My neighbor’s aggressive dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Something is wrong if you have a dog that requires others to cross the street in its vicinity.

You misread what I wrote. I said if you feel uncomfortable than cross the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Typical. OP, look out for yourself.

The dog has not actually done anything so what do suggest? I have a hound and she barks and lunges and Im quite some people on here would think she is "aggressive" and she does not have a mean bone in her. She's alerting me that you are there and trying to get to you (esp if you have a dog that she'd like to meet). We've trained here. A lot. But it's just in her nature. If I see people are nervous (and my neighbors all know her so it's a non-issue), I just tell the she's a barker but if you're scared you shouldn't come near us. She's actually very submissive that if you yell at her she backs off. But, her barking and trying to get to/point out the things that excite her is part of her breed.

Is it possible the GSD/Malinois is aggressive? Yes. Is it possible, too, that it's not? Yes. If you're not willing to speak to the owners and get the scoop, then avoiding the dog is the only thing to do here. There is a truly aggressive dog on our street -a lab mix, who ripped open another dog's hind quarters while on a walk. The authorities did nothing on a technicality of some sort. It has no record. The owner is clueless and a moron. So I just turn the other way when I see it.

Yeah, not cool. I don't like strange dogs lunging and running at me. OP should carry mace or the equivalent. Stay away from the dog as much as possible, but be prepared, especially in case it's the wife and she's not able to control the dog.

Who said anyone liked it? The owners certainly don't but, dogs in general react to things just like humans. Haven't you ever been startled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Fearful reactive dogs are still dangerous. OP has every right to talk to the owner, especially when living in a townhome. It's nerve-rattling to be have a dog freaking out next to you every time you come and go from your front door, FFS.

Sorry but, the dog is in his home. Op has to tune it out. How can the dog get them? It can't go through the window!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

This is OP. I stay as far away as possible from this dog.

The owners held onto the leash as it lunged toward me. This has happened about 5 times already. It lunges toward my other neighbors as well. The dog targets anything that moves outside. It is a safety issue.

It is honestly a nightmare.

Then call the police when it happens and file a report. You most likely won't because it hasn't happened in the way your are stating. Get some help for yourself.

This it the OP. I may call them or the AWLA for help.

I want to address these phobia and psychiatric help comments. No one should be shamed for getting help for phobias and anxiety. I guess people really read into my question. Thanks anyway!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Alexandria you need 2 reports to animal control to get action. If you ever hear of this dog remotely attacking or biting someone please make sure they report. Because if they don’t report, nothing they can do.

Im in Rosemont. I personally know of 2 occurrences of aggressive dogs either getting loose from their yard or breaking free from their leash to attack another dog. In one case my friend’s daughter was walking the dog and she tried to stop the attack and got severely hurt. It took 3 grown men to get the aggressive dog off of the other dog. Animal control required it to be removed from the home.

This is horrifying!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Typical. OP, look out for yourself.

The dog has not actually done anything so what do suggest? I have a hound and she barks and lunges and Im quite some people on here would think she is "aggressive" and she does not have a mean bone in her. She's alerting me that you are there and trying to get to you (esp if you have a dog that she'd like to meet). We've trained here. A lot. But it's just in her nature. If I see people are nervous (and my neighbors all know her so it's a non-issue), I just tell the she's a barker but if you're scared you shouldn't come near us. She's actually very submissive that if you yell at her she backs off. But, her barking and trying to get to/point out the things that excite her is part of her breed.

Is it possible the GSD/Malinois is aggressive? Yes. Is it possible, too, that it's not? Yes. If you're not willing to speak to the owners and get the scoop, then avoiding the dog is the only thing to do here. There is a truly aggressive dog on our street -a lab mix, who ripped open another dog's hind quarters while on a walk. The authorities did nothing on a technicality of some sort. It has no record. The owner is clueless and a moron. So I just turn the other way when I see it.

If your dog is lunging she is not under your control. She is not trying to ‘alert’ you, and it has nothing to do with her breed. she is asserting dominance and does not respect your dominance. Well trained dogs, even bred for hunting dogs in the scent of a kill will stop on a dime under command. You are not in control of your dog. Likely one day she will lunge off guard and you will lose the leash. No one should be required to ‘not come near you’ on a public sidewalk to avoid being lunged at because you can’t control your dog. You should keep your dog at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Fearful reactive dogs are still dangerous. OP has every right to talk to the owner, especially when living in a townhome. It's nerve-rattling to be have a dog freaking out next to you every time you come and go from your front door, FFS.

Sorry but, the dog is in his home. Op has to tune it out. How can the dog get them? It can't go through the window!

This is the OP, I was outside of my home and the dog was outside being walked nearby. It has happened while both of us were outside. It lunged at me several times.

On the daily, the dog hits the window and the window screen when I am entering or exiting my home. The neighbor frequently keeps the window open and I see and hear the dog hitting the screen. It’s a townhome community and the doors and windows are closely spaced together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Typical. OP, look out for yourself.

The dog has not actually done anything so what do suggest? I have a hound and she barks and lunges and Im quite some people on here would think she is "aggressive" and she does not have a mean bone in her. She's alerting me that you are there and trying to get to you (esp if you have a dog that she'd like to meet). We've trained here. A lot. But it's just in her nature. If I see people are nervous (and my neighbors all know her so it's a non-issue), I just tell the she's a barker but if you're scared you shouldn't come near us. She's actually very submissive that if you yell at her she backs off. But, her barking and trying to get to/point out the things that excite her is part of her breed.

Is it possible the GSD/Malinois is aggressive? Yes. Is it possible, too, that it's not? Yes. If you're not willing to speak to the owners and get the scoop, then avoiding the dog is the only thing to do here. There is a truly aggressive dog on our street -a lab mix, who ripped open another dog's hind quarters while on a walk. The authorities did nothing on a technicality of some sort. It has no record. The owner is clueless and a moron. So I just turn the other way when I see it.

If your dog is lunging she is not under your control. She is not trying to ‘alert’ you, and it has nothing to do with her breed. she is asserting dominance and does not respect your dominance. Well trained dogs, even bred for hunting dogs in the scent of a kill will stop on a dime under command. You are not in control of your dog. Likely one day she will lunge off guard and you will lose the leash. No one should be required to ‘not come near you’ on a public sidewalk to avoid beinat because you can’t control your dog. You should keep your dog at home.

The whole asserting dominance theory has gone out the way of the doo-doo birds. It has nothing to do with dominance and not respecting the "Alpha" That study was done on unrelated wolves and somehow everyone thought it applies to dogs. It does not. My dog sometimes barks and lunges at people who come too close. A man came very quickly around the corner, when I backed up and turned around he still came quite close and my dog wanted to protect me. I had full control of the dog but, I wish he just gave us some space to go around him.

https://news.asu.edu/20210805-discoveries-myth-alpha-dog

Sometimes humans bring it on themselves by not understanding dog behavior. Yes, I am working on him not lunging or barking but, it the meantime please don't crowd dogs you don't know!

[Anonymous]

Nothing you describe shows that this is a dog that will attack you, OP. I work with dogs.

The dangerous ones are usually the ones who SNARL, with lips curled back, showing teeth. That's an immediate danger sign. And then the truly lethal ones who attack silently without warning and go for the kill. Barking and lunging outside means this dog is poorly socialized, training has been non-existent or has not worked. The couple this dog belongs to seems to keep it leashed, which is a good sign. Barking and pressing on the window is nothing - a lot of perfectly safe dogs with a full view outside do this because they're bored, want to engage, but are frustrated by being cooped up.

However, this being a Malinois or GDS, who can literally rip your throat out, better safe than sorry, you can always carry mace or a stick. Practice in the mirror drawing it out and pretending to use it, because a loose dog is faster than you ever imagine possible. Don't get too close, or you won't have time to draw. I doubt you'll ever need it, however.

I would talk to these neighbors and officially relay your concerns, before contacting whichever authorities in your locale. There are prong collars, e-collars and special "military" trainings they can explore. The collars are especially effective for petite persons walking out of control dogs. I've used them myself to great effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Something is wrong if you have a dog that requires others to cross the street in its vicinity.

and of course this azzhat doesn't even get this. PP people > dogs. Dogs like op described are not great in th communities or close quarters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:carry treats - better to have it eat out of your hand than you be arrested for crippling it with a beating

You don't know the law. Also a person should never feed any dog other than their own. You are an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a very aggressive dog and I am very afraid it will bite me. I have done nothing to aggravate it. I am not sure what to do.

I live in a townhouse community. The neighbor has a belgian malanois or german shepherd dog that has been very aggressive to me and other people in the neighborhood. It has lunged and barked at me while walking on the street. The neighbor told it to stop and that worked. The guy’s wife walks it and has less control over it. It looks like the dog pulls her down the street.

It barks and lunges at me from their ground floor window. I see and hear its nails hit the window. This is a daily occurrence.

I can”t avoid it because the doors are side by side. I take a different walking trail to avoid them in the afternoon and evening.

It barks at the children playing in the street, other neighbors, cars, and other dogs.

The neighbor is not particularly nice and I don’t feel comfortable talking to them. The HOA and the City of Alexandria don’t seem to address this situation unless one is actually bitten. I am concerned the neighbor might lose control of the dog during a walk or accidentally get out their door and attack. The dog seems triggered by everything. I’d appreciate any advice. I am ready to move away because it is such a bad situation.

What people think as aggressive may in fact be a fearful dog. His barking and lunging is a way for you to keep away. First, he has the right to bark in his own home. I know it can be unnerving but, there is nothing you should do. He is protecting his family. Lots of dogs are fearful of children because they are unpredictable. Not every dog likes dogs. People think they need dog friends but, not everyone do. If the dog has only barked at you or lunged that is not a crime. Cross the street when you see them or turn and go the other way. Don't give eye contact, obvously. There is no need for you to talk to the owner. They might be working on these issues and either way you stating the obvious isn't helpful.

Typical. OP, look out for yourself.

The dog has not actually done anything so what do suggest? I have a hound and she barks and lunges and Im quite some people on here would think she is "aggressive" and she does not have a mean bone in her. She's alerting me that you are there and trying to get to you (esp if you have a dog that she'd like to meet). We've trained here. A lot. But it's just in her nature. If I see people are nervous (and my neighbors all know her so it's a non-issue), I just tell the she's a barker but if you're scared you shouldn't come near us. She's actually very submissive that if you yell at her she backs off. But, her barking and trying to get to/point out the things that excite her is part of her breed.

Is it possible the GSD/Malinois is aggressive? Yes. Is it possible, too, that it's not? Yes. If you're not willing to speak to the owners and get the scoop, then avoiding the dog is the only thing to do here. There is a truly aggressive dog on our street -a lab mix, who ripped open another dog's hind quarters while on a walk. The authorities did nothing on a technicality of some sort. It has no record. The owner is clueless and a moron. So I just turn the other way when I see it.

If your dog is lunging she is not under your control. She is not trying to ‘alert’ you, and it has nothing to do with her breed. she is asserting dominance and does not respect your dominance. Well trained dogs, even bred for hunting dogs in the scent of a kill will stop on a dime under command. You are not in control of your dog. Likely one day she will lunge off guard and you will lose the leash. No one should be required to ‘not come near you’ on a public sidewalk to avoid beinat because you can’t control your dog. You should keep your dog at home.

The whole asserting dominance theory has gone out the way of the doo-doo birds. It has nothing to do with dominance and not respecting the "Alpha" That study was done on unrelated wolves and somehow everyone thought it applies to dogs. It does not. My dog sometimes barks and lunges at people who come too close. A man came very quickly around the corner, when I backed up and turned around he still came quite close and my dog wanted to protect me. I had full control of the dog but, I wish he just gave us some space to go around him.

https://news.asu.edu/20210805-discoveries-myth-alpha-dog

Sometimes humans bring it on themselves by not understanding dog behavior. Yes, I am working on him not lunging or barking but, it the meantime please don't crowd dogs you don't know!

It isn't my job to understand dog behavior. You need to understand that legally this is all on you to control your dog.

[Anonymous]

Mace doesn't work on many aggressive dogs.

[Anonymous]

I've actually moved for less, when we had a neighboring pit bull that was terrifying for a number of reasons, and we had small kids who loved to play in the yard (neighbor didn't keep the dog contained so it came over to our yard all the time, despite our attempts to dissuade it and ask owners to contain it). We were absolutely not interested in waiting around to see if this dog escalated with us or worse, our kids, and we sold our house and moved. I realize it could sound like an overreaction to some people, but I really dont want my kids to be the next tragic news story and this dog was dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois (especially Malinois) are working dogs. I’m willing to bet these are owners who believe that a half hour or hour of walking everyday is enough. It’s not. Unfortunately, it sounds as if protecting the owners has become the dog’s job. As a GSD owner, I understand why you are wary. These are great dogs but need training, exercise (my younger GSD would run hard 90+ minutes a day chasing balls or doing agility). I might suggest something like HALT dog repellent for your keychain. We had a neighborhood Australian cattle dog who disdained the UPS driver, so he started carrying halt.


I love Shepherds and Malinois, I really do. But I really wish people would recognize that these are not giant lap dogs you can keep inside all day.

I love these dogs, but I also believe they shouldn't be (mostly the Malinois, Shephards can be fine) in basic suburban homes with owners who are doing anything under like 3 hour long walks a day and CONSTANT training. Like every second. Amazing dogs but they demand to be trained, and without that you've got a big problem.

I second the halt. Do what you need to do.