I was out with my 5 month old pup last night for a walk and as we walked past a house in my street, a small dog came running out of its back garden growling and attacked my pup. It grabbed onto Tysons back leg and wouldnt let go!! Tyson didnt even see him coming and was turning around and around to see what was biting him. The little dog didnt let go!! My Oh and i were trying to seperate them, but they wouldnt stay still. Luckily the little dog let go when its owners daughter just happened to be coming down the street and she told it off, and then it ran away into the house. Then the owner came out holding the little dog laughing!!! He said "a big dog like that surely isnt scared of my little dog?!" I couldnt beleive it!! Tyson didnt do anything to his dog, even while it was biting him!! He didnt even growl!! I think it all happened too quickly and he was a bit shocked.

I was wondering what i should do if it happens again and the owners arent there to stop it?? The dog was in its back garden and the gate was shut, but it squeezed out underneath it to get Tyson!! It isnt a very friendly dog because we can always hear it barking like mad from inside its house, when we go past. And it once tryed to bit my OH, before we got our pup. Does anyone have any advice on what i should do, because i am a bit worried about taking Tyson out by myself incase the dog comes out again. Thanks in advance.

Sorry for the long post. ;-)

Aah, poor Tyson! I hate little dog owners who think its funny to let their dog attack bigger dogs. My boy (and he's a good bit smaller than Tyson will be) suffers this all the time and has never so much as growled back. He always just looks a bit confused by it and, thankfully, has never been hurt.

Not sure what you should do. Maybe you could point out to the owner that if their dog can squeeze under the gate to get Tyson then it can certainly squeeze under the gate, run out on the road and get killed by a car, or involved in a fight with a bigger dog that will retaliate.

Other than that, I would wait until Tyson is fully grown, take him round to the house and encourage him to sit on her lap See if she finds that funny ;)

Thanks ShaynLola. My OH thought it was strange that Tyson didnt do anything, but it isnt in his nature...he is such a softy!! :-)

I think i will pop round later and let them know their dog can escsape and see what they say.

Couldn't you just take a different route and avoid that particularly house? 

Well for one Im sure if Tyson had given somethng back the owners wouldnt have been laughing!

If the dog has tried to bite your OH and is continually aggressive I would post a letter to the owners telling them that if they dont make sure there dog is secured in the house then you will report it to the Police, Dog wardan or local council.
It sounds to me like a menace.

I had this problem a few years ago, a Westie came running across the road to attcak my little Staffy pup and very narrowly missed being hit by a van. It was only that I grabbed its collar and held onto it whilst it was snarling and holding my pup in the air that saved the nasty little things life!

You can warn them that its not only attacking dogs and animals its liable to be run over, stolen etc..

Thanks for the advice Blondiflops, I was in shock too i think. My son was there aswell and he got a bit of a fright! :-( I think the dog is likely to attack any size of dog, it was only as big as Tysons head!! If Tyson had done anything back, then i am sure the owners would have said my "big" dog was to blame! :-( Its not as if i could pick Tyson up to help him...he weighs about 6 stone!! I cant even avoid the house as we live across from it!

Well I'd have a polite word with the owners and tell them it isnt on, for the safety of the dog if anything! If it can escape whats to stop it being run over???

If the owners take no notice and the dog done it again, it would be getting a size 6 up its bum!!

>>If the owners take no notice and the dog done it again, it would be getting a size 6 up its bum!!>>

LOL thats exactly what my OH said i should do if it happens again!! Or pick the little dog up by its scruff and give it back!! I wasnt sure if i could cause more trouble by doing this. But if it came to it and Tyson was getting hurt, i would do anything to help him!! It just really upsets me that because of Tysons size, everyone thinks he should automatically be the "dangerous" one!!

Just a thought Mackleback.  Some little dogs are terrors (I have one) and seem to make up for their size by trying to terrorize dogs 5 or 6 times their size.  Mine definitely can't get out of the garden, though, and luckily I live in the country so meet very few dogs on walks. 

if it happens again couldn't you do something like threaten the owners with having a dog out of control under the dda,or contact the police or dog warden.

Haha , sorry just had to laugh! I had the same situation when 2 westies came and tried to attacking 2 of my dogs during a walk. They had them by their tails and my boys turned around knocked them down with their paws and starting humping them!

Carry a small plastic bottle filled with water or  something that makes a loud noise,  then when the dog comes running up to you.......dont say anything .......just squirt it with the water, or drop the object onto the ground ..........  I have found that the water is usually the best deterant..... as it will shock the little mite, and make him think twice before he does it again.......

And if the owner of the other dog has something to say, then just say something like....."well i dont like anything coming to close, as Tyson has a rare skin complaint and its very contagious"     They will soon pick their dog up and move away.

Great tip jackbox! :D I will definately try it out!! Thanks. :-)

I think if Tyson had retaliated and was on a lead and the other dog was not they would of been in trouble not you and Tyson,hope he is ok might be worth a diplomatic word if poss.

Thanks 1maximillion. I think i will have a word later on and see what they say. Tyson is absolutely fine, we had to walk back past the house on the way home last night and he didnt even look in that direction. :-) I checked his leg too, and it is fine. Thank goodness. I think i am more traumatised by it than he is!!! :D (my son is a bit scared to go past the house though :-( )

Not surprised i would be a bit worried about having to go past again,theres a yorkie at the marina where we keep our boat and that flies up to Zanta barking and snarling,all dogs are meant to be on leads there aswell,she looks slightly bemused my Oh said i will be saying something to him if he keeps this up (we know him from a previous marina) he was on a lead the other day little girl had him but he still flew toward our boat and Zanta decided to stand on the back and bark back they then kept him well away.Glad to hear Tyson isnt traumatised sorry to hear you and your son are though.Do hoppe it sorts itself out nothing worse when something spoils your activities.