Dog terror

solas

I have a four month old chihuahua cross, she's only a little thing and we're just getting her started out for a daily walk in the local park. I've noticed that shes kinda nervous in general but especially when larger dogs approach, she'll start whimpering before they are in range so I've been trying to keep her calm and allowing her to sit when she wants and hopefully let them pass peacefully.

Today we were doing our usual when she spotted two dogs across the green and she got so scared she couldn't move. I kept an eye on the dogs just to make sure they wouldn't come pouncing over and while they did attempt it twice they responded when their owners called them back but they weren't leashed and eventually the made a sprint for my dog. The owners shouted that they were harmless but as soon as my dog started yelping one of the dogs grabbed a hold of her rump and went into attack mode. I yanked her up on the leash with dog still attached and got bitten by my dog in the kerfuffle.

The other dog owners eventually arrived and leashed one of the dogs, both of whom looked a little like staffy's around the face, so they were fairly meaty and tbh I wasn't all that comfortable having them gnarling at my feet either. Got the usual "they've never done that before" excuse and still their other dog is jumping up at me without being restrained.

I don't know if this message will ever be read by the owners of both dogs but to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

sorella

Words fail; are you and the wee one OK?

solas wrote: »

I have a four month old chihuahua cross, she's only a little thing and we're just getting her started out for a daily walk in the local park. I've noticed that shes kinda nervous in general but especially when larger dogs approach, she'll start whimpering before they are in range so I've been trying to keep her calm and allowing her to sit when she wants and hopefully let them pass peacefully.

Today we were doing our usual when she spotted two dogs across the green and she got so scared she couldn't move. I kept an eye on the dogs just to make sure they wouldn't come pouncing over and while they did attempt it twice they responded when their owners called them back but they weren't leashed and eventually the made a sprint for my dog. The owners shouted that they were harmless but as soon as my dog started yelping one of the dogs grabbed a hold of her rump and went into attack mode. I yanked her up on the leash with dog still attached and got bitten by my dog in the kerfuffle.

The other dog owners eventually arrived and leashed one of the dogs, both of whom looked a little like staffy's around the face, so they were fairly meaty and tbh I wasn't all that comfortable having them gnarling at my feet either. Got the usual "they've never done that before" excuse and still their other dog is jumping up at me without being restrained.

I don't know if this message will ever be read by the owners of both dogs but to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

peasant

I agree with your criticism about other dogs not being on the lead and all that, but ...

You also need to work on this:

solas wrote: »

I have a four month old chihuahua cross, she's only a little thing and we're just getting her started out for a daily walk in the local park. I've noticed that shes kinda nervous in general but especially when larger dogs approach, she'll start whimpering before they are in range so I've been trying to keep her calm and allowing her to sit when she wants and hopefully let them pass peacefully.

From what I'm reading there, I'm very much under the impression, that you are worried when you see other dogs. Your worry travels down the lead and your dog can feel it as well. You then talk to it, trying to calm it, but all you really do is acknowledge to the dog that here is something to be worried about ...increasing its anxiety.

Now, to another dog, nothing is as intriguing/interesting than your dog showing different behaviour (anxiety) to all the other dogs they meet. So they have to go and investigate. You then make matters worse by pulling your dog close to you or even up into your arms ...which only increases the interest value to the other dog. An escalation is now almost enivitable.

My tip would be to get yourself and your dog to supervised puppy classes so that both you and your dog can learn how to meet other dogs without anxiety.

Trojan911

solas wrote: »

I don't know if this message will ever be read by the owners of both dogs but to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

Maybe more people, who don't properly supervise their animals, would take notice & show more consideration if more people reported them & they were prosecuted.

Out of curiosity, did you report the owners?

solas

I gave her a good check over Sorella and didn't see any blood, washed her down when I got home to look for puncture marks but she's so fluffy its difficult to see. I might take her to the vet later just to be sure as the dog was hanging from her in mid air. I just have a small scratch but I'm more concerned about the psychological effects at the stage.

peasant wrote: »

I agree with your criticism about other dogs not being on the lead and all that, but ...

You also need to work on this:




From what I'm reading there, I'm very much under the impression, that you are worried when you see other dogs. Your worry travels down the lead and your dog can feel it as well. You then talk to it, trying to calm it, but all you really do is acknowledge to the dog that here is something to be worried about ...increasing its anxiety.

Now, to another dog, nothing is as intriguing/interesting than your dog showing different behaviour (anxiety) to all the other dogs they meet. So they have to go and investigate. You then make matters worse by pulling your dog close to you or even up into your arms ...which only increases the interest value to the other dog. An escalation is now almost enivitable.

My tip would be to get yourself and your dog to supervised puppy classes so that both you and your dog can learn how to meet other dogs without anxiety.

I have fears and I am aware of how this affects her. I was bitten by a strange dog on the face when I was a young child and needed a stitch next to my eye and I'm sure my fear stems from there.
I was raised with german shepherds as pets (3 of them in all) and I was always confident around dogs growing up. Things have changed as I've grown older and I find as I'm alone I'm not as confident in general. part of this exercise was to help deal with the issue.

I try to think of obscure stuff if you will when I see another dog just to take my mind of the fear, and I've been overcoming it and we have had a few good days where she has made friends with other dogs in the park. Obviously its easier when the dogs are smaller as I'm not afraid.
I have scoured the net and local directories for someone who could help, there are no puppy training facilities locally and at the moment I find just having company on walks helps.

I don't want to ruin this dog with my own fear but finding the opportunity to work on these issues is so much more difficult when other people have no physical control over their own dogs out in public.

Out of curiosity, did you report the owners?

I didn't Trojan, I was more concerned about the dog and wanted to make sure she was ok more than anything.

andreac

Hi there, im so sorry to hear about your ordeal and im glad your little doggie is ok and not hurt.
There are so many irresponsible owners out there and its the rest of us and our dogs that suffer because of them. I have a rottie and twice i have encountered a boxer, loose where i walk sometimes, and he has tried to attack my fella and its not nice because even though my fella is big and strong i would hate if another dog attacked him and i was very worried in case he did manage to attack him, but after the second incident i reported him to local dog warden as the dog is a danger to society, next person could be a child or elderly person who gets hurt.

So there would be no harm mentioning it to the local dog warden to make them aware that it happened.

What part of the country are you in? Maybe there would be some classes worth going to to help with your confidence and help with your little doggie too around other dogs.

solas

andreac wrote: »

Hi there, im so sorry to hear about your ordeal and im glad your little doggie is ok and not hurt.
There are so many irresponsible owners out there and its the rest of us and our dogs that suffer because of them. I have a rottie and twice i have encountered a boxer, loose where i walk sometimes, and he has tried to attack my fella and its not nice because even though my fella is big and strong i would hate if another dog attacked him and i was very worried in case he did manage to attack him, but after the second incident i reported him to local dog warden as the dog is a danger to society, next person could be a child or elderly person who gets hurt.

So there would be no harm mentioning it to the local dog warden to make them aware that it happened.

What part of the country are you in? Maybe there would be some classes worth going to to help with your confidence and help with your little doggie too around other dogs.

I might give them a ring tomorrow just to see how they implement the rules in the local park. Its in waterford city and lots of people use the place for lots of different activities so there's really a need for the rules to be applied.
Time being I'm just going to chat to vet and see if he can offer any solutions to help us out. Thanks for the responses guys.

andreac

you should ask your vet about training or socialisation classes in your area, theres bound to be something in the city somewhere, its great to get your dog, big or small socialised from an early age.

Busta Hyman

we took in our mother in laws dog for 6 mnths while she went to oz and this happened to me. i lifted oscar into my arms by the lead (i wasnt putting my hands near the dog that had hold of him) eventually after a lot of shouting and pulling with him not letting go of oscar ( a papillion) i had to give the alsation 2 almighty kicks to get him to release ( i dont care what you say but he had bit me and was making a good go at killing ossie) i am still paranoid about my daughter walking our king charles and my ultimate solution is i now walk small dogs while carrying big sticks and have had to discorage big dogs with it on numerous occasions.

solas

I would have stuck my foot out too had I not been afraid it would have been chawn off me in the process.

doctor evil

solas wrote: »

I don't know if this message will ever be read by the owners of both dogs but to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

+1000,0000

Report it to the Guards with a description of the owner as well as the park warden.

luckat

Ohhhh, stupid! Words fail me! I really get so mad at that "Don't worry, he wouldn't hurt a fly" crap. If another dog or a human is frightened, you *put your dog on a lead, NOW!*

Was in the park yesterday, chatting to a guy I sometimes meet in there walking his dogs, and we were walking along slowly by the river when a family came towards us and his greyhound went bounding up to the little girl (about 11).

She started wailing and crying in terror, and I immediately called my collie and put her on her lead, and crouched down to stroke her and let her lick my face, to give the child a chance to contain herself in calm.

My companion didn't put his dog on a lead at all until I said: "Maybe you should leash her, Xx [name changed to protect the guilty], the child's crying with fear."

When we'd gone past, he said indignantly: "What a silly place to take someone who's scared of dogs!"

He had a point, but still - the kid was scared!

Solutions for your little one... hm, maybe forget about the park for a little while and bring her on street walks, and just turn the corner well ahead of any big dog coming near. You can return to the park when she's older and more confident. (And maybe study what park you bring her to, to find a Staffie- and Aller-free one.)

Rory123

solas wrote: »

I have a four month old chihuahua cross, she's only a little thing and we're just getting her started out for a daily walk in the local park. I've noticed that shes kinda nervous in general but especially when larger dogs approach, she'll start whimpering before they are in range so I've been trying to keep her calm and allowing her to sit when she wants and hopefully let them pass peacefully.

Today we were doing our usual when she spotted two dogs across the green and she got so scared she couldn't move. I kept an eye on the dogs just to make sure they wouldn't come pouncing over and while they did attempt it twice they responded when their owners called them back but they weren't leashed and eventually the made a sprint for my dog. The owners shouted that they were harmless but as soon as my dog started yelping one of the dogs grabbed a hold of her rump and went into attack mode. I yanked her up on the leash with dog still attached and got bitten by my dog in the kerfuffle.

The other dog owners eventually arrived and leashed one of the dogs, both of whom looked a little like staffy's around the face, so they were fairly meaty and tbh I wasn't all that comfortable having them gnarling at my feet either. Got the usual "they've never done that before" excuse and still their other dog is jumping up at me without being restrained.

I don't know if this message will ever be read by the owners of both dogs but to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

These stories make me happy I'm not a suburban-dwelling dog owner. I'd hate to have to deal with that crap. I feel for you Solas!

solas

luckat wrote: »

When we'd gone past, he said indignantly: "What a silly place to take someone who's scared of dogs!"

He had a point, but still - the kid was scared!

Solutions for your little one... hm, maybe forget about the park for a little while and bring her on street walks, and just turn the corner well ahead of any big dog coming near. You can return to the park when she's older and more confident. (And maybe study what park you bring her to, to find a Staffie- and Aller-free one.)

Thing is the park is a big amenity here, it just underwent a few million refurb and its used by everyone. Theres two adventure playgrounds, a skatepark, the coffe shop is always packed and its parameter is designed to be used as a track with work out areas dotted around it. Its central to three schools and loads of people lunch there everyday. Its not just a convenient place to walk a dog, I just happen to live around the corner from it and stop in there anyway.

Spoke to the dog warden this morning and gave him the details, he said he monitors the place two to three times a week and will keep an eye out for said dogs (and any others off leash).

thanks again guys.

Bandana boy

I have a very well trained collie cross who I walk of the leash.One word even when he is excited has him racing to my side ,that said I always carry a leash and it bothers me when people who can not control there dog when it is excited and don't bother to carry a leash.
There is a staffie cross I regularly meet who attempts to aggressively dominate every other dog he meets on his walk ,he never reins in his dog until after there has been an incident and never calls him back as he races to meet other dogs. Now this owner does walk his dog reguarly and the dog looks very healthy but it is only a matter of time to when an equally aggresive dog and his meet and there will be more than snarls. Or an overly aggresive owner and there will be somebody ending up in the canal (this thought has crossed my mind more than once)

GeeNorm

solas wrote: »

to anyone who walks their dogs unleashed in the local public park, the rules are not there as a test of your dog's trustworthiness, they are there to ensure the comfort of everyone who uses the space and had the circumstances been different I would have made sure you were both fined for your irresponsible and selfish actions. Next time you take your dog for a walk in the park, have a bit of respect and leash them.

Couldn't agree more. My westie bit a woman out of the blue and I've been a convert ever since. On the karma side, a rottweiler attacked me the following week and about a month later I had a 2 minute fight-for-my-life with a staffy. I keep my dog leashed now and karma leaves me alone.

sorella

A few weeks ago I was on a small, deserted beach and a man was walking two Irish Wolfhounds.

of course they loped over to me; he said, " They are too strong for me."

He had one in a halter, like a horse, to try to restrain it,.

Thankfully they were gentle; but I had a bad moment as they raced over the sand.

HUGE dogs...

HUGE teeth....

Munster Gal

Give your vet a call and see if they run puppy parties, they're a brilliant way of socialising your dog plus you get to meet other owners and maybe set up a walking group.

doctor evil

Good news that it got reported.

I have a feeling that the fella with the 2 iwh is going to end badly.

sorella

He is German, reclusive, and lives near that beach, and this is a very remote area of Donegal. A tiny beach that few find.

So he may just manage to get by....

But they were very gentle dogs, even though they could smell my dogs and cats. Just so big - and the fact that he has no control over them.

doctor evil wrote: »

Good news that it got reported.

I have a feeling that the fella with the 2 iwh is going to end badly.