My little ddog2 was bitten yesterday.

[needastrongone]

Poor love. I was kicking and screaming at the bastard dog who was attacking him until he let go enough for our puppy to run away. He got him again, but not so badly. We know the dog, he's not people aggressive, but very dog aggressive and usually muzzled.

He's limping badly, but couldn't weight bare at all yesterday and his front leg ballooned where he had been bitten, enough for me to involve the vet. The vet gave him strong antibiotics (Rilexine) and Metacam. He got quite a large puncture wound. He have to have an xray if there's no improvement.

He's such a timid little soul anyway, I was dreading this happening. I keep welling up thinking about the attack and am sincerely hoping he will recover mentally, more than physically. I was quite shaken all day.

I just needed to share..

Poor littledog & poor you must have been a shock. Cuddle up under a soft blanket tongiht & watch some crap telly to take your mind off it.

Do you know the owner & dog? He sounds like he has severe issues & the owenr needs to keep him on a lead & muzzled at al times whilst training him with the aid of a dog psyche.

I've known a few dogs that have been attacked by other dogs and in every case they seemed to have bounced back without any long term mental trauma.

Wish you and your poor little dog well. Sounds like you both need lots of extra cuddles.

Might be an idea to have a word with the local dog warden; get him/her to speak to the owner. Clearly this dog needs to be under better control.

How are you both today needa?

Thank you I did need to share, it's made me feel better.

The situation is complicated. The dog is a guard dog essentially. Yes, he's bitten other dogs. But, yes, I do now think someone should do something about it now, so I think I will make the call. Which I wasn't sure that I would do, but that's hardly fair re other potential dog attacks.

I'm really hoping ddog2 will bounce back. Ddog1 did, but he's a bit of a tougher cookie, slightly more confident in nature. Ddog2 is the most gentle little soul I have ever met.

He's still limping slightly, so I haven't taken him out and about yet, I will leave it a few more days.

Thanks sodding I am ok. Slightly surprised at my emotions re ddog2!! He's always been 'my' dog, whereas ddog1 is most definitely DH's, but I feel like one of the DC have been hurt.

Being our first dogs, I wasn't prepared for this level of love!!!

Oh needa, how dreadful for your little lad - and for you.

He's still young and you will help him get past this. Some fun times with well socialised, friendly dogs and careful handling from you and hopefully he'll be fine.

I'm afraid I would make the call. Even if there's nothing done about it now, if everyone that has a bad experience with the other dog reports it, they will have to do something eventually.

Hope he's ok and heals quickly.

So sorry to hear this. It makes me really really cross when owners with dogs with known aggression issues don't take steps to manage it and keep people, other dogs and their dog safe.

How old is ddog2?

Poor you and poor ddog It's so scary when your dog gets attacked.

Can I ask what the reaction of the other dog's owners was? Is their dog insured? It might be worth checking to see if their insurance covers your vet bills. If nothing else they should at least be contributing to the costs or paying your excess if you are going through your own insurance.

Wishing ddog a speedy recovery

Thanks.

Ddog2 is 9 months, so just at the time when he may suffer some fear regression anyway. Ddog1 is nearly 2, they are both young.

Our dog is insured. We also have a scheme at the vet to cover all visits, so we have just had to pay medication at £40. The other dog isn't insured. They haven't offered to pay or even apologised.

They will do nothing to modify the behaviour as the dog is a guard dog first and foremost, we were just unlucky enough to be walking early, and they hadn't been out yet with his muzzle.

I will make the call moose, I've just been working today but I am not tomorrow.

However, we've just been out for a walk over the field at the back of our house as ddog2 wasn't limping. Usually we see few people but today we were lucky enough to meet 5 different dogs, all of whom we know and all of whom are friendly, polite, and well socialised. Well, the two young Vizsla's we met were mad as hatters but lovely too.

Ddog2 was just as he always is. Polite, gentle greeting, an invitation to play with the Vizsla's, who are young and love tearing about, moving on from the older dogs. I am so glad. I love and adore his gentle nature, it's so endearing. I would have hated him to be fearful, rather than timid/shy.

It doesn't make it right though does it?

Of course not

I'm pleased he is on the mend. I imagine getting ddog out and about again as soon as he is fit will be the best thing for him - socialising him with friendly dogs asap will go a long way to prevent any possible fear based behaviour. They are hardy little things really!

What were the circumstances of the other dog attacking, if you don't mind me asking? Was it out in a public area?

Can't help eye rolling at a guard dog that is dog but not people aggressive, must say I don't really get that! I hope at least they were suitably apologetic.

Well, he wouldn't bite a human I don't feel. He would make a massive racket though, enough to alert to a presence.

It's on a yard, the yard has a well used public footpath through it, we live pretty rurally. It's gated at night, so no access. The dog is kept in during the day or is out but chained and muzzled, but out at night unmuzzled and unchained.

I was just up and about early, and the owner slept in. They are usually up early. I walk both dogs, off lead through the yard through the year very regularly, I like the route as there's a lot of stimuli for the dogs, I am going to find another route!

I hope that makes sense and I haven't outed myself

However, just writing that explanation makes me realise that the gates must have been open, which I didn't think about until I wrote this....

Sorry - the yard is about a 2 minute part of a very long route through fields and countryside iyswim?

Lastly, when the dog is chained up, it's usually in a gated off area, hence other dogs can remain off lead.

Ahhhh that makes perfect sense! Sorry, I just realised that my guard dog comment sounded pretty snurky that wasn't aimed at you, I promise!

A bit scary that the gate could have potentially been left open all night. From the sounds of it (although I am definitely no expert) they were extremely negligent in leaving an aggressive dog unattended by a public right of way, even if it was unintentional (am happy to be corrected!).

How is your ddog doing today?

Urgh everything is wrong about that situation.

I would be reporting and changing route. So pleased ddog2 is showing signs of bouncing back okay.

No, it was my explanation that let something to be desired

I agree, I now can't figure out why the gates were unlocked.

I will definitely change route, which is a shame for both myself and the dogs. It's a super long walk through beautiful countryside, with lots of stuff for them to explore and chase and the yard is no more than a 2 minute (if that) part of it.

And I will report too.

'left'

Oh the poor little love, that must have been so traumatic for you both. Wishing him a speedy recovery, physically and emotionally.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things, such a shame it's ruined your favourite walking spot though. You never know, you might find an even better one

Good luck with reporting, let us know how it goes. And I hope your lovely ddog bounces back to his old self very soon. Give him a little cuddle from me!

Send the owners the vet bill and ask them to pay it. If everyone did that they would soon stop their dog attacking others.

You can take them to the small claims court if they won't pay.

Just a quick update.

It turns out that, actually, ddog2 had a fractured bone in his leg. This wasn't apparent initially as the swelling was keeping the fracture in place. As the swelling went down, the bone could move, and ddog2 was unable to put weight on his leg.

He's now in a splint for 4 weeks, with further X-rays after this.

I am very sad for him and for the whole sorry situation It's hard trying to contain a 10 month old puppy and walk ddog1. We go to the local lake a lot as ddog1 loves to swim and the puppy will sit next to me quietly, but still get to see a lot of other dogs. He's still fine with other dogs.

The excess for the insurance is being paid and the dog will (hopefully) be chained and muzzled.

It's all a bit shit isn't it?

You really don't have much luck with your animals need , how are the ponies doing ?

Oh no, the poor little lad. What a horrible situation for you to have to deal with. So pleased to hear he's still ok with other dogs though - he obviously has a much more sensible head on his shoulders than my Pip does.

Glad at least they are paying your excess. Just hope they are true to their word about making sure the dog can't get to anyone else's dogs.

Sending lots of healing vibes for your little lad and hope the next lot of xrays show it's healed and no further treatment required.

Floral - yep, I feel that you made a huge understatement there Pony1 is fine and has rehab'ed nicely at his new home. They do a lot less than we do and, more importantly, have only geldings so he's settled right down and is back in full work. Dpony2 (loan) is a tough old bird and (so far) hasn't gone wrong

Moose - it's his one and only negative experience in 10 months, albeit a large one Hopefully, that's counted in his favour for his reaction to other dogs.

It's just such a shame. This is my favourite time of year for walking my dogs. Ddog1 was flinging himself all over the place this afternoon and the puppy wasn't sure why we were walking very slowly, on lead and he wasn't allowed to follow. The logistics are a pita

poor ddog2 - I hope his recovery is quick (usually puppy/child bones knit together pretty rapidly!)

I'm walking mine separately at the moment. They've both been a real pain in the rear since Pip started being a proper teenager, and last week's walk where Lurcherboy went all stoopid and pulled me off my feet was the final straw, so I'm getting up early and taking them one at a time.

Our drive is in full shade, in fact it's blooming freezing on there after about 8.30 am, so if I can't go until after the school run one get's locked in the car crate, while I take the other and then I swap. It means they are getting shorter walks, but are more exhausted because they're getting individual 1:1 training the whole time we're out. I hate having to do it, but really had no choice as they were clearly winding each other up and old man Lurcherboy was starting to behave like a delinquent teenager.

Is there no chance you could do a short walk for dpup separately and take ddog1 for a longer walk at a different time?