Aggressive Dog In Apartment Building
 

Has anyone ever dealt with an aggressive dog that lives in the vicinity? I just took my puppy out for a walk and as luck would have it, a couple was taking their dog aggressive dog out at the same time. It was a miracle because they were about 3 feet away from each other in the hallway and the other dog went completely ballistic. The guy that walks the dog will always cross the street when other dogs are outside. This was just bad timing that we came out in the hallway at the same time. Of course my puppy Reese was barking his little head off. If we had come out 5 seconds later, Reese probably would've been tossed in the air. I don't know if I should have the guy text me when he's out with his dog or maybe knock on my door? Honestly it sucks he has such an aggressive dog in an apartment building. Any suggestions would be so helpful!

After *seeing* what I have seen on here, quite honestly, if possible, MOVE. Move somewhere where only small pets are permitted. I would not risk an accidental left open door, dog slipping out the door...these things happen all the time. You could try that with him, but knowing there is a dog that could kill my dog LIVING in the same I would leave. You already had a near miss and quite frankly someone who has an aggressive dog obviously does not do the things they should. Good Luck I hope this works out well. I'm sorry people are jerks.

I always carry mine until we reach safe place or if another dog is approaching I pick him up until the other dog passes. Better safe than sorry.

Here is an old post that I've copied and pasted might help you in your hallway or anywhere you run into an aggressive or excited dog:

I walk with a huge black umbrella that self-opens when I push a button. It is a big thing and impressive as it opens! It give me a large appearance to the approaching dog, having that big, wide structure spread all out before me.

The thing I found most helpful to me about the open umbrella is the distance it will keep a troublesome dog away from our immediate vicinity. I have yet to have one ever get even remotely close to me and my Yorkie with the trusty brolly fully employed. They either go the other way immediately(99% of the time), stand their ground if the owner is making them or give you a very, very wide berth. They don't get close enough to or try to keep an aggressive attitude when they hear the umbrella whoosh open and see that imposing shape blossom open before their eyes.

It is very disconcerting to any dog. It is a good diffuser of tense situations but should it not be, a sturdy or actual defensive umbrellas can serve as a real weapon should you actually run into a dog who is bent on attacking. When my little 3 lb. Yorkie, Jilly, was attacked by a 65 lb. Dalmatian on a neighborhood walk, my simple wooden walking stick(pre-umbrella) was how I saved her life and got her free of the big dog's jaws. It was after that attack that I decided to use a button-operated umbrella for future walks as a deterrent - even if I have no dog with me.

But the role an open umbrella best serves is just a dissolver of bad attitudes. Most approaching dogs aren't really viscious, they just are inquisitive, excited, aggressive and out of control and this tool helps them to settle down rather quickly and become serious about how they can best stay well clear of you, your dog and your umbrella. And it gives you a wonderful sense of security, which a dog can read from quite far off.

Train your dog to sit/stay when you open the umbrella so that in an emergency situation, your dog will not be running around at your feet or shying away from the umbrella opening, thus adding to the stress of the moment.

Always pick your baby up before you go out. Unforunately my pap is like that and has taught my boo to be. I have to short leash them for sure.

I would never set him down anywhere until you can see for a distance all around you just to be safe. A dog can appear from around a bush or something and you can't see it until it is too late. I never trust any person to be able to hold their dog back either.

I drive to a park where I can walk around a track and see what is coming in every direction. I have a stroller that I can put them both in if I need a quick getaway since they are too big to carry. I see big dogs off leash everywhere I go and as soon as I see one I get my babies to the car and leave. I have seen too many tragedies on here so I don't take any chances. I know I am a little paranoid but Daisy has been attacked twice by unleashed dogs at the park and Teddy Bear was bitten once walking down our street and has been stalked by another dog. It is scary.

I would definitely pick up my pup then open my door, hold pup till you get out side and make sure the area is clear before you set your baby down.

I'm in the same situation. There is a German Shepard that hates all small dogs. Whenever we see her walking I crossed the street. This dog looks like a retired military dog but she is actually a rescue. Fortunately the owner is actively working on her aggression issues and I can see a huge improvement. We can now actually pass each other without her barking and lunging.

Now Dutch is an instigator and will start the barking first and this of course gets the GS going. Dutch gets really intimidated by dogs larger than her. She's fine with dogs her size or smaller. I am still working with her on trying to keep her from becoming so aggressive. Any tips?

Sometimes moving isn't an option. And I doubt that it would be reasonable to text the other owner when he's out and when he's in. And it doesn't necessarily have to be large dog to be aggressive.

I was an apartment dweller just until recently and now I live in a condo. But I still just can't let Emma out on a leash. First things first is that since you do have a puppy, you start training with you first.

1. Train him to stay behind/to the side of you when you open the door. You don't want him just darting out. When you are out, you give the all clear and come and proceed.
2. Train him to behave by focusing on you when other dogs are out, aggressive or not.
3. You stay calm.

I learned the techniques in a puppy training class. But I'm sure their are tutorials on how to do so on Youtube.

Others have also mentioned that you can keep your baby in your arms when you get out and to your destination but in my opinion that only is temporary especially if you're not consistent.

The other day Piper and I were out walking in a familiar, residential neighborhood. It was mid-morning, cool, and little to no activity. I stay aware of surroundings and pet properties, etc. However, that day for some reason, I turned to look behind me and JUMPED ABOUT A FOOT when I saw a huge pit mix dog within 6 ft of us. I kept walking (at our usual quick pace) as I didn't want to make any unusual moves--as a rule, I pick up Piper anytime I see loose dog(s), big or small. Thankfully the dog stopped and turned back. It was just so scary because he came up on us so quietly and quickly; thank goodness he wasn't aggressive. But geez, things happen so danged fast! I love that umbrella idea and plan to implement on our walks--so far that sounds to be the most reasonably, effective, easy-to-manage deterrent I've heard about...Again, many thanks.

Umbrella idea is excellent...Its what i will use from now on...thanks..;)

I think the umbrella and picking up your pup until the coast is clear are both great ideas. Even at my vet, all of the techs carry my pups and other small dogs when taking them to different areas because you never know when you'll bump into a larger dog coming around the corner or even just an anxious dog of any size and what the reaction will be.

I've had similar situations coming out of my apartment. Luckily the dogs were not unfriendly and my pups were on a short leash and don't just zip outside when I open the door. It's pretty alarming when something like that happens.

Just a word about a vicious dog who will attack your dog - not just bite it and run but one vicious enough to sustain an attack: If you are holding a prey object he wants and he realizes he's big enough to reach your chest level, he will go for it and/or you when he's riled up and intent on attacking the moment he figures he can get a way to his prey. Moments after Jilly was attacked and I used a walking stick to beat the dog until he dropped her and back him off while I gathered her off the ground, he still followed me with Jilly in my arms, having seizures, all the way down the block, his head often lowered and intently focusing on us, even as I'd turn and brandish the walking stick at him and say in a low, guttural voice that I would kill him if he didn't stop, telling him in a low, guttural voice, "Nooooo........Nooooo - stop......stop" in a low, forceful voice. He might not know what the words meant but he got that I meant to kill him and he didn't care. I'd step toward him with the stick up and out in the air, making myself as big and surly as I could, and he'd lower his head and back up, but the moment I turned around to walk on with her, he'd resume stalking us. The hair on the back of my neck was standing up as I could almost feel his intent on getting to her, through me if necessary, and I had to steel myself not to feel fear but to just think of killing him. I focused on that as long as he followed us.

He didn't re-attack but kept on considering the idea until we got all the way to the end of that long block where there was a busy cross street and traffic and that's what probably finally discouraged him from continuing his stealthy pursuit. Once we were finally safe, I could soothe Jilly & tell her I was going to help her, not to worry, Baby, as I ran home to the car and our way to the ER vet.

I'd faced more than a few vicious, biting dogs before during fostering and rehabilitating aggressive or biting dogs, run into them out for walks, visiting people who had bad-tempered dogs, etc., and could always handle them but I'd never gone toe-to-toe with a vicious killer dog intent on getting what it considered its rightful prey before and just thought I knew what one would act like - but I didn't, not until then.

That's when I decided I needed a tool that intimidated the dog and decided an auto-open umbrella, as it suddenly opened big and threatening, would fit the bill and overawe the dog and I've never had an vicious-acting one approach near me or my dog since.

It's amazing how quickly a dog can approach and jump on you.

I got out of my car one day with Lola in my arms, we were walking from the street to my house, about half way across my lawn a beagle came out of nowhere and jumped on me. Thankfully she was friendly, she lives 2 houses down, but that was the first time I met her so I didn't know that, scared the hell outta me. Her owner was out and didn't understand why I was upset.
Anyway if she had been vicious she easily could have attacked Lola, even in my arms.

I'm more careful now, before I was more focused on the other side of the street where I know there's a vicious dog and where the sidewalk is.

Did your baby make it???

We were in fla at at camping world. They post signs keep dogs leashed. I had my doxie ON A LEASH . A guy let his supposidly nice golden retrevers with out leashes to walk. Well they spied sugar and came running. Before i could grab her up one had her back in his mouth with me screaming to let go and beating him over his head with my fist. Finally the goof ball owner called them, i yelled if shes hurt he would pay, he had the nerve to blame me, thank GOD she was fine, so yeah it can happen oh so quick

:eek:...Our other dog Charley is quite large and i wouldnt be able to pick him up...a German Shepherd living down the street escaped his yard and attacked our dog as we walked past..luckily my husband was with me and he managed to get Charley away, but he wont walk that part of the road since.....Umberella from now on.....

She did. She was 3 lbs., had surgery for bites & 6 lacerations, rehabbed and the best part is she woke up from surgery with no fear of big dogs. That happened when she was 6 or 7 and she lived to just past 13 years.

Jilly, you are a courageous and strong person; I admire your ability to remain calm and determined in a situation you never ever should have gone through (damn these thoughtless at best, uncaring & apathetic owners for letting dogs run loose--any dog). And thank you for sharing insight and experience so we'll be better prepared should the unexpected happen. I know exactly what you mean when you said that dog knew by your tone that you'd kill him, cuz like you and the rest of us, ain't nothing I wouldn't do, ain't no varmint big or small, I wouldn't decimate when it comes to protecting my little Piper. I just think you're quite wonderful!

No kidding - all dogs should be confined or on a leash but since they aren't, I now know what a vicious one is really like and most of our tools are not much help - in fact, an umbrella wouldn't have worked that time as I only saw the dog a split second before it attacked. (But it sure works when you see the dog before it begins its lunge.) Big dogs can move faster than your brain can process "dog danger" and be on your dog in a second or two from appearance from behind something to first bite, while your brain is still reacting. These big dogs, even the ones we don't think of as powerful and dangerous, once in prey drive, are so dangerous to tiny dogs - even in our arms. I had never seen one that intent on his prey before in my life and truly thought I'd have to fight him again but thankfully it didn't happen. And best of all, Jilly made it with no internal or crippling injuries. And all I did was what any dogowner would do in the same situation. :)

That was a horrifying story. I almost understand what you mean, this dog's owner told me to go ahead outside because if we went back in my apartment, the dog was going to want to get inside. I've been picking him up and taking him outside, since I never know who's coming around the corner and who I may run into going down the stairs. Another woman in here with a Yorkie told me that I should have told the property manager, but I felt bad. I know that if that dog ever does attack another dog, it might get put down because of its aggression issues. I hope they get him some training so maybe eventually he can be out and about and not cooped up in an apartment all day. I just have to keep a close eye on Reese until I get my own place.

Hopefully, the dog will get some training and the owner can get control of him. An out-of-control big, powerful dog needs to be on a chest-attached, front-leading or other anti-pull harness if the owner has trouble controlling his pulling and lunging on the lead. There are even leader head-collars that have leashes attached directly to the muzzle strap for the worst pullers there are but hopefully that wouldn't be necessary. Still, if it saves some little dog from serious injury or attack, it would be worth his using one for a while until the dog gets the idea.