If your dog's been attacked

[belindarose]

How were they with other dogs afterwards? My 8 month old springer was attacked by a cocker today. He was very upset and ran screaming to me, but I can't see any sign of injury and he is happy now. The other owners muzzled their dog afterwards and told me he hated other dogs. I suggested they kept him muzzled while off lead, in that case!

This was Rico's first negative encounter with another dog. Normally he either plays if they want to, or has a quick sniff if they don't. He can happily ignore them too. In this case, he was just mooching about in bushes and the other dog ran to him. I'm sure he was just shocked rather than hurt, but wonder if this will affect how he is with other dogs. We didn't meet any more on our walk.

Sorry for the waffle!

Sorry to hear that, it is horrible when your dog is attacked!
My lab was attacked last year, she was 2 and it was awful. She was on the lead when a huge mastiff also on a lead on the other side of the road broke free from its owner and crossed the road to attack my dog!

It happened so quickly and the mastiff had hold of my lab by the throat and was shaking her like a rag doll. I was screaming and the other owner just stood there! As suddenly as it started it stopped and the dog dropped mine and retreated to its owner who left quickly, leaving me alone with my injured dog. Amazingly and luckily she survived with some deep puncture wounds and shock.

My vet warned me that it could have an effect on her behaviour with other dogs. He advised caution but to carry on as before and not show fear myself. She has been fine, submissive as ever and friendly as before. She approaches strange dogs on her tummy and rolls in submission but she did this before and she is a bit weary of huge mastiff type dogs but the main thing is she has not had an aggressive reaction to an approaching dog which was my fear.

I would advise just carrying on as before. Also no matter how hard it is, do not show fear at approaching strange dogs. Good Luck. Glad your dog is okay.

Thanks. At least mine wasn't injured like that. Glad to hear he was no different towards other dogs afterwards. That's what I'm worried about. We've got a training class tomorrow, so he'll be able to see his friends in normal circumstances. I think I was probably oversympathetic to him, but he was so scared. Will try not to show fear myself tomorrow.

Hopefully beacause he is son young he will keep lots of puppy enthusiasm and get over it quickly.

My dog was attacked when older and has become defensive agianst breeds he now perceives as a threat. Sometimes he will go out of his way to avoid them or if he has no choice will have a warning growl at them, though never attack or bite. I find this to be especially bad when he is on the lead as he feels unable to flee but usually warn owners that he will give a warning snap.

It's good that he ran back to you. My dog was so terrified that he ran back to my car several roads away and his recall is usually excellent.

My Staffy was attacked by 2 boxers when he was a puppy.. He was ok with other dogs as long as they weren't aggressive towards him and/or really invaded his personal space.. but he HATED boxers afterwards.. his fur would all stand up on end and he would freeze.. small dogs he had no problem with at all.. it was a shame really because he was such a friendly dog.. and because of some idiot with uncontrollable dogs he could never be let off and play

My 4 year old lab was attacked by 2 Staffies in the park. The owner broke it off and put them onto their leads and the tried to blame the ball my dog was playing with as her dogs are possessive over them. As you can image I was not happy and advised that it maybe best she leaves her dogs on their leads in the future then. My dog was luckily uninjured but was a little shaky afterwards but no last effects and she still runs around her normal happy self and is not any more wary then usual of other dogs. She is a very happy natured/stupidly friendly dog anyway so think this did help.

I hope you dog will be ok and has no last effects.