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

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

When we walk, I now have a canister of pepper spray attached to Enzo's leash. I have to admit, I'd much rather use it on the owners, than dogs...but I will use it, if I have to. I did use it once, on a Rottie that charged us.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I carry pepper spray too. Either for humans or dogs ;-)

[DJ & Chance]

Did it work with the Rottie?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Stopped him dead on! I was actually with a friend...the wife of a police officer, who taught a class on using mace/ pepper spray. We had both taken his class! Caught the dog right on...dosing his eyes. He meant business and I wasn't about to have my aging Golden hurt.
The dog attacked us in the street...the owner came running out yelling he would call the police, that we harmed his dog. We told him, please do and she offered her phone. He decided against it. He knew very well he was in the wrong.
I felt bad for the dog....just continued to paw at his eyes....we told the owner to take him in and wash flush the eyes...he told us it served the dog right and just pushed him I to the backyard. SMH

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sorry Sepp was attacked today, but glad to hear he is okay. This always makes me worry when I see an unleashed dog on a trail.

[Trevor]

I worry about it, too.

The funny thing is - on the same walk, we later encountered another unleashed dog on a leashed-only trail. However, that dog's owner saw us coming, asked if we could wait because his dog was "bratty" around other dogs, and then went to restrain his dog so that we could pass.
He still should have had his dog on leash, but at least was otherwise responsible.

All kinds of dog-unfriendly dogs out in our 'hood today...

[Kyoko]

That happened to me not too long ago, too. I was walking my two, and this dog who is always tied to the porch began going off as usual. Only difference is that she went off too hard, and broke off the tie. She came charging at my two, Pinot got bit ( did not break the skin ) and yelped.

As the dog was coming at my two, I stomped my feet, and yelled "Get!!!" also yelled " Your dog is loose! Please come get your dog!!" Off course no one came. The dog followed us for a little as I kept stomping my feet and saying "Get!!" to trying to get away from it.

I then, got worried that she will get hit by a car......

Now, if I see her tied to the porch, we go the other way....

[Stella]

I recently moved from a very rural area where we never saw other dogs to a semi-rural area where it seems every house has a dog. The problem is, they all allow their dogs to run loose. I have two big doodles (80lb and very friendly - bounces with excitement, and 50lb reactive, can be dog aggressive). As the weather improves it is getting increasingly difficult to take my two for walks because we keep getting charged by other peoples dogs running down their drive and onto the road. It makes me so angry, I am walking along, my two are on a loose leash minding their own business and we get charged. This leads to both of mine going airborne for different reasons! The owners are never around, and even if they were I doubt the dogs would listen. It is so frustrating and makes me mad because I know if my reactive guy was to bite their dog, I would get blamed even though we are on leash which is the law!! I tend to just turn for home, keeping my friendly dog and me between the incoming dogs and my reactive guy. It is hard to get in front of both dogs and get between them and the ones coming towards us.

[Christy&Riley]

Kind of like some human parents today. Kids can be screaming bloody murder and they just ignore it.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm sorry this happened to you but glad he's ok. I had a similar situation when FInn was about a year old and it really upset me.  Finn was on the leash and a cocker spaniel ran out of a garage unleashed and attacked him. I tried to get in between them but the cocker got a mouthful of hair. Her owners were screaming at her to come but the dog didn't listen.  The man ran down the driveway but wouldn't grab his dog because he didn't want to get bitten.  Finn stood completely still not quite understanding what was happening.  The dog let go but as I tried to get in between them, she flew at Finn's face and I kicked her as hard as I could in mid-air like a soccer ball and she flew a few feet. The owners ran to their dog and apologized.  I felt awful, I've never kicked a dog -- but I wasn't about to hang around to let her have another go at my dog. I said something like their dog was mean and shouldn't be loose and then I said to Finn "let's go."  I was afraid Finn might  be reactive after that, but he's got such a sweet temperament, he was fine.  Bottom line, I'll protect my dog whatever it takes.   

[Trevor]

Thanks for all the great advice, and sorry that it had to come from bad experiences.

We plan to arm ourselves with pepper spray, and maybe a walking stick on longer hikes. Even though someone here was right - those really should be used on the owners.

Hopefully a situation like this won't happen so soon again.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, pepper spray is a good idea for both you and your dog.  I have no problem yelling or kicking at a dog who is vicious (especially small dogs) but I would also go back without my dog to the home where the incident occurred and have a talk with the owners.  They need to know that a dog attacking a person or another dog is not acceptable behavior.  Postal employees and delivery people deal with this all the time.  We live in a semi-rural area and people are walking dogs all the time.  But dogs on the loose can be problems for everyone.  There are plenty of trails where it is acceptable to have dogs off leash, but they should always be in control.  I wouldn't threaten the owners of the dogs, but let them know what the expectations are for dog ownership.