Males lunging at each other

[chris nanney]

I was at a dog show over the weekend and while I watched the Bernese in the ring, I heard a loud disagreement, with deep bellowing barks, behind me. I turned and saw two male Newfs trying to get at each other.

The larger of the two was handled by a man who was able to get his dog pulled back. The other was handled by a small woman who clearly had her hands full. She succeeded in getting her dog away from the other but it was a slow process as he was pulling strongly.

About 5 minutes later, it happened again. I turned and saw the man putting himself between his dog and an RV to keep him from the smaller male. The woman again struggled to get her dog away but was clearly unable to control him.

I had earlier visited with the larger male who was a typical mellow guy. It just seemed strange, even funny, to see these two trying to get at each other. However, it was obvious to me that if these two had gotten to each other, it would have been an uncontrollable situation.

 

[Allise]

Along these lines...I have pondered, what have any of you done if ever in a circumstance like this to protect your dog and if it did become more aggressive what on earth do you do? This past Friday night I walked into the first of our advanced obedience classes. I usually arrive early but this time I was right on time. Immediately upon entering the classroom a large german shepard, who we had never before encountered in previous classes, started lunging and aggressively barking at Olivia...I managed to get her to the opposite side of the room..his owner was eventually able to get him under control....but for the remainder of class this GSD continued to whine and carry on anytime Olivia was in eye sight....as well, the entire class was "on alert" edgy and unable to settle for a good 10 minutes...

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

There was a shepherd-mix type in Maggie's obedience class who was horridly aggressive toward all of the other dogs (most of whom were pups). After several tries to get him on the right track, the trainer finally told them to come to private lessons for a while, because the dog had issues that needed work before it could rejoin a group.

The only one he didn't lunge at, was Maggie. He would bark and growl at her, but he never lunged at her. Maybe because (at 8 months) she was already way bigger than he was?

 

[noblenewf]

I think this situation clearly displays that even though a dog is attractive doesn't mean it has a temperament to match.

 

[pecanpiepatti]

We saw a male and female Newf go at one another at a show - very surprising as they'd been politely sniffing one another and then in the blink of an eye, they got hostile.

Our two tom cats do that all the time - it happens so quickly we have no idea what sets it off.

 

[Bluedog]

You have to remember that show dogs are intact. Any handler or owner of an intact show dog knows that things can get out of hand quickly when there are in season females about, as is often the case at dog shows. I've seen dogs with the sweetest temperament in the world turn into raging hormone tanks in the presence of a female in full standing heat. Two intact males should never be allowed to stare each other down or get in each other's "space", even while in the ring together. You will often see handlers keep their males clear of other males outside of the ring while waiting, or often back up or reposition to allow enough space in the ring as well. An intact show male on high alert is tough to control, and you better have an owner or handler that is capable of controlling their dog.

 

[Lkorzen]

I was going to suggest something along the same line as Bluedog. I know that dogs who are showing are not supposed to be "fixed." This can create a few different problems between males especially if there is a female nearby who may be coming into or going out of her heat cycle. Even then a very calm newf can become an out of control love machine.

 

[chris nanney]

There was at least one female nearby in heat. And while flair ups do happen at shows, it was a little different seeing big fluffy Newfs trying to get at each other.

 

[2Paws]

Even though our beloved newfies are known for their sweet temperment, I don't think any of us can take that disposition for granted. They are still dogs and most of them will react to the environment around them that seem threatening.

The dog show setting whether it's conformation, obedience or rally can be a very stressful setting for dogs. There are all kinds of smells and I'm sure the dogs can sense the stress and nervousness from other dogs as well as people. Actually, even the friendly get togethers can be a cause of high alert mode for most dogs.

In our obedience training class, we work on ringside manners and how to approach the crowded ring-gate. We learned how to stand with our dog while waiting our turn in the ring, what kind of body language is threatening from other dogs as well as our own and what to do if our dog reacts to another.

It is our reponsiblity as handlers to be aware of the warning signals a dog will give when it is in this high alert mode. The stiff stance, the stare downs, the yawning and agitated pacing are all signs. If one sees this in their dog or in another nearby dog, it is best to break up that initial stare down and give everyone space by walking away.

Because of the size of our beloved newfies, when there is a confrontation, it is much more noticable by others than if there was a confrontation between smaller breeds.....one more reason to be more aware of our dog's mood.

 

[Windancer]

IF one male dog is challenged by another...with female 'ode de Estrus' in the air....the sweetest of newfs can become defensive.. No self respecting intact male would whimper away...those are the choices for the dog...Females, on the other hand, have issues when in heat bitches are around..., In nature it is to compete for who will have the litter (In wolf societies there is only one dominent female who reproduces) Inthe case of dominence toward males....Common girls...we all know that answer..."Not now I have a headache"

 

[noblenewf]

I completely forgot they must be intact!! That explains it!

 

[Ginny]

As others have said, hormones abound at a dog show. Usually, as the days of the show progress and the smells increase, males get harder to handle. Intact dogs with extremely sweet dispositions lose their minds when a bitch in season is around. Intact Newfs are no different...actually, their size and strength makes it worse and handlers tend to have thin show chokes and flimsy leads on them. When out in public, you can usually spot a show person: they don't allow their dogs to get nose-to-nose with any other dogs. People who are quick to allow and even encourage their dogs to approach other dogs really need to be mindful of this.

 

[TerriW]

Only saw a Newf fight back once, and it was a scary thing. A neighbor dog wandered over and tried to attack my Max ('95 - '05). Max put up with repeated attacks as I tried to get this dog out of our backyard (he got in through an open gate).

Suddenly I heard a roar and saw Max standing on two legs going back at the other dog. Scariest thing I ever saw! It was the first and only time I've seen a Newf do this. I didn't realize he was about 7 feet tall when standing on his hind legs.

No actual biting took place, and Max never did that again, but that ONE day he had had enough.

 

[NewfMom]

Color me naive! It never occurred to me that someone would take a female in heat to a dog show. I've been paranoid for two weeks that a stray will find Katala while I'm walking her out to pee. How do they prevent all the unplanned puppies?

 

[Joy]

Thanks, gang

Thanks, gang, I needed that info. Heading out in a few minutes with my 16 month old male to obedience class. We will stay in the back row for now.
Joy and Hot Rod

 

[bria]

Not only does the unspayed/unneutered apply at dog shows but it also applies at training classes and even outside in public parks. What people must always remember is that you are putting pack animals in a pack. It only takes one alpha dog to decide to go at another dog and the pack will likely follow. It is for this reason that I do not take my dogs to public parks. Unless I absolutely know the other dog owners and the way their dogs are treated and the temperament of the other dogs I will not risk this. FYI I did read that if ever in a park setting and your dogs are off leash and there is a fight the best way to separate the two dogs is (and you need two people to do this) by their back legs. If both parties get a hold of the back legs of their dogs that is the only way to seperate them without risking yourselves getting bitten.

Susan

 

[Mrs Beblo]

I was just going to say what Susan said, but she put it more diplomatically that I was thinking....No matter WHAT they are to us, our precious loves are ANIMALS. We should never be surprised when the act like one. xoxo Mrs B & Buford