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The doghouse

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Original poster

My dog keeps being attacked

35 replies

JammyRedRooo · 08/01/2022 11:50

I have a 1.5 year old cocker spaniel. My husband has just come back from yet another walk cross and upset because he has been attacked by a pair of dogs (growled at then pinned to the ground and bitten). The other dogs approached him, he is friendly but prefers to mind his own business when he is on a walk.

My poor boy isnt himself now, just stood in the corner of the kitchen shaking and crying out. He is normally a really happy, friendly boy who just wants to be around us.

This isn't the first time this has happened recently and I'd like to know why or how to prevent it as I feel so sorry for my boy.

Does anyone have any ideas please?!

OP posts:
Mybalconyiscracking · 08/01/2022 11:51

Is it the same dogs all the time OP?

PoodleKaboodle · 08/01/2022 11:53

Is he neutered?

Original poster
JammyRedRooo · 08/01/2022 12:07

No different dogs

Not neutered yet either, it has been so difficult to get a vets appointment to discuss it! Booked in for next month so probably will get him done.

OP posts:
SmolCat · 08/01/2022 12:13

I would put something obvious from Yellow Dog on him so that other owners are more likely to keep their dogs away from him.

And I second that it’s possibly because he’s entire.
(Although that’s not his fault and it’s a rubbish reason to have to get neutered.)

ShadowGirls · 08/01/2022 12:14

Can you find a place to walk with less chance of meeting other dogs?

Original poster
JammyRedRooo · 08/01/2022 12:23

Thanks @SmolCat I will look. Feels unfair as he is actually fine with other dogs, he doesn't snap ever even if an overly boisterous dog bounces up to him. He does play with other dogs sometimes too and seems to enjoy it, he just prefers to be sniffing around as spaniels do so doesnt instigate play.

@ShadowGirls we could try. There are lots of spaces around it's just the 'good' ones ie secure with lots of good sniffs are popular.

OP posts:
PoodleKaboodle · 08/01/2022 12:26

A couple of my friends’ male dogs kept getting attacked by random dogs but it stopped after they were neutered even though they weren’t aggressive themselves beforehand and definitely didn’t want to be in a situation where they were challenged.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 08/01/2022 12:34

I suspect its because he's entire - it can cause aggression from neutered males - although obviously this is not a reason on its' own to get him neutered. The owners should have better control over their dogs.

Is he on the lead or off?

CharlotteRose90 · 08/01/2022 12:45

Yep it’s because he’s not been done. Other dogs smell it and try to attack first rather then be attacked. My spaniel was the same till he was done. It’s annoying and so upsetting.

UnoriginalPenguin · 08/01/2022 12:49

Mine (same age, also un-neutered, soppy spaniel, not an aggressive bone in his body) is having the same experience. It's neutered males that are going on the offensive. Small terriers seem to be taking a particular objection! He wasn't the most confident pup , and he's very active so I'm concerned about joint health, which makes me really reluctant to get him done, but I'm interested to hear other experiences.

Iamkmackered1979 · 08/01/2022 13:01

Some dogs must give off a vibe to other dogs mine gets attacked a lot too. He isn’t neutered however we are doing chemical castration as he’s quite anxious etc so worried about it affecting his confidence. He doesn’t go off lead in open spaces to prevent attacks - lots of private fields here though.

It’s a horrible scary thing for you and your dog and it can take 72 hours or more for them to get over a traumatic experience so perhaps avoid walks for a day or 2 then a private or quiet area when you do go out - they process these things and decompress before going out again, my boy copes better now but we are avoiding the other dogs and those situations to help him. Hopefully the castration will also help. It’s hard work trying to get it right for the dog as I want to be able to walk him and keep him safe. Hope your wee dog is ok now op,

twinkletoedelephant · 08/01/2022 13:10

My lab was frequently attacked everywhere we went...we had him castrated early 10/11mths never had another issue. i took the mindset that I could not control other dogs or their humans and despite my best endeavours other dogs would bee line for him growl then attack.

I wanted to wait, as did the vet but ddog was starting to become reactive (our previous dog was VERY reactive and we really didn't want another 15yrs of dealing with that)

He a very happy well behaved friendly boy now.

Dottyteapot · 08/01/2022 13:17

Is he on the lead?

My rescue dog will go for other dogs on walks (if they are bigger than him), so he’s on the lead but other owners let their off lead dogs go up to him, even though I shout over to them that move will attack theirs. Then they are shocked when they fight Angry

Winniemarysarah · 08/01/2022 13:36

I completely disagree that it’s because he’s not done. I’ve only ever owned entire females and neutered males and they get attacked all of the time. Nowadays I’ll either walk them at ungodly hours where there’s no one else about, or I’ll keep them on a short leash and put my steel toe caps on which I happily attempt to insert up any dogs arse who comes running up to mine.

Genevie82 · 08/01/2022 14:02

Hi OP… this is because he has not been neutered yet. Book a vets trip ASAP and it will stop after a month or so. I had exactly the same issue and behaviour from other dogs towards mine , I left it late with him and after a few upsetting incidents on walks had him done, and it stopped. I don’t know the psychology but something about it really can stir other dogs up especially if they are also entire( but neutered ones too I found ).
Also make sure you follow this simple rule which a work colleague told me about when I first became a dog owner!.. if you’re out walking and another dog is on the lead you always put yours on the lead too before you pass. Likewise If you come across a dog off the lead you let yours off too as it lessens the risk to them of being attacked as they can run off- obv I’m talking about normal dog walking situations here! It’s always worked for me xx

Throwntothewolves · 08/01/2022 15:23

Keep him on the lead and close, keep walking as you pass other dogs, don't stop for a chat giving the dogs the opportunity to have a go at him.

PollyRoulllson · 08/01/2022 16:57

It is not because he is entire.

Why would an netuered dog with no sex hormones attack a dog that is complete!

This is an old myth that will not die.

It may be that the neutered dogs have higher stress levels because of being castrated but they would then attack any dog not just entire dogs.

OP I am really sorry your poor dog and you are experiencing this. It is literally because you are meeting dogs with owners who are not taking resposibility for their own dogs. I can assure you that your dog is not the only dog they will have attacked

This is NOT your dogs fault.

I would look at walking at different times or different areas. Dont get him castrated because of this at least if he is entire the testosterone he does have will help he to deal with these incidents.

Original poster
JammyRedRooo · 08/01/2022 17:55

Thank you everyone. Him not being castrated did cross my mind. The plan before we got him always was to have it done, but tbh his temperament is so fab we have ummed and ahhed over whether it's necessary. I will talk it over with the vet when we go.

He is mainly off lead but I always put him on if we come across another leaded dog just in case, although his recall is excellent. Dogs have gone for him when he has been on lead and them off before though.

I hate the thought of him giving of a vibe because he is such a friendly, happy boy who wouldn't harm a fly. The look on his face when this happens breaks my heart.

He seems happy enough now. I mixed bacon and cheese in with his kibble (I know I know) to cheer him up and gave him a bath as he was so muddy from being pinned down. Now he is curled up with us in the sitting room and seems back to his usual self.

Just starting to really worry about walks now, wish it didn't have to be like this.

OP posts:
SmolCat · 09/01/2022 18:26

Him not being castrated did cross my mind. The plan before we got him always was to have it done, but tbh his temperament is so fab we have ummed and ahhed over whether it's necessary. I will talk it over with the vet when we go.
You could try temporary chemical castration first and see what impact it has. Vets don’t offer it as standard so you’ll need to see if yours does and find one that does if that’s an option you want to try.

Janeandjohnny · 09/01/2022 18:33

This is not about castration or not. Its about body language and comfort with other dogs. But both you and DH have to step up and step in. If he gets bitten all the time he will be very reactive from fear that may already be happening. Keep him on lead and stop, sit and block any dog that comes to him. Tell other owners to remove their dogs otherwise he will lise confidence each time. Just remember from.a dogs perspective thats like being punched in the face every time you to to the shop for milk.

Snorkmaidenn · 09/01/2022 18:36

It isn't necessarily because he is entire .
My boy aged 4 is entire and never has a problem with other dogs
I know other owners who have entire dogs and are never attacked.
I had a spaniel and after castration was attacked by other males.
I'm really sorry this has happened, and think the owners of the dogs attacking should be more responsible.

RandomMess · 09/01/2022 18:42

My dog is nervous of spaniels that are busy "flushing" even though they are minding their own business she is confused by their behaviour 🙄

Fortunately she doesn't attack other dogs just barks to tell them off 🙄🙄🙄 tbh I call her back long before she gets near dogs they she is worried about. She's a rescue so no idea why she is the way she is.

Muststopbuyingplants · 09/01/2022 18:49

I carry this and it gives me a bit more confidence.
www.police-supplies.co.uk/k917-dog-deterrent-spray

longtompot · 09/01/2022 22:03

My female dog, show cocker, has been attacked a lot, especially when she was younger. I started to dread taking her out as I didn't know what would happen. She was never actually injured, but the screaming was awful.
I don't know how things turned around as she used to, if she saw a dog approaching her she wasn't sure about she would run away, but slowly she would stand her ground, bark if they looked shifty, and then eventually go and say hello. I think a lot of it was getting her to focus on me as we walked past which helped her fear and maybe what was what actually helped her get confident.
I do think your dog still being entire is an issue, but my friends male dog was forever getting attacked and they had him done and he still has issues with other dogs.
Not really an answer for you, sorry, just my experience of being a dog owner.

Happenchance · 09/01/2022 22:40

What colour is he OP? Other dogs could find him hard to read if he's black.

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