It’s important to remember that dogs are not all that different from people. If they’re improperly socialized and like to pick fights with other dogs, they will gladly pick fights with humans given the opportunity. A dog who attacks without provocation is a danger to the community at large and should be destroyed.
I know you’re right about that, but I’d feel like total crap if their dog was destroyed. Harborwolf and I are going to talk to them within the next day or so. 
I’m scared.
You know, if you go back in our postings, you’ll find that Harborwolf and I do this a lot by accident. ::sigh:: It’s all because we forget to log out etc.
Anyway, I know you’re right about that, but I’d feel like total crap if their dog was destroyed. Harborwolf and I are going to talk to them within the next day or so. I’m scared.
You mentioned Biscuit is a golden retriever? At least you think so?
S/he could well have retriever rage .
That’s nothing to mess with. Our vet, last time we went, mentioned that he had just put down a golden retriever who had suddenly developed a nasty case of retriever rage and started snarling, biting, etc. like a maniac, pretty much out of nowhere. The family had kids, the kids were bitten a couple of times, and that was that. In the vet’s opinion, the dog simply wasn’t safe around people any more.
I’m glad you’re going to report it. At the very least, it might spur the dog’s owners to get it some help.
Mrs. Furthur
hugs You’re doing the right thing. It should be addressed now, before anything horrible happens.
She needs to watch The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic! I love Cesar Milan. In fact, I’m currently an expert on dog behavior having watched all of the Dog Whisperer episodes. 
In these types of cases, Cesar believes it is the owner, not the dog, who needs a lesson. He’d insist that the owner start acting like a pack leader and not allow these types of behaviors to continue. If the owner is wimpy or afraid to discipline her dog, the dog does not see her as the leader. Absent a strong leader, the dog will assume the role. And nervous dogs whom assume leadership roles do not do well. As Cesar says, “It’s an unhealthy human/dog re-latch-ionship.”
Milan’s philosophy is exercise/discipline/affection, in that order. Never pet a nervous/anxious dog as that encourages that nervous state of mind. Always speak to the dog in a calm, authoritative voice. High, squeaky voices only promote nervousness.
With every behavior issues he first takes the dog on a walk, with a simple loop collar wrapped around the dog’s upper neck. (Like a show dog.) Then he simply walks the dog with confidence. “Act like Cleopatra.” If the dog attempts to walk in front of him, he receives a corrective tug and a short corrective bark (“Shhh!”) His philosophy is that the dog should always follow the leader, never the other way around, because that’s the way it happens in a pack. He has to see the owner as the leader.
Once the walk is performed correctly, the dog naturally assumes his position as pack follower, and as such is less nervous because it’s easier to be beta dog than alpha dog.
At the first sign of aggression towards another animal (ears peeled back or lip curling), Biscuit should receive a corrective tug and a sharp bark from the owner. Then they should keep walking, confidently, by. Acc. to Milan, Biscuit is receiving nervous energy from his owner, who, by her actions, expects the dog to attack. He senses the owner’s fear and acts on it. Cesar does not believe in moving the dog to the side to let another dog pass. Rather he’d continue practicing walking the dog confidently along and immediately correcting any sign of aggression until the dog is walking happily along, in the submissive position where he belongs.
There you have it. The Dog Whisperer Philosophy. You should watch it to see how he handles these dogs. It’s fascinating. Of course, the show begins with “Do not attempt any of these techniques on your own.” disclaimer. Despite my vast knowledge of dog behavior, I am NOT a dog whisperer.
Thanks. I’ll be sure to pass those along to Alias. 
d’oh! :smack: :smack: :smack:
Dogs are dogs and they do not think and behave the way people think and behave.
While I agree with you about the importance of socialization, it simply does not follow that because a dog is dog-aggressive (or cat-aggressive etc.) it is/will become human-aggressive. This is a simplistic way of thinking but I guess we gotta save the children, right?
To the OP:
I’ve got a dog that I’m sure falls into your dog-aggressive psycho category.
It can be a bitch and a half to deal with but if I can manage mine than your new neighbor should be able to manage hers or else she shouldn’t have the dog.
I would do as the other posters suggest and call animal control.
Hopefully, it will be a wake-up call that she has to behave more responsibly when walking her dog. If you’re reluctant to do that, then when you meet with her, suggest trainers, behaviorists, gentle leaders, no children walking the dog all with the implicit threat of calling AC if she doesn’t manage her dog in a more productive fashion.
Rage syndrome is actually pretty rare - I’d have Biscuit’s thyroid checked out first and foremost. If he’s otherwise a good family dog, then I’d consult a behaviorist. I highly recommend the folks at Tufts.
Now - I find it interesting that (a) Zoe did not fight back and (b) there was no damage to her. If that is the case, then it’s possible that Biscuit was totally posturing (dominance posturing) - lots of gumming of fur, but no actual damage. It SOUNDS horrible, don’t get me wrong. I’ve had dog fights where you’d think they were KILLING each other, only to have no scratches or wounds, just a lot of drooly fur.
Eye contact can set off a dominant dog who is dog-aggressive. Zoe did not submit, possibly meaning that she didn’t intend to, either.
I dunno. It’s really difficult to say what happened or why. It DOES sound like Biscuit needs a head halter (like a gentle leader) or a sense-ible harness (I just got mine today and I LOVE IT), or even a basket muzzle.
Now - he didn’t cause any damage, so all in all, you guys came out of it okay. Zoe isn’t freaked, so that’s also good. I’d start by having a talk with the owner, saying you understand the problem and want to help if you can… suggest some of what has been suggested here. Suggest having Biscuit checked out by the vet to rule out any reasons for his behavior. If that fails, they can consult a behaviorist for help…
I’m not a whisperer either, but I have been doing this for 15 years… and this guy IS onto something. Pack leadership is everything. Heck, in this house, with the strong-temperament aussies I have? Yikes! Thankfully they all defer to me. The aussies both have issues deferring to lno and sometimes want to “argue” with him for their place in the pack. This can lead to some amusing situations.
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Establishing pack order is important. As the alpha, you control everything. Toys, food, sleeping space, playmates… everything. You walk through doors first. You insist on a heel. You take care of problems. You offer protection, guidance, and dominance so your possibly “aggressive” dog defers to you in a tense situation, knowing you can handle it just fine on your own thankyouverymuch.
My puppy hates that notion, he really does - but he is now learning that he doesn’t GET to fight with his siblings because THEY ARE MINE. Interestingly, my “MINE” bark is more effective than the “NO” or “LEAVE IT”. I use it sparingly, but they know that when I do, I mean it. I take away whatever the focus of their attention is.
Only recently have I figured out I should apply this to the puppy’s fellow dogs in this hosuehold. When I can tell he’s just itching to have an argument over power with the others, a sharp “MINE” makes him drop the idea. MINE always leads to me taking things away. Always has, always will. Muhahahahaha.
</related sidetrack>
I wouldn’t worry too much about the repercussions for the owner of Biscuit - I believe Biscuit will be a happier dog if he is socialized properly (that is, trained in no uncertain terms that the humans are the alphas, and will be obeyed), and his humans will be happier, and that will make him happier too; it is nothing but good for you to help the owner curb this behaviour.
(By the way, cats have alphas, too. As I’ve said before here, I am the only alpha female in my house, and both cats know it.)
I was curious as to why there were no marks on her, but could it possibly be because, being part husky, her super thick fur on the neck protecter her?
In all but one of the dog fights ours has been in, there was no injury. The one exception was a small puncture wound on our dog after being attacked by an unsocialized dog. Fighting is sometimes just part of the establishment of hierarchy, and not intended to cause injury.
This is not to excuse the behavior, of course. You should be able to walk your dog without her being attacked. Just that it’s not automatic that fighting = trying to kill the other dog.