Dogs off lead went for my puppy

[gospaniel]

We have a 4 month old spainel. We were walking her this evening in park through a wooded area back to car.

She's still having short walks and Iet her off lead for a few minutes and then back on lead as recall not brilliant yet, so if I see other dogs or young kids. She's very friendly and will go up and say hello to other dogs.

Ahead of us where two dogs off lead in distance coming towards us so I put lead back on. When we got closer a very large dog came up to her, dogs walked towards each other and almost immediately dog went for her. I pulled ddog away and tried to put myself between her and other dog, the woman in couple tried to grab her dog but couldn't seem to and the man in come over and dog was pulled away but then their 2nd dog that I hadn't seen started to go for our puppy.

This all happened in a few seconds and I must have been shouting because the man was saying it's alright, it's alright. Then they just walked off and the dogs were barking.

I was with my dcs and was really shaken up and quite cross that they didn't really acknowledge to me that their dogs were out of control.

The first dog did get hold of our dog round her ear but not bitten and was fine.

I guess I'm prepared to be told I'm over reacting but I was really scared puppy was going to be hurt and wondered what the form is in these situatuons.

I found that there was some dogs off lead that would be aggressive or very rough with my puppy and quite frankly you cannot rely on the owners to control them because some people don't give a damn. Even now I supervise interactions with other dogs and if I see him being bullied I call him away from them but it is amazing how many owners just think they are 'just doing what dogs do' .

When mine was very young I ended up walking at times and places when it was unlikely that I would meet other dogs and sticking to the training classes for positive and controlled socialisation. I also used to take a hiking stick out with me to put between other dogs and mine and I have had to push other dogs away when their owners don't give a damn that their off lead dog is bothering my dog that is on lead despite me asking them to recall their dog.

So I am not sure what you can do other than try and avoid interactions with dogs that are not positive even if that means avoiding certain walking areas.

I have had bad experiences with other peoples dogs and my puppies in the past. I am now very cautious. The other day I saw some quite young children with a large dog off the lead - I turned and went a different way with my pup, as I guessed that, if anything DID happen, they would not be able to control it. I try and make sure any interaction is positive when meeting other dogs. Not easy - you need eyes in the back of your head sometimes - I can't walk along in a daydream, I am always checking the horizon for potential trouble!

Thank you for your replies. We do go to dog training so she has lots of socialisation and my parents have a dog and they spend time together.

I think I will avoid this particular park, it's more like a country park, the other parks we go to are more 'park-like'. And I need to be more assertive in asking people to call their dogs back if I'm not sure. I know people often say oh he's a bit softy but my instincts were telling me this dog wasn't friendly.

I've found that the majority of dog owners are happy for their dogs to say hello but I'm always aware that others don't want to and you pick up the body language from the owner or the dog.

Thanks again.

I don't think you are over reacting, there are some very stupid owners out there and I've been known to be snappy at the odd stupidest of owners myself .
Having said this I have just spent the morning on a large dog friendly beach and there were off lead dogs everywhere hacking the time of their life! There are no hint of dog aggression anywhere just hundreds of dogs and owners enjoying the sun, sand and sea. It was lovely and evidence that off lead dogs can be safe.

Having not hacking! Makes it sound like some sort of horror movie

Thanks for replying TheWolf. Sounds like a great day for dogs and owners. Not experienced the beach with ddog yet, one of the things to look forward to.

Oh poor you (and pup obviously). That sounds scary. I've had my lab since he was about 4 months, he's five years old now and I can honestly say he's only met two dogs who've had a go at him...he did try to steal the tennis ball from one of them mind. There are some idiots around but most people are sensible, hopefully it will be a one of for you as well. Don't be put off walking where you like to.

Early dog training really paid off for us. Dog generally ignores other dogs as they arent that interesting now which suits us.

I was at the beach with Dog yesterday...lovely, no problem except for all the children off lead. ;)