Attacked by another dog...

[Erin]

My first day off in three weeks, and I spent the afternoon crying at the vets office...

My husband was walking Hershey this afternoon in our neighborhood, and notice a great dane tied to a house down the street. The great dane saw Hershey and pulled its cable so hard it snapped. He ran right up to Hershey and my husband, but wasn't acting aggressive at all... My husband, being the nice guy he is, didn't want their dog to get hit by a car in the street, so started walking back towards the house, and trying to the owner's attention(who was inside the house). As soon as Hershey and my husband got near the house, the dane lunged at Hershey and grabbed her by the back of the neck. And would not let go. Long story short - the dog wouldn't let go of Hershey until my husband pried its jaws apart...

I got home just as they came back from their walk, and my husband had already called the vet. Hershey was acting very normal and very excited to see me. As I bent to pet her, I got blood all over my hands, and soon realized she had puncture wounds all over her neck. I just lost it, and put her in the car, and drove to the vet...

She's okay. She got a nice new haircut, taking off most of the hair around her neck. The vet cleaned the wounds and gave me antibiotics and some doggie pain-killers. She's zonked out in her doggie bed, but she's eating her food and seems ok... The wounds are open, but I have to keep them clean.

Anybody deal with this before? I really hope Hershey isn't too traumatized long-term.... I think my husband might be though...

(My current problem now, is that she smells like a kennel! This other dog was all over her, and was obviously not as "fresh-smelling" as Hershey... but i'm wary to get her all worked up with a bath...)

[Deena Womack]

I am so glad to hear Hershey is ok... poor thing, what a traumatic event.

[Adina P]

Wow poor Hershey! What an event! Danes are usually so sweet. Sorry you had to go through this. That must have been very frightening.

As to the smell...it was probably all the Dane slobber...they drool lots! I wouldn't worry about a bath just yet. Did she need stitches?

[Sandy]

I am SO sorry for your experience. I would flip out if that happened to Toby! As it was, at the dog park today another slightly older puppy got a little too aggressive in its play. Toby ran and hid between my husband's legs and the dog still didn't let up. Its owner was standing right there and just said "Let me know when your dog's had enough. When Austin wants to play he's relentless." Ummmmm....isn't it obvious Toby has already had enough???? I hope Hershey heals quickly, and remembers nothing of the attack.

[Chris & Boys]

My Fozzy used to play aggressively with other pups to get their attention. It took some coaxing on Fozzy's part, but the other dogs ( this actually happened at puppy k.) absolutely went bonkers for him. They became huge buddies. Once he got to be buddies with them, he would take turns being submissive. Then I took him to a puppy social and he hid between my legs. This happened for a couple weeks. I did not think it was a good thing. I completely ignored his timid behavior and he came out of it within a few play dates. I wouldn't have been worried about this puppy's behavior, that is how dogs play.

This Dane was not playing it was protecting its home. Two totally different behaviors.

[Erin]

Oh yeah - Hershey has a couple doggy friends she wrestles with, and they take turns flipping each other over onto their backs for awhile and then everybody lays down for a nap together.

The one other dog Hershey does this with is much bigger than her, so you better believe I was watching them closely... As soon as she would yelp or bark, he'd back off and then she'd go after him!! We're very equal-opportunity here ;o)

[Erin]

No - the vet said she didn't need stitches. They were just dane-sized tooth holes, not torn skin. She (the vet) said she'd rather have it heal up and seep and whatnot on its own... just to make sure the wounds stayed clean. Which is pretty hard to do with a dog that likes to run though the grass with her head and chest down...

Yes, I know Danes are very sweet dogs... I have never had a bad dog experience with a big dog (just some little ones...) but my husband has been a little wary of large dogs since he was a child...

[Karen & Lucy]

OMGoodness Erin, How scary that must of been, for Hershey & you DH. A Dane is a very lg. dog. That would of scared me to death. Hope Hershey is OK & your DH.

[Erin]

The owner freaked out and eventually came outside to get her dog... She was very apologetic, and told my husband that she would pay for any vet bills, etc..

She also told him that the Dane was a rescue. That she adopted him, and knew he had "issues with the small dogs" in his former home. Now she's worried, because she has small kids in her house all the time...

It just really frustrates me, because there are so many people here who just tie their dog up outside... But seriously, if you adopted a GREAT DANE who had previous ISSUES with small DOGS - would you just tie it up alone outside on a busy neighborhood streeet?! (sorry, getting agitated again...) We told her that we would not report her - I would feel even worse if that dog ended up being put down... But we told her that she needed to find a better way for her dog to be a part of the family, and not just tied to the house....

[Deena Womack]

How very frustrating for you.... some one rescues a great Dane and ties it up outside. hmmmm... how seemingly the dog can get agressive if left alone to its own devices... how sad for the dog.

[fergie11]

That is p****** me off as I'm reading it. You are so right about everything. You make sure you do make that women pay those vet bills. Thats the least she can do. Have you seen that dog tied up outside since? It's a shame that dog got stupid people for owners. I'm so glad Hershey is OK. I would just die if that happened as I'm afraid of those really big dogs and would be afraid to get him off. People with those dogs just have to keep an eye on them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If this dog is really a rescue, the best thing you could do for him and everyone else in the neighborhood would be to report it...IF he came from a private rescue group. They will take him back & find him a more suitable home, with owners who are willing to work with him on his issues.
No dog should be tied up outside alone...for a rescue, there is no reputable rescue group that would tolerate that. They would take him back immediately.
And why the front yard? Obviously, these people got a big dog for protection purposes. And he's doing just what they want...he was fine until your husband & Hershey came onto the property and headed for the house. What is going to happen if a child runs up to get a stray ball, etc., or just to pet the dog? At the very least, I would make sure the neighbor knows that you will report it if you see the dog tied up outside alone again.
You should have the right to walk Hershey without having to traumatize him or feel anxiety. I'm very sorry this happened to him, and I hope he heals quickly and has no lasting issues.

[Mommy2Max]

Oh My! What a day for both Hershey and mommy and daddy. I'm so sorry! Max has never been bitten but, one dog at a dog park did show some aggression towards him. That enough freaked me out.

HUGS!

~Danielle