Dog question, is this safe?

[Hopyard]

When I was a kid my dog sometimes prevented dad from delivering what otherwise would have been a well deserved wallop. Today, my dogs are very protective and get visibly upset when my wife and I just play fight.

I take one-on-one private martial arts lessons (Krav and Arnis) and today the young man who works with me brought his dog (it was a pit bull) to the facility where he teaches.

The dog was really sweet and very well behaved, but I was a little uneasy that it might get upset when my instructor and I engaged in various hand to hand stuff. I feared the dog might think we were fighting and act protectively.

It worked out O.K. today. Very well actually, as dog sat in a corner and ignored us.

My question is, do you guys think it is safe to have the dog around when we are "fighting," or do you think I should ask him to leave it at home?

(Let's not let this deteriorate into a dog breed thread. I just want opinions on whether or not to allow the dog to be present or ask that he leave the dog at home.)

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[kpw]

When I was a kid my dog sometimes prevented dad from delivering what otherwise would have been a well deserved wallop. Today, my dogs are very protective and get visibly upset when my wife and I just play fight.

I take one-on-one private martial arts lessons (Krav and Arnis) and today the young man who works with me brought his dog (it was a pit bull) to the facility where he teaches.

The dog was really sweet and very well behaved, but I was a little uneasy that it might get upset when my instructor and I engaged in various hand to hand stuff. I feared the dog might think we were fighting and act protectively.

It worked out O.K. today. Very well actually, as dog sat in a corner and ignored us.

My question is, do you guys think it is safe to have the dog around when we are "fighting," or do you think I should ask him to leave it at home?

(Let's not let this deteriorate into a dog breed thread. I just want opinions on whether or not to allow the dog to be present or ask that he leave the dog at home.)

Depends on the dog. Pit bulls can have a very high protective instinct as with many other breeds. I guess it would come down to the owners experience and how much you trust his judgement.

[1911PKR]

No...I had a rott trained for personal protection. While very well behaved I would have not put him in a situation like that.

[Arko]

I'm not sure. Depends on the dog.
If Bunny doesn't notice this and pop in, you may wish to try to PM her. She's a trainer and would probably have a professional opinion.

(Hi Bunny!)

[TucAzRider]

I wouldn't have my Belgian Melinois around,.. He would be getting involved,. Just in his blood,...

As other have said, I think it depends on the dog, but personally I would think having him around would bother some people and not allow them to focus,. Just my 2cents..

[pcon]

Depends on the dog. Pit bulls can have a very high protective instinct as with many other breeds. I guess it would come down to the owners experience and how much you trust his judgement.

+1...it depends on the dog for sure

[grady]

I wouldn't be comfortable with it unless I knew the dog well, and maybe not even then.

[SIXTO]

Depends on the dog, and I wouldnt worry about it.

[archer51]

I think I would prefer the dog not be there, or if he is there he be restrained. Really has nothing to do with breed, almost any dog will protect "his family" if he feels it is threatened. The bad part is what makes him feel the threat today may not be the same thing tomorrow.

[jca1]

I think the fact that the dog just sat and watched you today says it's OK

[Bunny]

I think it depends on the dog as well. Natural instinct says the dog will try to "split" or get in between you to "break up" a fight, since MOST breeds and also wolves are generally geared towards quelling a situation. However, if the dog has been exposed enough and conditioned to this type of thing, he will see it more as a play fight, like when two puppies go at it, and not the real thing, which would otherwise be a cause for concern. He may also be conditioned to understand that at the dojo, it's all playfight, whereas if you did that to His Master at home, he would try and stop you.

Then again, some dogs just don't give a fig.

(Hi Arko!)

[retsupt99]

I hope the dog realizes the 'real' thing when he needs to...

I would probably feel a little uncomfortable with the situation...the next thing you will hear is..."He's never done THAT before."

[fernset]

When I was a kid my dog sometimes prevented dad from delivering what otherwise would have been a well deserved wallop. Today, my dogs are very protective and get visibly upset when my wife and I just play fight.

I take one-on-one private martial arts lessons (Krav and Arnis) and today the young man who works with me brought his dog (it was a pit bull) to the facility where he teaches.

The dog was really sweet and very well behaved, but I was a little uneasy that it might get upset when my instructor and I engaged in various hand to hand stuff. I feared the dog might think we were fighting and act protectively.

It worked out O.K. today. Very well actually, as dog sat in a corner and ignored us.

My question is, do you guys think it is safe to have the dog around when we are "fighting," or do you think I should ask him to leave it at home?

(Let's not let this deteriorate into a dog breed thread. I just want opinions on whether or not to allow the dog to be present or ask that he leave the dog at home.)

Depends on the dog and the trainer. If he teaches I'm sure its not the first time the dog has seen him master take a beating (in school). It might be understood as normal, out of the school would most likely be a different story.

[nedrgr21]

I think the difference is he's taken more time to train and condition his dog to that situation. The first time I roughhoused with my cousin I found my forearm in the mouth of a border collie - she didn't bite, just mouthed me as a warning. I gave her a good chewing out and then proceeded to play with the kid again. She let out a mumbled growl and got chewed out again. No problems after that.

Let your instructor know your concerns and ask what he did to train his dog. Ask if there is anything you might do to set the dog off in that situation - as in if the instructor actually gets hurt. You and your wife just may get to play fight w/o upsetting the pup.

[Pure Kustom]

If this is your instructor. I would imagine that the dog is trained to know there isn't a real danger for his owner. You were probably not the first person to see his owner sparing with. I bet the dog has a command. Then it's game on.

P.S. It is usually the nicest unthreating dogs that bite. Usually when you least suspect it.