What can you DO if you and your (small) dog are attacked?
Discussion
I had a truly terrifying experience last week, which has left me feeling rather vulnerable and also worried about my dogs. One of whom has fear and anxiety issues that I have been working hard to overcome.
It's easy to theorise what you would do if you or your dog are attacked. Especially if you have a small dog, how would you deal with your dog being attacked by a very large breed or a breed where your dog is completely and totally disadvantaged?
When you are in fear for your own safety as well as the immediate safety of your dog(s). When you find yourself in a situation like this, what can you actually do? how do you deal with it?
It's easy to theorise what you would do if you or your dog are attacked. Especially if you have a small dog, how would you deal with your dog being attacked by a very large breed or a breed where your dog is completely and totally disadvantaged?
When you are in fear for your own safety as well as the immediate safety of your dog(s). When you find yourself in a situation like this, what can you actually do? how do you deal with it?
Our GSD was attacked last year, by another GSD. It happened in a flash with the other owner present, his dog had my dog's forehead clamped in it's jaws, my dog howling in pain and the other guy literally clubbing his dog's head in an attempt to get it to release which eventually it did.
No long term damage fortunately although Vet's bills of £600 hurt!
Very upsetting experience which I thought a lot about afterwards, still do, about what more I could have done, people say twist the other dog'd collar to cut off the air supply or lift it's back legs but hindsight is a wonderful thing and when you're in the middle of it it all seems to happen so fast.
I always wear boots when I walk her now and think I'd kick any bigger dog that attacks her again, but until it happens who knows?
I'm very aware that some owners of smaller dogs are apprehensive of bigger dogs and I totally understand why, bigger dogs and some other breeds can do a lot of damage in a short time.
Sorry OP, not really helped you much have I!
No long term damage fortunately although Vet's bills of £600 hurt!
Very upsetting experience which I thought a lot about afterwards, still do, about what more I could have done, people say twist the other dog'd collar to cut off the air supply or lift it's back legs but hindsight is a wonderful thing and when you're in the middle of it it all seems to happen so fast.
I always wear boots when I walk her now and think I'd kick any bigger dog that attacks her again, but until it happens who knows?
I'm very aware that some owners of smaller dogs are apprehensive of bigger dogs and I totally understand why, bigger dogs and some other breeds can do a lot of damage in a short time.
Sorry OP, not really helped you much have I!
Yes, if you have reasonable sized dogs that may work, there's no way I could grab my tiny dog's legs. I have two mini Dachshunds.
Last week I was walking with my sister along a footpath below a park. A rottweiler saw us from the park, hunched it's head and shoulders downward - posturing and then bolted right through the field in full attack mode... it leapt out of the park, down an embankment, ran across a road, down the path and and was circling us, snapping, growling, drooling, snarling... my dogs didn't even see it approach, they were on leads walking in the opposite direction. I stayed silent and kept walking - hoping to get past before it reached us. My sister called for the owner to get it, he took his time, saying things like 'he wont hurt a fly', meanwhile I manged to get one of my dogs up but the other was hanging by his lead as he managed to wrap it round my arm as I pulled the other up to my chest. The rottweiler snapped and caught his shoulder, then the owner literally flew onto the dogs back both arms around his neck and wrestled it to the ground - like a rodeo.
He didn't even apologise! We reported it to the police as the dog is clearly very dangerous - it went into attack mode, unprovoked just on sight. The owner was not in control at all and it could inflict serious damage to a person, child or animal.
Utterly terrifying. We were very very shaken, it happened so fast and we were minding our own business walking along a path with my dogs on leads. They are so tiny they would be defensless against even a medium sized dog let alone something like the size of a small horse like that.
Last week I was walking with my sister along a footpath below a park. A rottweiler saw us from the park, hunched it's head and shoulders downward - posturing and then bolted right through the field in full attack mode... it leapt out of the park, down an embankment, ran across a road, down the path and and was circling us, snapping, growling, drooling, snarling... my dogs didn't even see it approach, they were on leads walking in the opposite direction. I stayed silent and kept walking - hoping to get past before it reached us. My sister called for the owner to get it, he took his time, saying things like 'he wont hurt a fly', meanwhile I manged to get one of my dogs up but the other was hanging by his lead as he managed to wrap it round my arm as I pulled the other up to my chest. The rottweiler snapped and caught his shoulder, then the owner literally flew onto the dogs back both arms around his neck and wrestled it to the ground - like a rodeo.
He didn't even apologise! We reported it to the police as the dog is clearly very dangerous - it went into attack mode, unprovoked just on sight. The owner was not in control at all and it could inflict serious damage to a person, child or animal.
Utterly terrifying. We were very very shaken, it happened so fast and we were minding our own business walking along a path with my dogs on leads. They are so tiny they would be defensless against even a medium sized dog let alone something like the size of a small horse like that.
ehonda said:
I've seen Pet Corrector sprays and personal alarms recommended on other forums.
Just bought 2 cans! 
I had to do 'something' if you know what I mean. But it's left me feeling very vulnerable and one of my dogs (the fearful one who got the bite) is particularly distressed by even seeing another dog. I can't keep him in though as that would be worse for his confidence long term.
Good suggestions - thanks
I will be needing a wheelbarrow to cart everything around but it may be worth it! although I wouldn't want to go for a walk with a baseball bat even if it were acceptable.
This incident happened in a sleepy seaside town on a sunny summer afternoon, weren't really dressed up for proper 'walking'. These things can happen anywhere.
I will be needing a wheelbarrow to cart everything around but it may be worth it! although I wouldn't want to go for a walk with a baseball bat even if it were acceptable.
This incident happened in a sleepy seaside town on a sunny summer afternoon, weren't really dressed up for proper 'walking'. These things can happen anywhere.
Well you've done the first thing which is call the police. Did the dog bite you at all?
Before I had my current dogs my Newfie was attacked by a Wolfhound, I hit it on the face with the lead - which happened to have a large amount of steel loops, it yelped and ran away....
Usually it's a matter of stopping the situation escalating before physical aggression is used by the dog but I can see how in this case that was not possible.
Before I had my current dogs my Newfie was attacked by a Wolfhound, I hit it on the face with the lead - which happened to have a large amount of steel loops, it yelped and ran away....
Usually it's a matter of stopping the situation escalating before physical aggression is used by the dog but I can see how in this case that was not possible.
I've recently been given some advice from a police dog trainer that 100% the most effective thing you can do is to lift the rear legs of the attacking dog clear up in the air. They then they cannot put any force into the attack and will eventually have to unclamp their jaws.
No point trying to prise the jaws open and the much advocated kick in the nuts is likely to annoy them a touch.
Not tried it in anger but seems good advice.
No point trying to prise the jaws open and the much advocated kick in the nuts is likely to annoy them a touch.
Not tried it in anger but seems good advice.
It doesn't have to be a big dog. I've had a situation where my Cocker was attacked by a Yorkshire terrier (not a minature one!!). The owner acted as if it wasn't happening and when there was a break in the attack, I went to get my dog and put it on the lead. When doing so the other dog came back in for another go (keep in mind my hands are now down at its level), it got a sharp kick to the ribs. Ended its interest straight away. I don't feel proud of my reaction at all, but still seems the only way things cold have been dealt with.
The most effective way is always going to be pulling the dogs by their rear legs, as mentioned by a couple of other posters. Even if your dogs are small this should be possible, and if you're alone then this takes time but better than doing nothing; hook a lead around the rear end of one dog and try to attach it to something, a gate post, tree, bin, anything. Then pull the other dog off by their legs with your hands. Obviously, it's always much easier to do this with the co-operation of two people.
Another technique is to carry a slip lead, if you can hook it over the head of the aggressor you can drag them off, basically because it asphyxiates them temporarily. I'd never recommend it as your first choice though, obviously because of the harm that could potentially be done to the dog but also because you could get bitten putting your hands near the dogs faces.
Your dog's June issue has an article on dog fights, you may be able to pick up a copy as a back issue. I can say with 90% surety pet correctors won't help a jot once a fight is established, to try and prevent one, yes maybe, but not to stop one.
Reporting dog fights to the police is pointless. They will show no interest as long as a human hasn't been harmed, even if your dog has been attacked.
Another technique is to carry a slip lead, if you can hook it over the head of the aggressor you can drag them off, basically because it asphyxiates them temporarily. I'd never recommend it as your first choice though, obviously because of the harm that could potentially be done to the dog but also because you could get bitten putting your hands near the dogs faces.
Your dog's June issue has an article on dog fights, you may be able to pick up a copy as a back issue. I can say with 90% surety pet correctors won't help a jot once a fight is established, to try and prevent one, yes maybe, but not to stop one.
Reporting dog fights to the police is pointless. They will show no interest as long as a human hasn't been harmed, even if your dog has been attacked.
I'm struggling to get my head round this method. Your dog is attacked by another, in this case a very large dog indeed. In the melee that ensues, you leave your dog to it whilst trying to get hold of the other dogs hind legs to lift it away? I'd think someone was taking the piss except it's cropped up several times.
What I would do is try to intercept the other agressive dog before it got to mine, if it went for mine and she was on lead/close by, I'd kick it as hard as I could. If it got hold of her I'd take it down, throttle it, sit on it, poke its eyes, smack it with a big stick, anything I had to. Much rather be bitten myself than my girlie, plus I'm 6'4" 200lbs, my lab only 60lbs and as submissive, playful and friendly as they come.
What I would do is try to intercept the other agressive dog before it got to mine, if it went for mine and she was on lead/close by, I'd kick it as hard as I could. If it got hold of her I'd take it down, throttle it, sit on it, poke its eyes, smack it with a big stick, anything I had to. Much rather be bitten myself than my girlie, plus I'm 6'4" 200lbs, my lab only 60lbs and as submissive, playful and friendly as they come.
Oh, PKM, I'm so sorry to read about this! 
It must have been horrible... and such a set-back to all the hard-work you've put in.
I'm not sure what I'd do, to be honest. I think it depends on the size (of dogs involved), severity (of attack) and situation (unprovoked, seen it coming, completely blind-side, etc.)
In your scenario (with another person and dogs hadn't seen the incoming attack), I think I'd be palming the leads off to the other person, making them speed up, and placing myself between my dogs and the incoming dog. Although it depends on the ferocity of the dog in question... it sounds like the rottie was really gunning for it... :/
I had one instance a while back where a GSD (offlead) was approaching my two (on-lead) in a way I wasn't at all happy about - started off stationary with head lowered and ears forward, then its head dropped further, then it started to lope over...
When I saw it speeding up toward us, I moved both dogs to the other side of me (with difficulty!) and I (in true crazy-dog-lady fashion) made a sharp 'move' toward the GSD, and made a firm, loud, abrupt noise ("AH", but really abrupt). I got lucky in this case, as it was enough to confuse the GSD and slow its approach. I then took a gamble that it might know "away" as a command (
), and off we (me and my two) went, in a very determined walk, in the opposite direction.
GSD followed us, but kept its distance. And the fact that it was following us now meant that its owner had to come over and collect it. (Don't ask me why they hadn't already.
)
As I said, I think I got lucky in this case... I've really no idea whether my behaviour was correct, in terms of the other dog or my two, but it did the trick that time.
For full-on, dog-on-dog attacks that are already occuring... grab a back leg (both if I can get them) of the attacking dog and pull backwards. S'all I feel safe enough to do! It's the end furthest away from the teeth...
It must have been horrible... and such a set-back to all the hard-work you've put in. I'm not sure what I'd do, to be honest. I think it depends on the size (of dogs involved), severity (of attack) and situation (unprovoked, seen it coming, completely blind-side, etc.)
In your scenario (with another person and dogs hadn't seen the incoming attack), I think I'd be palming the leads off to the other person, making them speed up, and placing myself between my dogs and the incoming dog. Although it depends on the ferocity of the dog in question... it sounds like the rottie was really gunning for it... :/
I had one instance a while back where a GSD (offlead) was approaching my two (on-lead) in a way I wasn't at all happy about - started off stationary with head lowered and ears forward, then its head dropped further, then it started to lope over...
When I saw it speeding up toward us, I moved both dogs to the other side of me (with difficulty!) and I (in true crazy-dog-lady fashion) made a sharp 'move' toward the GSD, and made a firm, loud, abrupt noise ("AH", but really abrupt). I got lucky in this case, as it was enough to confuse the GSD and slow its approach. I then took a gamble that it might know "away" as a command (
), and off we (me and my two) went, in a very determined walk, in the opposite direction.GSD followed us, but kept its distance. And the fact that it was following us now meant that its owner had to come over and collect it. (Don't ask me why they hadn't already.
)As I said, I think I got lucky in this case... I've really no idea whether my behaviour was correct, in terms of the other dog or my two, but it did the trick that time.
For full-on, dog-on-dog attacks that are already occuring... grab a back leg (both if I can get them) of the attacking dog and pull backwards. S'all I feel safe enough to do! It's the end furthest away from the teeth...
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