Help my anxiety after my dog was attacked

[BMW6]

on 1st July my on-lead dog was attacked and badly injured by a dog that broke down the fence of its garden to attack mine as we were walking past the fence,

My dog is OK now after much treatment and surgery. Massive scar tissue on his left shoulder, but walking unimpaired and no apparent issues with other dogs,

It is me that is having terrible difficulty.

I am so afraid when I see the breed of dog that attacked mine run up. I try to control my reaction, but I can't, It's sheer blind terror that I feel.
I don't want to feel this way and I know I will transmit my fear to my dog, so it's counter-productive.

Is there such a thing as anxiety treatment for dog owners? I live in Southampton for reference,

Hoping someone can advise.

[missbattenburg]

That sounds awful.Our JRT was once attacked badly (1/3 of her skin torn off) and whilst I wasn't there when it happened I know her rather burly 'dad' took almost a year to get over it. She screamed when it happened but also makes a similar sound when very excited. He hated hearing that noise again.

I don't know much about anxiety treatment for humans but I wonder if a similar approach as you might use with a dog, might help? In short, don't make yourself walk near that breed. Give yourself permission to turn immediately round and cheerfully say "let's go" and walk off. The idea in dogs is that by doing this you are helping them relaxed when they see something they are scared of because they come to trust and learn they won't be forced to go near it. Only then can they start to build their confidence again.

There is no reason why you cannot do the same.

Alternatively, maybe ask local trainers if they have any of that breed in their classes? A nice calm version that you could perhaps stand and observe for a bit - maybe without your dog with you at first so you don't have to worry about how they are, just focus on yourself?

[Crazydoglady1980]

My dog was attacked and killed by another dog while we were out for a walk, four years ago.
A while later I got a puppy, it wasn’t until then I realised how much the attack had affected me. I had to constantly reassure myself that any interactions my dog had with others was okay and was constantly watching other dogs body language . I remember one day sitting in the car for over half an hour waiting for a dog and it’s owner to move on from the park before we went for our walk.
I suppose what I am saying is, it does get better with time and exposing yourself to positive experience with dogs of this breeds. You have to remember that you have had a traumatic experience and have to give yourself time to work through it too.

[Maneandfeathers]

It’s awful OP I can only sympathise with you.

It happened to us, a staffy ran up and killed my friends Labrador within minutes, it was horrific in every single way especially as she was a sweetest dog on earth and didn’t even try and defend herself.

A few weeks that my own dogs were attacked by a different dog of the same breed but luckily mine are bigger and I kicked it off.

Now I walk with my eyes peeled most of the time. I have thought about carrying a knife to defend myself although I don’t as it’s highly illegal and always cross the road or turn in the other direction if I see one around.

I don’t know what the answer is, I feel better now and walk in areas that are relatively quiet but I am always a bit on edge especially when I see those types of breeds.

Can you do some socialisation type things with your dog to build your confidence? Or perhaps walk with someone else for a while?

[BMW6]

Many thanks for the suggestions and reassurances.
Am so sorry to hear of those who have had their dogs injured and even killed by other dogs.
to you all