Feeling soooooooooooooo guilty

[pinkcatkin]

Just came back to work with my three dogs, two old labs and old but fiesty springer. Took my colleague's border with us down to the fields for a leg stretch and when we got back the border was going ape with a stick, really enjoying himself and just running round like a thing possessed. He then dropped the stick and came and said hello to teh springer who prompty went for him.

They know each well, this happened once before but a long time ago when they didn't know eachother very well. Well Springer is on top of border and going for it, so I tried to hoof him off with my foot, which I did but then he went back for more. The noise was horrible and poor little border suffers from severe diabetes (nearly died a few months ago) so I had to kick springer to get him off. He then stopped, but also whimpered too.

An now, of course, I feel terrible, terrible. I worry that I have hurt him but he seems absolutely fine and now sleeping under the table.

How could I kick my own dog? I feel like jumping down a well now.

 

[Foxfolly]

Don't feel too bad, unfortunately in a dog fight you end up doing whatever you can to get the dogs apart!! Usually you don't have time to think about it, you just do whatever as you don't want them killing eachother!!

We have had a few scraps between some of ours and most commonly a running hose pipe down the throat of the biggest dog does the trick!!

Only thing to watch out for is that you didn't kick your dog in the abdomen... as that is where you can do some damage.
My dog ruptured his spleen possibly from being kicked by someone (He was on one of his little wanders at the yard when it happened), but don't panic just keep an eye on the colour of his gums and if he looks poorly, take him to the vets!

 

[Tia]

You kicked the dog to avert a potentially very serious incident occurring. You have nothing to feel guilty about, but I would check the dog you kicked later just to make sure no damage has been done.

If it makes you feel any better; a number of years ago I had to hit a dog many times with a shovel. Big black GSD grabbed a Shih Tzu and in an effort to get the GSD to drop the Shih Tzu I hit him with the shovel. He did eventually drop the little dog, but the dog was dead, so my hitting him didn't do much good.

 

[Oneofthepack]

My very elderly neighbour once took a shovel to 2 escaped dogs that were savaging my cat! In your case which would be worse, a slightly bruised springer or a dead border? I'd have done the same........and felt just as guilty!

 

[echodomino]

Don't feel guilty, you did what you had to.

If, and obviously a big if as you don't want it to, it happens again and you can get to your dogs collar without being bitten!!! Twist it round really, really tight and he'll let go quicker, but what ever you do DON'T pull them apart because you'll cause more damage.

Edited:

I know it works because that's how I seperate the terriers if they start.