We didn't even make it a year since his last loose dog attack!
Late January it happened again on one of our evening dog walks - a loose dog with a history of reactivity came running almost a block and immediately tried to attack Rowan.
This time he actually came out the "winner" of the dog attack...
...because the other dog was only about 15lbs...
The owner had dropped the leash while picking up poop, didn't even try to call his loose dog back after I yelled at him to, and barely apologized as he shuffled past us following his dog home.
Unfortunately in dog fights, there isn't really any "winner", both dogs lose...
I'm not proud of all the yelling I did - at the owner, at the dog, at the owner again...
But I am proud of Rowan.
He wasn't afraid that the dog running up to him was going to attack, he waited until the dog actually went after him before responding.
And he didn't injure the dog in defending himself. (and yes, I did what I could to try and intervene before the dog even got to Rowan...)
Since last February's dog attack by the loose malamute (see the story below) he has taken any dog running up to him as a potential attack - and responds to defend himself.
Even if the approaching dog is one of the many "he's friendly" loose dogs we encounter far too often...
Check out the upcoming blog posts for tips on keeping your dog safe and secure!
February 2024:
I wanted this to be a different type of post
I wanted to share some of the great progress that Rowan has made...
Instead, I get to share Rowan as “Exhibit A” in what can happen during encounters between two reactive dogs.
yes, that's blood...
.
This is what can happen when a reactive dog isn’t properly leashed.
This is what can happen when that loose dog runs a half-block and attacks your dog - showing that the dog is not only reactive, but an aggressive dog that is willing to hurt another dog.
I guess "technically" the other dog was leashed - she was harnessed to a sled and pulling some kids down the snowy street in front of her house.
But when the kids stepped off the sled there was no physical control of the dog.
.
I feel guilty that the other dog came out of the fight with worse injuries than my dog, even though they were about even in size & weight.
After receiving multiple bites to the face, Rowan bit and held onto the other dog.
This didn't have to happen
- why should both dogs pay the price for their failure to leash their dog?
Hug your pup tonight!