Horrible experience today

[TessApricot]

I had a horrid experience walking my 3 year old golden retriever today. I’d just put her on lead as I’d heard some barking ahead when suddenly a lady and four big dogs came into our view. The only dog she had on lead was also a golden retriever which was barking and lunging, and the others were all off lead and ran towards my dog, surrounded her and were barking aggressively, one of them was going for her ears again and again and growling, showing teeth etc. My poor dog just sat there cowering whilst I shouted at the dogs and told the woman to recall them but for most of it I was just scared and stood still. The owner had absolutely no control!! Eventually they followed her away but I’m furious that someone would be walking four out of control aggressive dogs alone! My dog is so submissive and friendly - I really hope this hasn’t shaken her too much. The owner didn’t even come forward to try and grab her most aggressive dog who was going for mine.

I was really shaken when it happened, but tonight I feel really guilty that I just froze and didn’t do enough to protect my dog. :(

@GeorgiaGirl52
Tear gas and bleach? are you deranged?

I've had so many encounters with what I call ineffectual owners. Weakly saying their dogs name and doing nothing to retrieve them. I had one a few years ago whose big husky type dog was on an extendable lead. My dog was on her short lead, we were right next to a river. I clocked this dog walking in a threatening manner (rolling shoulders, head down, lip licking) so I asked her to shorten her dogs lead. It took several times of this, and I was right on the bank edge, before she did. It took the shine off another wise lovely walk.
As for what to do of your dog is on a lead and the others aren't, I tend to drop the lead if I can't unclip it. It means mine can run if she needs to.
I'm quite a quiet person, and was worried about how I'd be assertive enough with a dog. I shout plenty when others dogs are misbehaving 😉

I'm not sure what the correct response is other than shout at the owner to control their dogs.

Other people's idea of responsibility when it comes to their dogs is shocking sometimes.

Yeah, drop your lead rather than trying to get your hands into a situation with three other sets of teeth, then call your dog off. It's really unpleasant though and I'm sorry it happened to your dog OP. Some people shouldn't be allowed within ten feet of a dog.

Absolutely shocking behaviour!
Bloody hate this.
We had two dogs that lived near us (huskies) not trained properly and were bloody awful dogs.
Anyway I heard a woman scream and a dog yelp then I saw the huskies owner run off in a different direction.
The dog survived but had terrible wounds. It wasn't the first time the huskies had done this and I absolutely told this woman who's dog it was and where they lived.
Police took the dog. And I wouldn't usually say this but it was honestly for the best.

The best thing to do is to carry on walking and get past them as soon as possible
The longer you stay put the longer it will go on for
One thing I learned is that if a dog is biting a dog
You grab their back legs and hold them up high
They will let go of the dog to try and bite you 😂 They should be able to bite you because they can’t reach
Notice I did say “shouldn’t “
Not much help I know if you have a mad dogs legs in your hands but they will let go of the other animal

I have a small dog. An off lead greyhound saw her as prey and ran at full pelt towards us. My dog was on a lead and poor thing tried to run but could only go in circles due to lead, pursued by thus huge dog. It was so scary. I didn’t know what to do. She was whimpering with fear as she ran.

Stupid greyhound owner didn’t even apologise.

I thought it was illegal for dogs to be outside without a lead.

Many years ago i was in a similar situation with my 18 month old lab. I just grabbed her and held her above my head. I don't know how I found the strength in that moment to be honest.

You see some very serious injuries incurred by untrained dogs. It’s horrible. Too many people want to have a dog but don’t want the work involved with training them to behave appropriately. Yes It’s hard work but that’s what you signed up for.

Despite any advice I don’t think I’d be able to let them off lead to potentially be chased and attacked away from where I could intervene. If small enough to be picked up I’d do that. When I was in my teens with a friendly family lab I could very easily convince (literally saying come on in an enthusiastic tone- got to love labs!) him to run with me when unfamiliar dogs were approaching. Don’t recall any attacks(and quite sure I’d remember), but conscious that’s not an option for everyone or foolproof, but a moving target is definitely more challenging. In an actual attack scenario I think I’d act instinctively and try to pull the dog off though I’d almost certainly get bitten. I’ve heard of attacks where dogs go for the neck ie trying to kill and with one of those I’d certainly rather have my arms bitten than my dog bleed out, though I’m sure many people feel differently.

Apparently there’s a spray called K9 or something similar that you can spray and it temporarily confuses the attacking dog (no permanent harm). I’m considering getting a puppy but have been concerned about the number of dog on dog attacks that I’ve read about recently, and someone advised carrying a can of that.

I don't want to criticise anyone who has reacted in the heat of the moment but unless you are Usain Bolt, don't pick up your dog if they're attacked. You'll get bitten. Again, that's not meant as criticism, I can totally understand why someone would do it instinctively, but it's not good advice to give.

I get involved in situations like this constantly. Mainly because I have giant breeds which apparently are fair game to be attacked by little dogs because they can’t be hurt

I always shout that mine are aggressive and try and block the offending dog but I so dream of a dog on lead law despite mine being fine off lead because almost every walk is a nightmare!

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett

I don't want to criticise anyone who has reacted in the heat of the moment but unless you are Usain Bolt, don't pick up your dog if they're attacked. You'll get bitten. Again, that's not meant as criticism, I can totally understand why someone would do it instinctively, but it's not good advice to give.

I've also heard you shouldn't pick your dog up. But I guess if they are small the temptation is huge to protect them, especially against a larger dog.

This happened to me back in January, A guy walking his frenchie off lead and 3 labs on lead. My dog was always very excited by dogs and wanting to play but we were working on him walking past without reacting. He pinned his frenchie down on the side till we past & then as soon as he let it go it ran after us and attacked my Labrador. My poor boy was petrified & just sat down while this Frenchie was jumping up trying to bite his neck. The guy couldn't get a good hold of the frenchie as he was trying to hold back the 3 on lead labs! What made it worse was he shouted he sometimes attacks as if it was my responsibility to get his dog away.So fast forward to now & I now have a dog who is sometimes excited & other times aggressive to dogs dependent on the colour & breed

@ozymandiusking

I thought it was illegal for dogs to be outside without a lead.

Not in the UK! They are meant to have a tag with owner's contact details, and to be micro-chipped though.

The sooner a dog keeper's licence, similar to a driving licence and only fully valid after passing a theory and practical test, is introduced the better. I'm thinking it would be an initial fee to cover the cost of administrating the test, and an annual renewal fee to include third party liability insurance. Testing on subjects like diet and nutrition, basic dog first aid, the laws as they apply to dogs and our responsibilities as owners and keepers. Obviously exemptions for properly registered assistance dogs.

@ozymandiusking

I thought it was illegal for dogs to be outside without a lead.

Not at all. Most places say that dogs need to be under close control, which isn't the same thing. If your dog is well socialised and has excellent recall, there's should be no reason why they can't walk off the lead.

I had an awful experience with my dog (always on lead - greyhound). A cocker poo ran full pelt at him. My dog went mental thinking it was prey.

Luckily no one was hurt but the owner had a right go at me. I explained my dog was under control as he was on lead (his dog crossed a road to get to mine) and couldn't cope with being approached.

It just feels so shit. I don't want any dog to be hurt and I certainly don't want to be shouting (or being shouted at) in the street

I’m so sorry so many of you have had awful experiences. It’s incredibly stressful!
Update here is that I walked my dog for hours this morning and she was fine with all the dogs we met so I’m relieved that she wasn’t traumatised yesterday. I was though!! I’ve reported it to the dog warden who took it seriously and has logged it.

Aw so glad your dog is her usual happy self.

im sorry that happened. Its so scary when it does. Im glad other people have said let the dog off lead, as when thats happened to my staffie, Ive always tried to keep hold of her, but in actual fact, maybe if she had a go back, the other owners might think twice about letting their shitty barky dogs run up and aggress mine.

There's a small dog near me who constantly goes for my boy. She's always off-lead and because she's so small, she often sneaks up on us unless I see the owner well ahead of time and change direction.

The woman always apologises and tells me "she's a horrible dog, I'm so sorry", like that makes any difference.

The last few times I've got my hand on the back of her neck and pinned her to the ground until the the woman's come to get her.

Last time I told her that if her dog ever approaches us again I will kick it, hard. I bloody hope she knows I mean it, because it's not the dog's fault at all and I don't WANT to send it flying, but I absolutely will defend my boy if I have to.

Really glad your girl is OK, OP – that sounds like a horrible experience.