Severe anxiety since another dog attacked my dog

[Katej82]

Hi all sorry for long post but help would be appreciated. my dog was attacked a few months ago I took the brunt. Other dog was on a retractable lead and dragged owner with no warning to pounce my shihtzu and I got thrown by the force into the main road. My dog goes out with a dog walker one day per week the others I take him usually with one of my teens I don't like walking alone now. We've gone from 3-5 mile walks to probably a mile to 2 miles per day and I'm very particular about where we walk. The GP gave me some anxiety tablets but these kept me up all night. I stopped them. Now I'm getting better and as long as I can cross over or avoid other dogs we don't know I'm doing ok. But today my neighbour big dog ran out I panicked and picked up my dog who has clearly picked up my stress levels. I love my dog so much he's my other child I've had him 8 years and logic tells me this incident has happened one time in all those years but there seems to be an influx of idiot dog owners in our area of late. I'm just worried I'm giving my dog anxiety I know I am. Has anyone mastered getting over their fear of being attacked?bi literally have panic attacks when other dogs get too close I'm struggling to control it. I think for me it seems I now have a fear of medium and large breeds. I know that sounds stupid because most are lovely it's the owners especially in our case I went to the police and hers has a history.. but my little dog is vulnerable so small I fear for him and my toddler when she's with us. I carry a spare rope lead and pet correction spray but aside from this I'm not sure how to gain my confidence to make my dog feel happier again that I don't panic and pick him up I know it's no good. My dog is so happy when out with dog walker off lead with the pack, he was so happy before the incident I know he's not as happy I am desperate to fix it. I barely ever do off lead now I just have such a fear of not being able to help him if another dog ran at him. Thanks if you read all this.

I am exactly the same. Our last dog a 11yr old chihuahua was attacked and died, The other dig was off lead. We now have two chihuahua, s out daughter bought for us , 4yrs on If I go out alone with them it's really high anxiety for.I choose route so on so forth, It's very hard to understand if you have never been in this situation, so my heart feels for you, I am overcoming it , but it's hard x

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your dog I guess hearing this we had a lucky escape but it was brutal. I think for me because the other was on a lead it was just so random and unexpected I have lost trust in other owners, Stupid owner she was with a large breed on a retractable lead! Do you carry anything with you for safety? I hold a rope lead over my jacket now and as horrible as it sounds you can use it to strangle the attacking dog off it is said to be better than being pulled off they eventually release. I take the correction spray too and time my walks but there's still the odd ones and when it's dark forget it. It's ruined mine and my dogs enjoyment for sure. I'm sure it has for you. I'm so sorry for your loss I can't imagine xx

Thank you , it was heart breaking, I take a spray and my phone but I bought a alarm which sends out a high pitched sound , thank God I have not had to use it but like you I plan my route time, now

Hello, I really understand your anxiety, I could have written your post. I am terrified since our small dog was attacked last October by an off lead dog. The dog came out of nowhere, grabbed our dog by the neck and pinned him to the ground. My husband had to wrestle the dog and prise his jaws off, getting injured himself. If he hadn't been there, our dog would have died. We had to go the emergency vet hospital afterwards.
I am scared out walking ever since. I often have my baby granddaughter with me as well and this adds to my anxiety. I have changed my habits now and avoid places that I used to love , quiet woodland places, as this was the situation where my dog was attacked. Walking my dog was my relaxation and pleasure but now I am anxious and wary. I carry a spray in my bag. Some people say you should lift up the other dog's hind legs? Not sure if that would help? I love dogs but I wish dog owners would keep their dogs under control particularly if they are aggressive towards other dogs. I just want to be able to walk my little dog in peace without being scared.

Aw thank you and sorry you have suffered this too. Yes I believe the hind leg works but then what you have to let go and the crazed dog is still crazed. When I have the pram and toddler I pop a cane umbrella on the handle but I believe you can pop it open to use to scare them by the noise and use as a barrier. I generally go only places I know I can cross or change route won't let myself get trapped. Yet our incident happened because her dog dragged full force on a retractable lead even at a distance throwing me into the main road. There seems to be an increase of dog attacks in our area over the last 6 months it's definitely getting worse and there's children to consider. I have gone to local councillor she is lovely and genuinely is trying to help she has a dog in the area they are looking at Asbos for dogs/ owners in our area. Sad as we live in the countryside but there's a town here that is rough the rest are lovely villages.

I hadn't thought of using an umbrella, it might be good as a barrier if you saw the other dog coming. I'm going to have to carry so many things with me!

That's sounds awful, I carry a spray and will use it if I have to, had similar happen to me and I'm anxious walking my dog now , I'd use the spray if I had to.

I know it's tricky isn't it I wonder what dog walkers use for carrying maybe belts and clips or something you could get for a smaller brolly. Thank you all it's been really hard but nice to know people understand so thank you x