Buffy was attacked.

Poor Buffy! I would for sure send a bill. I also carry a spray called direct stop when I have my dogs on leash at parks. I have several breeds of dogs and different sizes and always am afraid that someone will not manage their dog and mine will get hurt! Glad to hear she is on the mend. I also know a cattle dog from a horse farm and they sure are intense.
 
Diana, I am really sorry you and Buffy had this happening, worst nightmare of your pup being attacked. Instructor better have had their cool, they suppose to know what they doing around the dog and many times there is predictable signs. BTW there is seminar "what your dog is trying to tell you" regarding body language signs, aggression signs, etc this Thur at FYC Melrose Park 730 pm. There will be video and live dogs demonstration, lasts couple of hours. If you are interested in coming I could send you more info.
From the standpoint of accident the worst thing you can do is to react "oh my poor baby", get emotional, upset, carry on etc. Your reaction to what happened, not the actual event is what Buffy will feel. Yes, things happen, get over it attitude will serve you much better in a future to provide no lasting memories for Buffy. Dogs have memories but it is humans who color events with emotions sometimes making mountains of obstacles out of them...I am telling you what is right thing to do, not exactly what I would do in such situation:uhoh:
Best wishes for Buffy speedy recovery!
 
Man, I feel for you! My Ellie almost got her head taken off in training class last night. I am so grateful the dogs didn't make contact and so sorry to hear your baby didn't fair as well. I know that horrible feeling when your fur baby gets hurt and especially to hear screaming! I am glad to hear that Buffy is on the mend.

Like it has been said before, I have learned human reactions can dramatically shape the dog's reactions. I am glad to hear that Buffy was able to play afterwards and had positive interactions with other dogs afterwards.

Good luck and a speedy recovery!
 
I missed that post somehow, SO sorry to hear that about Buffy!! What a shock and it is just so awful to witness, I wish dogs wouldn't ever fight like that...
I had Toffee bit at the park a few days ago by a mastiff/pitbull/gsd mix. That huge pitbull type dog did NOT let go, Toffee was screaming, trying to get away, another Labradoodle, who started the incident was on top of him in a flash... It was one of the scariest three minutes of my life, I think...

I couldn't believe that I was actually that calm handler! I didn't know I had it in me... But I pulled that goshdarn Labradoodle off my boy twice, wrestled the Mastiff's neck trying to choke some air supply off to relieve pressure on Toffee, got a hold of the collar then after this didn't work told the dogs owner to pull her dog's hind legs up while securing her dog's front strategically so her dog couldn't spin around and bite her...

I thought Toff was okay afterward, he didn't show any blood even tho the other dogs mouth was bleeding (she had bit her own tongue and cheek)
It was only a day later I saw that she had punctured Toffee's skin, but I just cleaned it and put polysporin on it, it seems ok. He didn't get any scratches like poor Buffy did.

This was the scariest thing I had ever been through regarding any dog I have ever had. This dog did NOT let go, and they had even met and greeted ok. But, clearly once she decided to bite, when Toffee told the Labradoodle off for being an Idiot, her prey drive kicked in and I believe she really wanted to kill Toffee then and there. She would have caused a lot more damage if her owner and I hadn't held on for dear life, so she couldn't shake Toffee again.

I did talk to the owner afterward, I believe her when she said her dog never did this before... she had only turned two... but I betcha the signs were there before, over stimulated under exercised and hyper... Right after the fight I sat down on the grass, relaxed with both dogs on either side of me, feeding them treats whenever her frigging dog looked at me instead of Toffee and talking to the shocked and upset owner ... I recommended that she has to make a decision that it now becomes about management and not training, if that dog decides to bite she will NOT let go, now she knows... What she does with this is her choice, but she is lucky it was me and Toffee who's never totally innocent when it comes to picking a scrap... a person like me who has a little experience... it was only that night that I cried myself to sleep, riddled in anxiety on what I could have done differently.

Not to take over this thread, just to show it all happens in an INSTANT and I can totally feel how you must have felt. I am glad she is okay!!
 
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I missed that post somehow, SO sorry to hear that about Buffy!! What a shock and it is just so awful to witness, I wish dogs wouldn't ever fight like that...
I had Toffee bit at the park a few days ago by a mastiff/pitbull/gsd mix. That huge pitbull type dog did NOT let go, Toffee was screaming, trying to get away, another Labradoodle, who started the incident was on top of him in a flash... It was one of the scariest three minutes of my life, I think...

I couldn't believe that I was actually that calm handler! I didn't know I had it in me... But I pulled that goshdarn Labradoodle off my boy twice, wrestled the Mastiff's neck trying to choke some air supply off to relieve pressure on Toffee, got a hold of the collar then after this didn't work told the dogs owner to pull her dog's hind legs up while securing her dog's front strategically so her dog couldn't spin around and bite her...

I thought Toff was okay afterward, he didn't show any blood even tho the other dogs mouth was bleeding (she had bit her own tongue and cheek)
It was only a day later I saw that she had punctured Toffee's skin, but I just cleaned it and put polysporin on it, it seems ok. He didn't get any scratches like poor Buffy did.

This was the scariest thing I had ever been through regarding any dog I have ever had. This dog did NOT let go, and they had even met and greeted ok. But, clearly once she decided to bite, when Toffee told the Labradoodle off for being an Idiot, her prey drive kicked in and I believe she really wanted to kill Toffee then and there. She would have caused a lot more damage if her owner and I hadn't held on for dear life, so she couldn't shake Toffee again.

I did talk to the owner afterward, I believe her when she said her dog never did this before... she had only turned two... but I betcha the signs were there before, over stimulated under exercised and hyper... Right after the fight I sat down on the grass, relaxed with both dogs on either side of me, feeding them treats whenever her frigging dog looked at me instead of Toffee and talking to the shocked and upset owner ... I recommended that she has to make a decision that it now becomes about management and not training, if that dog decides to bite she will NOT let go, now she knows... What she does with this is her choice, but she is lucky it was me and Toffee who's never totally innocent when it comes to picking a scrap... a person like me who has a little experience... it was only that night that I cried myself to sleep, riddled in anxiety on what I could have done differently.

Not to take over this thread, just to show it all happens in an INSTANT and I can totally feel how you must have felt. I am glad she is okay!!

Man, your story sounds scary. I would have been terrified to see such a big dog grab a Sheltie. Good for you for handling it so well. It sounds like both Toffee and Buffy were very lucky. It does seem like forever when you're in the middle of it. There's really nothing you can do to put off the other dog's prey drive or distract them, it is so powerful. All you can do is just physically pull them apart. (A couple people mentioned things I should have done and it's like you know what, you weren't there.)

I initially thought Polysporin would be enough but I wanted to get the puncture wound checked. I saw the other dog with her teeth around Buffy's neck clamped down so I thought it had been much worse. It's weird how sometimes the wounds don't show up until later. That happened the other time Buffy was bit too -- she was bit in the eye but I didn't know until she woke up the next morning with goo and her eyes half-closed. The vet said just check for infection.
 
Man, your story sounds scary. I would have been terrified to see such a big dog grab a Sheltie. Good for you for handling it so well. It sounds like both Toffee and Buffy were very lucky. It does seem like forever when you're in the middle of it. There's really nothing you can do to put off the other dog's prey drive or distract them, it is so powerful. All you can do is just physically pull them apart. (A couple people mentioned things I should have done and it's like you know what, you weren't there.)

I initially thought Polysporin would be enough but I wanted to get the puncture wound checked. I saw the other dog with her teeth around Buffy's neck clamped down so I thought it had been much worse. It's weird how sometimes the wounds don't show up until later. That happened the other time Buffy was bit too -- she was bit in the eye but I didn't know until she woke up the next morning with goo and her eyes half-closed. The vet said just check for infection.


You were right!!
I went to the vet today, as last night he didn't eat ANYTHING, wouldn't even eat cheese!:eek2::no:
Sure enough puncture wound was a little infected and he now got antibiotics... I should have gone sooner, I was so worried it was giving me anxiety, so I should have put my mind at ease then instead of today!
 
Oh poor Toffee! I am sure he will be fine though with the meds.

I just wanted to share.... I found out the other owner relinquished her ACD today. Gosh, now I feel bad... :( She has been through four obedience classes and not seen anything like this before from her dog.

I don't want you guys to feel that what happened Sunday is the only reason I'm giving her up, it was just the final straw for me. XX needs a home with lots of space, no other animals, and no children. As difficult as this decision has been, both the shelter (they're willing to take her back and find her a more suitable home) and the trainer feel this is best for XX and I.
 
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Oh poor Toffee! I am sure he will be fine though with the meds.

I just wanted to share.... I found out the other owner relinquished her ACD today. Gosh, now I feel bad... :( She has been through four obedience classes and not seen anything like this before from her dog.

awww
don't feel bad!!!
The dog probably needs a way more experienced trainer and stuff... and a person who can manage the dog better. It will be a load off her mind, I am sure. Then she can go and adopt a Sheltie who aren't as scary when they go nuts :razz:
 
It is unfortunate that the ACD owner felt she had to relinquish her dog--but it's not your fault. It could have been any dog that was attacked by hers. It sounds like it was an accident waiting to happen. Another dog might not have survived.

It sounds like the owner was trying very hard to get her dog in order and kudos for her to taking it to classes. However, when an attack is that severe sometimes it just is not a project for a novice to take on.
 
Diana, do you happen to know name of the dog? I want to ask if the dog was brought in for evaluation to my trainers, they are often the ones who make decisions when such things happen. Not every dog can or should be saved unfortunately.
 
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