My dog and I were walking up our street and turned back from where we had come. I suddenly noticed a large dog coming for us...certainly he was trained to stay inside, no...instead it flew over the fence and ran across the street to attack my dog who was quietly walking on her lead. I was too slow to react and the dog had hold of my dog's side flesh and she was looking at me for help. The dog's person came out and told me that her dog, there are two at the home, has issues with small dogs! Neighbors came running as ladders seemed stuck on scream, sounding like she was being murdered when it was over. It took some time to convince her that she was ok, could not assess the region right away due to her terror and unwillingness to be touched. She let me ice the region which was a surprise, and there were no skin breaks, but quite the swelling and tenderness in the region. I avoided taking her to the vet....we had had a chiropractor visit prior to being jumped, and in the stress of the moment I said something about the 100 dollar visit....other woman jumped on the idea that my dog had already been injured, and informed me that she was renting, obviously figuring I was lawsuit bound. I collected her phone number ostensibly for if there was no prompt resolution. Now my sweet loving animal is afraid of her own shadow. She is pooping in the middle of the street as she is afraid of the edges. I find myself almost dragging her around. It is horrible and walking was the joy filled thing we'd shared. I keep trying, when we ran into a puppy playing in its yard she sat down and howled in fright. I am near tears about this and at a loss as to how to proceed. Any help available out there? Please. Thanks, Mindy
Malene
10-07-2008, 11:51 AM
Hey Mindy -
Slowly and step by step!
What motivates your pup? Food? Caress's? Play?
Choose one of the things she is afraid of, but on the lower end scale of fears. Take her as close to that thing as she is willing to go - say the side of the hedges. Sit down with her and give her all the positive reinforcement you can. Sweet words, caress's, food stuff, play time. When she starts to settle down see if you can talk her in to going just a few more steps towards the feared thing. Stay at it for a little while, but dont overdo it. It is better to return to it several times a day than to stay at one thing for too long. The goal is to have her associate her feared object with good things.
Another thing I used to do would be to have another person hold the leash for your pup and then walk over yourself to the thing she fears. Touch it, talk to her about it, move around it. Show her you are not afraid of it.
As she starts to get over the things she fears least then you can go towards the more feared things.
The good news is that dogs usually recover fairly fast overall from this kind of thing. Might just take a couple of months - even without a consistent effort to help her overcome her fear.
For you to really assist her through the fear it will take some work on your part though.
So sorry this happened. You might want to consider reporting the aggressive dog to animal control. Seems like that dog should be forced under control.
Malene
My dog and I were walking up our street and turned back from where we had come. I suddenly noticed a large dog coming for us...certainly he was trained to stay inside, no...instead it flew over the fence and ran across the street to attack my dog who was quietly walking on her lead. I was too slow to react and the dog had hold of my dog's side flesh and she was looking at me for help. The dog's person came out and told me that her dog, there are two at the home, has issues with small dogs! Neighbors came running as ladders seemed stuck on scream, sounding like she was being murdered when it was over. It took some time to convince her that she was ok, could not assess the region right away due to her terror and unwillingness to be touched. She let me ice the region which was a surprise, and there were no skin breaks, but quite the swelling and tenderness in the region. I avoided taking her to the vet....we had had a chiropractor visit prior to being jumped, and in the stress of the moment I said something about the 100 dollar visit....other woman jumped on the idea that my dog had already been injured, and informed me that she was renting, obviously figuring I was lawsuit bound. I collected her phone number ostensibly for if there was no prompt resolution. Now my sweet loving animal is afraid of her own shadow. She is pooping in the middle of the street as she is afraid of the edges. I find myself almost dragging her around. It is horrible and walking was the joy filled thing we'd shared. I keep trying, when we ran into a puppy playing in its yard she sat down and howled in fright. I am near tears about this and at a loss as to how to proceed. Any help available out there? Please. Thanks, Mindy
shellebelle
10-07-2008, 12:18 PM
Good grief the poor dear was traumatized!!! I'd be terrified myself!
Well www.emofree.com you can use the tapping on her by just connecting to her fear.
Personally though I would see if she is willing to walk somewhere more open. I would start your healing in the open and move to more confined spaces. She may have more issues than the fear of attack. She may have some guilt and shame in not being able to defend herself and you. Even though she is little doesn't mean she doesn't have some protective instincts.
My dog and I were walking up our street and turned back from where we had come. I suddenly noticed a large dog coming for us...certainly he was trained to stay inside, no...instead it flew over the fence and ran across the street to attack my dog who was quietly walking on her lead. I was too slow to react and the dog had hold of my dog's side flesh and she was looking at me for help. The dog's person came out and told me that her dog, there are two at the home, has issues with small dogs! Neighbors came running as ladders seemed stuck on scream, sounding like she was being murdered when it was over. It took some time to convince her that she was ok, could not assess the region right away due to her terror and unwillingness to be touched. She let me ice the region which was a surprise, and there were no skin breaks, but quite the swelling and tenderness in the region. I avoided taking her to the vet....we had had a chiropractor visit prior to being jumped, and in the stress of the moment I said something about the 100 dollar visit....other woman jumped on the idea that my dog had already been injured, and informed me that she was renting, obviously figuring I was lawsuit bound. I collected her phone number ostensibly for if there was no prompt resolution. Now my sweet loving animal is afraid of her own shadow. She is pooping in the middle of the street as she is afraid of the edges. I find myself almost dragging her around. It is horrible and walking was the joy filled thing we'd shared. I keep trying, when we ran into a puppy playing in its yard she sat down and howled in fright. I am near tears about this and at a loss as to how to proceed. Any help available out there? Please. Thanks, Mindy
rewrite
10-07-2008, 02:09 PM
Hi. Have you had your dog checked out for possible injury? She may still be in pain. That would be #1. If a large dog had your small dog (how small?) in its mouth and was actually biting viciously, there would be puncture wounds at least. But it sounds like the big dog was holding your dog but not putting full pressure on but there still could be bruising.
Is ladders your dogs name?
My dog and I were walking up our street and turned back from where we had come. I suddenly noticed a large dog coming for us...certainly he was trained to stay inside, no...instead it flew over the fence and ran across the street to attack my dog who was quietly walking on her lead. I was too slow to react and the dog had hold of my dog's side flesh and she was looking at me for help. The dog's person came out and told me that her dog, there are two at the home, has issues with small dogs! Neighbors came running as ladders seemed stuck on scream, sounding like she was being murdered when it was over. It took some time to convince her that she was ok, could not assess the region right away due to her terror and unwillingness to be touched. She let me ice the region which was a surprise, and there were no skin breaks, but quite the swelling and tenderness in the region. I avoided taking her to the vet....we had had a chiropractor visit prior to being jumped, and in the stress of the moment I said something about the 100 dollar visit....other woman jumped on the idea that my dog had already been injured, and informed me that she was renting, obviously figuring I was lawsuit bound. I collected her phone number ostensibly for if there was no prompt resolution. Now my sweet loving animal is afraid of her own shadow. She is pooping in the middle of the street as she is afraid of the edges. I find myself almost dragging her around. It is horrible and walking was the joy filled thing we'd shared. I keep trying, when we ran into a puppy playing in its yard she sat down and howled in fright. I am near tears about this and at a loss as to how to proceed. Any help available out there? Please. Thanks, Mindy
alanora
10-08-2008, 07:19 AM
Thank you all for the supportiv words and advice. It has been very helpful. We had some success yesterday by walking with her large buddy border collie and also with an even huger friend, a french guard dog of some kind. We went down to the river where Ladders seems to focus on making bubbles form with her feet and attacking them with her mouth,to such a degree that she is no longer hypervigilant when with the river! Ladders is a king charles cavalier spaniel, between 20 and 25 lbs. She was in pain for a week at least, the swelling has gone and she is not tender, and all systems are working fine, except her emotions. There is a trust issue now as I was unable to protect her. I now carry a large stick, though it is difficult to imagine using it......Oh, by the way, she is so triggered when seeing another dog that her usual currency does not work, will not eat treats. Full fledged unhearing and unseeing panic. I was able to calm her with words and strokes a little bit...enough to stop the howling and walk the block back home. Ladders is now getting comfort from her old family from whence she came, just overnight last night as I have an appt today where she cannot come along. I have guilt for not protecting her, I know it is useless and also muddies the waters. I also fear that comforting her repeatedly will encourage more of the behavior that I do not want. Have ordered some homeopathic chill pills. Am watching, and considering our options, while continuing on as routinely as possible. Thank you all again. Mindy
Hi. Have you had your dog checked out for possible injury? She may still be in pain. That would be #1. If a large dog had your small dog (how small?) in its mouth and was actually biting viciously, there would be puncture wounds at least. But it sounds like the big dog was holding your dog but not putting full pressure on but there still could be bruising.
Is ladders your dogs name?
Moon
10-08-2008, 04:27 PM
Ask your vet about the possibility of a short course of a tranquilizer or anti-depressant.
I avoided taking her to the vet....we had had a chiropractor visit prior to being jumped, and in the stress of the moment I said something about the 100 dollar visit....other woman jumped on the idea that my dog had already been injured, and informed me that she was renting, obviously figuring I was lawsuit bound. I collected her phone number ostensibly for if there was no prompt resolution. Now my sweet loving animal is afraid of her own shadow. She is pooping in the middle of the street as she is afraid of the edges. I find myself almost dragging her around. It is horrible and walking was the joy filled thing we'd shared. I keep trying, when we ran into a puppy playing in its yard she sat down and howled in fright. I am near tears about this and at a loss as to how to proceed. Any help available out there? Please. Thanks, Mindy
Toka
10-09-2008, 02:19 PM
[Hi,
Just read about your dog being attacked. I just would like to say that the owner of the dog that attacked you IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL YOUR VET BILLS!!! You should have your dog checked out immediately for an injurys that you can not see. Internial bleeding etc!!!
As far as being tramatized. Yes wouldn't you be. Also, call your local spca, and report the dog. It may have other reports against it. This dog is not safe for any other animal or possibly small children. It is your duty and your right to report this. Next time another animal or child might not be so lucky. That owner does not sound like a very responsible dog owner and should not have a dog.
So just remember that ladders is going to have to take baby steps to be back to her old self. You will have to take small walks with her and regain her trust slowly. Do it by using lots of praise and her favorite treats. If she fills safe with a dog that she already knows and likes, take that dog with her for walks. Just remeber it wasn't your falt and you did the right thing by not trying to separate them. You could have been hurt yourself. Just take your time and each time you take her for a walk don't go to far from her safe zone (home) and every other day just go a little bit farther. Until you both feel comfrotable. It will take a while and try not to scared. Your dog will pick up on your feelings and she won't feel safe. Take care, and if you need help I will be more then glad to help. I live in forestville, and have a dog also. I also do training for free at this time...
Take care... Sherri
you can e-mail me at [email protected] if you have any questions
Toka
10-10-2008, 10:56 AM
Hi again,
So glad to hear that Ladders is doing better! Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.... You sound like a very good mommy.
But please take the steps to make sure that Ladders is O.K.. Meaning that nothing is hurt inside.
You are welcome as far as any help with Ladders. So feel free to ask. I would be more than glad to help. I love animals very much... In fact, I have 6 cats! Yes 6. I started out with 2 and I also had a wolf hybrid. I had to put her down in June. She was 15yrs. old, and had become very ill. She couldn't get up anymore, and was in such pain, that we ran out of options for her. I was so heartbreaking for me. I had her since she was 7weeks old.She was my best friend.
Anyway, after she was laid to rest, I had gone to the spca to turn in her death certificate, and while I was there I saw this beautiful 20lb. black cat. We feel in love with each other and I told my boyfriend. Well, my grand daughter and Tom went up there and brought him home for me. He wanted to make me feel better after losing my dog. It worked. Even though I will always miss her..We adopted Jasper and he is wounderful. Then 3 wild cats showed up at our place, 1 a kitten. We have tamed them all, and they have become apart of our family.
Then a friend told me that her blue heeler had a litter, but one was blind. She asked it I wanted it. But of course!!!! She had to have one eye removed because it was so badly damaged from being blind. She is already 10 weeks old now and doing great! She can see out of the other eye, and is just full of energy! I have already taught her to sit,stay, lay down, come, shake, leave it, and right now we are working hard on no chew!!! Loves to chew on everything. She is house broke, and leash trained.... We are so happy with her..I never thought that I would want another dog, but am glad that we took her on.... She is AKC registered, but we will never breed her. Only because we are not fully sure why she was born blind.... Anyway, good luck with ladders, and I hope that maybe some day we will meet. Also if you go to the river alot, please make sure that your Parvo shots are up to date. Dogs seem to get infected with Parvo from the river area... That is what the vet told us.Take care, Sherri ([email protected]