please read

i understand the DDA don´t worry. he likes people, what he hates is when dogs run up to him off the lead and start growling and snapping. he tends to do the same back. if that other dog gets bitten, it´s the owners fault for not controlling it. that´s why i keep my dog on a lead!!! sometimes he meets other dogs he likes, and sometimes he doesn´t like them. i think if he feels that i am threatened he will be much worse. he´s getting better though,but he hasn´t been out with iggy for a few days and he´s a bit lonely. anyway, regarding the DDA i stil don´t think it´ll be long before more dogs are added. a small terrier was killed by a bullmastiff in my area just the other week. please bear in mind that this bully is allowed to run loose and cause trouble(unlike mine). of course they have a petition going to get something done about this dog. what about getting something done about the owner????? since that people have been giving me an even wider berth in the street!!!!!!

[Quote Vanessa: my dog is never vicious to people, and is not a breed or type covered by the DDA, although I suppose it won´t be long before mastiffs get it in the neck!!!].

Hi Vanessa......actually,your dog may NOT be a breed banned under the DDA but ALL dog´s (and their owners) regardless of their breed´s or types can and do fall foul under the DDA,whether they are one of the 4 banned breeds or not.

IF (just say for instance) your dog (or anybody else´s for that - mine included) bit somebody or attacked a child or another human adult,then by Law..the victims could report the offence to the Police and they would be forced to charge both me (or you) and possibly seize and order euthanasia under the DDA...depending the severity of the incidence.

Alot of people often unknowingly and mistakingly associate the DDA with just Pit Bull´s and such like BUT believe me......ALL dogs can fall foul of this Law,along with their owners...it´s not just a rule or Legislation against the banned breeds!.

You sound like you are doing a great job with your dog and going down the right road with him.....keep going and let us know,how you get on when you eventually start your Obedience classes.

Hi i always watch cesar, he is amazing isn´t he? my dog is never vicious to people, and is not a breed or type covered by the DDA, although I suppose it won´t be long before mastiffs get it in the neck!!! have been walking out with a neighbours dog the last few days, and he has really got into it. instead of trying to eat her in terror, he wants to play and be friends. when he sees a strange dog he just stares at it. i am hoping to start him with our local dog obedience centre, as soon as he´s walking out really confidently with other dogs. my neighbour is really relaxed, and his dog puts mine right in his place, and she is half his size. i have taken his canny collar off now, and bought him a good wide collar, he seems more relaxed, and a loose dog ran up to him yesterday, he just sniffed it and walked on. he´ll still be going for his training and assessment though, but a big thanks to Iggy the bulldog, and thanks for your support on here guys.

It definatly sounds like she is protecting you, she feels like she needs to look after you, maybe getting some training on how to become her leader would help you, Cesar Milan (the dog whisperer) teaches you how to become the leader that all animals need in a natural way! x

Hi Vanessa,

I was sorry to read about the problem that you have whilst out with your Mastiff.....I know that these huge dogs can be very powerful and very fixated at time´s and after reading your post below feel that this is something that really really must be sorted out once and for all as soon as before a very nasty incident occur´s which could end with your dog facing very stiff consequences under the DDA as well as yourself.

YOU are NOT a failure..never feel like that but clearly this dog has issue´s that need addressing and I would therefore strongly advise you to seek a qualified and reputable dog behaviourist and have him assessed first hand by an expert,who can then act accordingly,to help correct his problems.

Failing that..please contact Dr Roger Mugfords Animal Training Centre on the link below:

http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/abc.php

They should be able to offer you some great advice and/or put you in touch with an approved behaviourist near to you!......I hope that help´s.

All the best now.

i have this problem, but slightly different. i have a six and a half stone bullmastiff. he sees another dog, he´s up on his toes stalk mode. so he pulls foward, then freezes. i make him wait because believe me you cannot pull him. just as the other dog gets within striking distance he lunges at it, right up in the air, claws and teeth bared, snapping and growling. even his canny collar cannot prevent this type of pulling. he listens to ABSOLUTELY NOTHING when he is like this. i have tried all sorts of things, and nothing works. he will jump into the road to get to a cat that he thinks he must kill. sometimes brave owners will let their dog approach mine, he´ll sniff happily after his initial panic, and then stand quietly, then unprovoked he´ll lunge at the other dog and try to attack it. can i point out that if his previous owner had bothered to walk him and socialise him this wouldn´t happen. dog is 22 months old, and cannot be let off the lead as he runs through anything to get to another dog. i want to take him to obidience classes, but he won´t learn whilst being so fixated on other dogs. i´ve tried all sorts of things, none of them work. i´ve had five dogs before, boy do i feel a faliure!

Lexi sound´s like she has a form of ´Fear Aggression´....please allow me to explain.

Fear aggression is actually one of the most commonest reasons people seek advice for their dogs.

It is usually caused because either:

1.The dog has not had enough positive social interactions with other dogs and learnt canine communication properly.

2. and/or has been attacked by another dog(s) and therefore may show aggression to only certain types of dogs, such as a certain size, colour or breed.

The problem is often made worse if the dog is being restrained on the lead or cornered in a small space with no means of escape. The dog will often go through the Fight, Flight, Freeze responses to the fear, but if on a lead the dog soon realises that Freeze does not work. The owner is unlikely to have recognised the Freeze and continues walking pulling the dog out of Freeze.

Flight is not an option on a lead, although in the initial stages some dogs may try to get away or hide behind the owners legs. The dog is normally pulled out from behind the legs and told not to be so daft or worse still reassured, which further exasperates the problem.

Fight is often used when the other options have not worked. The dog may go towards the end of the lead and bark, growl or even snap. The owner will instinctively tighten or even shorten the lead bringing the dog AWAY from it´s fear and towards them. This action will have confirmed to the dog that aggression can work when scared as you are pulled away from the fear. The object that the dog was afraid of may now cross the road or detour round you. This moving away is another reinforcer for the scared dog to use aggression. Lastly, the owner may try to reassure the dog or even scold him for the aggression, thus giving attention to the whole scenario which will make matters even worse.

When this has happened on more than one occasion it will become Classically Conditioned, which makes it automatic and more entrenched – the dog has learnt how to avoid getting close to what it fears by using an aggressive outburst, and dealing with its fear in the only way it knows how. This does not make it a naughty dog and any form of punishment is strongly ill advised.

Instead,it is recommended that when out on walks with your dog and when you see an oncoming dog heading your way,make your dog either ´Sit´ or lay in the ´Down´ position until after the other dog has gone past....remain calm and stress free yourself and encourage your dog´s good behaviour on the other dog´s approach with reassuring words such as ´Good girl Lexi - leave and stay´.....repeat these comforting words and once the dog has gone past,immediately reward her with a favourite treat and praise,praise,praise.

Be consistent and persistent with this training on each exercise outing and within time....she will learn not to be so fearful and go about thing´s without undue stress and tension.

I hope that help´s...all the best with her now!.

she also may be guarding you from what she perceives is a threat.

most dogs are more defencive on the lead, as they feel more vulnerable, just walk quickly past and keep talking to her hopefully she will get better

I always keep my dogs away from dogs on a lead because sometimes the dog feels threatened if he cannot get away from them. This may be your dog´s problem, feels a little ganged up on, maybe, when she is on her lead?