[Eddie]

Hi
I am Karen and my puppy is Eddie, he is fifteen and a half weeks old and is adorable and gorgeous [there may be a photo but I am new to this so there may not be a photo at all].I have looked at the site and found it really helpful in the past , I would be grateful if anyone has any advice regarding problems we have had from other dogs whilst walking.
When Eddie was 11 weeks he had his jaw broken by a greyhound, he has made a fast recovery and is still happy about meeting other dogs unless they get a bit snarly.I try to avoid places now where dogs are off lead but even in the park this morning a huge labrador appeared off lead no owner in sight and started bounding around us, sometimes walking along the road a dog will appear and there is no way I know what they are like.Nasty little jackrussell got aggressive at the weekend I had to put a stick in between them til the owner got hold of her dog.Please can anyone tell me how to protect Eddie, I am a nervous wreck when out with him [he seems fine!]Is he too small to be out?Thanks from Karen and Eddie

 

[Rufini]

As long as he's had all his jabs he is fine to go out - Vincent is 13 and a half weeks old and we've just started taking him out on walks.

If I see any dogs off lead, or running towards me I scoop Vincent up and carry him until either an owner is seen and ask them if the dog is ok, or until I've walked away far enough so the dog is no longer near us.

It's sad that Eddie got hurt so young But try and not let it affect you and walking Eddie - walking your dog is a major part of owning one!

Hope Eddie is doing well

 

[flounder_1]

Oh I do feel for you Karen and I'm sure it's extremely hard to get your confidence back after something so awful.

All I can do is try to reassure you that, although they are obviously about, coming across agressive dogs is relatively rare and there are far more gentle, friendly, good natured dogs around than nasty ones.

Do you know anyone else with a dog that you can walk with to give you some back up and help you gain your confidence?

 

[Eddie]

Hi, Thanks for that, even taking him out with friends for example at the weekend four adults and a border terrier, I am on the lookout for other dogs and unable to relax.The jackrussell was even with a cavalier spaniel, but he made a beeline for Eddie whilst my friends terrier got the lovely spaniel.Maybe other dogs find puppies more interesting, perhaps I should just pick him up when a dog off the lead approaches, despite the experts saying it creates fear in a dog.Karen

 

[Rufini]

Hi, Thanks for that, even taking him out with friends for example at the weekend four adults and a border terrier, I am on the lookout for other dogs and unable to relax.The jackrussell was even with a cavalier spaniel, but he made a beeline for Eddie whilst my friends terrier got the lovely spaniel.Maybe other dogs find puppies more interesting, perhaps I should just pick him up when a dog off the lead approaches, despite the experts saying it creates fear in a dog.Karen

I would rather have a dog cautious with other dogs than risk an agressive dog off lead attack! Plus if I can have confirmation that the dog off lead are actually friendly I will always put Vincent back down to say hello.

It's all about positive re-enforcement I guess. Do you have a puppy club nearby so Eddie knows that not all dogs are scary?

 

[Dylansmum]

I know exactly how you feel Karen, because Dylan was badly attacked when he was 4 months old and it made me really nervous for quite a while. He was very nervy too around other dogs, but that was cured by finding a friendly pack of dogs out together. We walked round with them and Dylan got used to being surrounded by strange dogs and stopped being scared. I went through a stage of picking him up lots whenever any suspect dogs approached and I used to call ahead to the owners to check if they were friendly. It may have made him more nervous, but I needed to do it. As Dylan got bigger, I relaxed more as I felt that he was less vulnerable, and fortunately we have had no major problems with other dogs since. I got him castrated at 8 months because I believe that neutered dogs are subject to less aggression from other males, and he has also learnt to deal with other dogs really well. If a large dog approaches him, he usually lies down which seems to prevent aggression. Most dogs are fine - I find that some small dogs will growl and snap but won't go any further than that, but I do think that there is something about the smell of a puppy that confuses dogs and may make their behaviour worse. As time goes on, both of you will grow in confidence again, I'm sure.

 

[kendal]

you need to get yourself to a training class where thewir are lots of dogs his age and you can get him and yourself socolised again. arange to go out walking with a group of dogs who are ok on and off lead.

but most of all you need to relax, you have had a shock but you need to keep controll and not show fear. its not so much about protecting him, that will make him feel like their is something to be scared of whoich could cause him to start lashing out.
you need to be confidant and show him yes you are incharge and their to protect him but not in an "on my god i need to protect my dog" panic, be calm and in controle.

star calling up training classes in your aria go along and have a look either pon your own or with Eddie but deffo get into a class it will help you both learn to relax.

 

[Eddie]

I will be taking Eddie to puppy classes but have had to put it off because he is too vulnerable with the broken jaw.We went to look at a class just after he was hurt and the rough and tumble at the start was definately a bit much for him in that state.Eddie has always had good instincts with dogs , he knows that he rolls on his back with a more dominant dog and he is confident with friendly dogs even if they are much bigger than him. I am amazed at his resilience.

 

[kendal]

Hi, Thanks for that, even taking him out with friends for example at the weekend four adults and a border terrier, I am on the lookout for other dogs and unable to relax.The jackrussell was even with a cavalier spaniel, but he made a beeline for Eddie whilst my friends terrier got the lovely spaniel.Maybe other dogs find puppies more interesting, perhaps I should just pick him up when a dog off the lead approaches, despite the experts saying it creates fear in a dog.Karen

dont do it, by picking up your dog you make the other dog more interested because they want to know what is wrong and why you picked up the pup, its like you haveing a sweaty on the table when a chiled walks in they pick it up and hide it behind your back, the first thing they do it try and see what you hid. dogs are just as nosey.

carry treats with you and you can always try and desract the new dog with a treat till its owner arives.