My Bella girl got attacked by another dog!!!

[Quercus]

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Good point...but I would assume that you are talking about well bred pits, not neighborhood throw aways that end up making their way into the general pet owning public. They are not "typical" of good guard dogs, or even good fighting dogs, because neither of those should show aggression towards humans at all...but unforunately plenty of pits do show stranger and arousal aggression towards humans....

[JazzysMom]

True.. I was assuming based on the ease of removing the dog and the owners assertion that the dog usually plays with other dogs very well…..

[bellabasenji]

@Quercus:

…but it doesn't sound to me like that dog was attacking...just playing in an inappropriate (but normal for the breed) way. If it had been a real fight, the dog probably would have attacked you when you tried to pull it away (frighteningly!)

See, I felt the same way… If the Pit Bull would have been truely intent on hurting my girl, Bella would not have gotten off without a scratch! I also could have been hurt, as well... but it was instinct that I grab the Pit's scruff of the neck. I wasn't afraid for myself, just Bella. I personally never felt threatened by the dog…

[bellabasenji]

@Quercus:

A truly aggressive dog won't be stopped by water, or possibly not even by a stick. But people have had good luck with Direct Stop…and pepper spray.

I am going to check out the Direct Stop… About the stick, I would probably have better luck throwing it and saying "go get it girl" than hitting the dog!!! LOL:D

[nomrbddgs]

I hate to say this, but, if this was a truly aggressive dog you're right Bella would not have survived. Period.

As for the stick thing, I personally would never use a stick. I have done a lot of personal protection training. Most of the dogs would never even pass the test to become personal protection dogs. If you touch the dog in any manner, (an aggressive dog or a dog in an aggressive mode) MOST dogs will turn to see what is touching them and attack. This is why a stick is not a good thing. The dog will see the stick as an extension of you and will most likely attack you and then return to the prime target-you're dog. If you've ever seen a pit attack they are very focused on the prime target. But they will go through you to get to it. If an agressive pit wants your dog, you will not stop it. They continue on until the prime target is finished and no longer an element in the attack. Then they may turn on you as their prey drive is still heightened. The Direct stop is the best idea out there. The other thing you can do is carry a small air boat horn. If the dog comes towards you aggressively, most times you can let the air horn off-behind your back-and it will distract the dog long enough for you to get away. Why I say behind your back is you don't want the dog to associate the sound with you and attack you, plus it is very loud and may hurt the dogs ears if you have it in front.

[Quercus]

Agreed that a stick would probably be a detriment in a seriously aggressive, and big dog. But most of us are more likely to run into nosey Nellie, the curious Jack Russell as we walk around the block….and a stick could be very effective against a dog like that. Usually you don't even have to hit or poke the dog...just wave the stick around and yell...

Personally, I don't carry Direct Stop, or pepper spray, though I probably should for my own protection. But I worry about what it would do to my asthma if the wind brought it the wrong direction. And I worry that it would incapacitate my own dog (or dogs) and it may be difficult to get them away from the scene. But overall...I do think it is probably the best solution.

[nomrbddgs]

I do tend to think in terms of big dogs.

I never thought about the pepper spray coming back on me. That could be a problem. I know the cops up here have had a few problems with using too much, health problems, etc. So that's a thought against carrying it as well. The best thing I like is the boat horn. I've used it for about 10 years now.

[Duke]

Boat horn! Great idea! That will scare the bee-jees's out of everyone!

[Tayda_Lenny]

I have been having a similar issue here with my dogs, except that in this case the Pit bull is my neighbors dog! They basically keep it in their garage, with the door open, on a leash. Sometimes though, they don't tie it up properly, or sometimes they don't tie it up at all and it runs a muck like it owns the place. i have spoken with the owners about this, and stressed that for the sake of their dog AND mine, that their dog (Tyson, nice name, huh?) needs to always be on a leash. Just on sunday, i went out with the dogs and the minute we stepped out my front door, tyson came over to "play." of course, and those of you following my issues with Lenny will not be suprised by this, Lenny attacked. Tyson is still a puppy (4 months i think) and i was able to drag Lenny off him and bring Tyson back to his garage. I'm so scared of the day Tyson has had enough of Lenny and fights back with those massive jaws Its really too bad, I feel so bad for Tyson, he is definitely being neglected. He spends all day and all night in the garage. It's a constant issue, and I'm not sure what to do about it anymore. I have contacted the police and they say if Tyson is not being a nuisance, they can't do anything about it (he doesn't bark). They insist that until it becomes the "norm" for him to be off leash, then they can't do anything. Plus the garage is basically his home. Theres a couch in there for him, food and water… etc etc. He just gets no human attention...Ugh.... but my #1 priority is to make sure tayda and lenny are safe.

[nomrbddgs]

@Duke:

Boat horn! Great idea! That will scare the bee-jees's out of everyone!

They sell small ones that will fit into your pocket. They work well for attackers of humans too. Blow one of those in the ear-they'll be deaf and seeing stars for awhile!

[JazzysMom]

that their dog (Tyson, nice name, huh?)

Actually, that's the name of one of my niece's pits. The biggest marshmallow of a personality you'll ever encounter.

[Duke]

@Tayda_Lenny:

Ugh…. but my #1 priority is to make sure tayda and lenny are safe.

I do not know how friendly your neighbors are, but you might suggest to them that now is the time for them to get training for their very young pit. It will help them to bond better and encourage a lifelong relationship. It so saddens me that people get an animal with no intention to make a great life together. PetSmart training is wonderful - not too expensive and puppy training is available until they are 6 mos old and is good for socialization. I know your issue is for the safety of Tayda and Lenny, so if you could converse about this - it would be beneficial to you all.

[jys1011]

It breaks my heart when people get dogs to be fixtures in their house…I just can't stand it :mad: :mad: :mad:

[bellabasenji]

I know, to me Bella is more than "just a dog"… she is a MEMBER of the family!!! Some people will get a dog while it is a cute and cuddly puppy and keep it in the house. Then as soon as it gets out of the puppy stage, the tie it up in the backyard for the rest of it's life.:mad: Such a sad, miserable way to live it's life… I guess if I was a dog, I'd choose to be the "fixture in the house" over life on a chain in a muddy backyard... no matter what the weather.
Dogs are so much happier being a part of the family where there is structure and they know thier boundaries. They deserve our love and attention, but need to know they can't get away with everything they want to. I guess when you think about it, they are much like children... just furrier! LOL

[bellabasenji]

Oh, and by the way… I greatly appreciate all the responses to my thread. You have all helped me out so much. Bella is my first dog and I am learning so many new things… I value the Forum for all the advice!!!:D

[Barklessdog]

They continued to tell me that thier Pit is not aggressive and if she meets another dog off-leash,

Yeah I heard that before. A guy in Chicago had a PitBull named Angle named for her nice temperment. Never hurt anyone. Well the guy also owned reptiles and was showing them to their daughters friend. Well the friend freaks out, start screaming and Angle went wild severly mauling the little girl. The owner tried to get the dog off and the dog went after him. The police came and shot angel.

Any dog can and will attack. i know a sweet beagle that attacked a little girl as well. The problem is a Pit bull can kill, bred to hang on, that you just can't erase if they go into the red zone.

I have a friend that had a huge Rottweiler that he kept on a leash. The next door neihbor let their little yappy dog out free, it goes after the Rottweiler. The Rot would not let go of the little dog. the little dog got away but my friend put the Rotweiler down. He said if it would not release the dog on command he could no longer trust the dog, what if it were a kid?

If the Pit bull gets loose again I would call the police. Pit bulls are weapons that can go off at anytime. I dont trust any dog, not even my own.

[pedro]

hi sorry for the situation!!, but the pit bull was trying to be aggressive !!. and if not , they tent to be very alpha towards other dogs. the owner needs to get help with there pit because it's going to go into aggressive mode and really hurt another animal!. get apple spray and keep it with you!. it might help but once in that mode with a pit bull it's hard to get them out of that mode too!. if you have this happen again try to grab the pitt BY THE SIDE OF THE MOUTH !!. THIS DOES TEND TO HELP THEM LET GO.