Dog attack :(

ihatework

ihatework

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2004
Messages
23,739
Visit site
My 7yo Manchester terrier was attacked this morning, it was quite nasty and she is currently in surgery but expected to recover fine.

I won't dwell on the circumstances here, I'm dealing with it and it's a situation I can avoid in future, but I'm quite concerned how this will affect her mentally.

I've only had her a year (she was a rehome) and whilst a very friendly sociable little thing, there has been some underlying nervousness/anxiety, particularly when meeting new big dogs. So I have always introduced her carefully and she has really started to gain confidence. I'm really worried this unprovoked attack will really set her back, suggestions on how to manage this going forwards?
 
Poor thing. I'd just start again to be honest and start building her back up slowly and with incremental distances and make it a positive thing for her. I'd expect it to be a bit messy and noisy at first and I'd definitely pick and choose where and with whom she works with in case of another bad experience. If it proves too stressful for her, at her She, I wouldn't push too hard and maybe just manage her exposure to big dogs if possible.
If she doesn't 'have to' meet them then I wouldn't force it.
My dog isn't Mr Personality with other large dogs that get into his personal space so I don't force him into social interactions he neither wants nor needs.
 
Last edited:
am sure people with more experience will be along. I am sorry though, its wretched when it happens and I hope she's soon the mend.

When my old dog was attacked he didnt need surgery. he was a large dog attacked by an even larger one and I got him back out as soon as possible but in very controlled situations with dogs he knew. He was ok in the end (didnt have any prior nervousness) but never again went in for the sort of play that involved being pushed, he would just leave the situation. he wasnt playing with the dog that attacked him, that slipped its halti and went for him, bowled him over and bit his abdomen.

I guess alot depends on the extent of her injuries and therefore length of recovery. see how she is among dogs she knows and then see how she is in the vicinity of other dogs-but at a distance just to assess her first and build up from there.
 
Thanks, I think the wound looks dramatic (she was picked up and shook, and virtually all the skin on one side of her stomach ripped off - think skinned rabbit look!), but it should be reasonably easily repaired. Just waiting on an update from the vets. She was remarkably calm after the incident but that's probably just shock.
Time will tell I suppose. Luckily in a way she lives with a big but very gentle dog so hopefully that will help
 
I'm so sad to hear that, it must have been terrifying to watch, poor little girl. I hope she is soon physically recovered.
 
I've been remarkably calm about the whole thing really, at the time I was just so focussed on a) kicking the other dog off her and then b) getting her to the vets that it didn't really sink in how much worse it could have been. She has come around from the GA fine, is sporting 45 stitches and coming home this evening. Poor girlie.
 
I jut wanted to come on and say I'm really sad to hear about your poor pup. I hope she makes a speedy recovery and isn't too affected by it. Must have been a horrible ordeal for the both of you :(

I would probably tackle it how others have advised. Once she's up to it, get her around dogs she knows and see what she's like then start slowly building up her confidence again with dogs outside.

Our whippet was once attacked by a GSD (not badly like your girl though) and he now gives most GSD's a wide berth and just avoids them. He's fine with all other dogs. Likewise, our female whippet was attacked/shown aggression a few times by the same BC where we used to live, she's now a bit funny about BC's with mostly black faces but is completely fine with everything else.
 
Your poor girl! I am a fellow Manchester Terrier owner - are you on the British Manchester Terrier Fan Page on FB? They might be able to give you more specific advice, as the breed can be nervy already without the added trauma of such a severe attack!
As the others have said, I'd introduce her to seeing other dogs in a low pressure environment - from far away at first, plenty of positive reinforcement for non-nervous behaviour. Gradually (over the course of a few days, even weeks if that's what it takes) getting closer - but only get closer to calm, friendly dogs. She may always hold a grudge against that particular type of dog - mine doesn't like chocolate labs after having a scrap with the ones at my yard when he was a naughty, entire, teenage-phase hooligan!
What has the other owner had to say about it? Hope they are offering to pay vets bills :-/ it's every dog owner's worst nightmare, I really feel for you!
 
So so sorry to read this. I hate them having a bad experience even without injury. We used to have a Manchester many years ago, such smart little dogs.
Do your best at least for a while, of not letting her get in stressful situation. The hardest part for you will be to keep calm yourself and not be overprotective as they pick up on that. Easier said than done. Best wishes, let us know how she gets on.
 
Bless her, hope she recovers quickly.
After one of our JRTs was attacked, the vet advised walking her little and often, to prevent her from stiffening up. We found this was the best thing for the dog psychologically too, building confidence back up a little at a time.
 
gunnergundog said:
How's your dog doing today?
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking :)
She is sore and quiet but has eaten and done her business. Back to the vets later for a check up. I need to investigate surgical suits so she can loose the cone of shame!
Here she is catching some early morning rays with me at breakfast
 
Oh bless her!
The trouble with Mannies is they are so bloomin flexible and have such long noses, they have to have a really long cone of shame so they can't still reach to lick!
I got some outgrown babygros for Frank when he had his balls off. If you have any friends with kids/older babies, see if they can donate a few :)
I want to post a pic of Frank looking ridic in his babygro, when I have more time later... teehee
 
Blimey ihw, that is an awful lot of stitches, so sorry for your little girl and you. I hope she makes a complete recovery both mentally and physically. Sorry I can't offer any advice but I'm sure with your dedicated care and understanding her future can be bright again.
 
I hope the recovery goes as swiftly as possible, and that you find something else which works for her, so that she doesn't need to wear the cone.

If you worry about that it will have made her nervous around/nearby unknown large dogs, perhaps consider buying an Adaptil collar, to hopefully help her feel a bit more relaxed.
 
We have just been to the vets and encountered a couple of dogs with no issue, so fingers crossed with a bit of sensible stage management it won't be too big an issue.

Great baby grow idea! I actually bought a surgical vest while at vets, will get it refunded by the dog owners anyway.
 
what a horrible thing to have happened. thas alot of stitches for a smaller dog, she looks lovely BTW, hope she will be happier without the cone of shame and gets well soon.
 
Poor little mite! We had problem dogs next door, unfortunately it really traumatised all our dogs because you never knew just when they were all going to come out and start attacking and/or being aggressive - there was one awful time when our little terrier was a pup when all three dogs were on to him biting and attacking him, we were very lucky that they didn't kill him. Stupidly I believed the feckless owner when she persistently said "she's soooohh sorry, it won't happen again" (it did). We should've told the dog warden, but because it was a neighbour, just didh't.

I would now though. In fact when her dogs came out and went for my horses when friend and I were riding past there, I did tell the Dog Warden, you can only take so much and that was it. I found the DW very understanding, wish I'd done it years ago.

Think you should tell someone OP. I think you're being remarkably calm given the circumstances. I'd be angry, bleddi angry if that were my dog, and it could so easily have been.

Unfortunately the repeated incidents made my dogs very insecure, and made THEM aggressive to other dogs as they figured that their best way of defence was attack, and once that pattern is established then its a very difficult way back. Feel so sorry for your little one. Wish I could offer suggestions.

Hope she's better soon and that you'll somehow get her confidence back, but PLEASE please please tell the Dog Warden, or whoever. This owner must learn to control their dog.
 
Just sending best wishes to your dear little Manchester. The picture made me quite nostalgic for the little girl we had years ago. She looks very accepting of the cone. Our lurcher was put in one once by a Vet and she just would not move or sit down. After an hour of standing, I am afraid I gave in and took it off!
 
So sorry to hear about the attack on your dog. It must have been a terrifying experience for you both. That is a lot of stitches for a relatively small dog. If she was a fairly robust character, friendly to other dogs before this incident then with sensible management it probably won't take her too long to have her confidence built back up again. However, if she was nervous of strange dogs then it may take a long time for her to get back to normal. I wouldn't push meeting lots of dogs for the time being, but try to keep all interactions as positive as possible and ensure she doesn't find herself in a position of vulnerability.

I hope the other dog owner has offered to pay the costs involved.
 
Having met other dogs it sounds like she is going to be psychologically okay (so long as you keep your cool!), or at least to have the building blocks for you to build on for the future which is good news. :)

Not too sure what the full extent of her injuries are but treat her like a horse - get a physio involved: ultrasound, magnetopulse etc etc

Best of British! :)
 
Last edited:
So sorry to hear of your dogs attack.
Agree with others get her out socialising as soon as possible.

I have a lab (1yr old) who was attacked as a puppy (requiring the vet) and then had had a few minor incidents since then however none of these so serious, all happened as she and the other dogs were off lead.
Weirdly my dog is actually ok with other dogs when off lead but when on lead if another dog shows any dominance (head over hers or in her face too much) she gets quite snarly and will snap I think she like someone else said has now gone into if your going to attack I'm going to get in there first and I think if she is off lead she feels she can run away where as on lead she feels trapped!
She is fine with dogs she knows and also fine with all the gundogs but they are used to being in close together and tend not to have aggression (or atleast the ones we know).

Good luck hopefully yours will be ok, mine was ok after the first initial attack but when she has had multiple incidents she has been upset by it. She is very submissive which I don't think helps the situation as she meets another dog and rolls over so is an easy target
 
Stinky Manchester this morning. Back to the vets and admitted to hit it with IV Abs in an attempt to stop it breaking down! Poor girl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top