Scary Interaction With A Dog.

[asal]

I've had dogs charge me barking and growling unfriendly, a couple of times when I was on my bike. One of them, I just yelled deep and growly "BAD DOG GO HOME" and it did. The other one, I got off my bike and used it as a shield, and yelled at it "BAD DOG". The owners of that one got a bit upset, so I yelled at them too. You gotta love badly trained heelers. Sheesh.

Not sure what I'd do if it was a Rotty or GSD. But the minute you back off, they chase, so if you can advance, being taller, and louder than them - they might back off. And definitely have something ready to stuff in their mouth that isn't you. My plan for if a nasty dog does grab hold, is to push as hard as I can. Every dog (and horse) I've known that ever bit me, has tried to spit me out when I push, serious pain happens when I try to pull away. Your situation seemed too late for doggy calming signals like no eye contact, licking lips and yawning. But I like the idea of aeroguard / body spray to the dogs eyes too. I just never carry any when I'm out walking. Sigh.

I sure hope that dog gets caught.

the push if your bitten works well on ferrets too. as we discovered with daughters pet one. took a while but he finally learned, bite n the bit bitten, starts trying to burrow down your throat n aint nice, comfy n downright HORRIBLE cause it wont spit out n even worse feel like your going to choke on it. worked a treat.

although its so hard to remind yourself DONT PULL away.

was astonished by a vet once. he accidently needle stuck himself. the reaction... besides instaniously throwing the hand as far and fast as possilble , resulting in his hitting the wall so hard looked like he might have broken a few fingers... left me wondering do you flinch that badly and violently if u get nipped?

know a few of mine would think this is a real fun game in the making, neddys included,,, hunt the flying fingers... crossed him off my list. so no idea if he's learned better.

what worried me, the poor pup went flying too, had to catch it in mid air???

Edited September 28, 2010 by asal

[percyk]

glad it ended all right but what an experience

hopefully your daughter wont suffer from it longterm

as for teaching what to do...you did the right thing with the bag

i guess if a dog starts to attack...you teach your child to lie down and cover her head ...lie still ...at least her vital organs and head are covered

but thats almost too horrific to even contemplate

boy oh boy

hopefully something will be done about the dog

it was quick-thinking to alert the school...good on you

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I've stuck a compass needle through my finger and didn't flinch or automatically twitch.

I understand if you electrocute your hand it will grab the wire automatically and then you die. Or something like that. Like the spasm is involuntary and makes the problem worse.

It is possible to learn and practice over riding panic impulses. It's a bad idea to scuba dive if you can't learn this. Hence freeze is a better option than flight, ie freeze - think - act works well in a lot of situations. But not all.

You just don't know how well you've trained yourself until it happens though. And it's almost impossible to train little kids to stand still and quiet, instead of their automatic or even deliberate response to run away screaming like a wounded rabbit. I had to explain to two oblivious parents on our off lead dog park how dangerous their kids deliberate teasing of a dog was. My dog was freaked out by their squealing and ran the other way, but other dogs have been known to eat children that behave that way. I also think the parents didn't realise that a dog has a defence if it attacks as a result of being teased.