). On the guarding bell curve, these breeds are definitely on the low/no guarding side. So, that's not the dog's instincts, that's just not training the dog.

You sound really relaxed, which is nice. And, you obviously have a trained dog and are not the problem.

I would gently point out though, that you say your dog "doesn't care." But, peeing after a threatening situation is a way that dogs diffuse stress. It's the same reason that very little puppies pee themselves when greeting dogs/people that they think are intimidating. Your dog does care, he/she is actually quite diplomatic, your dog is trying to calm the other dogs down and make it clear there's no fight. Instead of barking back (fighting), your dog is redirecting (Here, smell this and get to know me a bit! Everything's okay dudes)

Just FYI Poodles do have guarding instincts. The Doodle breeder just do not tell this to prospective buyers. I have always had standard poodles and they all have been house protective and owner protective. They are not aggressive and are trainable but they have more in common with German Shepards than Golden Retrievers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Some breeds rarely bark. My dog was bred for a very specific purpose that doesn’t involve barking. I love that he’s not much of a barker. I’m surprised so many people on dcum feel like they need a guard dog.

A dog that barks when someone comes to the house is not a "guard dog," just a dog. And I don't think there's much difference between being glad that your dog is keeping an eye on things and locking your door -- it's a pretty normal security measure.

(My dog does not do anything to warn off strangers, but I wouldn't be bothered if he did)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they are inside, windows closed, I just feel bad for the owner and neighbors. If they are outside or the open window is right on the street and it gives me an adrenaline rush and makes my kids scream, then yeah you're a jerk who can't control their dog and probably shouldn't have one.

This same discussion comes up about once every month or two by the same poster.

Dogs gonna dog. If you don't like it, walk a different route, like I do! Once thing I would never do is tease the dog, because then you can be liable. If the home/dog owners have cameras, the teasing will be shown as evidence.

Ha! NO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dogs gonna dog. If you don't like it, walk a different route, like I do! Once thing I would never do is tease the dog, because then you can be liable. If the home/dog owners have cameras, the teasing will be shown as evidence.

Ha! NO

Why not?

Our neighborhood newsletter used to post a request that people not walk their dogs past houses with dogs that barked at passing dogs. But my dog didn't care that she was being barked at, and someone else's barking dog is not my problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dogs gonna dog. If you don't like it, walk a different route, like I do! Once thing I would never do is tease the dog, because then you can be liable. If the home/dog owners have cameras, the teasing will be shown as evidence.

Ha! NO

Why not?

Our neighborhood newsletter used to post a request that people not walk their dogs past houses with dogs that barked at passing dogs. But my dog didn't care that she was being barked at, and someone else's barking dog is not my problem.

I am going to walk where I want to walk. I am not going to go out of my way just to appease a barking dog. I am free to walk where I want to walk. My dog ignores those barking from the house.

[Anonymous]

The large number of totally trash dog owners in our neighborhood has resulted in my kid being terrified of dogs. Whether it's dogs aggressively running to their fence to bark-scream at everyone who walks by, or owners who refuse to leash their dogs at public parks or on walks, there are just a lot of unchecked dogs in our neighborhood and our DD has learned to just avoid dogs at all costs because she has no idea if they are going to lunge or bark at her. She sees them coming down the block and will instinctively put our bodies between her and the dog and grab hands for security. She does this even with well behaved dogs simply because she's had enough negative experiences not to trust them.

We have several friends with really sweet dogs and she won't go near their dogs even when they are on leashes and we have shown her that the dogs will not bark or bite or jump. She just wants nothing to do with them.

We love animals and have talked about getting a dog when we move if we have enough outdoor space, but we're rethinking it. At first we thought it would be good for her because then she'd see that dogs are not automatically aggressive and it could help reduce her fear. But it's so intense now that I don't know if it's a good idea.

Anyway, I'm sure the terrible dog owners in our neighborhood don't care about this because they are selfish people who adopted dogs even though the don't have the time or desire to properly train and manage their dogs, but they are making dog ownership look terrible to other people because when you are selfish and irresponsible, it is terrible!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The large number of totally trash dog owners in our neighborhood has resulted in my kid being terrified of dogs. Whether it's dogs aggressively running to their fence to bark-scream at everyone who walks by, or owners who refuse to leash their dogs at public parks or on walks, there are just a lot of unchecked dogs in our neighborhood and our DD has learned to just avoid dogs at all costs because she has no idea if they are going to lunge or bark at her. She sees them coming down the block and will instinctively put our bodies between her and the dog and grab hands for security. She does this even with well behaved dogs simply because she's had enough negative experiences not to trust them.

We have several friends with really sweet dogs and she won't go near their dogs even when they are on leashes and we have shown her that the dogs will not bark or bite or jump. She just wants nothing to do with them.

We love animals and have talked about getting a dog when we move if we have enough outdoor space, but we're rethinking it. At first we thought it would be good for her because then she'd see that dogs are not automatically aggressive and it could help reduce her fear. But it's so intense now that I don't know if it's a good idea.

Anyway, I'm sure the terrible dog owners in our neighborhood don't care about this because they are selfish people who adopted dogs even though the don't have the time or desire to properly train and manage their dogs, but they are making dog ownership look terrible to other people because when you are selfish and irresponsible, it is terrible!

PP, fwiw, my son had several bad experiences with off-leash dogs when he was little (and they weren't actually aggressive, just had poor owners who let them jump on him). So he also developed a fear of dogs. Fast forward five years, we have a dog of our own, and he adores him. All that to say, don't assume your daughter can't overcome the fear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The large number of totally trash dog owners in our neighborhood has resulted in my kid being terrified of dogs. Whether it's dogs aggressively running to their fence to bark-scream at everyone who walks by, or owners who refuse to leash their dogs at public parks or on walks, there are just a lot of unchecked dogs in our neighborhood and our DD has learned to just avoid dogs at all costs because she has no idea if they are going to lunge or bark at her. She sees them coming down the block and will instinctively put our bodies between her and the dog and grab hands for security. She does this even with well behaved dogs simply because she's had enough negative experiences not to trust them.

We have several friends with really sweet dogs and she won't go near their dogs even when they are on leashes and we have shown her that the dogs will not bark or bite or jump. She just wants nothing to do with them.

We love animals and have talked about getting a dog when we move if we have enough outdoor space, but we're rethinking it. At first we thought it would be good for her because then she'd see that dogs are not automatically aggressive and it could help reduce her fear. But it's so intense now that I don't know if it's a good idea.

Anyway, I'm sure the terrible dog owners in our neighborhood don't care about this because they are selfish people who adopted dogs even though the don't have the time or desire to properly train and manage their dogs, but they are making dog ownership look terrible to other people because when you are selfish and irresponsible, it is terrible!

PP, fwiw, my son had several bad experiences with off-leash dogs when he was little (and they weren't actually aggressive, just had poor owners who let them jump on him). So he also developed a fear of dogs. Fast forward five years, we have a dog of our own, and he adores him. All that to say, don't assume your daughter can't overcome the fear.

+1 My son had the exact same issue with dogs when he was young. Pinned down at a party by two large dogs (who didn't harm him, they were actually just licking him) and some neighbors small yappy dogs who would come running and barking. But we got a big dog and he got over his fear of dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The large number of totally trash dog owners in our neighborhood has resulted in my kid being terrified of dogs. Whether it's dogs aggressively running to their fence to bark-scream at everyone who walks by, or owners who refuse to leash their dogs at public parks or on walks, there are just a lot of unchecked dogs in our neighborhood and our DD has learned to just avoid dogs at all costs because she has no idea if they are going to lunge or bark at her. She sees them coming down the block and will instinctively put our bodies between her and the dog and grab hands for security. She does this even with well behaved dogs simply because she's had enough negative experiences not to trust them.

We have several friends with really sweet dogs and she won't go near their dogs even when they are on leashes and we have shown her that the dogs will not bark or bite or jump. She just wants nothing to do with them.

We love animals and have talked about getting a dog when we move if we have enough outdoor space, but we're rethinking it. At first we thought it would be good for her because then she'd see that dogs are not automatically aggressive and it could help reduce her fear. But it's so intense now that I don't know if it's a good idea.

Anyway, I'm sure the terrible dog owners in our neighborhood don't care about this because they are selfish people who adopted dogs even though the don't have the time or desire to properly train and manage their dogs, but they are making dog ownership look terrible to other people because when you are selfish and irresponsible, it is terrible!

PP, fwiw, my son had several bad experiences with off-leash dogs when he was little (and they weren't actually aggressive, just had poor owners who let them jump on him). So he also developed a fear of dogs. Fast forward five years, we have a dog of our own, and he adores him. All that to say, don't assume your daughter can't overcome the fear.

+1 My son had the exact same issue with dogs when he was young. Pinned down at a party by two large dogs (who didn't harm him, they were actually just licking him) and some neighbors small yappy dogs who would come running and barking. But we got a big dog and he got over his fear of dogs.

Same, except we got a sweet, older small mixed breed dog with lots of kid experience first. He was a good "starter dog," then a few years later we added a beagle. Starter dog has passed away by now, but he was a game changer for my highly anxious child. The beagle we got as a puppy, and she is just as sweet as can be. My son is over his fear so much that we pet-sat a Rottweiler recently, and he loved her!

This is a kid that was so afraid of dogs at 3 that he set off the drug dog at Heathrow with his fear response (and bolt). The dog alerted and we got to spend a lovely hour in a small room with cops going through every stitch of everything we had with us. Fun times....

[Anonymous]

For those who commented about dogs "shouting". Our dog absolutely yelled. If we didn't respond to one quiet bark right away, she barked louder. Dog version of shouting.

She couldn't see out the window so she didn't yell at anyone going by.

[Anonymous]

My hound sings to everyone she knows and new people she would like to know. Loud and strong. A big hello. Yes, we cut her off if it goes on more than a yelp or 2.

But- these people largely stop and come over and chat with her. Some people just smile and wave with a hello back response...even people we haven't met. This comprises 80% of the people she sees on a walk. The other 20%? They either ignore her or complain to others how loud and awful she is. The latter is just a few neighbors or maybe the odd person at a park.
It literally is a litmus test for a$$holes...and the efficacy rate is 100%. She's the best indicator strip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dogs gonna dog. If you don't like it, walk a different route, like I do! Once thing I would never do is tease the dog, because then you can be liable. If the home/dog owners have cameras, the teasing will be shown as evidence.

Ha! NO

Why not?

Our neighborhood newsletter used to post a request that people not walk their dogs past houses with dogs that barked at passing dogs. But my dog didn't care that she was being barked at, and someone else's barking dog is not my problem.

I am going to walk where I want to walk. I am not going to go out of my way just to appease a barking dog. I am free to walk where I want to walk. My dog ignores those barking from the house.

Ok, now we see the issue - it is you. But do you have to keep posting about this topic about once a mont or so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My hound sings to everyone she knows and new people she would like to know. Loud and strong. A big hello. Yes, we cut her off if it goes on more than a yelp or 2.

But- these people largely stop and come over and chat with her. Some people just smile and wave with a hello back response...even people we haven't met. This comprises 80% of the people she sees on a walk. The other 20%? They either ignore her or complain to others how loud and awful she is. The latter is just a few neighbors or maybe the odd person at a park.
It literally is a litmus test for a$$holes...and the efficacy rate is 100%. She's the best indicator strip.

x100000

LOVE a hounds bray!! So awesome!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dogs gonna dog. If you don't like it, walk a different route, like I do! Once thing I would never do is tease the dog, because then you can be liable. If the home/dog owners have cameras, the teasing will be shown as evidence.

Ha! NO

Why not?

Our neighborhood newsletter used to post a request that people not walk their dogs past houses with dogs that barked at passing dogs. But my dog didn't care that she was being barked at, and someone else's barking dog is not my problem.

I am going to walk where I want to walk. I am not going to go out of my way just to appease a barking dog. I am free to walk where I want to walk. My dog ignores those barking from the house.

Ok, now we see the issue - it is you. But do you have to keep posting about this topic about once a mont or so?

*month

Obviously mont/mount/mounted is something you are not getting, otherwise this would be a non issue, as it should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The large number of totally trash dog owners in our neighborhood has resulted in my kid being terrified of dogs. Whether it's dogs aggressively running to their fence to bark-scream at everyone who walks by, or owners who refuse to leash their dogs at public parks or on walks, there are just a lot of unchecked dogs in our neighborhood and our DD has learned to just avoid dogs at all costs because she has no idea if they are going to lunge or bark at her. She sees them coming down the block and will instinctively put our bodies between her and the dog and grab hands for security. She does this even with well behaved dogs simply because she's had enough negative experiences not to trust them.

We have several friends with really sweet dogs and she won't go near their dogs even when they are on leashes and we have shown her that the dogs will not bark or bite or jump. She just wants nothing to do with them.

We love animals and have talked about getting a dog when we move if we have enough outdoor space, but we're rethinking it. At first we thought it would be good for her because then she'd see that dogs are not automatically aggressive and it could help reduce her fear. But it's so intense now that I don't know if it's a good idea.

Anyway, I'm sure the terrible dog owners in our neighborhood don't care about this because they are selfish people who adopted dogs even though the don't have the time or desire to properly train and manage their dogs, but they are making dog ownership look terrible to other people because when you are selfish and irresponsible, it is terrible!

PP, fwiw, my son had several bad experiences with off-leash dogs when he was little (and they weren't actually aggressive, just had poor owners who let them jump on him). So he also developed a fear of dogs. Fast forward five years, we have a dog of our own, and he adores him. All that to say, don't assume your daughter can't overcome the fear.

+1 My son had the exact same issue with dogs when he was young. Pinned down at a party by two large dogs (who didn't harm him, they were actually just licking him) and some neighbors small yappy dogs who would come running and barking. But we got a big dog and he got over his fear of dogs.

+1

Same here.