Just when it started to go well. We went for a walk and met a male Jagdterrier, lady is taking care of him while her daughter is at holiday. Dogs sniffed, he was acting a lot like a puppy - even licked her mouth. So we took their leashes off, and they were running around for a while when he started to grab her on the neck, she told him off, and he went after her. They wouldn't stop, Kona did growl but didn't bite him one. We needed to break them up, and I managed to hold her but he didn't want to let go. I told her to hold him, but she probably was afraid so i took him by his collar and neck skin and managed to take him off. She had a deep cut under the eye. She said she is sorry, that he is vaccinated. We meet a few dogs going home and at the vets, and she did well. Does anyone have an advice how to minimize the possible negative consequences of this experience (considering hypothyroidism and that she is generally afraid of new dogs) ?
Oh dear, poor girl... I hope this doesn't upset her too much, but you may find it upsets you more than her. I certainly was more freaked after Poppy got bitten, than she seemed to be...
Gosh! How traumatic for both of you. Agree with the softly, softly approach. She may be fine, but give it a few days for everything to settle down, then maybe a few gentle meet and greets, see how she feels though first
Poor girl so sorry and I hope you will both be OK. Maybe in a few days take her out with someone you know with a friendly, relaxed dog, might help her xx
Oh no @zrinka poor Kona. I hope she recovers well and moves on smoothly and confidently from this incident. You must have been so stressed out.
What I have read is to try to find a similar looking dog, one you know well and is friendly, and walk with it. I have not done it, Oban has been in a similar situation but he's pretty confident. Poor Kona, all the blue makes it look worse, I hope. Near her eye, yikes. I think as well as some others have said, you may find it's you who needs working on more than Kona. It's going to be hard for you not to tighten up and then worry her when you see another little yapper crapper.
Oh poor Kona, but how lucky that he didn't get her eye. I know you struggle with her reactivity, this must be so frustrating. I don't have any advice, but have heard Snowshoe's advice given before. Worth a try.
Poor Kona! After a stressful event it can take 3 days for all of the stress hormones to go back to normal, so I'd just let her have at least three days with no interactions with other dogs, or other stressful events. Then after that, as already suggested, are there any dogs that she is friends with that you could go for a walk together?
She was feeling a lot better the next day, old self today @Snowshoe - if was really stressful, I do not handle those situations very well, but she needed protection, and there probably are better ways to deal with the dog fight but I reacted instinctively. I do not mind blood usually, but I felt so sick at the vets. The walk: It all went well today. I was very talkative: dogie, look how nice he is, good dog... One of the girls we met was similar to dog that attacked her. She was little afraid at first, but not with all dogs (not much different than usual) and even initiated a play! Yay! All the meetings were an lead, there is a water near, and I am afraid that the other dog or she herself could accidentally tear the stitches and i do prefer the idea of offlead fun with one of the dogs she already knows.
I can so relate to this, I'm a nurse and have never had a problem with blood, not even my own children's. But last week a vet was clipping Cassie's nails, (it's a long story) and made her bleed, I felt sick and thought I was going to faint ! I was sorry to read Kona was hurt, she is such a lovely girl , so I hope she can regain her confidence, seems like she has made a good start.
