Maggie Mae attacked but recovering

[monik7]

The man should not have kicked the dog. I cannot imagine ever kicking a dog but not having been there, I don't know if the man had any other option to protect himself and his dog.

One time when I was walking my dog, a dog came running from across the street and attacked my dog biting her stomach. My first reaction was to stick my foot out as he was coming in an attempt to keep him away. Maybe that's what the man was doing too. You never know. But if a dog is attacking my dog, I would do whatever necessary to the aggressor to save her. I would be mindful, however, of the size of the aggressor. One time when I was 12 or 13, a neighborhood trouble-making dog attacked my Australian Shepherd, Trigger. I actually grabbed the skin on the dog's back with both hands and threw him about 15 feet (and it was not a small dog). Adrenalin is a great thing in these situations. End of attack!
Sandi

[rvgrammy1953]

As those who have met Spinner, know that he likes every dog or person he meets....but he is always on leash, which I fully support, at all public places.....That being said, we will let him off leash at the following places....Doggy Day Care where all dogs are "temperament" tested for group play, (great one here at Ft. Stewart and since he's a social butterfly there, he is used as their temperament testing dog when he's there.), my family's farm at home when we visit, fenced in yards when we visit family/friends who have them, and empty fields where he's the only dog present....Being a Jack Russell, he needs to run, jump, etc.... These are all places where I know he's is watched, where we know the other dogs, and we have control......Dog Parks are always a question for us...and have only used them when he's the only dog or we have introduced him to the other dogs (no more than 1 or 2) in the park. We're leery of public dog parks with lots of dogs. ...But when none of the above is available, a long daily walk with frequent potty trips are done and inside play with his "tug-toy".....which is his favorite thing to do as it's a game for him & his daddy-dog...

It works for us and that's the end of my 2 cents....

[retiredhappy]

So glad Maggie is going to be okay. I, too, don't like dog parks. There are always people who "think" their dogs are okay when they're not. And my pet peeve is people who let their dogs run loose in RV parks and often its the park managers/owners whose dog is loose. My two big labs were charged by a small dog once and when they tried to also lunge forward they pulled me face-first into the gravel.

[Dawn309]

The man should not have kicked the dog. I cannot imagine ever kicking a dog but not having been there, I don't know if the man had any other option to protect himself and his dog.

One time when I was walking my dog, a dog came running from across the street and attacked my dog biting her stomach. My first reaction was to stick my foot out as he was coming in an attempt to keep him away. Maybe that's what the man was doing too. You never know. But if a dog is attacking my dog, I would do whatever necessary to the aggressor to save her. I would be mindful, however, of the size of the aggressor. One time when I was 12 or 13, a neighborhood trouble-making dog attacked my Australian Shepherd, Trigger. I actually grabbed the skin on the dog's back with both hands and threw him about 15 feet (and it was not a small dog). Adrenalin is a great thing in these situations. End of attack!
Sandi

Sandi, I too would do whatever it took to protect my dogs. Sure did not mean to imply I wouldn't. If that meant I had to kick or pick up and throw a dog attacking mine, I would with no hesitation. My dogs are not aggressive and think all other dogs and any person they meet is there to be their friend. I hope they never experience anything to change that. I try to keep them from any situation that might harm them.

[Redwahine]

This is why I carry pepper spray in my pocket when walking Tyler. I know Tyler's responses, but you never know what the other dog will do!! Pepper spray is what mail people use

[Acadianmom]

At one time we had up to 3 dogs that ran lose on the farm and a boston terrier house dog. There were seldom any dog fights unless something started by the house dog. Once they find their pecking order there wasn't much trouble. We never had any injuries that needed a vet. After my DH started getting trained dogs they stay in a kennel unless someone is with them. They cost too much money to let them run lose and they will be constantly after the cattle or the horse.

A neighbors dog attacked my 4 year old son and I had to get the police involved to get them to come up with shot records for the dog. After that I was afraid one would get bit when we were traveling. Most kids want to pet a dog and don't think about what could happen. Yesterday at the vet's office there was a lady with a dog and 3 kids. She was busy with the dog and the kids were all over the office trying to pet everything that came in. There are 3 cats that are usually in the waiting room. One of the cats had enough and tried to bite.

I would be afraid of what my dog could catch or pick up in a dog park. You never know what they might find and eat.

Martha

[monik7]

The man should not have kicked the dog. I cannot imagine ever kicking a dog but not having been there, I don't know if the man had any other option to protect himself and his dog.

One time when I was walking my dog, a dog came running from across the street and attacked my dog biting her stomach. My first reaction was to stick my foot out as he was coming in an attempt to keep him away. Maybe that's what the man was doing too. You never know. But if a dog is attacking my dog, I would do whatever necessary to the aggressor to save her. I would be mindful, however, of the size of the aggressor. One time when I was 12 or 13, a neighborhood trouble-making dog attacked my Australian Shepherd, Trigger. I actually grabbed the skin on the dog's back with both hands and threw him about 15 feet (and it was not a small dog). Adrenalin is a great thing in these situations. End of attack!
Sandi

Sandi, I too would do whatever it took to protect my dogs. Sure did not mean to imply I wouldn't. If that meant I had to kick or pick up and throw a dog attacking mine, I would with no hesitation. My dogs are not aggressive and think all other dogs and any person they meet is there to be their friend. I hope they never experience anything to change that. I try to keep them from any situation that might harm them.

Dawn: Please know I didn't think you were implying you wouldn't protect your dogs. I think most people would because we love "our babies."
Sandi

[OutandAbout]

I'm so glad to hear that Maggie Mae is recovering from her ordeal. I'm not a fan of the dog parks either, too much unknown. Linda

[AlmostThere]

Hope your Maggie has recovered.
The same day this was posted I, too, took my dog to an off-leash dog park for the first time. It was a bit scary, probably for me mostly, because I could see potential for problems. There was a second smaller area fenced off for smaller dogs, but it was off in the corner and in the open. The rest of the park trail wound through trees etcs. That said, the park itself was pretty much dogs running everywhere, and most were large. I was very proud of my little guy as he minded real well and seemed to know when to walk past/look disinterested in some of the more rowdy types. If any dogs rushed us my little guy hid behind my legs where I kept a hand on his harness if I needed to scoop him up. None acted aggressive, just wanted to rough-house. Most people picked up after their dogs, but some didn't even though there were plenty of free bags and garbage cans offered. My biggest turn-off was what grass there was was saturated in urine. I was imagining what disease/bacteria was lurking there. There was a gravel/dirt path but what dog stays on that when off leash especially to go potty? I did give Choco a good bath when I got home and have no plans of ever returning to the park.

[Irmi]

Joan, I'm so sorry this happened and hope Maggie continues to heal. She is such a sweet dog and didn't deserve that.

[Sandersmr]

I hope my namesake will be ok.

I'm of the other view in dog parks. I love them because Jazz can go full-tilt. My yard isn't long enough for her to get a good head of steam and when we were traveling, it was one of the few times they could be off-leash. Oscar is used to being the biggest and was surprised when he was rolled by a Great Dane wanting to play and I had to watch Jazz as she wanted to play with the smaller dogs. But all the owners at the park in Cottonwood, AZ were attentive to their own dogs - as it should be. And the only issue I have had with the local dog park is it's clear on the other side of town - about 10 miles away so it's a pain to take my 2 very often.

But my home town has a licensing law in addition to the other requirements. The main purpose of the licensing law (besides being a money maker for the city) is to ensure the animals are up to date on their vaccinations.

[Bethers]

Maggie, I like dog parks also. It doesn't mean you don't need to be diligent, but boy do I love seeing my dogs run free and socialize.

Many don't realize this, but the dog in a dog park on a leash is the one most likely to become hurt. Dogs feel insecure when they are on the leash around the others and that helps make them a target. And they are a target that can't get away, so they make sounds that sometimes bring on the other dog in an aggressive fashion that most often wouldn't happen off a leash.

Dogs above is speaking of past and present dogs I've served.

[MrsHomeSweetRoam]

Poor Maggie.

We've been there and done that. We decided to stop going to dog parks and it's been about a year...but this weekend we saw a park here in Texas (new here) and it looked very well designed and HUGE - so we decided to give it a try.

We only partake if there is a separate area for big and small dogs- huge plus if there is an area for the big dogs to go if they don't like the big dog area (instead of taking the big dog to the little dog area!...where problems arise)

Most the issues are that people do not understand and know dog body language and they don't follow their dog around to ensure it's behavior.

HOpe she heals well and your nerves calm.

[linann]

Joan,
This was terrible to read. I cannot imagine how frightening it was for Maggie and you. Agree that dog parks are too risky, especially for a small dog like Maggie. I hope she heals quickly and is not in pain anymore.

[Getupngo]

Dear Maggie Mae,

Glad you are feeling better after that mean dog bit you. That must have been scary. My mom takes me to the dog park here at the old folks home, but most of the time I get nervous and just want her to hold me. One time the big dogs got so crazy chasing around that one just about bowled my mom over. So now we go into the small dog section. But boy, it always looks like more fun on the big-dog side.

Annie