Aggressive Dog

A horrible experience for both your dog and yourself. Did you get a chance to speak to the owner yet?

Thank you for your message Jack. Yes, it was a frightening experience for us both. 

Unfortunately, I did not get to speak to the owner. I could not see anyone in the garden - although the terrier was snarling and snapping and making a racket. I know I should have tried harder to make contact, but to tell the truth, I was afraid of the terrier and my dog was bleeding. I just wanted to get him home and check his wounds.

My dog is now on a course of antibiotics, as the bites were infected. Also, his lovely pink podenco nose is rather shredded at the moment, but the vet assures me he will be fine in a week or so.

Kind regards.

I hope your dog is OK.But............ lesson learnt as you should never ever let a dog go up to a garden gate where there is another dog behind it, the dog behind the gate is only protecting its territory and cannot be blamed, probably if you met the same dog whilst away from it territory it wouldn't display this behaviour. I hope this goes some way in explaining what happened to you. Sorry this happened to you.

Regards  Jenni

Thank you for your message Jenni.

I understand what you are saying. However, it is my experience that a dog will usually give some warning or indication, however brief, before launching into a full-on attack. Not the case here, obviously. We didn’t even know there was a second dog - until it was savaging my dogs’ face. 

This extremely aggressive behaviour was out of proportion to the situation. 

I am certain that my dog would never react in that manner, but I still have mesh behind the bars on the gate - just in case!

Kind regards.

Questions:- 1. If the attacking terrier was muzzled, how did it sink its teeth into the face of your dog?

2. Was your dog on a lead and were you in full control of your dog at all times?

She said in her original post that her dog was on a lead as always and that the other dog thrust its muzzle through the gate...

Come on Matthew!!! 

I do agree with Jenni as I too have dogs and they behave very different at home than out on walks,however my Sympathy goes to her,scary situation! Hope your dog makes a full recovery!!!

JJ

Hi Jen Jen,

Like you I have fencing and mesh, because like you say a dog outside for a walk can behave differently to one guarding its property.  

Kind Regards  Jenni

Its very true! Mine don't take kindly to anyone or anything coming up to "they're" gate!! Out on a walk all are very friendly to people and other dogs,like you say,its a territory thing.

Hope both you and your doggies are happy and well

JJ

Thank you, Dave, for your good wishes.

You have realised the point I was trying to make in my original post: If there had been mesh behind the bars on the gate, this unfortunate incident would not have occurred. I do appreciate that some dogs can be very aggressive when guarding their territory. A responsible owner knows their own dog and would take measures to ensure that  injury and/or suffering are not likely to be caused to another animal unnecessarily. It only takes a few metres of mesh and a packet of cable ties!

I wish you every success and happiness in your new life in Spain.

Kind regards