Are you worried about the risks of your dog getting attacked by another dog? This blog will help you know what to do if a dog attacks your dog while walking.
Something I get asked a lot by pet owners is the right way to deal with a situation when their own dog is attacked by a dangerous dog.
Here, I'm going to talk about why dogs attack, the warning signs to look out for, and the three circumstances when an attack is possible (and what you can actually do when you're caught in the situation).
It always helps to be prepared. Read on to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- Stay calm: Whether dealing with a friendly but boisterous dog or a potentially aggressive one, your calm energy is key to de-escalating the situation. Avoid shouting, tensing up, or making sudden movements, as this can escalate things.
- Read the signals: Pay close attention to the other dog's body language. While a wagging tail might seem friendly, other signs like tense posture, growling, or avoiding eye contact could indicate fear or anxiety. If you're unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution and keep your distance.
- Prioritize your dog's safety: Don't hesitate to politely decline interactions with other dogs if you feel they're not a good fit for your dog's personality or energy level. Trust your instincts and confidently walk away if needed.
Why Do Dogs Bite Other Dogs When Outside?
Dogs bite other animals for a variety of reasons, including fear, anxiety, pain, or predatory instincts. Poor early socialization with other animals can lead to fear-based aggression, causing a dog to bite out of defense when feeling threatened.
Additionally, a dog experiencing pain might bite if another animal interacts with them in a way that causes discomfort. This is especially true for older dogs with conditions like arthritis. Finally, some dogs may have predatory instincts, leading them to chase and potentially bite smaller animals.
Understanding these underlying causes is crucial so you can manage interactions between your dog and other dogs and prevent potential bites.
FREE REACTIVITY MASTERCLASSCase #1: Most of The Time, The Other Dog Is Just a Friendly Barker
It's important to remember that the vast majority of dogs are friendly, even when off-leash. While it can be startling when a dog runs towards you barking, it's often just a sign of excitement and a desire to play. Many people misinterpret this enthusiasm as aggression, which causes unnecessary tension.
In most cases, allowing your dog to interact with the off-leash dog will lead to a playful exchange, and the barking will naturally subside. However, if you're unsure about the other dog's intentions or don't have time for a play session, simply continue walking and ignore them. The dog will likely lose interest and move on. Avoid overreacting or tensing up, as this can actually escalate the situation and make the approaching dog ā and your dog ā more anxious or excited. Stay calm and assess the situation before assuming the worst.
Case #2: Your Dog Has the Wrong Playmate
Not every dog is the perfect playmate for your furry friend. Sometimes, you'll encounter dogs that are too boisterous, too large, or simply not a good fit for your dog's personality or energy levels. In these situations, it's perfectly acceptable to politely decline the interaction.
Here's how to handle it gracefully:
Trust Your Instincts
If you sense that the other dog isn't a suitable playmate, don't hesitate to act. This is especially important if you have a smaller dog, a puppy, an injured dog, or simply a dog not interested in playing.
Keep It Low-key
Walk away quietly and confidently, as if the other dog isn't there. Avoid making eye contact or engaging with the other dog or owner.
Leave your dog on the ground. If possible, keep your dog on the ground while walking away. Picking them up will often make things worse, as suddenly, the dog following you will try to sniff your dog up around your neck height! Picking them up also gives your dog the message that something is wrong, and tension often rises rapidly. A dog fight can happen!
Be Consistent
Continue walking away until the other dog loses interest. Consistency is key to communicating your disinterest in the interaction.
By following these tips, you can confidently and effectively navigate situations where you prefer to avoid interaction with another dog. Remember, it's perfectly acceptable to prioritize your dog's comfort and safety by politely declining unwanted play.
DOG REACTIVITY SOLVEDCase #3: You Are Dealing With A Real Challenger
If you find yourself facing a genuinely aggressive dog that comes charging at you, barking and growling, the best thing you can do is turn your back and walk calmly away. It might seem strange, but staying calm is your best bet to prevent things from getting worse. Once you've put a bit of distance between you and the dog, maybe 5-10 meters, you can pick up the pace.
I've been training dogs for years, and this approach has always worked best for me. Sure, you could try shouting at the dog to put it in its place, but there's a chance your own dog will pick up on your stress and join in, making things even more tense. I wouldn't recommend this, especially if the other dog is large and confident. Challenging them like that could make them even more aggressive.
LEARN THE DOG CALMING CODE6 Things To Remember When Socializing Your Dog With An Unfamiliar Dog
Meeting new dogs is a common occurrence, whether it's on walks, at parks, or during visits with friends and family. However, it's crucial to remember that not all dogs are friendly or comfortable with strangers. To ensure safe and positive interactions, keep these six tips in mind:
Tip #1: Observe the dog's mood
A wagging tail can be a good sign, but it's not the only indicator of a dog's mood. If a dog seems tense, fearful, or avoids eye contact, it's best to keep your distance.
Tip #2: Always ask the owner first
Even if a dog seems friendly, always ask their owner if it's okay to approach and interact. Responsible owners will know their dog's temperament and can guide the interaction.
Tip #3: Introduce yourself slowly and calmly
Allow the dog to sniff you before attempting to pet them. Avoid direct eye contact initially, as this can be perceived as a challenge.
Tip #4: Be gentle and respect their boundaries:
If the dog seems receptive, pet them gently and give them space if they move away. Avoid hugging or restraining the dog, as this can make them feel trapped and anxious.
Tip #5: Supervise interactions
Even during play, it's important to supervise interactions between dogs, especially if they are meeting for the first time. Watch for signs of tension or over-excitement, and be prepared to separate the dogs if needed.
Tip #6: Be mindful of the environment
Consider the context of the interaction. A dog tied up alone, off-leash, and playing excitedly, or injured may be more likely to react defensively. In these situations, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid direct contact.
FREE DOG REACTIVITY WEBINARHow to Prevent Attacks From Other Dogs
Avoiding Trouble in The First Place
If your dog is bitten, it can feel a bit like it has come out of the blue, but learning to watch for and understand signs that another dog is frightened or anxious could help you prevent your pup from being bitten.
Dogs, as a rule, don't go looking for trouble. In fact, they will go out of their way to avoid dangerous or aggressive situations. To this end, a dog will typically give a number of warning signals before it bites.
The first important thing to note is that fear or anxiety in dogs can stem from a current situation or could be related to past experiences. While you may not believe that there is anything happening that could cause another dog to become fearful, a dog could be feeling extremely anxious.
Signs of a Fearful or Anxious Dog that May Bite
Whether you are out with your dog for a walk or at the off-leash park, keep an eye out for a dog's body language and for signs of anxiety or fear in other dogs. Some obvious and well-known signals to watch for are growling, snapping, lunging, snarling, or baring teeth.
That said, a fearful or anxious dog will likely send out more subtle signals first, such as licking lips, turning the face away, trying to move away, ears flattened and back, yawning, or crouching.
If there is a dog close by showing any of these signs, take your pet and move away calmly but quickly. It can be helpful to put a physical barrier between your dog and the threatening dog, such as a fence or a parked car.
GET THE DOG CALMING CODE FOR FREESteps to Take if Your Dog is Bitten by Another Dog
Even if you know and watch for the early warning signs, unexpected situations can happen. If your dog receives a bite or gets into a fight with another dog, here are some guidelines for what you should do:
- Stay calm, and try not to panic since this will only make your dog more afraid.
- Do not step between the dogs to break up a fight. This could lead to getting bitten yourself.
- Focus on your dog and getting your pup away from the other dog. (The other owner should be doing the same). A loud clap to distract the dogs may help, then call your dog.
- Do not shout at the other dog or make eye contact since this could make the dog feel more threatened.
- Ask the attacking dog's owner for details such as contact information and whether their dog is up to date on their vaccines. If the other dog's owner is absent or uncooperative, take pictures if you can.
- Once you and your pup are safely away from the other dog, contact your vet immediately for advice and to let know you are on your way, or head to your nearest emergency animal hospital.
Assessing Your Dog's Injury
A number of factors influence the severity of a dog bite, and while it may seem obvious that a large bite that is bleeding profusely requires immediate veterinary care for external and internal injuries, you may not realize that a small bite can also pose a serious health risk.
It is a good idea to have all bite wounds, whether big or small, examined by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Why You Should Take Your Dog to The Vet After a Bite
Even the smallest puncture wound left untreated can be a major cause for concern due to the high risk of infection.
When your dog is bitten, the tooth not only creates a small puncture in the skin but also creates a pocket below the skin, which forms an ideal environment for bacteria (from the aggressor's mouth) to multiply and lead to an infection.
Because the hole in the skin is relatively small, the skin tends to heal itself very quickly, but in doing so, it traps the bacteria within the pocket, which can quickly multiply and turn into an abscess.
While infection tends to be the primary concern for any dog bite, other serious health issues can develop depending on the location and severity of the bite. Other serious health risks associated with dog bites include:
- Infection of the bone
- Infection of the joint
- Cellulitis (tissue infection)
- Accumulation of pus in the chest cavity or abdominal cavity
How YOU Can Help Your Dog When They're Attacked
You know, it's funny how dealing with tricky dogs is a lot like dealing with tricky people! If you come across a dog you're unsure about, the best approach is often the simplest one: stay calm, quiet, and avoid making a fuss. It's like with those folks who are always looking for an argument ā sometimes it's best to just walk away.
The same goes for your own dog. Instead of getting flustered and shouting commands, show them how to behave by being calm and collected yourself. Dogs are experts at reading our vibes, so your relaxed energy will help them chill out too. Remember, sometimes the best thing you can do is stay quiet ā your dog will get it!
I teach this principles and more about becoming a confident leader your dog can trust in my best-selling dog training course, The Dog Calming Code™ which you can now currently access for free.
GET DOG CALMING CODE FOR FREE!
7 Responses
I wish walking away actually worked with the dogs that charge at you, regardless of how friendly they may be. My dog is a rescue and I’ve been trying to aid his horrible social anxiety, but owners with unleashed and untrained dogs worsen his issues. What are we supposed to do when my dog feels that he must defend himself and others feel they don’t need to train their dogs just because they’re small? I’m so lucky we moved and now have a fenced backyard, otherwise he’d be miserable.
Hi Jillian,
This is probably one of the biggest causes of frustration for responsible dog owners, and owners of dogs who don’t really like strange dogs rushing up to them! My biggest piece of advice is to try and be as vigilant as you can when out on a walk and if there are areas where you know dogs are left to do as they please, then perhaps it’s best to avoid those areas. The unfortunate thing is you can’t do anything about another dog’s behaviour, you can only take care of your own!
If you are ever in a situation where a dog rushes up to you and you feel a bit threatened by that dog then my advice is to calmly and slowly back away from the dog, with your dog positioned behind you and on a shorter leash. Avoid making eye contact with the dog, but making sure you face it at all times is more of a deterrent than turning your back to it. Best…Doggy Dan
Im looking at getting a female dane but neutering them is not healthy for them because of their size.They tend to get attacked because of it so I have found that walking away doesnt work
Hi Ruth, some dogs do seem to be attracted towards other dogs who are not neutered. I have witnessed this many times. Even a perfectly behaved entire dog can attract a lot more attention than one who is not. Interesting to witness, much harder to deal with when the dog with the issue is the other dog and they are off leash.
To be very honest with you there is not a lot. You are at the self preservation stage…if you think about it what you have done by the sounds of things is avoided a bite from a dog who was looking for trouble. The other way of looking at it is this. You avoided a potentially serious issue by walking away…I am glad you got away from him like you did. Once again though, if the dog really wanted to bite you I am sure he would have. Your staying calm and not fighting back was very likely what saved you… Dan
My walks have become peaceful and calm because I put into pratice my leadership roll as packleader. I still take two leads incase, it is still early days of my new learning. But my five dogs can enjoy thier walks and run over the paddocks and have fun. What a relief. Thanks to Doggy Dans training. Carole Wood.
I had a rottweiler come charging across the road to me and my 11month staffordshire bull terrier. He was very full on circling us and growling at the same time. He also managed to pull the halti off Rue’s face. I was 37wks pregnant at the time and I tried to keep walking but he would not leave us alone and actually started to jump up at me too, I was turning my back to him when he did this to try block him from hitting my belly. Luckily I was close to a friends house and went in there where we managed to get him confined and called animal control.
What else could you have done in this situation if they are persistent?
Thanks,
Maia