What do I do????

Just been reading Charlene's post and a very similar thing happened to us yesterday. I posted a while ago about a guy with 2 dogs - a "groodle" and a male who looks similar to the female "groodle". The male dog, as was established at our LAST encounter can't be trusted around other dogs (according to the owner). WELL yesterday, they were at the oval again and the male dog came racing up to Rascal - we were between a fence and some bushes (think small laneway) and he came right in and bowled Rascal over onto her back, snapping, growling, standing on her. I had my 5 yr old daughter with me as well. I tried pulling Rascal away using the lead (she was wearing a harness), and did manage to get her out from under the dog a couple of times, but should I have picked her up???? would I have just ended up getting bitten?

The owner ran over full of apologies and pulled his dog away then whacked the dog 3 or 4 times on the rump and yelled at it. His wife came over with the lead and we ended up chatting for a while. The male was calm then, and Rascal was doing her best to flatten herself to the ground and make herself as non-threatening as possible.

Can't help feeling I let her down somehow. They told me "he's ok for a while, playing with other dogs, then suddenly he just goes for them and it all goes bad". They also said "he seems to have a thing for other dogs on leads". They also said he has "dominance" issues. SO WHY DON'T THEY KEEP HIM ON LEAD????? sorry for shouting....!

So, what would you do? Should I pick her up while they are fighting/wrestling.

I'm not sure that picking her up is the best idea. (although I have done exactly this in the past) I'm sure the safest thing would be to not wade in. Personally, I can not help myself and would try to separate the dogs, even with the risk of getting bitten (which i have been :S)

This is just my opinion though and not much help really lol

lemmy goes over to other dogs all submissive and flat to the ground which doe shim no favours sometimes as he was jumped on the other week. i shouted at the owner about buying a lead and keeping his dog on it if he knew these things happened. not so politely either i sounded like a common fish wife but sorry our dogs are like our kids to us ad we would kill to defend them and i would wade in its instinct and reaction before the brain kicks in and tells you to be cautious.

I cant help my self, as soon as something happens I auto pilot pick Frank up.

When a dog come in to our garden and was going for Frank I did pick him up and I got bitten for it from the other dog! But he was only around 8 weeks old at that time!

When that dog went for ozzy on thursday night I picked frank up just to keep him away from it, but at 7.5kg he is getting very heavy so its not going to be an option for much longer!

You had ur daughter with you, and I can imaging that was all just as much for her to take in as Rascal. If you had picked Rascal up and that other dog jumped for Rascal it could have easier come down on ur little girl!! I think you done the right thing!

That said a selected choice of words would have come straight out my mouth to the owner of the dogs!! They clearly know that their dog behavious like this given the chance so why not manage the issue before it arises?? Some owners boggle my brain!!


I hope Rascal is okay, and your little girl.

xx

I haven't had a dog attack mine but i have had a few snappy moments when other dogs run over to leap on my two and say"hello". works both ways though because i have to use an extended lead if i'm close to dogs to stop kasidy (tart) running over to do the same with big muscled masculine type dogs.
I've spoken to a few people and agreed to just avoid each other, an Akita, Staffy and two wee fluffy things, i think you should ask them to control their dog and report them if they don't? never mind if they huff, they would be responsible if you or your child got in the way.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Very helpful My daughter looked a little shocked by the whole thing, but she's still friendly to dogs, thankfully! If it happens again, I will definitely report them, because as friendly and chatty as the owners are, they really don't seem to understand how terribly dangerous a situation their dog could create. I just hope Rascal doesn't develop any unhealthy associations I have found myself tensing up a little now when taking Rascal out which I know doesn't help her at all. Stoopid people shouldn't own dogs!!!!!!

Ive picked up mine to avoid a fight there my babies so Ill do whatever I need to.
Seriously to come out with statements like that and do nothing is so irrisponsible I would report them definatly its so annoying and all too common makes me mad .
And I agree it works both ways why let your dog off lead to approach a dog on its lead ?
Some people think they have the divine right to do whatever they please and on public land the law needs to get tougher

this may sound harsh but if a dog came charging my pup i would kick said dog into orbit.