What to do if your dog is attacked.

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Last week Plog was minding her own business and a Jack Russell on lead had a go at her. Quickly dealt with as owner able to pull her off Plog, we all Went on out way.

Today we were wading our way through the driving snow on a pretty much deserted field, Plog doing her chasing ball thing. She'd gone over to the ball when I became aware of shouting, looked up and saw Jack Russell owner running after her dog with flexi lead trailing behind, making a beeline for Plog and I knew things weren't going to go well.

Had just a few seconds to decide what to do and told Plog to wait, which she did and I went over. But the JR arrived before me and attacked her. She reacted to defend herself and fight broke out. It was then I realised that we'd been lucky this hadn't happened before in the 3 years plus we'd had her and that I had no sodding idea what to do. Didn't want to grab Plog and leave her defenceless against the JR, thought I'd read somewhere not to stick your hands in the middle, so kind of froze.

Owner caught up and managed to grab her dog and get the lead back, apologised profusely and went in other direction. Plog went back on lead whilst we went the other way, then came back off and happily chased her ball again with me feeling cr@p that I hadn't known what to do and I told her to wait, only to be attacked. She was very good and just did what she needed to defend herself and seemed unbothered once we'd moved away and luckily can't see any cuts.

What should I have done so I'm ready if it happens again?

Dogs may fight thats life its not the end of the world. Fighting and playing are difficult for us to distinguish as well....... If its the second time with the same dog talk to the owner, say its happened twice and that if you see the dog off lead acting aggressively again you'll have no choice but to report them and you dont want to do that..... Suggest to the owner that if they have a bolting dog then an extending leash is a silly idea....and see if maybe you can socialise the dogs together if you often walk the same route?

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Never get your hands anywhere near a dog fight. I generally use my boot to either separate or actually kick one away from the other. Bucket of water works too but not in your situation.

If you see the JRT lady again perhaps suggest a muzzle for her dog?

The method I have used to break up dog fights is to lift the aggressor up by the back legs. This throws it off balance, forcing it to let go and keeps your hands clear of the biting end (even if it tries to turn and bite it won't be able to reach you in this position) while the owner gets it on a lead and under control.

I've only ever had to break up fights where other people's dogs are involved. My own dogs have never been involved in a fight but this method has worked well every time, even on the occasion that a JRT had had its jaw clamped onto another dog for several minutes before I came on the scene.

It came racing up, ears back, teeth bared and got stuck right in. Plog is pretty good with other dogs and had plenty of play fights but this was different. We had walked alongside the owner a bit the first time and the dog had initially seemed ok but then went for Plog, at which point we went separate ways. Owner looked shaken this morning and I suspect she'll rethink the lead after that. I'm hoping not to get close enough again to suggest a muzzle!

Stupidly I didn't think of my boots, they are pretty sturdy too. All I could think of was not to put my hands in the middle of it. Will try boots next time..

Lifting up the back legs sounds like a good idea. I like it.

There's lots of ego dogs round here. Twice ddog has been almost attacked but I've managed to get him away. But others aren't so lucky.

I've heard there's a pepper spray? Was wondering about making one with vinegar and chilli? I read dogs hate vinegar?

I managed to not see Diesel's post. Like the idea of grabbing the back legs, great idea.

Also think I'm going to carry a sports drinks bottle that I can try and squirt. Hopefully we'll go another few years without another incident but now I don't feel I'd be standing there like a useless lump if it happened again, thanks.

I wouln't mess about with sprays. Too inexact and you could end up with an assault charge if it gets in the eyes of a person inadvertantly.

Another method I've heard (but never tried) is throwing a coat over the dogs. Might be useful on bigger dogs where you may not physically be able to lift it up (I speak as the owner of giant breeds - but have never seen 2 giants fight).

My comment about sprays was in response to vinegar/chilli suggestion above. I'm not sure a squirt of water woulkd be terribly effective. I tried a water pistol to deter my bastard crossbreed from counter surfing when all else failed. Didn't work. He basically laughed at me and did the canine equivalent of flicking me the V's.

I wonder why they sell them then? How would it get in a person's eyes if you spray at the dog?

I'd rather be done for assault tbh than have my dog die. A few have died round here. Or been so savagely attacked they can't go out.

I wasn't aware pepper spray or the like was available. I have never felt the need to carry a weapon with me when I walk the dogs.

How could it get in someone's eyes? Any number of ways. Someone dashing in to help just as you spray it for instance. How do you ensure you don't blind your own dog at the same time? Also, surely there's a high chance of it blowing back at you? You're not going to be much use to your dog if you've a face full of pepper/chilli spray.

What about this?

Lucky you SD you may live in a safer area than me? One dog who's owner I know was savaged by 3 dogs. Luckily he survived. Happens a lot. So many ego dogs.

I stopped a medium sized dog (poodle cross) who managed to untie its lead and race aggressively towards our old mistledog when we were walking down a pavement - there is no way I would have allowed it to attack her as she was quite elderly by then - I put her so that most of her was behind me and kicked at its shoulder area as it barrelled towards us. This stopped it - and it then turned out to be quite OK. By this time its owner had caught up and I apologised about kicking his dog but explained that I didn't really have a choice in the matter. I would do the same again.

Heh. I live in the PitBull capital of the world and I used to lone work in the roughest of rough areas where even the police wouldn't venture (and police here are armed to the teeth). I used to joke that they were so bad that even the Pitbulls wouldn't go out alone. Fortunately, I've never met an aggressive one. JRTs and Collies, on the other hand...I've come across some vicious bastards. Most won't take on my dogs though. Well, a Westie did once fancy it's chances but my bitch (weighing in excess of 60kg) pinned it down with one paw until it's owner came to claim it.

A big stick is probably most effective. Justifiable to carry one (walking stick type of thing) and equally good for warding off people and animals.

My gentle on lead lurcher got attacked by an off lead rotweiller whilst I was walking with 6yr old DS last xmas, it drew blood. Police aren't interested in dog on dog attacks the dog warden did promise to write a letter but I wasn't impressed.

Sorry to hear that pipsy Awful for your ds too.

SD forgot to say big sticks wouldn't work round here. That's what a lot use to get the jaws strong so the dogs will just think it's for that. They lift them up on the stick.

Stick would seem perfect then. While it's jaws are clamped around the stick, it can't be biting/attacking anything else.

Curious - I've heard in some areas that the rubber swing seats are wrecked because they are used for 'training' dogs