Fabforester
Well-Known Member
Our 5yo Patterdale x Border terrier -
His background is that we rescued him from CADAR as a 10wk pup, close to starvation having been found abandoned in a flat, sadly the only surviving one of his litter, including his dear mum.
He has never had any bad experiences and we have done obedience/agility/racing with him with success, as he is extremely switched on.
He has from day one either adored or despised other dogs, there is no middle ground, it is one extreme or another.
At one he randomly attacked a passing doberman who ended up having stitches in his face and lip. At two he put a great dane in the vets. Both were completely inexcusable, unprovoked attacks. He should have been muzzled constantly after the first incident but as it was So out of character, we were naive and silly enough to believe there had been something we hadnt seen and that he was defending himself.
We muzzled him after that second terrible time, and walked him away from all other dogs.
Muzzled he is miserable, and cuts his face and pads to try to get it off. You literally have to drag him along on the lead as he lies on the floor and refuses to walk. Also, If this dog is just exercised on the lead he will (unless walked all day long) never use up all his energy. We are lucky enough to access isolated beaches and private fields and his recall is fantastic so we do let him off and throw his airkong until he can chase no more. However, today has changed all that.
I was bringing in our Christmas tree from the front and the said terrier flew out of the house and down our drive. It is a long drive and lined with trees so I couldnt see if our gate had been left open. By the time I had run down to the unfortunately open gate he had attacked a cocker puppy being walked along our lane on a lead by a resident of our village. The puppy was on his back and clearly screaming for his life. The owner quickly managed to kick our terrier off and daze him enough to pick up her puppy who was utterly beside himself. I quickly grabbed our terrier, and did my best to speak to and console the owner. She was filthy, devastated, and just desperate quite rightly to check her dog over and see there were no injuries, which, thank goodness this time there werent.
She contacted me as asked once she was home and said apart from being shaken they are ok, and I have made up a basket of puppy treats and a bouquet of flowers as some means of apology. I am also dry cleaning her clothes. I know however that my actions of letting our dog out will possibly affect a dog for life, and have certainly blotted our copybook in the village. Having said that There is no self pity, or want for comfort, I just would like some advise as to what you think should be done now.
Does our terrier live a life on our property only (just under an acre) and rare outings muzzled?
Because he is so good with some dogs, we had even been looking for a while at getting a third dog, to keep our other fantastic terrier company and pair up with , as the aforementioned asbo terrier is not affectionate or playful with our other terrier, who just so desperately wants someone to play with. What a silly idea that was. He is extremely unpredictable. When it comes to humans however you can literally do anything to him - he adores all children and will be cuddled and fussed all day. He is utterly safe with all kids, livestock and would you believe it cats.
I am in tears writing this, as I spend so much of my time worrying about him, his happiness, and no confidence in knowing what is the right thing to do.
It boils down to the simple fact that he is a Very dangerous dog to other dogs, and I need to do my upmost to do the right thing for all.
His background is that we rescued him from CADAR as a 10wk pup, close to starvation having been found abandoned in a flat, sadly the only surviving one of his litter, including his dear mum.
He has never had any bad experiences and we have done obedience/agility/racing with him with success, as he is extremely switched on.
He has from day one either adored or despised other dogs, there is no middle ground, it is one extreme or another.
At one he randomly attacked a passing doberman who ended up having stitches in his face and lip. At two he put a great dane in the vets. Both were completely inexcusable, unprovoked attacks. He should have been muzzled constantly after the first incident but as it was So out of character, we were naive and silly enough to believe there had been something we hadnt seen and that he was defending himself.
We muzzled him after that second terrible time, and walked him away from all other dogs.
Muzzled he is miserable, and cuts his face and pads to try to get it off. You literally have to drag him along on the lead as he lies on the floor and refuses to walk. Also, If this dog is just exercised on the lead he will (unless walked all day long) never use up all his energy. We are lucky enough to access isolated beaches and private fields and his recall is fantastic so we do let him off and throw his airkong until he can chase no more. However, today has changed all that.
I was bringing in our Christmas tree from the front and the said terrier flew out of the house and down our drive. It is a long drive and lined with trees so I couldnt see if our gate had been left open. By the time I had run down to the unfortunately open gate he had attacked a cocker puppy being walked along our lane on a lead by a resident of our village. The puppy was on his back and clearly screaming for his life. The owner quickly managed to kick our terrier off and daze him enough to pick up her puppy who was utterly beside himself. I quickly grabbed our terrier, and did my best to speak to and console the owner. She was filthy, devastated, and just desperate quite rightly to check her dog over and see there were no injuries, which, thank goodness this time there werent.
She contacted me as asked once she was home and said apart from being shaken they are ok, and I have made up a basket of puppy treats and a bouquet of flowers as some means of apology. I am also dry cleaning her clothes. I know however that my actions of letting our dog out will possibly affect a dog for life, and have certainly blotted our copybook in the village. Having said that There is no self pity, or want for comfort, I just would like some advise as to what you think should be done now.
Does our terrier live a life on our property only (just under an acre) and rare outings muzzled?
Because he is so good with some dogs, we had even been looking for a while at getting a third dog, to keep our other fantastic terrier company and pair up with , as the aforementioned asbo terrier is not affectionate or playful with our other terrier, who just so desperately wants someone to play with. What a silly idea that was. He is extremely unpredictable. When it comes to humans however you can literally do anything to him - he adores all children and will be cuddled and fussed all day. He is utterly safe with all kids, livestock and would you believe it cats.
I am in tears writing this, as I spend so much of my time worrying about him, his happiness, and no confidence in knowing what is the right thing to do.
It boils down to the simple fact that he is a Very dangerous dog to other dogs, and I need to do my upmost to do the right thing for all.
