Are you scared to walk your dog in case your dog gets attacked by other dogs?

[Kahid87445]

Are you ever worried when walking your dog that a stray dog or a dog off the leash may come and attack your dog?

I'm sure everyone has heard of the story of someone saying 'my dog is alright' and then the next moment it is attacking another dog. I think it's really irresponsible for someone to allow his/her dog off the leash all of the time without any consideration for people who have dogs who may have problems or just generally do not like being approached by other dogs.

It's even worse when someone has an aggressive dog and he/she still allows the dog off the leash.

There seems to be a massive misconception that socialisation means your dog has to be friendly towards every dog he/she meets and that you must allow your dog to greet every other dog in sight.

Although my dogs are properly socialised and are very friendly towards people, dogs and other animals, I prefer to go out very early in the morning and later in the evening to places where there are not a lot of other dogs (I have always avoided 'dog parks') and my dogs prefer to do their own things and play with each other. My dogs don't bother with other dogs.

Does anyone else do the same?

I think in this day and age it's good to be more aware of your surroundings and more cautious if a strange dog approaches you or your dog.

Not at all, there are lots of rescue dogs in my area and everyone is really sensible and understanding. The worst owners are those who bought silly crossbreed puppies and are not very good at knowing the rules of dog socialisation.

If your dogs are okay with other dogs this sounds more like your anxiety than any other issue.

I have a small ish dog so I do worry occasionally that a bigger dog might hurt him but I find generally other dog owners are pretty good at recalling their dog if they're worried.

I always put my dog back on the lead around other dogs on leads and will check the owners response if my dog off lead approaches another off lead dog.

It doesn't really worry me, and I speak as someone whose dog was attacked twice as a puppy.

I agree that socialisation doesn't mean run up and play with every dog you meet, but the vast, vast majority of dog owners are well-intentioned, and I would also argue that the vast majority of off-lead dogs are actually perfectly friendly and tolerant towards others.

I'm always aware of my surroundings and whether there are other dogs and people around, though. I think that's just taking basic precautions, but I certainly don't worry about aggressive dogs or attacks, no.

Not really. I tend to walk mine in fields and he’s bloody fast so if an aggressive dog approached he’d have a hard time catching him!

I've got a small dog but I'm not worried about other dogs attacking. I walk wherever/ whenever I want.

I wear boots and will and have used them. Also keep dog close if off lead so I can intervene

No I tend to walk off the beaten track and soon get to know the other dogs who walk there as well. We are all pretty sensible so leash the dogs if there are any doubts and have never had a problem. I stopped going on the more popular walks when lockdown started first time as there were many more people and children and dogs about.

My local face book group talks about dog attacks in the area so it does worry me.

My dog is 6 months and fairly submissive, she rolls on her back when another dog sniffs her. I don't let her approach everyone, and do call if my dog can say hello. If the other dog is off lead I assume it's ok to say hello.

A few days ago we met a dog on its own that was staring at us so we walked away from it. My dog kept looking back and I saw her get nervous and turn to see the dog running at us. As it got closer I see it has a yellow harness which I understand means to not approach this dog and it was growling horribly.

I was so scared for my dog I had to scoop her up and set back her training for her not to jump at me when she is nervous. Luckily the dog wasn't bothered with me and I only put her down when I we were far away.

I saw it later in the same walk, offlead but with an owner! I turned off the path and ran for it!

@Ronnii

My local face book group talks about dog attacks in the area so it does worry me.

My dog is 6 months and fairly submissive, she rolls on her back when another dog sniffs her. I don't let her approach everyone, and do call if my dog can say hello. If the other dog is off lead I assume it's ok to say hello.

A few days ago we met a dog on its own that was staring at us so we walked away from it. My dog kept looking back and I saw her get nervous and turn to see the dog running at us. As it got closer I see it has a yellow harness which I understand means to not approach this dog and it was growling horribly.

I was so scared for my dog I had to scoop her up and set back her training for her not to jump at me when she is nervous. Luckily the dog wasn't bothered with me and I only put her down when I we were far away.

I saw it later in the same walk, offlead but with an owner! I turned off the path and ran for it!

That sounds like a really sensible owner, the lead shows that alone. Unfortunately a lot of dog owners don’t consider that others are trying to rehabilitate abused, rescued and traumatised dogs. They simply can’t comprehend that not everyone goes out and buys a puppy.

I walk my dog but very mindful of dog on dog attacks. I unfortunately spent many days waiting in the emergency vet when mine was a puppy due to accidents and illnesses and most times there was another dog in there being attended due to it being attacked by another dog. Sounds odd now thinking about that precovid when we used to sit and talk to other owners in reception.

So yes I walk mine but typically away from 'parks' and generally avoid other dogs where possible.

I'm not going to lie, I get slightly paranoid when I see some breeds of dogs that are strange dogs to my dogs and me. I know it's wrong to generalise all dogs of the same breed as the same, but I get incredibly anxious when a staffy is off the lead and comes towards my dogs. I can't get out of my head 'if this dog turns then it's never going to let go and potentially kill my dog or dogs'. I know that it's wrong of me to stereotype, but my friend's dog was killed by a staffy a few years ago (she lives in a different area to me) and unfortunately the breed doesn't have the best reputation.

I do apologise to any owners of staffies!

I just prefer to let my dogs associate with dogs that I know are good dogs. I feel more at ease that way.

I hate walking in "dog areas" or known dog walking spots and will avoid them at all costs.

My dogs are fine with other dogs but prefer not to be bothered with them and I prefer not to be bothered with other dog walkers ( we are a friendly lot!) Dog walking is my quiet time, me and my dogs

To me socialisation is that dogs will ignore other dogs and people unless invited to meet and greet. To socialisation is not an excuse for a free for all with every dog a dog sees. It should correctly be called "antisocialisation"

About ten years ago I was walking through some woods and out of nowhere a really big mastiff appeared and started to snarl at my dog at the time (a Jack Russell) and I was absolutely petrified.

I also get worried that if my dog were to be attacked then the incident could alter her temperament permanently.

just prefer to let my dogs associate with dogs that I know are good dogs. I feel more at ease that way

I think that is very sensible I totally agree with you. My dogs do not interact with dogs I do not know.

You do sound a little anxious about it all though.

I do not worry about dog attacks but will happily change direction to avoid meetings. Would it help to feel more proactive eg change direction, smile and wave and go the other way from dogs and then you can relax and enjoy your walks?

I've got a very gentle and loving cocker spaniel, whose only crime is that of being entire male. He never showed any signs of sexual behaviour, and after reacting quite badly to sedation once for a grass seed removal, the vet (and I ) were perfectly happy to leave his bits alone.

He was attacked, 3 times by the same dog - another walker in the village who refused to accept that their dog is a nasty piece of shit. I can't even go there with the story of it all, suffice to say that we ended up spending nearly £1k in vet bills, and the 3rd occasion resulted in them being charged with having a dog dangerously out of control. We don't have an area dog warden so all attacks need to go through the Police, and the law doesn't give a shit about dogs attacking other dogs. We only got a result on the 3rd time after persistently pushing the local Police station and I was fortunate (if that's the word) that I got bit when having to pull the dog off mine..... it took 4 people to separate them, it was horrific beyond words.

And the worst part is that I have now have a very reactive dog, who treats every dog we met like one he thinks is going to hurt him . We've worked so hard with a behaviourist to help him, but he's scared. And I can get it completely.

@PollyRoulson

Hi,

I'm not sure if it's just a mechanism inside of my brain, but if I see a strange dog then I do judge the dog on its owner and its breed. I know that it's wrong of me for judging a staffy for being a staffy, but I just can't help it. I am not disputing that there are friendly staffies, but nigh on every staffy I have seen was owned by a chav (again, I know that some people may not like that term, but it fits the description of what I mean) who liked a hard image with a big harness or a big chain around the dog's neck and was aggressive.

I know that any dog and any breed can be aggressive, but I just can't help but feel more tolerant of my dogs mixing with certain breeds e.g. Labradors, Collies, Spaniels, etc.

Thankfully I live in the countryside so I'm a bit out of the way, but I would feel x100 worse if I lived in a busy city or town.

I'm a friendly person and I'll speak to other dog walkers, but I like it when I come across decent owners who know that it's not right for their dogs to just come up to my dogs without any warnings or any sight of them.

@addicted2spaniels

I'm very sorry to read what happened to your dog and my heart goes out to you.

It's when I read or hear about stories like your story that makes me even more cautious about me introducing my dogs to strange dogs, one just never knows what may happen and I don't want my dogs to get hurt.

@Kahid87445

About ten years ago I was walking through some woods and out of nowhere a really big mastiff appeared and started to snarl at my dog at the time (a Jack Russell) and I was absolutely petrified.

I also get worried that if my dog were to be attacked then the incident could alter her temperament permanently.

This is what worries me too. Lots of reactive dogs and dog attacks in my area. My dog has been chased a few times but so far temperament is still good.

We have the opposite. Our dog is on lead and muzzled. She's a rescue and can play nicely (she goes to day care) but can be unpredictable on the lead. She's a lurcher type and very rough player.

We constantly have dogs running up to her to play/sniff and it winds her right up. We are trying to do our best by everyone by keeping her under control but people need to help themselves too!

10 years ago walking my parents dog, even tho it was a small dog, there was no worry from other dogs

No, I'm not worried. My dog is very friendly and enjoys playing with other dogs so I'm always pleased to see others out walking. There's only one dog I'm wary of and tend to wait until they've gone until I let my dog off.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one to feel the way I do!

I just want the best for my dogs; I don't want them to be hurt.

I know that we have all heard of the saying that 'there is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner', but it is not strictly true. Sometimes people purposely breed dogs for aggression and fighting.

There are some people who want to look hard and want to have an aggressive dog. Those people scare me and I never want to cross paths with them.

I also keep mine on a lead if other dogs are on the lead too. If they are off then I assume they are fine with other dogs. But that one dog I'm wary of is often off lead. I'm told it's only playing but it seems very tense and growly to me. My dog is about the size of its head. I've never felt like that about any other dog though.

I never let my dogs off lead. I do hate people who allow their dogs to run up to mine offlead. Only because I have 2 SBTs and one is frightened of bigger dogs because she's been attacked 3 times by off lead dogs (not SBT). Doesn't happen often though.