Aggressive Doberman at Tufts "Dog Park"

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

This morning at about 5:30, I was out for my early morning exercise and was greeted by a doberman running across College Ave. to say "hello" - not in the "hi-there-I-am-curious-about-you-and-would-like-to-play" manner, but in a "you-have-invaded-my-space-and-I-would-like-to-crush-your-testicles" way.  Fortunately, the dog stopped short about 2 yards from me and returned to the young woman who had taken the dog out for a walk. 

This happened right at the entrance to the Tufts "Dog Walk" area -- you know it by the sign that reads "No Dogs Allowed" (that's a subject for another day).  This is actually the second times in a couple of months that this same dog walked by the same woman has done with this. 

Other than buying new underwear or never going outside again, what should I do?  It's obvious that the two of them have some issues -- the dog isn't well trained, it's too big for her, she needs a better leash system...something.  I would hate for someone to get hurt or for the dog to get pepper sprayed, but it's really a bit terrifying for the unruly beast to come sprinting angrily toward you and I understand harsh action when that happens.  

I've never owned a dog, so I don't want to be too harsh, but there are some requirements for responsible dog ownership in densely packed urban areas.

Suggestions?  Has anyone else had issues with this pair?

Comments

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Speak to the woman with the dog and say you're uncomfortable?

[lemonlies.livejournal.com]

OT. Icon Love.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

thanks! It's way after the 25th of May, I should change it, I suppose.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

"Uncomfortable" isn't the right word, but I was reluctant to cross the street to talk to her (she was on the other side of College Ave. with the dog) since she had a unleashed large barking dog she couldn't control (and she was having trouble getting the dog into the fenced area).

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Aside from a friendly "hey, shoudln't this guy be on a leash?" I doubt there's all that much you can do. I mean, it didn't bite and was merely rambunctious.

My guess is that the owner was probably out with it at 5:30 so as to avoid confrontations with too many people because she knows it'll lead to people telling her to manage it better, or to it fighting with other dogs. A lot of people with scary-looking breeds tend to do that, even if their dogs are well-behaved.

[davelew.livejournal.com]

Just a quick note on dog behavior. Many dogs that derive from livestock guard dogs (including German Shepherds and Dobermans, which were bread from GSDs) have an "announcing visitors" behavior, where they bark at any new person and run to that area. In an urban environment, it's not a very useful behavior, but when herding sheep it could be useful to have a dog tell you when a person or animal was approaching your flock, and to also know where they were.

I know this doesn't help you to be less afraid when a Doberman is running at you, but the dog was probably not trying to crush your genitals and instead trying to tell its owner "There's someone over here! Look! Praise me, for I have fulfilled my genetic destiny!". The dog meant you no harm; a dog that means harm won't bark, will raise its back hair, will shift its weight lower, and DEFINITELY won't stop just out of lunging distance.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

As the past owner of both a GSD and a Timber Shepherd, I can only say...^^^THIS.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

When I was in Wales three years ago, I encountered several such dogs walking through the countryside. The first time I was very scared, since there was a ferociously barking dog in the middle of the road with no owner in sight. Not wanting to turn back, I carefully walked towards, then passed the dog, who eventually stopped barking. Later I got used to the sheep dogs and realized that they had no intentions of harming me and at worst would try to "herd" me.

That being said, Somerville is not the Welsh countryside and owners who walk their dogs in the city must have them under control at all times.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

This is a really excellent point. My first encounter ever with a dog like this (pit bull) was when I was wee and she only wanted to give me kisses. Full-speed, loudly barking kisses. Every doberman/full boxer/German shephard I've ever met have all been sweethearts. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Praise me, for I have fulfilled my genetic destiny!

I, for one, plan to work this into my job review next month.

Have you talked to the owner?

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

Was the dog off-leash? Your post kind of implies it but doesn't actually say it. If she was, have you tried a really direct but politely intoned "This is the second time your dog has frightened me. Could you please leash her?" I'm a dog owner with a small/medium sized older dog who's not aggressive but gets scared when younger and larger dogs get frisky with him because he's been attacked before. He's ALWAYS on-leash when we are out of the house unless we're at Nunziato Field. I've had to ask several dog owners on the Bike Path to leash their dogs. Most of them have been quite good about it.

Re: Have you talked to the owner?

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

I didn't see a trailing leash when the dog crossed College Ave., but I'll admit looking for it wasn't my first priority. I think she probably lost control of the leash when the dog decided to run. The dog ran probably 50 yards to get to me and she was far behind.

I expect my next similar meeting will require me to shout across College Ave. to her about leashing the dog.

Re: Have you talked to the owner?

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

Wow, he/she likes you! :) In all seriousness, asking her to leash the dog and keep it under control is probably a good first step. Anything else is probably going to require you to get the animal control folks involved. That means you need some way of identifying the dog and owner like the owner's name or the license number on the dog's tag, which is probably way closer than you want to get.

From her point of view, I'd be terrified if my dog was running uncontrolled across College Ave. I'm really surprised that it's happened twice. Good grief.

don't even bother trying

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

I haven't had issues with this pair but I've had issues with off-leash dogs on the Community Path. I can tell you that

1)Speaking with the owners
2)Speaking and writing the Aldermen
3)Speaking and writing to the Police Department
4)Speaking with the Mayor
5)Calling 311
6)Posting on LJ :)

Does absolutely nothing to make owners more responsible, or make the city enforce it's own leash laws.

Re: don't even bother trying

[ron_newman]

What do you recommend instead of the above?

Re: don't even bother trying

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

Sadly, there's not a lot you can do. If the dog is confrontational enough, you might want to call the police department and say that the dog attacked you. That might get them there before the lady and her dog leave. However, if the dog didn't actually touch you, and an officer arrives, all you have to hope for is the dog attacking the officer. Try to take a picture of the dog growling and rushing you, or else the officer might just poo poo your concerns.

If you want to really get rid of that dog, Let It Bite You. If a dog bites a person, they must be quarantined for a week or two. If it proceeds to continue in its confrontational ways, you/the city can sue to have the dog put down. This is very extreme, and I don't recommend it.

Re: don't even bother trying

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

pepper spray? baseball bat?

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

Is this actually on Tufts Campus? If so, and there is a sign that says "no dogs", then call campus police. They'll come by and tell her no dogs allowed and then maybe she'll find another place to run with him.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

The fenced in area, yeah. The bulk of the action happens in the middle of College Ave and on the Somerville side.

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

i have also encountered this pair on College Ave - i have the same impression (dog not trained, owner's not in control). i also have a dog, and the doberman did much more than "announcing" behavior when we passed. luckily, it was on a leash, but the owner was talking on her cell phone and responded to her dog's behavior by saying very sweetly, "bad dog. bad dog." that was about it.

generally, my strategy with out-of-control, aggressive dogs is to 1) yell and kick at the dog if it attacks my dog; 2) yell at the owner for not having their dog under control. i usually also drop my dog's leash, so she can get away if she needs to. sounds like you don't have a dog, so the yelling and kicking alone might work. :)

sorry you were scared. irresponsible dog owners drive me nuts.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Pepper spray.