Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I know you are upset about this attack and rightly so, but seriously reconsider talking to this woman as it may make matters worse. I would try and get the deails of the other walker you met as then you have more to report to the PCSO. Please be careful. xx

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=LovelyLittleLola link=topic=5119.msg65755#msg65755 date=1396559020]
So I am going up there on my own and I am going to try have a civilised conversation and ask her to consider other walkers if that fails I'll just stay away completely
[/quote]
I think that may be a rash thing to do to be honest.
Sounds a bit confrontational, even if done in a polite way, and I suspect you may come off worse in all this.
I don't think you should be putting yourself in this position.
:-\

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=LovelyLittleLola link=topic=5119.msg65755#msg65755 date=1396559020]
to which my reply was "what if I thump her? Will you do anything then?"
[/quote]

What did he say to that?

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=JulieT link=topic=5119.msg65762#msg65762 date=1396559659]
[quote author=LovelyLittleLola link=topic=5119.msg65755#msg65755 date=1396559020]
to which my reply was "what if I thump her? Will you do anything then?"
[/quote]

What did he say to that?
[/quote]

I just got a less than impressed "Don't be so ridiculous"! But that was exactly what I felt like doing at the time. By law she is responsible for her dogs actions and if it was a person attacking a person action would be taken so why not with Lola?

I'll be so sad to stop going on that walk cause it's beautiful. Maybe when she is bigger and not such an easy target we could go back?

I never know how to deal with this kind of person as I could never imagine acting like this! I probably wouldn't have been so upset if she had tried to apologise and correct her dog

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=LovelyLittleLola link=topic=5119.msg65764#msg65764 date=1396560223]
I never know how to deal with this kind of person as I could never imagine acting like this! I probably wouldn't have been so upset if she had tried to apologise and correct her dog
[/quote]

I have a lot of sympathy for you. I've had a lot of unpleasant experiences, living where I do.

But, confrontation, in my view, is never a good answer.

I have a strategy of: protect my pup, stay dignified, and avoid the worst dogs and ignore the worst owners. I sleep better, and preserve my energy for things that matter.

If I think an off lead dog is aggressive, I grab its collar, put it on a short lead (ie 12 inch lead handle), and return it to its owner - with my pup in the other hand also on a lead handle if necessary. This is not the easiest thing to do, and is better with two people. It might also not be the wisest thing to do, but I do it.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

Wow Julie don't you worry about an aggressive dog and owner turning on you? What do dog owners say to you when you do this to their dog? I am not too sure this is wise and definitely not when you are on your own

David was out with Charlie a few weeks ago on the long line when a couple were approaching with 2 labs off lead, David asked if it was all OK, "yes they are friendly" she replied, Charlie barked that was it and the lady grabbed Charlie's collar and handed him back to David who was not impressed at all but didn't say anything as he is not in any way confrontational, I have to say I think I would have as I found it unacceptable of her especially as David had good enough manners to ask her in the first place

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=charlie link=topic=5119.msg65769#msg65769 date=1396561984]
Wow Julie don't you worry about an aggressive dog and owner turning on you? What do dog owners say to you when you do this to their dog? I am not too sure this is wise and definitely not when you are on your own
[/quote]

I do, yes, but I think it's better than risking my dog. Most dog owners react in one of three ways:

A) bemused silence
B) understanding
C) objection / aggression

What would you suggest as an alternative, Helen? If you would ever like to bring Charlie and Hattie to Wimbledon Common and experience it for yourself, I'd make you very welcome with tea and cakes afterwards.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I would put my dog on lead and just walk in the opposite direction if possible to avoid anything kicking off, although I would like to see the look of 'bemused silence' ;D

I really feel it's unwise to handle another dog especially one you don't know and I wouldn't like a stranger doing that to my dogs either.

That's a lovely offer Julie and thank you, but Hattie & Charlie are country dogs through and through only ever going to town for the Vets and when Hattie goes to be clipped so they probably wouldn't cope with Wimbledon Common even with tea and cake on offer ;D x

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=charlie link=topic=5119.msg65772#msg65772 date=1396563014]
I really feel it's unwise to handle another dog especially one you don't know and I wouldn't like a stranger doing that to my dogs either.
[/quote]

You are right, in a way. I think logically, it is probably better to allow your dog to be attacked than handle a dog that appears aggressive. Just like it's better to allow a dog to drown than walk across ice and so on.

I choose not to do that, though, and instead take action. Yes, avoidance is best but often walking away just results in a dog following.

No, often owners don't like their dogs being handled at all. If I think the dog is going to be aggressive towards my dog though, that's tough luck. They can object all they want.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I find bellowing at them works quite well. I've had a couple of mildly unhinged looking dogs coming at my two at speed and i've planted myself in front of my dogs and given the oncoming dog an absolute rollicking, which has resulted in them legging it. I'm the most touch feely unconfrontational person I know but i get all Mother Tiger when my dog's safety might be at issue. In one case the other owner apologised and stuck their dog on a lead, in another they gave me a look that suggested i was mildly insane. I dont tend to bother engaging with other owners of Dogs Behaving Badly, like Julie i live in a busy city where there is a fair amount of dog attacks etc so i just look out for my two and ignore rubbish owners.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I don't really think avoiding the Situation and ignoring the dog and his handler is the right Thing to do here. Obviously it's the easier way out because you avoid a potentially unpleasant confrontation but on the other hand imagine to hear of a dog that attacked a child one day and find out that it was this dog. Automatically thoughts like "Maybe this wouldn't had happened if i took some action back then..." would start to cross your mind i guess.

If the wiser head always gives in fools will rule the world.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I wouldn't confront the person at all - but I would get their car number and report the coat bite.

It's no use reporting dog on dog attacks unless your dog is a guide dog,sadly.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I'm with Debsie. If I meet a loose dog I make more noise than it possibly can it usually stops them then wait for the owner.

I'm being thick is a pcso the police?

If it is try the dog warden. Get onto the council they will have a dog warden in their environment department although they aren't called dog wardens around here anymore.

Make a complaint and complain about the police attitude. If you can get other dog walkers to back you up it would be good but I would tell them you aren't the only one to have had problems.

Sorry but if that's the attitude of the police it says a lot.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I would also encourage you to meet up with other friendly dog walkers, and to walk in that area as a group, not as an individual.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

Good plan to make a lot of noise if confronted by a dodgy dog. It may scare the dog away, but if it doesn't you have alerted people that there is a problem. I'll try to remember it.

Police Community Support Officers have limited powers, our two young females walk round together. We live in a low crime area so why they walk around together halving their effectiveness is beyond me. I live right in the middle of where they film Midsommer Murders. I have yet to stumble across a dead body on our daily walks and I have been traversing the area on foot for over 20 years

Our local Constable was helpful, though ineffective when Molly was attacked, probably because his dog had been attacked.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

I am worried about this Julie I have done as Debsie has and ran and shouted at dogs but luckily only a couple of times and it worked and the dogs ran off so never touching the dog.

Imagine if you took hold of a dogs collar that was collar sensitive and it bit you out of fear, you may well blame the owner putting you all in a terrible situation that could have been avoided by simply running and shouting at it, but worse of all the poor dog that may have been acting out of fear of a stranger touching, leaning over him, he may have been abused in the past or something else that you don't know about. This is of course a worse case scenario but with the amount of dogs you encounter daily quite probable. Please be careful Julie and maybe give Debsie method a try instead with just the same outcome you desire, the dog leaving Charlie alone. Just my thoughts right or wrong, sorry worry wart here x

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=charlie link=topic=5119.msg65866#msg65866 date=1396614336]
I am worried about this Julie I have done as Debsie has and ran and shouted at dogs but luckily only a couple of times and it worked and the dogs ran off so never touching the dog.

Imagine if you took hold of a dogs collar that was collar sensitive and it bit you out of fear, you may well blame the owner putting you all in a terrible situation that could have been avoided by simply running and shouting at it, but worse of all the poor dog that may have been acting out of fear of a stranger touching, leaning over him, he may have been abused in the past or something else that you don't know about. This is of course a worse case scenario but with the amount of dogs you encounter daily quite probable. Please be careful Julie and maybe give Debsie method a try instead with just the same outcome you desire, the dog leaving Charlie alone. Just my thoughts right or wrong, sorry worry wart here x
[/quote]

Hmmm I know EXACTLY what my sister does to ward off strange dogs including the somewhat "colourful" language that is used - definitely not something for as public a place as Wimbledon Common!

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

Wow Tina how have you not found a dead body yet!

It's a very difficult situation and a very stressful one when a loose unfriendly dog approaches. As I said I make a lot of noise and do my best to keep between it and my dog. Not always easy. This won't sound nice and I would only do it if necessary but I also have my boot ready to connect with it.

Im ashamed to admit I did once start hitting a dog but let me explain. A bull mastiff slipped its lead and started to attack Murphy. It's friend on a lead joined in!!!! The owner had no chance of holding them. I dropped murphys lead so if he got chance he could get away then I laid into the dogs!!! Possibly not the cleverest thing to do, I was in the middle of a full scale dog fight but I didn't think i was protecting my dog until my cousin shouted to me to get out!!! By then Murphy had escaped. By the way he hadn't even attempted to fight back such a softy. : Thankfully he hadn't any injuries but if I'd known then what I know now I'd have reported it and kept on until something was done. Those dogs wanted blood they wouldn't have stopped if Murphy hadn't got away. I think bull mastiffs are bonnie dogs but they will always be known in our family as devil dogs.

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=Lochan link=topic=5119.msg65875#msg65875 date=1396618034]
[quote author=charlie link=topic=5119.msg65866#msg65866 date=1396614336]
I am worried about this Julie I have done as Debsie has and ran and shouted at dogs but luckily only a couple of times and it worked and the dogs ran off so never touching the dog.

Imagine if you took hold of a dogs collar that was collar sensitive and it bit you out of fear, you may well blame the owner putting you all in a terrible situation that could have been avoided by simply running and shouting at it, but worse of all the poor dog that may have been acting out of fear of a stranger touching, leaning over him, he may have been abused in the past or something else that you don't know about. This is of course a worse case scenario but with the amount of dogs you encounter daily quite probable. Please be careful Julie and maybe give Debsie method a try instead with just the same outcome you desire, the dog leaving Charlie alone. Just my thoughts right or wrong, sorry worry wart here x
[/quote]

Hmmm I know EXACTLY what my sister does to ward off strange dogs including the somewhat "colourful" language that is used - definitely not something for as public a place as Wimbledon Common!
[/quote]

;D ;D ;D

 

Re: Lola attacked by several dogs now I can't stop cryng

[quote author=debsie link=topic=5119.msg65787#msg65787 date=1396590106]
I find bellowing at them works quite well. I've had a couple of mildly unhinged looking dogs coming at my two at speed and i've planted myself in front of my dogs and given the oncoming dog an absolute rollicking, which has resulted in them legging it. I'm the most touch feely unconfrontational person I know but i get all Mother Tiger when my dog's safety might be at issue. In one case the other owner apologised and stuck their dog on a lead, in another they gave me a look that suggested i was mildly insane. I dont tend to bother engaging with other owners of Dogs Behaving Badly, like Julie i live in a busy city where there is a fair amount of dog attacks etc so i just look out for my two and ignore rubbish owners.
[/quote]

That really made me giggle. But I think I imagine you barking at them for some reason ha ha.

I found a new spot today that has lots of muddy puddles that Lola loves dancing in and a tennis court that I feel secure enough to let her off lead to play ball. Her retrieving getting awesome

How does everyone else manage the situation once their dogs are bigger. Cause if mum and dad are anything to go by Lola will be huge and I can't be picking her up forever and don't think barking back is for me lol

I keep worrying that a dog will pop out of nowhere and the situation will turn ugly before I get chance to react ???

Unfortunately meeting up with others is out of the question as I don't really know anyone in my area other than my son's friend's mum and her dog doesn't do well with other dogs and my other friend who's little boy is currently terrified of dogs after her sister's dogs pushed him to the ground. So other than when my other half is off work it is just me and the pooch!