My dog keeps being attacked

[JammyRedRooo]

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?!

As you can't control the behaviour of other dogs sadly, you need to focus on the way you manage walks.
Easier said than done but try not to get stressed & worried as that will communicate to him.
Positive distraction, keeping an eye out for other dogs getting close & avoiding ones with aggressive/nervous body language from as far away as you can, refocusing your dog onto something positive like a trick or behaviour. Not a treat though I'd say as it might encourage other dogs.
And trying to find quieter times & locations.
It won't solve it but might help you still have enjoyment & relaxation on walks.

Really sorry this is happening to your dog OP, it's rubbish. I went through a period of constant dog attacks against my entire male a while ago, and decided to try the short term (6 months) chemical castration to see whether this had an effect. We haven't had the same issue since - no more dog attacks (they were always entire males being aggressive to mine). I do resent having to take this action to control other dogs behaviour. Mine has lost a lot of confidence since he had the jab, and has needed managing a lot more carefully than before - I think for a dog already lacking in confidence it may not be the best thing. I'm going to let it wear off I think and will just have to do a lot more pre-emptive shouting on walks in future. I'm also working really hard as others say on distracting mine and walking him past dogs he's not comfortable with. He needs to learn to get out of the way more than anything, although sometimes that is easier said than done. I like the idea of the spray suggested above. It's all very annoying isn't it. Hope he has a nicer time in future.

@Happenchance

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

I'm sorry, but what? How does a dog being black make him harder to read?

I'd have a chat with your vet. It could be neutering (I did have the same issue with one of mine which stopped once we had him done), or body language...or just poor local owners. Your vet can advise on the first two which might clarify on the third. Poor pup!

whatisthisinhere I was told the same before. Apparently black dogs and brachycephalic breeds stand a higher risk of being attacked because facial features aren't as well defined and can be confused as not being friendly.

No idea how true this is but it was a black lab owner who said it was known amongst owners of those types of dogs, and it stuck with me.

@ShowMeTheSugar

whatisthisinhere I was told the same before. Apparently black dogs and brachycephalic breeds stand a higher risk of being attacked because facial features aren't as well defined and can be confused as not being friendly.

No idea how true this is but it was a black lab owner who said it was known amongst owners of those types of dogs, and it stuck with me.

My dog often barks at these dogs (when on a lead - and only if we’ve somehow missed them coming and haven’t been able to move him away or use his training in time to stop it). I was told the same thing.

Also apparently some dog clothing and coats can make it hard for other dogs to read their features and body language and mean they’re more likely to receive hostility. But I haven’t noticed that myself.

If I were in your shoes OP, I would hire a dog behaviourist to come and observe him on walks. It could be something about his confidence, which they could address with their own well-adjusted dogs, and training. The more this happens, the more anxious that you and your dog will get, and that can set up a vicious circle.

I agree it could be testosterone or colouring, but just as likely to be his own fear, so I would eliminate that first.

It’s because he’s entire, and it’s bloody frustrating that you should have to have your happy well socialised boy neutered because other people can’t keep their dogs under control.
It’s why intact dogs aren’t allowed in daycare or some dogs parks, castrated dogs don’t recognise the smell so go into attack mode, but then they don’t reconcile the smell because they rarely see intact dogs…. And the cycle goes on.

openventio.org/Volume2-Issue1/The-Social-Behaviour-of-Neutered-Male-Dogs-Compared-to-Intact-Dogs-Canis-Lupus-Familiaris-Video-Analyses-Questionnaires-and-Case-Studies-VMOJ-2-113.pdf From the vet medicine open journal. I have a pet corrector in my pocket to protect my boy

Brachy dogs definitely have harder body language to read - their ears and faces aren't typical & often their tails aren't either and they can't make typical movements. I've heard the same about black dogs but I'm a bit more sceptical on that one.