Tonight Quinn got into a fight with another dog. I'm shocked, as she has always cowered, tail between legs when a dog is playing rough or getting aggressive and I leave with her immediately. We were at our local park (not a dog park) where we go almost daily and either play ball, or meet up with the same 1 or 2 dog friends. Tonight there was a bigger group, and a dog I had heard has bitten at least two other dogs arrived and she was following Quinn with her ball and biting at her and chasing her roughly/body checking. Quinn was ignoring her. I took the ball away and was going to leave as I had a bad vibe and right then the dog went for Quinn. Well Quinn went right back at her and I was using my foot to get in between them and kicking the other dog off. Quinn yelped and I finally got enough space between them and people separated them. Quinn was panting and laying down, and otherwise seems fine. I'm pretty shaken up. I can't believe she stood up for herself...I think if she hadn't done she would have been seriously bitten.
I’m sorry to hear this! It is a horrible experience to go through, I only just went through this myself a few months ago. I had vented on here as well. I hope you two are feeling better again after some good experiences over the next few days. It took me a couple weeks to go anywhere off leash because I was quite nervous. But lots of on leash walks and treats when coming up to other dogs, and lots of friendly hellos. Axel was unphased thankfully, but I was worried he wouldn’t be so I kept things slow just incase. Did the other dog’s owner come and help or talk to you at all? If this has happened multiple times now then something has to be done.
Thanks...I'm hoping this hasn't affected her, and I'm feeling embarrassed because it happened in front of so many neighbours and I don't want them to be weary of Quinn. I've always been a little on the nervous side of a dog fight, and actually feel a bit better that I know what to look for before it escalates (knock on wood). Someone said something about "that's what happens with girl dogs" and I said I don't think so...Quinn has never even growled at another dog. I didn't stick around, but as I see this dog on leash frequently (I always cross the street as she growls and lunges) will maybe say something next time I see them. I will definitely be saying something if she is let off leash.
Sorry to hear about Quinn and hope she is OK. Glad she stuck up for herself. Sounds a bit to me that the other dog is more of a bullie and their owner does not seem to be phased their behaviour. Quinn will most probably shake it off quicker than what you will. Hopefully no further altercation with this dog when you are out.
Sorry to hear this, but good for Quinn, my Maisy is very submissive and also very friendly but I would hope that in situations like this she would defend herself. When she was only about 4 months old a dog chased her and bit her, enough for an emergency vet visit, Maisy dealt with it really well and is quite unaffected but, like you, I was really worried about letting her off and approaching other dogs. At the time she ran to me and I managed to scoop her up and away from the dogs teeth but now she is older I would like to think she would protect herself. It took some time to regain my confidence and I am still on high alert when I see a new dog off lead, unfortunately there are irresponsible owners with aggressive dogs who have no concern for others. And there is always an excuse - it's because it's a girl, only a puppy, doesn't like labradors, not had breakfast, blah blah .... I've heard it all, rubbish. There are dogs with genuine problems who have caring understanding owners who don't give stupid excuses. I hope you can put this behind you and feel confident to take Quinn off lead again, it sounds like Quinn will be ok, I hope so.
I'm sure Quinn will be ok, and in some ways it is really good that she is able to stand up for herself. It doesn't at all mean that she will now be aggressive to other dogs, just that she will be very, very wary of this particular dog. My Poppy is a submissive girl, but there is one other female dog who has had a go at her, and now when Poppy sees her she goes on the offensive. This is the only dog she does this with!! Try not to let this worry you; most dogs will get into some argument with another dog at some point in their lives. It is horrible I know - but it was the other owner's fault, 100%. If they know their dog is aggressive, then she should be on the lead around other dogs.
This is true and what I have been telling myself. I'm also glad she is a bit older and able to stand up for herself, as there was a 4 month old puppy there and I'm sure the story would be a bit different if the other dog had a go at the pup.
I find they often do stand up for themselves as they mature. Quinn behaved admirably, in my opinion. She ignored and only retaliated when she had to. Mine have done the same and none has had lingering issues. It can be a girl dog issue, I've seen it before, with mine and with others. There is a saying, "dogs fight to breed, bitches fight to breathe." It is a "thing." It doesn't sound like it with Quinn though as the other dog is a known bully. CAn you avoid that other dog? Is it a place you are allowed to be off leash? If not then you don't have much legal ground under you if Quinn is off too. My Lab friend told me of a known bully dog at a dog park she attended. It was about the size of my yard, never in a million years would I take my dog there. But anyway, she did take her older girl because they both met friends there and it finally happened, the other dog took a round out of her old girl to the tune of several wounds needing stitches and a big Vet bill.
I can avoid the other dog, and will for sure. The area is not a leash free area, so no dogs are technically allowed off leash there. I would say 95% of the time, I am the only one at this park and mostly we play ball or do some training. Usually this dog is on leash and walks the perimeter, but I think she was with the husband and usually the wife walks her. The dog may have issues with female dogs, as apparently she is OK with the boy dogs, however, the dog she recently (allegedly) bit is male. Quinn was pulling towards going back to the park this morning (we didn`t go that way) so seems like she isn`t too phased!
This is the case with one girly dog we meet. She is fine with Oban but quite nasty to two friends' female dogs, all spayed, and very pushy with her own entire girl house mate. The house mate has since been spayed and I'm not sure it has made any difference.
Poor girl, it is awful when they are forced to fight back , even in defence , but she did the right thing . I`m sorry that you both had to encounter this other dog , who sounds like a nightmare , please don't fret over it , I`m sure she will take it all in her stride , bless x
I'm sorry you gave had to go through this. It does sound 100% that it's the other owner and dogs fault. I hope Quinn is ok. Harley has been attacked by a dog and I ended up contacting the dog wardens as this wasn't the first time he attacked. Over 9 months he attacked Harley 3 times and when she sees him now (he's not allowed off lead) she goes into offensive mode. It's sad and has had a negative impact on Harley, but not until the last time it happened
I’m sorry that happened to you! I know your girl has always been submissive but my trainer says that sometimes they have to “stand up for themselves”. My boy is very very submissive but he was attacked out of no where once and he did fight back. He continues to be submissive with all other dogs even after that isolated event. Be strong!!! The dog in my neighborhood that attacked him plays with other dogs still but doesn’t like my guy. When I see them coming I just leash Abner and move on .
Tilly is almost always submissive. Cooper can be, but she will stand up for her self also. A couple of weeks ago at a dog park Cooper was playing chase with younger Chocolate Lab and they were both having a great time. A fairly young GSD seemed to take offense at their play and finally She and Cooper squared off. If both dogs had not been pretty well trained and both owner right there, I think it would have been a serious fight. As it was it never got beyond two big dogs facing each other and snarling with their hackles up. They were OK after that. I think the GSD was jealous of the two Labs chasing each other. I've seen Cooper respond with a growl and snap several times when another dog tried to mount her. Other times she just brushes them off. Our first Lab, Ginger, was attacked by a neigbor's GSD years ago, and as a result she disliked most all GSDs. Anytime she saw one she acted like she wanted to attack it, though she never did.
While were on holiday and both my dogs were on leads a person walked passed with their dog on on a lead and it ran up to moo and snapped in her face. She'd done nothing. She was so shocked at it but Rory was angry he got snarly and barky.both my dogs are very calm usually but even they don't like rude bullies
I am so sorry it happened to you too. Finn got bitten a few month ago. He had no chance. I vented here on this forum too. It had a huge impact on me, Finn was after that a bit more barking to other dogs. Apart from that he coped well. I was more scared and still am...At the spot I let him off leash I look if I see other dogs, which dog and if I know the dog. When not I probably turn around or take another route....I can still here the screaming of Finn in my ears....
Thanks, everyone. She seems OK. Had a couple play dates at the same park with her best friend and all was well. Went to a trail where I knew we would see a few off leash dogs, and she was a little more timid than usual, but lots of treats and a few good games of chase and all seems well. I'm definitely more weary than she is!
