Can you help me with my dogs fear of bikes??

[angel1173]

Hi Longers

That would be great, I will try the distraction suggestion for the next couple of weeks (only because we have a family wedding in Spain in 2 weeks and next weekend has been dedicated to getting last minute clothing etc due to work commitments and school...) but if your offer still stands after that time I will definitely get in touch to make arrangements.

I have been overwhelmed with the support and alternative suggestions that have been placed on this thread.

Thanks again.

Sam

 

[tdr1nka]

if you have ever been bitten by a god, etc.

I have been bitten in the face by a dog, loads of claret.
Thus, by my own misfortune I know only too well what it is like.
And I have scars to prove it.

The opinion I gained from that experience is that it is generally the owner that needs repremanding, and not the dog.

In Dog We Trust
(see post 6..)

 

[potsy]

I cycle quite close to Reddish Vale most days on the way to work so will keep an eye out for you.
What does the dog do if he actually catches a bike or has that not happened yet?

 

[on the road]

if you have ever been bitten by a god or seen one of your friend;'s being bitten with blood pouring out of them or a small girl knocked off a bicycle then narrowly missed by a car , then you may be able to begin to understand.

Religion should be banned, god is evil

 

[Bman]

If God bit me, I would become devout!

 

[HobbesChoice]

pretty obvoulsy I thought - a bout irresponsible owners doing nothing about dangerous dogs. if you have ever been bitten by a god or seen one of your friend;'s being bitten with blood pouring out of them or a small girl knocked off a bicycle then narrowly missed by a car , then you may be able to begin to understand. I offered a permanent solution.

Never forget a dog - or any other pet - life is NEVER more important than a human life.

I've had my fair share of bites from Dogs (I seem to be a magnet with a lot of them) but your response, in my opinion, was incredibly over reactive. Yes, there are lots of owners out there who don't do a thing or just give a weak apology, but the OP is on a forum trying to find help to solve the issue without resorting to ridiculous violence.

The permanent solution you feel you offered was unnecessarily harsh based on an owner trying to sort the issue out and I think the chip you have so heavily on your shoulder should be directed at those who deserve it, not those who are trying to create a solution.

 

[Fnaar]

IUnfortunately, despite having been a dog owner, I can't think of any advice to offer. It sounds like a deep seated fear in the animal and one that will be very difficult to train out of it.

Naaah, don't give up! With a bit of work, you could end up with...

 

[angel1173]

Hi again all

I hear on the news that the Government are intent on clamping down on dog owners, particularly aimed at those who encourage their dogs to be aggressive and as it is early days in the talks I am going to sit on the fence a little longer before I commit to a for or against field.

Hopefully it will help us responsible dog owners to be recognised for what we are. Both my dogs are chipped with relevant pet insurance that covers third party injury (just in case, although for obvious reasons I am trying to avoid using this service!!), when out walking they always wear their collar with id tags.

The government are thinking that all dogs will be licensed and insured (which I agreed with so long as they don't fleece dog owners with high charges like they have done with drivers!!) as well as introducing compulsory muzzling and neutering for dogs deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the public but how will they assess a dangerous animal?? Will it be based on 1 incident or lots?? Will they assess by the breed before any attacks can occur, even though any dog can be trained to attack?? That said I have a friends with dogs that others perceive as a dangerous breed (staffies and Dobbies) yet their dogs are the gentlest natured pets I have ever known because of the training and love they have received.

Yes any dog has the ability to 'snap' but is that not true of humans?? Yes a dog can cause serious injury and death but so can a human armed with weapons (everyday items that one might consider 'safe'). When was the last time a dog was prosecuted for paedophilia (just 1 thing human criminals over dogs!)

Yes my dog may bark at bikes or people but does this mean he will be classed as dangerous in general?? (You know what I mean, please don't all jump on the bandwagon with a 'yes' because he could cause you to fall off your bike if he had the opportunity to chase you!!!) Remember that he is no longer given the freedom to chase.

Does this mean responsible dog owners could suffer as a consequence??

In my opinion where a dog is deemed to be dangerous the owners should be neutered and muzzled too!! I can honestly say when I am out walking on my own with my boys it's not other dogs I'm concerned about, it's the not knowing if the person approaching is capable of attacking me (concerns brought about by a couple of sexual attacks and rapes in Reddish last year) and would my dogs leap into action to defend me?? Then if they did would this compromise their 'friendly' status and leave me at risk of being sued??

I refuse to become a hermit in my own home, too scared of the world in which we live but that doesn't mean I don't worry about. My hubbie last night alone reaffirms these thoughts as he expressed concern about me arranging to meet strangers to help with my, oops sorry... our dog but I did explain that it would be at a time when he could be with me, not that I don't trust anyone who offers help but likewise I wouldn't expect you to be comfortable with meeting a stranger and encourage you to bring a mate or partner (and I can assure you that they don't come any stranger than me as my hubbie thinks I'm off my rocker looking at this route for trying to cure Buster LOL!!)

I know this is a little off track but it's something close to my heart and needs to be addressed carefully by Gordon Brown and with unbiased protection for whom it is aimed at protecting, (innocent, genuine dogs and their owners as well as the public.) For all his faults I commend Gordon Brown for raising this issue and trying to do something about it.

It just occured to me that I have not mentioned that I too had a scary experience when we were on our 2nd walk with the dogs back in November. A lady was walking her rather large border collie cross (Irish wolfhound-sized but really was enormous), he was pulling her like mad and she clearly had no restraint or control. He was on a lead and wearing a training halti (muzzle-like only it isn't designed to prevent bites). My hubbie and I saw what was going on and quickly turned up a side road so we were out of sight, to help the lady try to gain some control. Anyway the dog managed to pull free and bounded up to us and immediately our pups were submissive and frantically searching for sanctuary behind us. The other dog, came across as friendly and the lady came running all apologetic explaining her hubbie usually walked him but he was laid up with flu. We were chatting and petting each others dogs, as I was bent over my dog stroking him the big dog suddenly (and I mean suddenly!!) just turned and snapped at my face. He struck my jaw with such force it felt like I had been punched and for a couple of weeks I was nursing a bruise, one that Henry Cooper would have been proud of causing!! If it wasn't for the halti I could have received a more serious injury. I did nothing to provoke the dog to attack. I add this just to let you all know that it isn't just cyclists that get attacked and that I am sympathetic to those of you who have had the unpleasant experience of a physical bite. Needless to say we have never seen the dog or the lady since!!!

Potsy: He actually barked at the wheels and pedals, (almost like borders snap at sheep heels when herding,) on the occasions where he wasn't on his lead, he seems to not like things that move. He has never bitten anyone and is usually very friendly (he may bark as people approach but his tail is always wagging and he is head and body down in submission... all talk!!

tdr1nka: Loving the tattoo in the link, what a lovely idea. I quite agree with you it is upto the owners to step up to their responsibilities and teach the dog the appropriate behaviour and be prepared to accept the criticism if they are not prepared to make the effort to train. As stated in the original post I received some verbal abuse from the poor cyclist my dog chased but likewise I also received some valuable advice or I wouldn't be on here today boring you with my problems and irrelevant opinions!!

As I keep harping on dogs are like children and we wouldn't dream of not teaching them the rights and wrongs of the world. That said it leaves alot to be desired by the standard of some parents. The only plus side to training dogs is that they don't argue back or give excuses for making mistakes... oh and they don't ask for money as a reward... they generally get it quicker than kids... the list goes on... the more I think about it I should have just started with the dogs in the first place!!! LOL I love my girls really XX

 

[tdr1nka]

He has never bitten anyone and is usually very friendly (he may bark as people approach but his tail is always wagging and he is head and body down in submission... all talk.

It's exactly behaviour like this that people who are afraid of dogs really need to know, to stand still if a dog is running at you and not to make eye contact, basically ignore a dog and it will usually lose interest.
A dog intent on attack will take a great deal of dissuading and invariably make no noise on approach.

I'm not going to say that all dogs are safe but in general the majority are.
As much should be done to train kids, and adults alike, in how to deal with the approach and behaviour of nusiance dogs.

 

[Arch]

As I keep harping on dogs are like children and we wouldn't dream of not teaching them the rights and wrongs of the world. That said it leaves alot to be desired by the standard of some parents. The only plus side to training dogs is that they don't argue back or give excuses for making mistakes... oh and they don't ask for money as a reward... they generally get it quicker than kids... the list goes on... the more I think about it I should have just started with the dogs in the first place!!! LOL I love my girls really XX

As neither a dog owner or a mother, and therefore knowing all I know on the subject from telly, it's struck me that the tactics for training dogs and kids are just the same - Supernanny and that scary Victoria woman in the leather trousers could just swap places. It makes sense - we are animals after all, and social ones at that. Our extra dose of brainpower often turns out to be a downside, when it comes to learning lessons, as we think we are above instinct.

With regard to giving warnings of our approach, that's good manners. It's a well known courtesy for cyclists to greet horseriders they come up behind, because horses can be seriously spooked by a silent thing appearing suddenly in their view - they assume it's a predator.

And I can vouch for Longers' good character BTW, if that helps. Anyway, you'll be alright, you've got the ravening spaniels to protect you...

 

[angel1173]

Here, here if only we lived in a perfect world!!

Arch: As yet I haven't come across any cyclist who pay the same respects to dog walkers (can't say they don't for horses). Most of the cyclists I have passed seem to be commuters, (with their mind possibly distracted by visions of tea and a pint and I can't blame them there) and 'irresponsible youths' who just use there bike as a cheap means of transport (I use the term 'irresponsible youths' as I don't know how to describe these types of people in a way that won't offend or cause upset but needless to say if my daughter brought one home and introduced him as her new beau I'd send her straight to a convent!!)

Hopefully now the warmer weather is upon us more of you courteous cyclists will be round our way, by the way this forum is a great way to impart good habits upon inexperienced cycles or newbies as sadly, like dog walkers/owners, there is a small minority of cyclists who lack these basic skills.

I am registered on a couple of dog forums, where I asked for help too but as yet they are yet to yield any fruits, this has been the most helpful place to date and if none of you mind I would like to quote your ideas on the dog forums?? Or if any of you have some spare time to impart your knowledge on some of the dog sites I know other owners out there would be appreciative!!