We have two RR bitches. Both are well trained and loving. We are house-sitting a RR male, 20 months. He is extremely loving towards us and adores me (male). However, he has a frightening trait. When off lead and unexpectedly, he will suddenly charge towards certain (not all) male humans, barking loudly and jumping up. It must be frightening being on the receiving end. The dog stands six feet tall when on his hind legs. In our country, the dog will be ordered put down for this sort of behaviour. He is not trusted by us off lead, whereas the two bitches walk calmly by our side. A breeder (not from this dog) has indicated that this is a RR genetic trait that breeders deliberately "breed out" of their packs. Does anyone had similar experience with this breed? Other than good solid all-round training, has anyone any suggestions on how to specifically target this behaviour?
I have two Akitas, a male and a female. I never walk them off lead. They do have a nice sized fenced area to run around in. It’s just not worth the hassle
Honestly, the only time my dogs are off lead are when in my own fenced yard or the fenced yard of a good friend. There are just too many dangers out there - barbed wire fencing, broken glass, venomous snakes, coyotes, skunks, rabid animals, other dogs, people, and so on. And with large dogs, if something happens with another dog or a person, the large dog gets the blame by default. You have to prove otherwise and you're not always given the opportunity to do so.
You say you are "house-sitting" the dog, therefore you are not his owner. Personally I would never let someone else's dog off lead, however well I knew the dog. I only ever let my own dogs off lead once I was 100% certain that they would not run off, and they had a rock solid recall.
