I have a very friendly gentle staffy pup she gets on with all other dogs, I took her out a few weeks ago and another dog went for her this did not bother her I picked her up when the mut went for her but shes getting bigger now and i cannot do this I am now afraid to take her on walk because of other dogs I let my husband take her out but would love to...does anyone have any suggestions how to get over my fear of taking her out
2006-10-16 01:10:50 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
theres just lots of people that let there unfriendly dogs of leads!! thanks for that Rose my friend also suggested a stick.
2006-10-16 01:20:04 · update #1
thanks everyone yous been a good help xxxx
2006-10-16 01:22:23 · update #2
try taking her on small walks, in an area where you know the other dogs and owners. Also if you are approached by another owner and pet before they get to close ask if there dog is OK with other animals......
2006-10-16 01:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by TRACY M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what I see this isn't a problem with the dog it is a problem with your fear of other dogs. Training classes would help you to realise that not all dogs will attack you. Since the supposed attack didn't bother or even frighten her I am convinced that she wasn't actually attacked at all but that you misread the other dog growling in play. I have had lots of experience with people who get worried and say "oh my god, they are fighting, stop them" when my own dogs are simply playing.
As a dog owner, I can tell you I would sue anyone who used mace or a stick on my dog who was merely being friendly and inviting your puppy to play. Everyone has assumed that your puppy was indeed attacked but had that been the case, she would have been bitten or very very scared.Since she was neither, I will take it that she wasn't actually attacked at all.
You need to learn about dogs and dog body language unless you want to make your pup a total nervous wreck who, when adult, will attack other dogs in fear and because you have avoided walking her where other dogs are. That's why a proper training class will be useful. An experienced trainer will help you to get over your fear, and your pup will learn that other dogs are fun to play with. Don't start whacking, macing etc other people's dog, and don't start avoiding all contact with other dogs. Yous pup NEEDS to interact with other dogs and she needs you to get over your fear otherwise she will end up a nervous biter and end up put to sleep because she has attacked someone elses dog. And THAT will have been entirely your fault for making her like that.
2006-10-16 10:33:56 · answer #2 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has your local vet got puppy socialisation classes? This is a good way to let your pup get to know other dogs in a safe way. If not try short walks ideally with a friend with a dog. You have to get over this because your fear will transmit to your dog and then you'll have real problems with a nervous pup. When dogs 'go' for each other it usually sounds and looks a lot worse than it is (bark and bite and all that), and this can often be a way of older dogs teaching young pups some manners when they get too boisterous. The fact that your dog wasn't bothered when the other dog went for her should tell you something. Please stick with it for the sake of your dog - good luck
2006-10-16 08:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by tmctagga 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd carry a weapon such as a stick or mace. If a dog's going to attack another dog, it would probably go after a human too. You have to protect yourself and your dog.
Go with your husband on walks and find a particular route that feels safe for you. If you want to go alone, just be brave and prepared.
I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck.
And if people are letting their dogs off leads, it could be illegal. Most cities have laws requiring all dogs to be on leads and the reason is, believe it or not, to keep the public safe! Wow, what a concept. Some people just don't care about anyone but themselves. Jerks!
So just call a city official and they can either write tickets or warn the other dog owners. It's a safety issue. What if a child was attacked?
2006-10-16 08:21:57 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK - DO try and walk her - if you are frightened then she will pick up on that and get nervouse too - you don't want that! Try going to classes where you and you pup can be with lots of friendly others in a positive way - that will help her. Poor you two - it must have been scary for you both.
Do you live in a area with lots of strays? If so....next time be prepared. I know it sounds hard but you have to be hard here. I had a similar problem with a terrier. You need a big stick and if she is looks like she is being threatened again, get scary and hit the other dog if it comes to it - but you have to mean it. They know when you mean it.
You can't spend your lives not walking with others and dodging out the way - so |I reckon confidence train ing for you both is the best way!
2006-10-16 08:13:30 · answer #5 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
generally a problem like this calls for mace and/or a spray bottle. I would try a spray bottle with water and something else that is adversive to dogs. When another dog comes up to you, just spray it in the face and it will go away. You could get mace too, just in case your dog gets attacked. A stick could be useful, but I don't recommend it because I saw this happen before and the person who hit the dog with the stick got attacked very badly because the stick provoked the dog even more.
Good luck
2006-10-16 08:40:48 · answer #6 · answered by iloveeeyore 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had this problem but for my nerves I took a walking stick with me so that I had some protection if another dog attacked mine. I also chose large open areas to walk in where it was easier to move away from other dogs and preferably where dogs were requested to be kept on leads. Keep at it you will get there.
2006-10-16 09:01:47 · answer #7 · answered by SYJ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take your dog for a car ride. Go well away from the area where dogs are roaming and walk her in a field or meadow. Take her to the woods and walk her there. There are always places you can go - even to a mall parking lot and walk her around the furthest edges of the parking lot. She'll get used to cars and other people here, too.
2006-10-16 08:35:10 · answer #8 · answered by north79004487 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find a really quite place to walk your pup. sometimes dogs just scuffle its there way of finding out who is dominate she should roll over to show she is non threatening and the other dog will then leave her...I know you are scared of anything happening to her but she has to learn to take care of herself it is part of the interaction with other dogs.... can you maybe both walk the dog together for a while .. so you can re gain your confidence.. remember that dogs sense uneasiness so you are not helping by being so worked up...good luck.
2006-10-16 08:20:25 · answer #9 · answered by mum 2 Cameron and Ewan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a harness and put it on your dog, Then you can control your dog with one hand and frighten the other dogs with a stick.... Don't hit them with the stick just scare them. Its not fair to you that you can't take your own doggie for a walk
2006-10-16 11:12:21 · answer #10 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋