[medio]

Depending upon the dog, many dogs do seem to correspond into different approaches/behaviors/tactics, when around certain dogs. I've witnessed many situations where, owners were in disbelief/surprised, of what their dogs just did and their was always another dog in the picture when their dog went out of character somehow. I also believe, it's the pack mentality for most dogs, they feed off one another more then you and I may think.

[sjdflghd]

It would depend on the individual dog, but I would say yes! In certain situations and most importantly, when the owner is not around or even worse if, the owner is lacking as their leader, one dogs actions can and will affect the reaction of the other dogs. Pack mentality can, will set in, and can cause a pack fight!

Over the past 12 years, on three different occasions, I stepped off the yard to run into the house and grab my cell or whatever. Upon my return, I saw the beginning of a situation unfold between my APBT's and Rottweiler’s. My first action was to quickly usher off and confine by any means possible the remaining pack members before separating the fighting dogs. Pack mentality is a natural instinct, giving into it depends on the individual dog, its genetics, training, and socializing it has been exposed too.

Now, if you are referring to them doing the same to a human, although one situation came very close, I have never witnessed an actual attack on a human. However, after observing of one of my males and his behavior to a situation when one of my females is present, the male will follow the behavior of the female. Yet, when a similar situation is presented to that same male without the presence of the female, the male’s response behavior is completely different.

[Sthjrderfida]

I think it works out a lot how fearfulness can work. I could probably beat Willow to a pulp, (not that I would) and she would still be "my" dog. Raj on the other hand is most likely genetically much more skittish than her so he would most likely turn fear aggressive if I did that to him.

In other words that just mirrors what everyone else has already said.

[geaveheadeNox]

Dogs can definitely "follow the leader". I've seen dogs that didn't like water, decide to "jump on in" because another dog was "leading the pack". Mine have played "follow the leader" a lot of times.

[eskimosik]

I think it would be hard to differentiate between the bitey dog teaching the non-bitey dog, or the non-bitey dog responding to poor human leadership. My guess it a combination of both could turn the non-bitey dog bitey.

Did I read your original post correcting that Serenity bit a human AGAIN "the other day"? I wonder how many more incidents it's going to take until you realize what a liability she is

[Madjostok]

Did I read your original post correcting that Serenity bit a human AGAIN "the other day"? I wonder how many more incidents it's going to take until you realize what a liability she is

No, she didn't bite anyone again. I was shocked because my brother came inside the fence without me knowing and Serenity didn't do anything to him. She even went up for attention. I wonder if it was because of Sunny, Sunny loves this brother because Sunny was his dog originally. If that had been my other brother, she would have went after him.

[RG3rGWcA]

Dogs can definitely "follow the leader". I've seen dogs that didn't like water, decide to "jump on in" because another dog was "leading the pack". Mine have played "follow the leader" a lot of times.

Veronica is a completely different dog when out with the BF.

She starts doing all sorts of "doggy stuff" that she normally doesn't do...she normally acts like the princess and the pea but with Socrates she's chasing (or trying to) squirrels, jumping on brick walls, picking up huge sticks, running into the water (when she generally doesn't want to get her feet wet). It's more than "follow the leader"; it's "look what I can do"!!!!!

[Essefsbyday]

Wow. I am still quite shocked by hearing that, from you BUT I completely respect what you are saying and I can understand you not wanting a dog that is territorial/that'll protect you. I'd imagine most dogs are territorial, that's why that was a shock but then again, two of how previous owned dogs weren't. I really don't know if Sunny is..

Joe, I don't rely on Serenity for protection or anything like that. I do feel safer with her but I know a lot of her attitude is fear based. While I believe she would protect me and she does, she probably wouldn't be much help if she got scared and backed off at one point. I hope I never have to find out how far she'd go if I needed help. I honestly wish she was as friendly as Sunny. I one day plan to get a proper protection dog but I don't see her as my protection dog and I never will. Would I let her intimidate (she is small though) some one if I was in danger? Yes. Other then that, I try to stay safe and keep her safe.

Also, yes, it's illegal to carry knives/guns/mace around here.

very few dogs will protect its owner with no formal training. its usually a form of SELF preservation. if someone is coming at you, and your dog reacts. it is not protecting YOU. it is protecting itself

[goldeneggs]

NOR do I want a dog that is allowed to make its own decision whether "protection" is appropriate or not. That is not for the dog to decide and besides, it's up to pet owners to protect their pets ... NOT the other way around.

Nor do i, there are manny breeds who just acting like that though. Like Kangals and this other big dogs who have to protect territorium and/or cattle/pack on their own, making their own decisions.

[Madjostok]

Thanks for both your replies! I appreciate it.

Joe, I do have a question. Would you really get rid of a dog that was being territorial to some complete stranger (that you don't know) coming in to your yard/house? Also, what if some one attacked you on the street and you dog protected you, would you still keep the dog? I'm only asking because you said above that you wouldn't keep them under any circumstances.

[Accecyncphory]

I think it's a possibility, yes. I would think it would be similar to a dog fight breaking out, and other dogs joining in. Some dogs will, some dogs won't... it depends on the dog.

[Madjostok]

Wow. I am still quite shocked by hearing that, from you BUT I completely respect what you are saying and I can understand you not wanting a dog that is territorial/that'll protect you. I'd imagine most dogs are territorial, that's why that was a shock but then again, two of how previous owned dogs weren't. I really don't know if Sunny is..

Joe, I don't rely on Serenity for protection or anything like that. I do feel safer with her but I know a lot of her attitude is fear based. While I believe she would protect me and she does, she probably wouldn't be much help if she got scared and backed off at one point. I hope I never have to find out how far she'd go if I needed help. I honestly wish she was as friendly as Sunny. I one day plan to get a proper protection dog but I don't see her as my protection dog and I never will. Would I let her intimidate (she is small though) some one if I was in danger? Yes. Other then that, I try to stay safe and keep her safe.

Also, yes, it's illegal to carry knives/guns/mace around here.

[Madjostok]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. As we all know, Serenity has issues and will bite people in a certain situation. Sunny is my friendly mutt who loves all.

Could a dog like Serenity cause a dog like Sunny to bite some one in a certain situation?

I've always wondered this for several reasons. They feed off each ether so much at times. I've seen Sunny act not like himself a few times because of her (in the yard, not in public) and I've seen Serenity act like Sunny outside the yard, with people, at times.

I've always wondered, would she push him to act aggressively/bite if she was protecting me/going after some one? Or would he bite some one for coming in to the yard or would he let her do the biting and he'd just bark?

I've been thinking about this because of a situation that happened a few months back and the other day. In regards to out in public, I really don't see it happening, especially when she did bite some one, he was us and he just stood there but I'm starting to wonder him and the yard.

This isn't a big deal, I'm just curious if this is something that could possibly happen one day.

[iodigmaFemZem]

I'm no behaviorist or even know much about it but my guess is that dogs act differently in "packs" than they might otherwise act when alone.

Based on my own experience with two dogs, I would say that when I'm present and engaged with them ... they "feed" off me. Many times, while not directly involved with them, I have noticed them feed off each other in investigating abnormal or unusual activity.

I wouldn't say that one "acts" like the other, rather than themselves ... they just combine their efforts.

My dogs don't bite people in a vicious or aggressive manner OR for territorial, protection or any other reason, under ANY circumstance OR situation and if they did ... they'd be "gone".

NOR do I want a dog that is allowed to make its own decision whether "protection" is appropriate or not. That is not for the dog to decide and besides, it's up to pet owners to protect their pets ... NOT the other way around.

[Zesavenue]

Something to consider, Sasha never barked. I mean never. Then we moved to where we had multiple dogs around the neighborhood that bark. Now mine barks too. Sometimes all it takes is for a dog to see another dog so something.

Sasha never liked deep snow, until she was playing with the neighbors dog when we were both out front talking. This was the winter of 2010-2011 and by this time we had 3 or 4 foot high banks of snow on each side of the driveway. His girl went racing towards the snow and leaped up to the top in one shot followed right behind by my little dork who didn't even slow down.

Like I said, sometimes all it takes is seeing another dog do it.

[iodigmaFemZem]

I stand by what I said. A dog that will bite people, based on it's own decisions is a liability I can ill afford. ESPECIALLY a dog that bites when I am not even threatened (has Serenity "saved" you), just because someone walked in the yard or whatever.

On the street, I am prepared to take care of myself or suffer the consequences. My dog trying to intervene would simply distract me and I would try to keep my dog from becoming involved so that it wouldn't get injured. That might just be the distraction an assailant would need.

These are legal here and MUCH more effective than a pet in any tactical environment and I've never had to use either NOR my pet against a human. If they aren't legal where you are or you don't know how to use them and feel you need a dog for protection ... I suggest you find a breed for that purpose and get it trained ... not rely on PERHAPS a genetically faulty pet to decide if you need protecting or not.