4 Things I Wish All Dog Moms Knew…
From The Perspective Of The Dog Mom Of An “Aggressive Breed.”
Calling all “Aggressive-Breed Dog Moms” - and I say that with all the sarcasm I can possibly muster. I’m looking at you Rottie, Dobie, Pitty, Shepard moms, and I’m sure numerous other breeds that are unfairly treated as well. Over the past several weeks, I’ve connected with so many amazing dog moms, and heard all about their fur-babies! Throughout this post, I’ve mixed in the real life stories and opinions of the dog moms of these breeds and how these stereotypes affect them and their dogs on a regular basis.
I myself am an “aggressive breed dog mom.” Benji is roughly 50% rottweiler, 25% German shepherd, and 25% akita. Not exactly 3 breeds you want to list on a renter’s application. However, Benji is also one of the most well behaved and loving dogs I’ve ever met. (I know, I’m a little biased, but ask around - he is!) He doesn’t bark or destroy things, loves other dogs and people, and is easy going and calm.
So, why is it that people cross the street when they see him coming? Or that Benji’s dad and I get nervous when explaining to potential renters that we have a dog and … no, he’s not exactly a golden retriever. From breed restrictions to inherent biases about our pups held by the general public, it hurts to see our pups treated this way. My hope is that sharing these stories can help make the world of dog moms a little less fearful and a little more accepting of our loving pup dogs, while keeping everyone involved safe.
I want to start this post off by saying:
1. There are no bad dogs - only bad owners.
I have always been a firm believer that as the human (and assumably the pack leader), it is YOUR job to teach your dog how to behave. Now if you’re incredibly blessed like me and happen to rescue a “Benji”, that may require minimal work! On the other end of the spectrum, you may adopt the most beautiful or adorable little fur ball, who turns out to be an absolute crazy-pants demon dog! But, whether you rescue or purchase, there is no guarantee on your dog’s behavior simply based on breed alone. Some dogs will inherently require more work, and by agreeing to be their momma, you signed up for that. Your dog’s size, consistent behaviors, phobias, triggers, etc. are all considerations you need to take into account when raising your pup. Seeking appropriate training and resources is a huge step towards being a great DogMa and pack leader.
Beau & Snow - German Shepherds
“I can think of one time in particular - We were at a dog park and a small dog was acting out and being honestly pretty aggressive with the other dogs. I just remember thinking “Wow, Beau could NEVER in a million years get away with that.” Because of his size and breed... But because it was a smaller dog, people didn’t care so much even though it was acting inappropriately for the park.”
2. Dog Breed Does Not Equal Dog Personality
I don’t know about you, but I’ve met loving pitbulls, aggressive goldens, disinterested poodles, and everything in between. And what I mean by that is, dog breed does not equal dog personality. You can no more judge a dog by its appearance than you can a person. Now, of course - genetics DO play a role in a dog’s behavior. Some dogs are working dogs, hunting dogs, guard dogs, etc. And if you reference back to my first point, it’s on you as the dog mom to know what to expect from your dog’s breeding. If you’re a rescue dog mom, you may have less info to work with, but you can probably figure out that exercise, mental stimulation, training, socialization and leadership can all contribute to better behavior regardless of the breed.
On the other hand, paying attention to a dog’s body language is key and is a much more reliable indicator of the overall reactivity of the dog and safety of the situation. Growling, ears down, and raised fur are all signs a dog is trying to give you to “back up.” LISTEN when they tell you what they need, and RESPECT their boundaries.
Paddy - German Shepherd
“We always get blamed for other dogs’ bad behavior. Even if we don’t “start” it, it’s somehow always his fault because he’s the big GSD, and their medium/small dog could never start anything...
I’ve also gotten “your dog looks mean, so my dog is just protecting me” when Paddy is clam letting next to me and their dog is barking and snarling at us.”
3. Know Your Doggy Manners Before You Blame It On My Dog
I think the reason certain doggo’s get a bad rep is because there are so many dog pawrents out there that don’t know how to behave around other dogs or control their own dog. If you have a big powerful breed like those mentioned above, you can’t just pick up your dog and carry it away from a bad situation. You must have more than just physical control over your dog. So, let’s review a few doggy manners for best practices.
Always ask if it is okay for your dog (AND yourself) to say hello. Ideally, you do this at a far enough distance away that it is very easy to walk away.
Be ready to take control of the situation if it goes awry. Meaning, pay attention to the body language of your dog and others around him or her. Stopping a situation before it goes poorly is much easier than breaking one up.
Don’t put your dog in situations that are predictably unsafe. If you know your dog is always triggered by a certain stimulus or situation - it’s on you to keep them away from that.
When another dog parent tells you “no” - don’t insist it will be fine…
Whitney - Doberman Mix
“Whitney HATES little dogs. Don’t know why. Yesterday, I was walking her and saw another owner with a small dog coming up the street. I had her sit and put her between my legs. The other owner was completely clueless and approached close enough that she started growling. I clearly told him “No, it is not a good idea. She is reactive to small dogs.” Yet, he still approached me. In this situation, because she is a Doberman, people assume she is scary and aggressive. She’s not, and I know how to control her, but other people need to respect the boundaries we set, too! ”
4. Understand your own dog’s needs and personality
Sometimes, despite your best efforts as a dog pawrent, it’s not 100% about how you raise them. Genetics, previous abuse from other dogs or people, and individual personalities play a role in your dog's behavior. You can do everything by the book, and still have a reactive dog. However, at the end of the day, it is on you as the DogMa to keep the environment safe for your pup and others around you.
We by no means are suggesting that you shouldn’t take necessary precautions if you suspect another dog could be dangerous towards yourself or your own dog. But, we just hope you consider judging a dog by his or her behavior rather than their breed alone. Finally, make sure you’re doing your part to respect the boundaries of the other dogs and dog parents around you. And as a reminder, it never hurts to politely ask us “aggressive dog breed moms” if you could say hello to our pups. They like love and attention, too (usually!).
Maverick - Doberman
“I think for the most part, Dobermans are just as misunderstood as many other breeds - mainly for how they are portrayed in movies and even cartoons. Before owning one, that’s how I saw them. These dogs need structure to thrive. The doberman is a loyal family dog and protector, and they need someone to be diligent in their training and exercise.”
