Need some ideas!!

Hi all!

Okay, I need some help with something. I am sure I am overreacting as ALWAYS, but here goes.

I am going to BC with Curt and his family for a week in June. We are bringing Harely with us. Now, we have rented a private cabin and we have our own beach that we share with other private cabins. As some of you may know Harley is very dog aggressive. I have a cable leash and a harness that is pretty sturdy. I may buy her a different harness, because I have already seen her snap the clip once on this one from forgetting she was on a lead and running.

There will probably be other dogs on the beach. Although I will not have Harely off lead ever, I will want her to come to the beach when I walk down, and have fun with us there. She will be sleeping indoors with us too. I am worried that a dog from a different cabin will run up and I may not get there in time, or worse, I will be right there and there will be nothing I can do to stop a fight.

I am thinking of going to neighbouring cabins and letting them know my situation, and hoping they keep a good eye on where their dogs wander.
Do you think this is a good idea?

Also, the lead we have is a cable wrapped in red plastic that we got at a pet store and is about 1/4" thick. Do you think something a little stronger would be better. I don't think she would be able to rip this, but I would like to know some other options.

Thanks

 

I have the same problem with Grace. Just taking her to the Vet today was a major ordeal. You might go to the cabins that are close to you and introduce youself and ask if by chance they have dogs that wander around. If they do, just tell them that you dog will oustside your cabin on a tie-out and that she doesn't care for dogs she doesn't know. I'm like you, I don't know the correct way to break up a dog squabble if one breaks out. I've tried before and have been bit. Worse case scenerio, take some pepper spray as a last resort. Last Sunday we were walking the dogs and a dog just hopped over a 3' wall and came charging at us. We did a fast reverse and ran in the other direction. Too bad we alway have to worry about people keeping their dogs in check. As far as your cable tie-out, I think they're rated for 150#. I've used them for other dogs, but not the Pits. I like them because they can be situated were the dogs won't get wound around anything. Are you talking about the cork-screw divise you put in the ground that the cable is attached to? Anyway, I'm sure you will have a very good time and there will be no incidents.

 

Can't hurt to let the people know your dog (who you plan to keep on leash and under control) is not friendly with other dogs, and ask that they do the same with their own dogs.... I don't know too many people who would complain about that.

Is the cable itself 1/4" thick, or the entire line (cable and coating) 1/4" thick? Cable is very strong, and even a thin cable is usually enough to hold a large load, but I'd check the rating of the cable (since you got it from a petstore, try to find the same product again and see what weigh it is suggested for, I'd use one for at least 50 lbs heavier than her). The most common failing points for cables/chains are the swivels (if they have any) and hooks at the ends. Beware of metal "coated" snaps, they're crap, you want solid hardware, preferably cast, rather than welded where possible. Are you planning on tying her out on the cable or walking her on it? If planning on walking, you don't want to use a cable, it'll run right through your hands if you have to grab her, leaving you with nasty rope burn and little control over her. You can buy a nice long lead (I got a 25' one rated for 6000lbs loads for Goo for $25 from the training place we take Haley to), or even make one if you can't find one sturdy enough nearby, probably cheaper as well.

If you do find yourself in the worst case scenario, do you know how to break up a fight? Here is a pretty good link on that: http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html

 

Make sure you take a breaking stick just in case...

If you do find yourself in a wors case scenario stay calm and if neither dog has gotten a bite in you can swipe at their rear ends to take them out for enough time to immobilize the aggressor (You'll be a pair so it'll be easier to stop a fight)... Make a plan before you encounter the problem... You go for the strange dog I'll go for our dog type thing...

Talk to neighboring people to see if they have dogs etc... Let them know your situation (I'd keep breed out of it for the start) and I'm sure you'll have a great time without a hitch!

 

Thanks guys:
Lovesdapits: It does have the screw thing, but I am going to secure it around a tree. She somehow got it out of the ground before, and I just want to be cautious.

Goo: I will have a different leash on her for walking. I am going to look into that lond lead aswell.

I am going to talk to the neighbours about Harley for sure. I always get bad looks when I tell people that Harley is dog aggressive. Like "Well, why would you bring her out then?" ARGH! I will just have to deal with it when I get there.

Thanks for all your advice.

 

Harley has every right to enjoy the beach as much as anyone else. She shouldn't be punished just because she doesn't care for other dogs. I think it would be a good idea to talk to the people in the other cabins. It will put your mind at ease and they will probably appriciate your concern for Harley as well as any animals they may have with them. I hope you and Harley have a great trip, let us know when you go.

Meg