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I took my pup to a dog park for the first time last week. Just before we were getting ready to leave an older dog approached, noticed my dog toy and started to jump for it. I turned away, tucking the toy under my arm and making eye contact with it's owner. The dog was toy fixated and began to jump repeatedly at me. I put the toy in my jacket and zipped it. The dog continued to jump, his feet were hitting my shoulders, I could see he needed his nails clipped, his face was up to my face, I am 5'4". Each time he jumped, I turned, just as I had taught my children to do when our pup jumps. Turn and ignore. I thought to myself, does this feel agressive, or just toy fixated and I went with toy fixated. I didn't panic (the other ladies who were with me took off for the gate). I kept turning with each jump, calmly raised my voice to his owner to get the **** over here and please control your dog. This took minutes.
I got my dog, left the park and went home.
When I told my husband what happened, he was so stressed. He started to say all the things he would have done had that happened to him. I realized that all my watching of Cesar and being calm, and trying to read the situation before reacting helped me not freak.
The dog was a pit-mix too, which I guess worried the other ladies. I just saw a dog who wanted my toy. In hindsight I maybe should have just tossed my toy, but being a mom I reverted to 'hey, this behavior is unacceptable and you need to deal with it' or something like that.
My husband said 'good thing you watch 'that show' all the time'. And he's right. I did however followup with the dog park staff to make sure they knew that dog was toy fixated...I'm pretty sure that's not the type of behavior you want at a park. I'm guessing that could lead to aggression.
So thanks Cesar! I was glad to know what to do. A year or two ago and I'm might have bolted and who knows what would have happened.
Gail
Good job!
I know what you mean fixated on a toy. This can happen with a group of dogs, and if not balanced, or no rules, boundaries or limitations, can cause a real fuss or fight. I stopped bringing Rook's ball or frisbee because I wanted him to focus on his surroundings. I figured I could stop his fixation on chasing other dogs' toys, and not have to deal with other dogs getting fixated on Rook's toys, and the other owners not providing discipline or guidance for their dogs (a main reason why I don't go to dog parks often).
Another thing that will help if this happens again, is to face the dog in a calm-assertive manner, and claim your space, creating and reinforcing a bubble around you and your dog, not allowing the unstable dog into your space, using your body language and energy, and minimal sound. A firm "hey" and pointing away may very well communicate to the dog to respect your space and your property.
Patricia
It was such an agressive fixation, giving the dog a 'Hey' in an assertive stance didn't occur to me, but it sure will next time, good reminder. And I too now am working with my own dog, who isn't toy obsessed, but I make sure he never grabs a toy. I flick it around, wave my arm around, pass it by him but do not let him take it or even move toward it unless I give the signal. So I guess it was a good learning situation on a couple fronts. I would never want my dog to do that to someone else.