Dog fights

[Dawgluver]

I found out, to my horror, that a colleague may lose a finger. She was walking her two dogs, and another dog attacked. She tried to break up the fight, and her own dog mangled her hand. A finger was broken in many places. She was taken by ambulance to a hand specialist in a nearby city. She was released to see if the swelling goes down and the docs can better assess the damage, with a later appointment.

I checked out how to prevent a dog fight, and learned the following: don't step in. Let them fight. Even little dogs can rip flesh. They go into fight or flight mode and won't recognize you. If possible, loop one dog's leash around something, grab the back legs of the other dog, and slowly circle. Carry pepper spray on walks. Use a fire extinguisher (I usually don't carry one on my walks) if it happens at home. A squirt gun doesn't work.

I have never had to worry about my babies, they have all been well socialized, but after hearing what happened to my colleague, am thinking about getting some pepper spray.

 

[CWS4322]

Oh--I've broken up many a dog fight. The worst one was when the two Saints attacked my FORD. I grabbed one tail, but I couldn't grab both--they were shaking the daylights out of her. I knew that breaking it up, I'd end up bit. But, if I didn't, my FORD would have died. I had to go in. The Saints were on her like "white on rice." It was awful. 2 dogs against one, one person. I had to be on IV antibiotics for 3 weeks. I couldn't walk, I couldn't drive. It was awful. And, I would not cough up the Saints' vax papers...it was my choice to get bit--I broke up the fight. I had to do it. And, I knew going in, I'd get bit. Two-three weeks before, the FORD had attacked the Saints--retribution? I knew going in, it would be bad. And. because I wouldn't cough up the Saints' rabies papers, the hospital would not treat me. I didn't have a cell with me, I was standing in the parking lot, 7 degrees F, with my pant leg ripped to my thigh. After 30 minutes, a friend did pick me up. But, I couldn't believe they let me walk out after I was delivered in an ambulance. Another friend picked me up at 1:00 a.m. and lied about what had happened--I was on IV for 8 hours and had to go back every day for IV. It was awful, but I am now nursing the dog that bit me--she's on her last legs.

You can make the decision if you are going to get bit. When the police that accompanied the ambulance came in the house, they had their guns drawn. I said "please don't shoot my dogs--I chose to break up the fight. Don't shoot!!" I had the Saints outside, but my FORD was inside--shaking. And the 2 dogs (one Saint, one elderly Newf) that were not involved in the fight were in the house...duh, what happened? I didn't want them to shoot my Newf or the da-da Saint.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Explain "FORD" please, CWS. I thought you were talking about a car...

 

[pacanis]

Definitely carry at least pepper spray (OC spray) if you even think you might encounter a stray or loose dog. And don't be afraid to use it before the tussle starts, so the dog doesn't think the pain is being inflicted by the other dog. Grabbing the hind legs and dragging is a good method, as is "punting" the dominant dog. A kick with the top of your foot underneath the ribcage will knock the air from it and make it stop. And I wouldn't discount a good splash of water. I've seen it used to break up squabbles many times. If it's handy, use it.

 

[CWS4322]

Explain "FORD" please, CWS. I thought you were talking about a car...

Found-on-road-dog. Pac--those all work--but if you are 3 on 1, you gotta do what you gotta do. I love dogs. 95% of dogs do not bite. I broke up that fight knowing I'd get bit--kinda the "do you want to die on this hill" thing. I was willing to die on that hill. And, I miss my FORD still...she died in my arms on October 5, 2010from liver failure (about 2 years after the fight). Best travel companion, best bed buddy. I don't regret fighting off the other two--and, they are also good girls. One still lives with us--she is in renal failure and 13 years old. The other is in a great home.

 

[Dawgluver]

Wow, CWS. What an ordeal. I'm amazed that the hospital refused to treat you at first.

Pac, good advice!

 

[sparrowgrass]

My uncle had a dog named Ford--called Fordie, usually. So named because he was black and white and rusty, just like the family sedan.

 

[Dawgluver]

My uncle had a dog named Ford--called Fordie, usually. So named because he was black and white and rusty, just like the family sedan.

On a totally unrelated note, took beagle for her walk. After crossing our busy highway, I noticed we were joined by a young dog who belonged on the other side. Luckily, I had a couple of recycled plastic newspaper bags in my pocket. They made a surprisingly adequate leash when tied together, and we were able to get Miss Daisy back home where she belonged.

With all the dogs in our neighborhood, we are so lucky they all get along! (unlike a few of the neighbors...)

 

[Alix]

Murray is an amiable beast most of the time, but he is a bit dominant. He gets riled when other dogs try to hump him and will give a quick snarl and snap if they try. That led to quite a tussle one day in the dog park with a Pyrenees. The kick and stick method worked for me. The owner of the other dog yelled at me but I still had the stick and a good head of rage built up...he left us alone right quick. You have to be pretty careful with the pepper spray thing here. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WIND DIRECTION! And make sure you know the local laws.

 

[Dawgluver]

We will be taking Sadie to visit her new "cousin" over Thanksgiving. He is a large young male mixed breed, newly adopted. Hoping they will get along. She doesn't much care for big males, unless she's known them from small puppies. She's kind of the neighborhood alpha, and will let other big males know she's not interested with a snap, but no attack or fighting. They always back off! When we got her from the pound, she had just had a litter, and we have a feeling things weren't consensual. We're bringing her crate just in case.

 

[pacanis]

We will be taking Sadie to visit her new "cousin" over Thanksgiving. He is a large young male mixed breed, newly adopted. Hoping they will get along. She doesn't much care for big males, unless she's known them from small puppies. She's kind of the neighborhood alpha, and will let other big males know she's not interested with a snap, but no attack or fighting. They always back off! When we got her from the pound, she had just had a litter, and we have a feeling things weren't consensual. We're bringing her crate just in case.

Unless she was tied down, which is done sometimes with dominant breeds to have a "natural" breeding, it was consensual. From all I have heard a female won't let herself get mounted if she isn't ready.

 

[Dawgluver]

Unless she was tied down, which is done sometimes with dominant breeds to have a "natural" breeding, it was consensual. From all I have heard a female won't let herself get mounted if she isn't ready.

Then she lied to me.

We had her spayed when we got her.

 

[pacanis]

Then she lied to me.

We had her spayed when we got her.

I swear, they'll tell you what you want to hear.