So anxious - not sustainable

[Tiredanddistracted]

Very long- apologies in advance and thanks if you have the patience to make it through.

I have a 2 year old dachshund who is, to be embarrassingly honest, my favourite living being in the world.

Recently there have been a spate of posts on my local FB dog walkers page about dog-on-dog attacks. Horrible stories with equally awful accompanying photos of horrific injuries.

I've always been aware of the possibility that an aggressive dog could go for her and educated myself on dog body language so I knew what to look out for. However, I was able to see it as a minor risk.

Now though, the fear of it happening is consuming me. She's larger than your average mini and very solid and muscly, but still wouldn't stand a chance against a larger animal. She's also reactive (which we are training her out of!) and barks when she sees larger dogs which, I fear, could make another dog more likely to go for her. Due to this, we tend to stay in the less populated areas of the park with her on an extendable lead.

I have citronella spray and a rape alarm, just in case the worst happens and i need to scare an attacking dog off. I pop them in my coat pocket and hope I never have to use them. However, even with these precautions I'm so anxious that I don't look forward to dog walks anymore.

I'm not necessarily asking for advice on what to do in the event of an attack as I've done a lot of research. Realistically, I know I won't be much help to her in the face of a seriously aggressive large dog, which is utterly heartbreaking as she trusts me so much. I think what I'm after is some help or reassurance with my own fear which, I think, has to be overblown as I'm expecting it to happen every walk now. The problem is that people publicise when it happens to them but obviously rarely post to say 'had a lovely uneventful walk'. So I think I've walked away with the idea it's happening everywhere at all times. I'm aware my fear will transmit to her on walks, which won't help her reactivity one bit! So I guess I'm just hoping for some perspective?

Any replies gratefully reviewed!

Hi, I don’t have any specific advice really, but I also suffer from Anxiety regarding my dog (who is a highly strung and aloof Border Collie who ignores other dogs and has no desire to make friends with anyone) and because I am anxious when walking her etc, she is far more reactive on walks with me than she is with my husband. I think she feels like she needs to protect me a bit. I only take her to really quiet parks for walks and keep a real distance from other dogs when we are out and about. Thankfully she has excellent recall and is very obedient so she will always come to me if I call her. I have also just shouted loudly at other dogs to go away if they won’t leave her alone and they mostly do!

Yes, absolutely. Luckily, so far I think I've avoided sending it down the lead as she's no worse with me than she is with my very pragmatic, chilled out partner. Thank the lord for her ball, which I can waggle tantalisingly the minute another dog hoves into view!

I totally get your anxiety, sadly my boy was attacked by a Staffie a few years ago and it was totally traumatic (and very very expensive). I was also injured, so Police and an Ambulance were called. The attacking dog was PTS an hour or two later at the owners request.

In my experience my dog got over it much much better than I did. Every time I saw a bull breed I'd freeze in terror.

My best advice is to equip yourself for confidence. Sprays, pointed stick, whatever that gives you a feeling that you can defend your dog and yourself.

As I said, my ddog was totally unfazed - in fact, like yours, bigger dogs then got bigger barks! The fool!

Do try not to let your understandable fears rule your life. Sadly my darling boy was pts on 3rd June to save him from suffering, and my God do i miss him! He was utterly fearless, even after 3 months of treatment, stitches, body bandages and what must have been terrible pain.

He totally got over it.

Thanks @BMW6. I do try not to let it rule my life but its so hard when seemingly everyone has an experience of their dog being attacked.

We're working on the 'watch me' commanf at the moment to help with her reactivity.

I think I really just want to get reassured that it's not the common everyday occurrence that social media suggests it is. Obviously, if it is as common as it appears, this reassurance may not be forthcoming!

@BMW6 so sorry to hear about your loss, by the way. Utterly heartbreaking.

I can’t help with your anxiety because I feel the same. My dogs are large but there’s so many stories now of dogs being killed by these bloody XL bullies and the like, almost on a daily basis in my area.

Ive been researching into defence items but it’s hard to find something that will
work that isn’t illegal!

Could you look into CBT for your anxiety?

It's really difficult. My own dog is reactive (and always on a lead) but he's always getting approached by out of control dogs and it really upsets him (and me).

Just this morning I had an off-lead dog approach him - he was so upset (he's been attacked before) and this other owner just stood there going "Fido, don't you dare, BAD DOG" - I ended up kneeing the dog in the chest as it wouldn't leave us alone and my dog was trying to escape his collar he was so frightened.

She didn't apologise and just walked off yelling at her dog.

I really sympathise as there's really not much you can do about other people's stupidity!