My 10 year old got attacked today for the first time out of hundreds of dogs we have come in contact with in her lifetime. No damage done, but I feel like an ass for letting it happen. Thank you Ed, dragged the dog of by the back legs. I was so busy trying to make sure my puppy didn't get aggressive that I wasn't too worried about my old girl, as she just doesnn't seem to piss dogs off. This dog had charged and I jumped in front of her but didn't do enough because I was holding the puppy on a long line. Anyway, lesson learned about carrying a stick.

My question is this. My 10 year old was slightly dog aggressive around 2yrs (half shar pei), but hasn't been for about 8. She has been absolutely 100% on recall and stay even around other dogs since aboutr 4 yrs. old. I haven't even had her on a leash since then except for traffic dangers (just in case) or large groups of people (for their piece of mind). Do you think she will become dog aggressive at this late stage? I will of course leash her for our next walks just in case.

Also, my puppy took off for the hills (home) . She wasn't attacked, but geez, how much do you think this will effect her?

Thanks for any input and letting me vent. I'm new to the board and you guys are great!

I would not even allow my dog to be around other dogs. Then the problem is solved. Hands down NO STRANGE DOGS COME NEAR MY DOGS and I dont put them in an enviornment where it can happen

After having read this site, I totally agree, but I was walking 2 blocks to the neighborhood "boonies." I could drive but it was 85 here today and I don't want to load them in that after a good walk if I don't have to. When we see a dog, we avoid them. When one comes charging out of a garage, there is not much I can do.

So I guess the answer to my question is that I won't really know how this affected my dogs?

Another quick question though. How do you socialize your dog if they never see any others? I would love to do agilty with her, but their questions are always "how does she act with other dogs?" Obviously I am not going to do the doggy park. She is a bit afraid of little kids with big Tonka trucks, so I take her to the kiddie park and hang out. We don't approach, nor are approached, and there are dogs there but always on leash. We don't approach them either.

Ed, I am following your advice as closely as I can, but your answer leaves me a bit confused. Do I not take her anywhere that we might see a dog? That would mean never walking past a house. I understand that I am to blame for letting that dog get to mine, but I fail to see how walking my leashed puppy down a desterted sidewalk in my neighborhood can be seen as something I should forever avoid? Please clarify.

Thanks,
Christi

You really are just going to have to take your dog out and see unfortunately. Heck I know I would be pretty aggressive if some strange dog attacked me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

I have the same problem as you with strange dogs running up to me and my pups ( it has gotten worse since hurricane Rita knocked every fence down).

What I do when I see a dog charge at my dogs is charge at that dog and in my meanest voice yell for the dog to go home so far every dog has taken off in the opposite direction although some of the owners have been less than appreciative.

I also sometimes carry a walking stick for dogs which might need a little more encouragement to go home. I have yet to use it but I am certain there is going to come a day where the unleashed dog is going to call my bluff.

As for your dogs being affected I would have to say probably. Once a dog is attacked they tend to become dog aggressive at least that is my very limited experience.

Good luck,

Damn, that's not what I wanted to hear. Although as vicious as it sounded and as quick as she had my dog down, she didn't have a scratch. I am thinking that maybe she is old enough to know a bully who wants to push her around from a dog that really wants to kill her. She didn't seem phased at all. As for the puppy though...I may never know because the only dogs I have seen her come in contact with are mine and my sister's. Maybe since she just witnessed it (for a split second LOL)...

I have scared off one other dog before because I was prepared (saw it coming). Easy to be mean looking when your dogs at stake. But this just happened sooo fast. Yes, been meaning to get big stick. Top priority now I guess.

The great thing about a stun-bat is that you do NOT have to be within the "hit or get bit" range in order to drive off a rank dog who's looking for trouble -- If you just spark a powerful stun-bat in the AIR, the sound alone is enough to scare off 99% of all marauding canines & the 1% that might not run off can be completely incapacitated with one jolt (they're like having a long wizard's wand for your walking stick) LOL

Ok no kidding, I want one. I'll Google it before I ask where to get one. Have to train the puppy with lots of yummies around it first I take it.

My computer system here at work considers them a "forbidden" url -- But you'll find one & get the 500 model, because anything light-weight might not take down a good sized dog.

Hi, I could really use one too. I found one called raptor 500, & I found one that was also a flashlight (but didn't say 500. Should I forget the flashlight one?
Thanks!

You want a heavy duty professional man-stopper with enough power to turn a large dog that's in serious fight mode into a sack of wet noodles until you & your pet can get outta Dodge.