Same dog has attacked mine twice - WWYd

[HappyThursdays]

First time, my puppy was on his lead when the Labrador literally came out of nowhere and jumped on him aggressively and held him down. Puppy screamed but luckily because he was on the lead, I could drag him up and had to wrestle him off the dog. He was only about 13/14 weeks at the time and was really upset but luckily no skin broken. I was in shock and the owner said sorry but just wandered off.

I subsequently found out from others that it's well known that this Labrador has problems with male puppies.

Just went on my walk this morning, puppy was off lead and I saw a Labrador in the distance, couldn't be sure it was this one, but to be careful I called him back and put him on the lead.

Within a few seconds, this Labrador was running full speed at us and immediately pounced on the puppy and held him down by the back legs. Pup has a harness on him and I know they say you shouldn't pick them up but it was the only way to get him out of his jaws. The owner stood by and did nothing.

This time I really lost my shit and shouted at him and refused to accept his apology. I said if he knows his dog has a problem he must either be on lead or called back to be on lead when other dogs are around. He honestly couldn't have been less bothered, did say sorry but I said it wasn't enough and he strolled off.

I now know where he lives. Would you report this and where do you report it to?

I would report him to the dog warden. He is not in control of his dog. If his dog doesn’t like puppies, it should be kept on lead around them.

Yes, report to the dog warden

Argh off lead dogs have become the bane of my life, especially entire male dogs who's owners practically ignore them. My pup has started to become a bit reactive after having been socialised so well as she was harassed incessantly by entire dogs while in season (on her lead at all times). I do think you should report but not actually sure what the procedure is. I was bitten by a dog in the park once and the same dog then trapped us in a play area another time by circling round and round clearly trying to get at the playing children. The owner was unable to catch the dog or prevent it during both incidents but I had no idea who I should report to (and also had no other details).

I suspect the owner might be more proactive if you carry a large stick with you next time.

Thanks I'll call the dog warden. I wasn't brought up in this country so I wasn't sure what the procedure was but I'll look up their number today thanks.

Yes I'm worried it will make my puppy reactive, especially as this is the 2nd time and I can see he is totally wary of labradors now which is problematic for us as they are popular dogs!

Ha! @Imiss2019 - I had to manoeuvre my body between the puppy and dog to get him to let go (while the owner just watched) - a stick would have been handy!

I've never actually head of a dog warden (as in locally, I've heard the term obviously) I don't know if it's something that exists here (Scotland) must look into it.

Dog warden can be found via the local council. You may also have wildlife officers at your local police station - I only know this because we have an incredibly aggressive pair of dogs local to us and the owner is a useless bellend who doesn't walk them on the lead (in itself, not against the law but they are 100% not under his control). Definitely report your incidents.

I don't see the dog being walked anymore - the incidents were last year, but it's useful information to have for future reference.

@midnightstar66

I've never actually head of a dog warden (as in locally, I've heard the term obviously) I don't know if it's something that exists here (Scotland) must look into it.

I think the local councils are supposed to have one but the area of Scotland I live in doesn't currently have one.

I've just had a look on the council website. No mention of a warden as an actual physical person. Just an email address to report the likes of not picking up poo and a note to say call 101 with concerns of a dangerous dog.

In winter, I walk in wellie boots. This winter, I did comment to my walking companion that next time, I would be remembering that my boots are steel capped and putting them to use. I am totally over dogs at large.

I always carry corrector spray for off lead dogs. Spray goes along way and is citronella so they immediately back off, also good for separating dogs,but stops them getting too close too.Amazon petsafe sprayshield, brilliant stuff.

In this case I agree with PP, you should carry citronella or corrector spray.

My pup has started to become a bit reactive after having been socialised so well as she was harassed incessantly by entire dogs while in season (on her lead at all times)
I don’t understand why there is an apparent expectation on here that it’s okay to walk entire bitches in heat on lead.
Males smell them miles away, they’ll still smell with them with the lead on FFS and yes, they will harass them incessantly.

It’s not unusual them for them to refuse to recall despite having bombproof recall usually, nor is it unusual for them to cause accidents running across roads and getting lost from taking off after a bitch

And it’s not so simple to say well they should just be neutered, nervous males are meant to be left entire as neutering worsens their nervousness and breeding dogs will be entire.

And no, I don’t have and never have had an entire male.
I have a female, she wasn’t walked in season.

The people I know who have Bitches who come into season walk them early in the morning/late at night to avoid other dogs or restrict them to the garden.
Very few entire males won’t harass a bitch in season and it can be dangerous for all concerned

@midnightstar66

Argh off lead dogs have become the bane of my life, especially entire male dogs who's owners practically ignore them. My pup has started to become a bit reactive after having been socialised so well as she was harassed incessantly by entire dogs while in season (on her lead at all times). I do think you should report but not actually sure what the procedure is. I was bitten by a dog in the park once and the same dog then trapped us in a play area another time by circling round and round clearly trying to get at the playing children. The owner was unable to catch the dog or prevent it during both incidents but I had no idea who I should report to (and also had no other details).

you walked an in season bitch at a time when other dogs were being walked? That is pretty antisocial tbh.

I've had entire bitches while living in a large town with a small garden, so know how tough it is - but you take them out in the dark, early morning and late at night, not when other dogs are being walked.

My pup has started to become a bit reactive after having been socialised so well as she was harassed incessantly by entire dogs while in season (on her lead at all times).

It's incredibly irresponsible to take an in-season dog out at popular walking times - it's basically an invitation for harassment. All dogs, even neutered ones, will be able to smell a bitch in heat and they become virtually impossible to control, no matter how well-trained they are otherwise.

Bitches in season need to be walked at very antisocial times - either very early in the morning, very late at night or in incredibly isolated areas. Expecting male dogs to control themselves around an in-season bitch is incredibly unreasonable.

If you can't manage that, get your bitch neutered for her own safety as much as anything else. Unless you're a professional breeder, there is no reason to keep your bitch un-spayed.

@vanillandhoney

My pup has started to become a bit reactive after having been socialised so well as she was harassed incessantly by entire dogs while in season (on her lead at all times).

It's incredibly irresponsible to take an in-season dog out at popular walking times - it's basically an invitation for harassment. All dogs, even neutered ones, will be able to smell a bitch in heat and they become virtually impossible to control, no matter how well-trained they are otherwise.

Bitches in season need to be walked at very antisocial times - either very early in the morning, very late at night or in incredibly isolated areas. Expecting male dogs to control themselves around an in-season bitch is incredibly unreasonable.

If you can't manage that, get your bitch neutered for her own safety as much as anything else. Unless you're a professional breeder, there is no reason to keep your bitch un-spayed.

Everyone is a professional breeder at the moment

Wow the citronella spray sounds like a good idea.

I have seen people in various dog groups I belong to on FB post photos of such dog owners and their digs, describing the incident and the location of the incident so other dog walkers can be aware - as well as coordinating reports to the dog warden so the dog warden is aware it’s not just a one off event nor that it is only one dog being attacked.

Best of luck to you OP. Very distressing to you and your puppy.

My dad taught me to always carry a stick but not necessarily to hit the other dog with (that would be a very last resort). The idea is to, as it approaches with jaws open to seize your dog, jam the stick across between its jaws so it bites the stick rather than your dog. In my experience, it worked most of the time and certainly gave the attacking dog a moment of shock to make it hesitate, while you whisk yours out of the way or pick it up. I also bellow at the attacking dog and get in front of my own dog (working on the theory that my healthcare is free and my dog's is blooming expensive, so I'd rather it was me that got bitten). If you do this with enough confidence, you can very often ward the dog off until the other owner (if a responsible one, ha ha) can grab their dog or even make it back off and go away.

Also, do the bellowing at the oncoming dog as soon as it is within earshot - last time I had to do it, my big elderly dog was sheltering behind my legs (sensibly) and I actually took a step towards the oncoming dog whilst bellowing GO AWAY! and it was effective after two goes and it gave up and legged it. Harness your inner, angry scary monster self.

Everyone is a professional breeder at the moment

Yep, sadly you seem to be right!

I love dogs but I wouldn't have thought twice with booting that dog to get it off my puppy!!! Take a walking stick with you or wear heavy walking boots.

Don’t do what I did when my dog was attacked by an out of control dog. I got my foot underneath it and physically flung it into the hedge. Pulled the muscles all the way down the back of my leg and had to hobble a mile back to the car. A stick is a much better idea.

Why did a pp take your in season dog out where other dogs are? Being on lead is no excuse as it can cause serious fights between other dogs, it's not the fault of those dogs at all. Should be spayed when old enough anyway.