Frustrated... with irresponsible dog owners! Need Advice!

[Christine & Shelby]

This evening after work, Shelby and I headed out for our walk.   At one point I noticed a woman in her front yard with a yellow lab off leash and another small dog.   I noticed the lab headed for me and Shelby (who is on leash) - trotting up.... not running as though to attack.   I asked is s/he friendly... "oh yeah, not a problem" and then the fiasco began.

The dog aggressed toward Shelby - She was squealing and pulling the leash - the small dog came over and got in there too.  Shelby was not biten that I can see, but it was difficult for me to control the lab and hold on to Shelby until the owner came over to grab her dog - and even once she got there it seemed like an eternity!

It does seem as though Shelby's tail is a bit swollen at the base of the butt for about 2-3 inches, but she can wag, dock and move it just fine.  She'll also let me touch and move it as well.   I checked again for a bite, but see no evidence of one.    The owner was apologetic and asked if Shelby was ok - but still, I am frustrated.   Shelby is well socialized and we walked by/near some other dogs and she seemed ok.  When we finally tried to greet another dog.... Shelby got nervous, showed her teeth and barked... which made me so sad.

I realize we just have to try and get back to normal.... one of her good doggie friends (a yellow lab) came over to play this evening and Shelby did great - had a good time, wrestled with no problem.  So - I am pretty sure she isn't seriously hurt.... I will be watching her tail to see if she starts to show signs it's bothering her.

So.... It appears she is a bit fearful now... any advice on how to help her get past this would be appreciated.  She does go to doggie play care and is scheduled for Friday - so that is good!

Why.... oh why, can't people understand the importance of having their dogs leashed and/or under their control (this dog did not listen to her at all).

Thanks for letting me vent and again.... would love to hear what others have done in similar situations to get your doodle or other dog back to their normal social self!

[Roxanne Ochs]

CeeGee was attacked in our local dog park because someone brought an unsocialized dog into the park and turned it loose.  You were very lucky.  CeeGee got scraped by the dogs teeth and would have been bitten had I not stepped between them on the second attempt.  Unfortunately, one of the other dogs in the park was not so lucky....he got mauled before the owner could get a hold of it.  It happened in a blink of an eye.  CeeGee is now very cautious of dogs she does not know, especially ones that are bigger than she is. She has some playmates and she's not frightened of them and once she gets to know the dogs in her agility classes, she's good to go.  I'm glad she's cautious but it sure is sad.  Needless to say I don't take her to the local dog park anymore!  

[Martha & Cooper]

Christine, I am so sorry this happened to Shelby and I totally understand your frustration!  I am so glad that Shelby appears to be ok.

I have a neighbor right across the street who thinks it's ok to let their Jack Russell loose in the front yard.  As a result, I have to look out everytime I start out on a walk with Cooper to be sure she isn't out there because she isn't friendly with him.   I have talked to them about it and it seems to go in one ear and out the other.  They seem to think that she won't cross the street, but she has. She  growled and snapped at him when we met her on the street during a walk, which surprised me because she knows me and I have taken care of her before. 

Whenever I come across a dog not on a leash when we are walking, I stand tall and in a firm voice tell that dog to go away or go back!   I don't care if their owner is there or not.   If the owner doesn't like it, oh well.   I don't want the dog following us and I don't know what will happen.   So far it works.   We have leash laws in our town and I am not above calling and reporting someone if it becomes apparent that they are leaving they dog loose all the time.    Thankfully, my neighbor only does it occasionally.    

 

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks for the suggestion on how to handle an approaching dog.  I have done that before with dogs that come at us barking, growling, sprinting, etc.   Good advice for the future..... Thankfully after a lot of fetch - Shelby is now snoozing on the couch!  It's time for both of us to go to bed!   Good night!!!

[Adina P]

I simply NEVER trust another loose dog.  I always assume ANYTHING might happen and don't take a person's word for it about the friendliness of their dog.  If you can turn and walk the other way, that's probably ideal.  It's possible that a loose dog could have made Shelby tense and then HER tension affected the loose dog and created a domino effect.  But it really doesn't matter.  If you don't know the other dog...it's best to just walk the other way rather than try to greet.

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks... This literally all took place in about 8 seconds we had just rounded a corner and surprise.   I understand now more than ever that I should have handled the situation differently  

[Jennifer Tramell]

What a way to ruin your day!  Ugh - So sorry this happened!

I would start "recovery" by going to safe situations like a pet store where she can observe other dogs.  Make sure you do not get tense when encountering another dog but watch for her to show signs of fear.  As soon as she does, I would calmly turn and go a different direction, distracting her before she gets upset.  You want to make sure she doesn't get into the habit of seeing another dog and getting nervous.  You also don't want to do anything that she will perceive as a reward for her fearful/nervous behavior.  I hope this helps, I've never had to work a dog through a fear situation but I have trained a few horses and with horses you take them to the edge of their comfort zone but then change the instruction as soon as they even think of being afraid.  They learn to trust you and remain calm instead of reacting out of their fear instinct.

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks.... things went well this morning on our walk.   I like the petstore idea... she really enjoys those trips, so it will be interesting to see how she reacts!  It's on the agenda for tonight!  

[Christine & Shelby]

Update... I took Shelby to PetSmart last night to see how she would do around strange dogs.  She was apprehensive we she first went in the store and simply avoided the other dogs, but slowly she got back in the groove and was able to greet in an appropriate manner.  Today she is at playcare and was really excited to arrive and also I go her there early so she could adjust to the dogs one at a time as they arrive.   Thanks for the suggestion - we'll be visiting again this weekend!

[Jennifer Tramell]

Yeah for Shelby!!  I wish it was as easy for people to get past their fears.  If I were her, I'd have a lifelong fear of yellow labs! 

[Christine & Shelby]

Fortunately one of Shelby's best doggie friends is a yellow lab named Macy!   I called my friend (Macy's Owner) and had her come over that night so Shelby could have a positive yellow lab experience.   She did great with Macy and I think it was good for her to have a fun play date to get her midn of it!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's one great thing about our dogs.....they seem to be able to get over things that have happened to them in the past so quickly.  I'm so glad that Shelby did so well at PetSmart!

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks.... I have been pleased with her progress.  I keep putting her in situations where she can meet new dogs.... she is doing better but still shows some hesitation.  She did great at playcare on Friday.... I told them what happened and got her there early so she could greet dogs one by one as they arrive... there are typically 20-25 dogs!