Sustained dog attack- owners just watched :(

[valteri]

This happened yesterday but I only feel able to talk about it now. We were nearing the end of our walk when this dog (Weimaraner) appeared from around the corner. My husband and I could tell his body language was quite aggressive so dp slowly held on to my dog's harness (no jerking movements etc). All of sudden this dog lunges at my dog and starts to bite him. I scream at the two women with the dog to grab their dog but they tell me to let go of my dog as that is what is causing the aggression. NO FUCKING WAY. DP holds onto my boy and I do my best to shield him. The whole thing lasted for about 2 minutes. The sounds my boy made simultaneously breaks my heart and boils my blood. I have no idea why they didn't intervene/grab their dog who would go away for a second and then come back. At the end I was hysterically crying but also shouting asking why theydidn't grab their dog. I get called a dyke and told I need a dr for MY aggressive behaviour. THE NERVE. Somehow she tries to blame the whole thing on us.

As we walk back we meet a dog walker who heard the whole thing and also had a confrontation with the woman (sworn at etc). Apparently the dog went for one of his. We learn that this dog is "evil" and has a reputation.

I'm just heartbroken, my dog is fearful and we've worked so hard (and spent a lot of money) to build his confidence and socialise him. He's close to perfect. Took him immediately to the vet but thank god he was okay! We're very very lucky we held on to him- thereby protecting his neck and also that his coat is thick.

Just wanted advice on how best to handle the aftermath. He is PERFECT on walks. It would break my heart if this has long-lasting consequences. I can't believe this happened. I can't believe they did nothing.

Don't understand why owners with dogs that are not friendly, not good with other dogs or if they are unpredictable, that they don't just recall and keep them on a lead or keep clear. Is that so hard to do?

Has there been some new thing about dogs and the law released today? Imo no dogs should be off leads in public places but I do understand some dogs CAN be taught to be off the lead and behave.

Glad the police are taking it seriously.

It seems that the police can't really do anything about dangerous dogs bitting other smaller dogs as 'they are animals'.
Maybe that explains the women being so cocky. Nothing can be done.
If I ever had a dog, I'll carry a bit stick and whack any dog that tries to go for mine!
But of course then, I'd be done for animal cruelty.

Hind sight is a wonderful thing, I have a Ridgeback so same sort of build as the dog you encountered, I would have without a doubt kicked the dog. I've had to intervene in similar situations as my boy is actually quite nervous given his size.

Thanks for all your messages. We just got back from a very pleasant long walk (longer than expected due to some obstructive llamas). My boy met a few small dogs and was great. Although we did meet one very energetic little dog who wanted my dog to chase him- quite persistently in fact. We did let him but he was making a very slight growling sound under his breath which concerned me as we've never heard it before. The other (very lovely) couple were not fazed at all and said "oh that's just playing". Which I know it was of course but I just wanted to be cautious (he was on the long lead) so we got him to stop.

He often gets barked at right in the face/lunged at- not sure why. And he is just perfect as he ignores everything. Hope we get back to that place.

I always have food in my pocket and on occasions throw down food to distract the approaching dogs to give me time to get away but these days I just avoid all busy areas

Adding food into a genuinely potentially aggressive situation involving dogs will almost certainly make things worse.

The reasoning behind the traditional advice of letting go of the lead is to free up your dog to defend itself better or to run. Personally I'd hang on to the lead but try and give my dog enough length to manoeuvre and as others have suggested try and get a boot in here and there - if nothing else you can guarantee that will upset the other owner enough to get involved and pull their dog out.

It seems that the police can't really do anything about dangerous dogs bitting other smaller dogs as 'they are animals'.

It goes both ways. There's a story in the local news this evening, three pocket terriers "attacked" by an SBT in the park where I walk ours. If those are the pocket terriers I'm thinking of then they're well known for being loose, out of the owners control, and running up to larger dogs yapping and nipping. No details in the story, but it wouldn't surprise me of the SBT was on the lead - most are round here.

DogInATent

Not sure what's the relevance of the story about the terriers and SBT.
All dogs no matter what size need to be under control at all times in public.

And owners need to take steps to ensure that.

Not sure what's the relevance of the story about the terriers and SBT.

Just the narrative (as I quoted) tends to assume the larger dog is always the aggressor - when the relative information is almost always which dog was under owner-control and which was not. Not the relative sizes of the dogs.

*I always have food in my pocket and on occasions throw down food to distract the approaching dogs to give me time to get away but these days I just avoid all busy areas

Adding food into a genuinely potentially aggressive situation involving dogs will almost certainly make things worse.*

Okay lets clear this up once and for all!

I am a qualified behaviourist and specialise in dog aggression and reactivity.

For the average person on the street the safest way to protect your dog is to get away from the attacking dog. Spray, sticks shouting, pulling the dog off will ALWAYS aggravate the situation.

Treat throwing is the recommended scientifically proven way to slow down an aggressive dog attack or side track the dog. Studies have shown that in 35 dogs 99.8% of them hesitated and changed their behaviour when food was thrown. There was no guarding issue as the only dog wanting the food was the aggressor.

The distraction works in more than one way, the simple what this distraction and also the act of the dog sniffing the ground for the food instantly brings down the adrenalin and stress levels in the attacking dog.

It gives time for the other dog and owner to slowly and carefully move away from the dangerous situation.

In the study mentioned above 80% of the attacking dogs turned their backs on the dogs after eating the food and did not continue to approach the dog. The remaining 20% stood and watched the dog walk away.

The only disadvantage of this method is that it is not fool proof and if the attacking dog is on very high adrenaline charge there is NOTHING that will stop the attack but this method is harmless, will not ignite the situation further and is worth a try if your dog is in danger .

What if the other dog has a dietary requirement? Or do you not care about that?

I think it's a really stupid bit of advice, but I think dog behaviourists are charlatans at worst and faddy at best.

Hahaha Schnickers I agree some are but not me I have letters after my name and know about science and everything!

Oh well then but seriously is throwing food sensible? My labrador wouldn't mind tbf

But by giving food to an aggressive/attacking dog aren't you indirectly rewarding his behaviour?

A DA dog is not going to stop charging and attack with treats thrown on the floor, or any dog that is too focused on your dog.

No, when my terrier had his balls and was quite reactive, he wouldn't have given a shit about treats or food. Labrador obvs would have but then he would have been ambling happily towards you hoping for a pat.