Dog Health Questions: Is this dog safe to be around?

I just started my dog in dog-training classes. One of the other dogs in the class is very aggressive. The dog is a large mixed breed, looks to be part Pit Bull, and is a rescue. The previous owners cropped the ears and tail - clearly not a professional job done by a vet - and the dog has scaring around its face. The dog was friendly towards people but lunged and barked at my dog, aggressively, for the full hour and never calmed down. Neither the owner nor the trainer seemed to be qualified to handle the situation.

Should I stick with it in hopes that this dog will calm down once it gets to know my dog better, or is this a dangerous situation that I should remove my dog from?

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Recommended Answer:
Phone up the trainer. Tell them you are uncomfortable with that dog being in the class and that you feel that the other dog's behavior is ruining the positive nature of the class for your dog. Offer them two options: Either remove the other dog from the class or give you a full refund so you can continue your dog's training in a positive environment elsewhere. A good trainer would not allow a dog-aggressive dog to be in a group class environment. Training classes are supposed to be a good experience for owner and dogs, and a bonding experience. Having a dog lunging and barking at you does not create a positive environment. I would not continue in that class unless the other dog is removed.

Add: I would not say that just because the trainer is not experienced with dog aggression that it makes them a poor trainer. In my experience, few trainers are good enough to effectively and safely address aggression. That doesn't mean they aren't perfectly qualified to teach obedience in an appropriate manner and address everyday minor behavioral issues.

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• I would remove your dog from the situation. You wouldn't be safe , and neither would your dog.


• Keep your dog safe. If you feel it is not a safe situation, then remove your dog. If the trainer can not handle an aggressive dog, you may need to find a new trainer.


• if the trainer didn't know how to handle it, i, personally, would take my dog out and find another class.


• I would ask for a refund and go to a different class. It's doesn't matter the type of dog, it's the behavior of the dog. I don't care if it were a yorkie, I would never purposely continue to subject my dog to an aggressive dog.


• This is not a dog that should be in a group training but rather idividual training classes. I would switch classes I would worry that if they lost their grip on him he would injure you poor dog. It also sound like this dog was a fighting dog or had some seriuse dog agression issues.


• I would talk to the trainer and see if he/she could arrange to work with the aggressive dog one on one away from other dogs. I have my pup in obedience and we frequently do short and long line recalls where the leashes are dropped and the dog must come on your command. I would not trust the aggressive dog to not beeline toward your dog. If the trainer doesn't see an issue, ask for a refund for the remaining classes and remove your dog. Your dog probably isn't learning anything anyway with that dog distracting him.


• you should remove your dog from the situation, take no chances. your dog could be seriously hurt. that is not something to leave to chance.


• If you are concerned, remove yourself and your dog from the situation. The owners of the dog should have more sense, and remove themselves from the class. But I learned a long time ago, that people rarely do what's sensible. It sounds as if the dog should have private lessons


• Frankly I'd be out of there FAST. If the trainer doesn't have control over the dogs in her class, your dog could not only be in danger, but a set to (not necessarily involving him) could put him off for life.
  
  Find another class!!
  
  Or you might have a word with the trainer, in private, about what's going on?


• I believe your question should have been...Should you stay with that dog trainer? Clearly if he couldn't handle the situation then perhaps he's not as good as maybe they told you he was. I would get out of there and find a new trainer, someone that knows how to really handle dogs.


• Find another dog class to go to. That aggressive dog should be trained by itself, and then Integrated into a class with a more experienced trainer.


• I would talk with the instructor first and voice your concerns then, if you are still not comfortable with the situation, I would request a refund and look for another trainer.


• i would personally pull my dog and myself out of the class as it is clearly not safe, especially if the trainer couldn't even handle the situation. i would go the another class else where.


• I would not put my dog's life on the line to find out. The aggresive dog should be removed from the class and taught individually.


• In this situation, the dog is not the problem. This dog is dog aggressive but he is going thru a training period to rehabilitate...my concern is if you feel the trainer is not trained enough to handle the situation, you should voice your concern.
  
  Socialization takes both sides, the Pit owner needs to correct or re-direct the dog the second that dog is focusing on your dog....(react till he starts barking or lunging is too late)...then the dog needs to be calm, then the owner should say "Yes" then reward...
  
  On your part, you can use this opportunity to teach your dog to avoid conflict....fight or flight, I'd rather my dog to flight than fight...the moment the pit starts focusing on your dog, get your dog attention on you, make him sit and totally ignore that dog.
  
  It sounds silly because it looks like you are exposing your dog to a dangerous situation...but just look at this as a real life practice. At least it's a class with many owners helping you. Imagine you are on the street and suddenly a pit starts barking at your dog and your dog starts reacting?


• Personally I'd look for another training class but have you had a quiet word with the tutor and asked them how long they allow these sort of situations to go on, and was the other dog muzzled? It sounds as if the rescue dog has had a tough time up to now and may have been used for fighting in which case it is still doing what it has been taught to do and will take time to unlearn its habits, but don't worry, you can teach an old dog new tricks. As long as it's muzzled perhaps you could give it another couple of weeks and see how it goes before looking for another class.


• if the dog is a rescue dog its problems are probably well documented, i would suggest the dog is muzzled while attending classes, this will allow for you and your dog to feel safe and also give the other dog the change to be socialised, ejecting the dog from classes could do more harm tot he dog than good! also the trainer is just that a TRAINER not a dog psychologist


• First of all, just because a dog is a pitbull doesn't mean it will automatically, instinctively be mean. The humane society and pounds do not put aggressive dogs up for adoption. Obviously, the dog is in training because it needs it, just like yours. Talk to the trainer. If the situation is THAT bad, he should refund the owner and ask them not to come back to class OR move you guys to a different class. Try to let your dogs meet outside of class with both dogs on a secure leash. Some dogs are just nervous around things that remind them of their past. I think people who adopt rescue dogs should socialize them as much as possible before putting them in a training class with 10 other dogs.


• find a different class. That dog clearly has some history/past agression difficulties that can't be controlled by the owner or the trainer. Don't risk your dogs life, or even your own.