Me and the new dog got attacked today :(

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NellRosk

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I've never been attacked by a dog before, it was terrifying. We rehomed a dog who hadn't been socialised much before and he was running about at the yard. The guard dog (GSD x rottie) is cooped up all day in a pen and the YO lets him out for 10 mins playtime a day so understandably he is nuts. He's fine with my older terrier x because she puts him in his place but our new dog (toy poodle x border terrier) is scared of big dogs and lies down and makes this hideous squealing noise when they run over. Anyway the guard dog was let out so I picked my dog up and was carrying him to the car to put him away and the dog ran up to me to sniff him. Dougal made the high pitched squeak and it just sent the dog into overdrive, he was jumping up at me biting my arm and grabbed Dougal and pulled him out my arms. YO had to kick him off :( so scary and now I have one very shaken up little doggy. Keeping him quiet because he looks like he's in shock, he's just laid in his bed very subdued. Checked him all over and he doesn't have any wounds thankfully. Does anyone have any tips on how to socialise him now? We take him to dog training but he's targeted by 3 very 'reactive' dogs and they all just lunge at him and try to kill him which is making him worse! Don't think I'll take him up to the yard again, I can't put him through that. If the guard dog is let out when he's there he might be killed next time.

Eta Dougal and the guard dog have been near each other before but Dougal just runs over to me and sits by my feet and squeals. I don't know why he jumped up and pulled him out my arms, could it be because I had him and it was a different situation to usual?
 
Yep unfortunately it was exactly because you had your dog in your arms that the guard dog jumped up and attacked, it is something that dogs will do by instinct :( I would agree, never take your dog to the yard again (or at least make sure he is in the car BEFORE the guard dog is let out) or something much worse might happen.

I would socialise yours by letting him interact with chosen dogs who you know will not pick on him, rather than going to classes where dogs with a variety of temperaments might attend
 
Some dogs seem to attract dogs attacking them, sorry I know that probably isn't that helpful...A friends lab bitch is constantly attacked and my normally tolerant oldest Stafford bitch detests her. Honestly can see why as the lab bitch is friendly, a little clumsy but now has a history of being attacked by random dogs that seem to seek her out.

I will read the responses from more experienced people on here with great interest..
 
Luci07 said:
Some dogs seem to attract dogs attacking them, sorry I know that probably isn't that helpful...A friends lab bitch is constantly attacked and my normally tolerant oldest Stafford bitch detests her. Honestly can see why as the lab bitch is friendly, a little clumsy but now has a history of being attacked by random dogs that seem to seek her out.

I will read the responses from more experienced people on here with great interest..
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Yep he seems to be that sort unfortunately :( he's just small and nervous and lies down and 'gives in' and allows himself to be attacked, all whilst making this bloody awful noise!
 
Lévrier;12606817 said:
Yep unfortunately it was exactly because you had your dog in your arms that the guard dog jumped up and attacked, it is something that dogs will do by instinct :( I would agree, never take your dog to the yard again (or at least make sure he is in the car BEFORE the guard dog is let out) or something much worse might happen.

I would socialise yours by letting him interact with chosen dogs who you know will not pick on him, rather than going to classes where dogs with a variety of temperaments might attend
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Thanks Lévrier. I know to never pick up a fighting dog but I thought I had time to pick him up and get him to the car :( I think YO was shaken up too so if I ever do take him down again then he'll make sure he's away before he's let out again. I should have seen it coming, this dog has certain 'triggers'. Once I was running across my field to attend to an emergency in the stable and he got all excited and chased me and started attacking my arms. Think he just has far too much energy!
 
If you got 'attacked' by a rottie x GS there would be blood, I don't doubt it was scary but if the dog had meant it your dog would not be alive and you would be in a & e, stop going dog training where there put a scared dog in with ones that 'lunge at him and try and kill him' that sort of situation will only make him worse.
If you really believe your dog is in shock then take him straight to a vet for treatment-shock does kill don't underestimate it, he may have internal injuries and or an internal bleed again this is potentially a killer and can kill quiclky-take your dog to a vet and get him checked out, give the bill to the YO
 
twiggy2 said:
If you got 'attacked' by a rottie x GS there would be blood, I don't doubt it was scary but if the dog had meant it your dog would not be alive and you would be in a & e, stop going dog training where there put a scared dog in with ones that 'lunge at him and try and kill him' that sort of situation will only make him worse.
If you really believe your dog is in shock then take him straight to a vet for treatment-shock does kill don't underestimate it, he may have internal injuries and or an internal bleed again this is potentially a killer and can kill quiclky-take your dog to a vet and get him checked out, give the bill to the YO
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Yes it was scary!! I didn't know how else to describe it, he bit my arm and then went for Dougal. Thanks twiggy, will do!
 
What did the YO say about you getting bitten?

I would be extremely concerned if the YO is letting a potentially dangerous dog out while there are other people and dogs around, especially if you say he has already chased you and tried to bite you before.
 
Hexx said:
What did the YO say about you getting bitten?

I would be extremely concerned if the YO is letting a potentially dangerous dog out while there are other people and dogs around, especially if you say he has already chased you and tried to bite you before.
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Put the dog away and made himself scarce. YO witnessed when the dog chased after me and just laughed because he thought he was playing. In fairness I think he can be a playful dog but he's only 18 months and has so much energy that it just crosses from play into it turning nasty. The yard has a footpath running through it so he needs a big scary dog but I worry in case he gets out and bites someone, you should see him when someone walks past!!
 
horrible thing to happen to you but I must say I am very sad for the big dog who is cooped up all day-what sort of life is that for him?i think it is downright cruel.
 
Cahill said:
horrible thing to happen to you but I must say I am very sad for the big dog who is cooped up all day-what sort of life is that for him?i think it is downright cruel.
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I know, he's so young and full of energy and never gets walked, just let out of the run once a day! What can you do though, this isn't the first yard I've been on where there's been a similar situation. Actually, just yesterday I found out the guard dog from a yard I used to be at bit someone badly, and is now chained up forever and will never be let off again in case he does it again! So sad.
 
Why don't owners simply teach their dogs the "Leave" command?

Next time it may be a whimpering babe in arms. Will the YO be laughing then?

I have believed for a long time that owners should pass a few simple tests with their dogs to qualify for ownership. If they can't control them, pts. The problem would disappear over night.
 
Yo is at fault. No way would I take a dog to training where others try to get to him to fight, what kind of crap class is that?! Find a local dog walker and ask if you can join their walks, trail behind til the dog is braver and build it up til they're walking as a pack and yours is confident. Poor little lad.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Yo is at fault. No way would I take a dog to training where others try to get to him to fight, what kind of crap class is that?! Find a local dog walker and ask if you can join their walks, trail behind til the dog is braver and build it up til they're walking as a pack and yours is confident. Poor little lad.
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This!! New training class and asking dog walkers if you can tag along is a really good plan. I know it's not easy to leave your dog on the floor when you're not sure about a situation but lifting them up can trigger a response in the approaching dog.....really just depends in the individual (that's not a useful thing to say I know ;) )

Get your dog out and about soon, with socialable dogs!!
 
Luci07 said:
Some dogs seem to attract dogs attacking them, sorry I know that probably isn't that helpful...A friends lab bitch is constantly attacked and my normally tolerant oldest Stafford bitch detests her. Honestly can see why as the lab bitch is friendly, a little clumsy but now has a history of being attacked by random dogs that seem to seek her out.

I will read the responses from more experienced people on here with great interest..
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To be honest it's likely something that her dog is doing that triggers the 'attack' from other dogs. Labradors are big goons really (well, most of em!) and some dogs don't really 'tolerate' it very well. She may be doing something that you don't realise, like pestering or just not picking up on the other dogs cues to leave them alone.
I'd say something like that would be the cause if it is happening to her alot by a number of different dogs (assuming the other dogs are normally fairly social!)
 
Cahill said:
horrible thing to happen to you but I must say I am very sad for the big dog who is cooped up all day-what sort of life is that for him?i think it is downright cruel.
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Agree.. Guard dog or not he deserves some attention and socialising other than 10 mins a day. Does the YO think that giving him more attention will stop him being an effective guard dog? Also that he considered it funny when he chased you..
I've got a scary cat rescue dog too but he gets defensive and usually gets the first growl in..just in case.
We encountered a loose dog on a walk who ran up to us just after I got him. My dog said hello quite nicely and was fine with him but then owner ran up and grabbed the dog up and yes, mine did lunge too.
 
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On the subject of a trainer, I don't know if you can get to this lady http://www.dogsforlife.co.uk/index.aspx

I've been for a lesson with her, and I like her style. She does a lot of gundog training, but she does do plenty of other training too. Even if you can't make it to her, she might be able to recommend someone locally to you.
 
What happened was bad but in future what happens will depend on your attitude - if he is a small dog making high pitched noises, other dogs will treat him as prey.
If you have it in your head that every interaction with other dogs will be an ordeal, then it will be.
If you elevate him, the attacking dog will go after him.
If you over-fuss him every time it happens, then the next time it will be worse because you will have reinforced his belief that he is to be scared of other dogs.
Try to be a lot more businesslike, change your mindset, don't always expect the worst, help him build his confidence. Be a team, be his buddy, show him that the world isn't a scary place and for now, don't expose him too much to other people's unruly dogs.
 
Your poor dog,hope he's picking up a bit now. Don't underestimate the seriousness of shock. Is he eating and drinking ? It might be a good idea to take him to the vet or at least speak to him on the phone.
The YO's dog isn't safe for other animals or people. It's not his fault that he's kept the way he is, but even if he's fine 99% of the time, it'll only take one occasion when he goes too far with serious results.

I wouldn't take any dog to your yard and if your YO continues to let the dog loose when people are around, I'd consider moving elsewhere.
 
Thank you very much for your replies everyone. It's all kicked off at the yard now, a livery who witnessed it has told the YO something needs to be done, she has 2 young daughters and basically told him that she didn't feel the safety of her kids could be guaranteed when he was about. So I'm not sure if anything will happen, probably not.

Thank you for the link Spudlet, I will look into that.

Excellent advice from everyone, I will get him out and about socialising with friendly gentle dogs!

MerrySherryRider, he was checked over by a vet nurse last night (mums best friend) and he's fine this morning.. Not even subdued like he was last night. And he's eating and drinking fine and playing with our other dog like nothing happened :)
 
NellRosk said:
Thank you very much for your replies everyone. It's all kicked off at the yard now, a livery who witnessed it has told the YO something needs to be done, she has 2 young daughters and basically told him that she didn't feel the safety of her kids could be guaranteed when he was about. So I'm not sure if anything will happen, probably not.

Thank you for the link Spudlet, I will look into that.

Excellent advice from everyone, I will get him out and about socialising with friendly gentle dogs!

MerrySherryRider, he was checked over by a vet nurse last night (mums best friend) and he's fine this morning.. Not even subdued like he was last night. And he's eating and drinking fine and playing with our other dog like nothing happened :)
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Aw, bless him, glad he's bounced back. Tough little cookie.
 
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