Sepp got bullied/attacked on our walk - advice needed

[Trevor]

So on our walk today, Sepp got attacked by three small dogs on two different occasions. We were walking him on leash and he was being his happy self minding his own business, when the small dogs (off leash) raced out of a garage (on the first occasion) and out of a driveway (on the second occasion) and just went at him. They did not bite (I think) but charged at him aggressively enough for him to tuck and pee (which never happens)!

We tried to step in between, I shouted "off!", but they still managed to get to him because he was leashed and they weren't. It went so fast. The owners decided to show when it was too late already.

What do we do in this situations? Do I preemptively kick a dog that is about to go at mine?

How do you react to show your doodle that he can trust you as his leader by keeping the other dog away? What is appropriate force used towards another dog in these situations without overreacting? Should I let my dog fend for himself so that he learns to fight back against bullies?

I do not want Sepp to get small dog aggressive (he is so friendly with other dogs and people right now) so incidents like these really worry me.

Thanks

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I hate hearing these kinds of stories- glad Sepp was okay

[Julie and Max]

Glad Sepp is okay. I normally won't walk in the neighborhood where I live because last summer three small dogs were killed by other dogs. Max is big now, but I don't want him to be attacked. Luckily there are plenty of nature trails near me that hardly anyone uses. So I end up with a lot of mud, but I like that we are safe. I also carry pepper spray and now I carry an extra leash too since I have twice encountered dogs with no people. The leash I carry is a training leash so you don't need a collar, this way I figure if I encounter a dog that is alone with no leash, I could potentially leash it to get it under control. 

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Glad Sepp, and everyone else who got attacked, is ok.  Although I rarely see dogs off leash in my neighborhood, I think I'll be getting some pepper spray.  I can't imagine kicking a dog but I know I would if one came at Libby and it was my only choice.  I'd rather try the spray (and then probably wash the dog's eyes myself....)!  There are so many irresponsible dog owners - and they're putting their own dogs in jeopardy!  Good idea about the 2nd leash, Julie!

[Deborah Brown]

I, too, hate reading these stories.  Even a friendly dog off-leash can scare some dogs.  One bad encounter can scar a dog and turn a once friendly dog into a nervous, fearful and/or reactive dog.

Do what you need to do to protect Sepp.  You've gotten plenty of advice about that.

[Marie and Hoka]

I'm glad your pup is ok!

There was a lady who let her little white dog on a retractable leash harass my dog through the fence every day. Torrey (chinook-husky mix) would end up going nuts on the other side of our fence. It led her to be more territorial.

After asking her several times to keep her dog away from my fence line, (with increasing urgency) One day I literally had to tell the lady that if my dog ever was accidentally left out of the yard by my kids (if they accidentally left gate open) my dog would likely kill her dog someday.  She finally stopped letting the dog harass mine. I wanted to kick the lady, not the dog!!!

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

This is good advice about pepper spray - I didn't think to carry that on walks. These unleashed dogs are prohibited in my community, yet they are everywhere! Sadly, not long ago, my friend's daughters were biking to school and were attacked by two Jack Russells ON leashes. They broke free from their owner and caused plenty of terror before the girls got away. One girl required stitches on her thigh - ER doctor said it just missed a major artery. She has to have surgery to fix the chunky scar. The lady was visited by animal control, but somehow got to keep the dogs in quarrantine at home.