Why Shelties may be targeted by other dogs?

[Jan Henshaw]

I've read and heard of Shelties being attacked by other dogs, and wondered why Shelties are frequently targeted. This morning at a fun rally class, a Golden Retriever became aggressive toward Maddie upon seeing her. (Everything turned out fine). After class I asked our trainer why Shelties are targeted. She thought perhaps it is because Shelties' ears are usually pointed forward, their head is alert and forward, and they stare directly at new dogs. She said this was a trait that most herding dogs possess, but it appears threatening to other dogs. The trainer also said that Shelties' barking can appear aggressive to other dogs; I have had that experience!

 

[Piper's mom]

I’m sure those are valid reasons, although I’m certain there are many other reasons a small dog can be targeted…one of them being simple prey drive in a larger dog. My boy Piper has been the target a few times at dog shows with the dogs being either a Malinois and a Shepherd. Nothing resulted from it, the first was actually the one that was staring at Piper…he could’ve cared less and the other was just before we entered the ring. That one snapped at him and I quickly pulled him away and had time to walk it off of him. The last was another Mal that again saw him as prey and was watching him…I kept a wide berth of that dog.
Just one of the reasons small breeds and large breeds should NEVER play together especially at doggy daycares!

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Sca and Angus are to friendly to be targets. To easy going also. With Sca you could see dogs roll their eyes like OMG it is that fluffy thing. Now Spitfire I have to watch as he is ready to go at anyone that messes with him. He is not aggressive just refuses to back down when he should.

 

[Caro]

It actually has far more to do with the other dog, not the Shelties. You will find a lot of small dogs and gentle dogs get targeted. Think of a bully and who they target.

Unstable and anxious dogs tend to lash out at other dogs in what's called redirection aggression, when they lash out at a strange dog they will pick a dog they perceive they can win against or who is unlikely to fight back. Dogs aren't going to risk their own physical well being otherwise (they is actually research on this). Of course our Shelties are lovers, not fighters, and other dogs can see that. As for the barking - it would be a poorly socialised or unstable/anxious dog that could not interpret the different barks. And a fun or playful bark from a Sheltie is very clear to a dog that understands dog language.

The GR in your class may have anxiety issues if she lashed out like that. It's something her owner should be taught to handle and maybe that environment isn't right for them. That's assuming it wasn't some other thing like a resource issue (did your dog get too close to the other dog's treats). Like so many things - never blame the victim when it's unwarranted aggression.

 

[Piper's mom]

It actually has far more to do with the other dog, not the Shelties. You will find a lot of small dogs and gentle dogs get targeted. Think of a bully and who they target.

Unstable and anxious dogs tend to lash out at other dogs in what's called redirection aggression, when they lash out at a strange dog they will pick a dog they perceive they can win against or who is unlikely to fight back. Dogs aren't going to risk their own physical well being otherwise (they is actually research on this). Of course our Shelties are lovers, not fighters, and other dogs can see that. As for the barking - it would be a poorly socialised or unstable/anxious dog that could not interpret the different barks. And a fun or playful bark from a Sheltie is very clear to a dog that understands dog language.

The GR in your class may have anxiety issues if she lashed out like that. It's something her owner should be taught to handle and maybe that environment isn't right for them. That's assuming it wasn't some other thing like a resource issue (did your dog get too close to the other dog's treats). Like so many things - never blame the victim when it's unwarranted aggression.

Agree with this 100%!
As with Piper he’d never fight back! He wouldn’t know what to do honestly.

 

[Jan Henshaw]

It actually has far more to do with the other dog, not the Shelties. You will find a lot of small dogs and gentle dogs get targeted. Think of a bully and who they target.

Unstable and anxious dogs tend to lash out at other dogs in what's called redirection aggression, when they lash out at a strange dog they will pick a dog they perceive they can win against or who is unlikely to fight back. Dogs aren't going to risk their own physical well being otherwise (they is actually research on this). Of course our Shelties are lovers, not fighters, and other dogs can see that. As for the barking - it would be a poorly socialised or unstable/anxious dog that could not interpret the different barks. And a fun or playful bark from a Sheltie is very clear to a dog that understands dog language.

The GR in your class may have anxiety issues if she lashed out like that. It's something her owner should be taught to handle and maybe that environment isn't right for them. That's assuming it wasn't some other thing like a resource issue (did your dog get too close to the other dog's treats). Like so many things - never blame the victim when it's unwarranted aggression.

The trainer told me that the GR in class has leash aggression.

 

[Jan Henshaw]

I’m sure those are valid reasons, although I’m certain there are many other reasons a small dog can be targeted…one of them being simple prey drive in a larger dog. My boy Piper has been the target a few times at dog shows with the dogs being either a Malinois and a Shepherd. Nothing resulted from it, the first was actually the one that was staring at Piper…he could’ve cared less and the other was just before we entered the ring. That one snapped at him and I quickly pulled him away and had time to walk it off of him. The last was another Mal that again saw him as prey and was watching him…I kept a wide berth of that dog.
Just one of the reasons small breeds and large breeds should NEVER play together especially at doggy daycares!

I'm certainly not blaming the victim! And I am sure that size has a lot to do with it! But in thinking about what the trainer said, and how Maddie responds to other dogs, Maddie is so excited to see other dogs that she does lock eyes on the new dog. She very pointedly looks at the dog (and barks).

 

[Caro]

I'm certainly not blaming the victim! And I am sure that size has a lot to do with it! But in thinking about what the trainer said, and how Maddie responds to other dogs, Maddie is so excited to see other dogs that she does lock eyes on the new dog. She very pointedly looks at the dog (and barks).

I absolutely understand, I didn't mean to say you. But I do often see it with other instructors (at my own club) who don't have small dogs and seem to want to blame the small dog for the behaviour of the bigger dog. They just don't get it. Or of course there's those idiots who think their dogs are 'Alpha' when in fact they have high levels of anxiety and are bullies. So as small and gentle dog owners we have to be constantly vigilant and it's just too sad.

 

[woof]

i had a small border collie/ german shepard mix attacked viciously by a golden retriever while on a dog walk on a country road- a man came out of his yard and I struggled to get the golden off my dog it was terrible-- when we separated them the golden trotted off to his house, my dog was hurt but not seriously and we never walked him again. I carry Halt pepper spray and dread seeing any dog off leash- I won't go to dog parks any more and I will not hesitate to use the spray if the dog gets too close. So far over the past years I have not had that problem again. Had a golden lab lunge at us a couple of weeks ago barking aggressively but the owner held him and he calmed down. My male barked back at him and I had the pepper spray in my hand-- if anyone has ever used that stuff get ready it gets on everyone not just the offending dog.. many years riding bicycles on Texas country roads taught me how to use that stuff.

 

[Piper's mom]

i had a small border collie/ german shepard mix attacked viciously by a golden retriever while on a dog walk on a country road- a man came out of his yard and I struggled to get the golden off my dog it was terrible-- when we separated them the golden trotted off to his house, my dog was hurt but not seriously and we never walked him again. I carry Halt pepper spray and dread seeing any dog off leash- I won't go to dog parks any more and I will not hesitate to use the spray if the dog gets too close. So far over the past years I have not had that problem again. Had a golden lab lunge at us a couple of weeks ago barking aggressively but the owner held him and he calmed down. My male barked back at him and I had the pepper spray in my hand-- if anyone has ever used that stuff get ready it gets on everyone not just the offending dog.. many years riding bicycles on Texas country roads taught me how to use that stuff.

I have encountered a lot of very stupid people on walks (and some at obedience classes) who think the dogs should always meet. They look at me like there’s something wrong with me when I say no thanks.
I have no problem telling someone to get their dog closer to them and I will cross the street if I see another dog being walked…you can never be too careful!