To be so angry my dog was attacked this morning

[Fantasticmissfoxy]

I took my dog for a walk this morning to a woodland surrounding a local park - popular with dog walkers / runners etc.

By way of background and to avoid drop-feeding, dog is a small breed (about 8kg) and a laid back friendly sort of chap. He has recall issues if he is excited by something to chase and because of this I keep him on an (extendable) lead at all times when we are out walking in public.

Whenever anyone is approaching (another dog, a walker, a runner, a horse, cyclist whatever) I shorten the lead so he's walking right beside me and doesn't trip anyone up.

Had been walking today for about an hour and a woman comes towards us with a large Labrador / Labrador cross type dog (off lead) as they approach the dogs body language to me is getting aggressive / wary. Despite this the woman doesn't put it on the lead (which is in her hand) My dog is at heel, on a short lead. As they pass this dog launches itself at mine and starts to attack him. It took a few minutes of her screaming at him and flapping the lead before she got him back under control. Luckily my dog is physically fine but very shaky and frightened.

AIBU to be so angry that people are so bloody thoughtless when it comes to keeping their damn animals under control!!?? Poor dog is lying at my feet shaking still

This is a morbid fear of mine. I honestly think if anything attacked my dog I'd kick the shit out of it (and it's owners). And I'm a dog lover.

What an awful experience OP. Having to deal with other dogs who are not under control or who's dog is not responding to their commands is an absolute nightmare scenario. Luckily mine hasn't been attacked but I've lost count of the number of times I've had her on the lead to do some training work and someone else's dogs have come straight over yapping and snarling in her face and scaring the wits out of her while the owner makes a half arsed attempt to call their dog back. I have head that when another dog attacks the owner can try lifting their dogs back legs up in the air like a wheelbarrow - this usually forces the dog to release their grip.

I'm so sorry for your experience this morning OP, how horrendously frightening for you and your dog. I wholeheartedly agree that the best thing to do is get straight back on the horse and expose your dog to some positive doggy encounters with friendly dogs as soon as possible to hep him bounce back and regain his confidence. Walking him with the dog of a friend or family member as soon as possible and perhaps taking him to meet other friendly dogs in a controlled should help. You are perfectly within your rights to be (understandably) very protective of him in future. If you see another dog approaching off lead who looks a bit iffy don't think twice about calling out to the owner to put their dog on a lead until you've passed - any responsible owner will gladly do so without taking offence. Similarly if yours is on lead and you're going past other dogs you can try switching sides so your body is between him and the other dogs and move past calmly and quickly so he knows you are there to protect him and act as a barrier. I do hope the little man is alright and recovers his nerves quickly. Lots of cuddles and treats tonight.