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The doghouse

Dog walking paranoia after our Staffie was attacked - Long, sorry

12 replies

getoffthecoffeetable · 03/12/2012 14:17

I have a lovely 5 year old Staffie.

Unfortunately, when we were out on a walk about 2.5 years ago, he was attacked by a Rottweiler, it literally shook him like a doll. It was petrifying. He had to go to the vet's and have the wound flushed out and had stitches, the vet said if he'd been a different type of dog he might not have been so lucky but as he's a Staffie he's very muscly.

Anyway, ever since then, I've been really paranoid about other dogs. I thought it'd get better with time but I think I'm actually getting worse. He's fine with my family's dogs (5 spaniels) and is generally ok with other dogs except for if they try and corner him in which case, he'll show them his teeth and will growl at them. He's had little (minor) scraps because he's been cornered but never been the instigator (and to be honest, I've usually got him to come to me as soon as I've seen another dog cornering him).

I just wondered if anyone had any advice to get rid of my fears and/or tips on what to do if a dog is trying to corner him or they fight? He's my first Staffie (DH's second). I've not previously had to deal with fighting with dogs and to be fair to him, he was the one who was attacked so he's not the fighter.

It's got to the point where I'm nervous to take him out in case we see an agressive dog which is silly and completely unfair to him to as he likes nothing more than a good run.

Thanks, and sorry it's so long!

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PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 03/12/2012 14:46

I had a similar issue with letting SpicyDog off lead after she bolted once. I had to use some CBT strategies to deal with it because, like your fear, it was getting worse. Hope not to offend you but it seems that, like mine, you're fear has got disproportionate to the risk and isn't responding to rational argument. Just wondering if you have any other experience with anxiety or treatment of it? Only because my suggestions might seen a bit nuts if not!

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getoffthecoffeetable · 03/12/2012 15:52

Thanks Partridge I did consider CBT as I'm sure that I'm getting worse. No other anxiety experiences or treatment of it though. It's all dog related! I can't really afford CBT though. What type of thing did you have to do if you don't mind my asking?

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PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 03/12/2012 18:39

Okay I think I have the sheet with the exercise the therapist gave me to do. It was really helpful, much more so than DH telling me to stop being silly anyway! Will have a look before I try to explain it.

My girl is a staffie too, they just inspire too much love

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getoffthecoffeetable · 03/12/2012 19:32

Thanks Partridge I appreciate it. I have the same reaction from DH too! Our Staffie definitely inspires lots of love too. Just want tackle this so he doesn't miss out. He's already had to take a back seat since DS arrived but he's taken that quite well really.

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digerd · 04/12/2012 11:31

Never had a staffie myself, but when I avidly visited dog shows, the only ring where the dogs were aggressive with each other was the Male Staffies.' And these were show dogs. This was many years ago, and I assume the breeders were warned to breed this over-aggression out, by KC. It did not happen with the females in their show ring.

That attack by the Rotweiler would have scared and scarred me too. Did he try to fight back? It could be the "aura" of him that other dogs find threatening and decide to attack first.?
Is he neutered? This would lower his testosterone, and maybe soften his "aura", that other dogs may find threatening.

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higgle · 07/12/2012 14:00

Not a happy story I'm afraid. When our old PBGV was about 3 he was attacked quite seriously by a German Shepherd. PBGV was on lead with DH and GS appeared from nowhere at speed and sank his teeth in his neck area and started shaking him. The GS was with a new owner, first day out of rescue and being allowed to run amok off lead! Our dog had lots of stitches and took a long time to heal. He spent the rest of lhis life being terrified of strange dogs and despite attempts to train this out of him he never really recovered ( lived to 16) . Our next dog was a Staffie and he seemed to attract other dogs that wanted to have a go despite being fairly submissive and very good natured. Why can't these idiots keep their dogs under control?

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getoffthecoffeetable · 10/12/2012 13:28

Digerd I did wonder if getting him neutered would make a difference. The vet suggested it at the time but my DH won't let the vet do it. Something to do with not being able to look him in the eye. All very silly imo but I can't seem to get him to change his mind about it.
Higgle so sorry to hear about your experiences with other dogs attacking yours. I completely agree. There are some owners out there that just don't keep their dogs under control at all. I can't believe the rescue centre would leave a GS with such an irresponsible owner!
My plan of action so far has been to start taking the dog on my own first thing in the morning so that we can spend some time together on our own without me having to concentrate on what DS is doing. Hoping it'll make me braver in the long run. If not, at least the dog is going to get more attention and more walks out of it and that can only be a good thing.

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xmasevebundle · 10/12/2012 22:34

My dad use to take his terriers(scottish and highland) for long walks he always use to bring a stick, like a walking stick type.

One day, a dog came up to my dads dog and attacked it my dad got the stick and hit it(so it would back off) and from the day they all died he took that stick and it never happened again.

Some dogs now are very very protective and 'wild'(owners account not the dogs), if i ever got a dog i would 100% bring a stick, if another dog was attack my dog. I would do anything in my power to stop it!

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digerd · 11/12/2012 17:49

Getoff

I had to smile at this male fraternity empathy for their precious bits even applying to a pet animal. I do understand your DH, and, even though misplaced, found his empathy rather endearing. Men!
Good luck.

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PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 11/12/2012 18:00

getoff my male vet friend always makes the point to male dog owners that it's kinder to chop them off because imagine having them and all the urges and never being able to act on it.

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digerd · 13/12/2012 13:44

Partridge
Now that should ring true for another man < grin> I had to laugh when I heard a farmer say, " No artificial insemination for my Daisy, she's having the real thing". (a cow)