Hi Guys

My poor cavalier king charles spaniel pup, who is 8 months had a really bad attack on Sunday by a bullmastiff dog, who picked her up in his mouth a gave her a shake.  Our pup was on the lead and so was the bullmastiff, but my hubby came around the corner and it just went for her.  The dog was just too strong for the owners to control and my hubby ended up on the floor being pulled along trying to get it off of her.  She hurt her leg and has two great holes in her chest (vet said she was very lucky it didn't puncture her lungs, as she is very narrow).  Hubby took the name and address which subsequently were false.  Never seen this dog before, and can't believe that nothing can be done as it is a dog on dog attack. It makes me so mad!!!!

Anyway, took her for a walk today and she just wasn't herself. She coward when she saw other dogs.   Refused to walk anywhere near the area where the attack happened. Dilemma is I have an arrangement to walk her with my friends two labs on Thursday, do I go or leave it another week or so?  She has walked with these two dogs since 12 weeks.

Its such a shame, because we have tried really hard to ensure that she is not scared of other dogs ( our last cav was), and she was so confident, but now all our hard work has just flown out of the window.

Should I go or not???

If she has two large holes in her chest AND an injured leg, do you think it's wise taking her a walk at all
Wouldn't she require a bit more time ....... 

she will be feeling extremely vulnerable with those injuries... I ditto Teri.
Best wishes for your little Girl x

The main thing is not to sympathise with her when she shows nervousness...this will just reinforce the behaviour.Walk confidently and encourage her along with a light confident voice.
Archer 

In most cases its best to get back out there asap to fill their little heads with fond memories again to wipe out the bad. As Teri said though it might be best to rest her up for a while longer. If you are really keen to get back out, please seek your vets advice first (if you havent already :)).

It will vary from dog to dog but just picturing the situation in my head, 2 dogs might be a bit much for her. Why dont you try bringing one dog into your home to begin with? She may feel safer in her house with you close by and can take her time to reaquaint herself with her doggy friends again. You could then bring in the second dog on the same day or later on depending on how she is doing and then try a short walk.

Depending on her injuries you could try a short walk and then just sit on a bench and let her wander a little rather than trying to walk her round your usual route.

Whatever you decide, I wouldnt push it after such a horrific attack.

Im so sorry for you all, you must have been terrified.I had a similar experience last year when a lab attacked my dog and its so frightening. I hope shes on the mend soon and im sure shes young enough to shake off this bad experience, given enough time. Let us know how you get on.

xxx

what an awful thing to happen, I hope she gets better soon.

my dog when she had a hip operation was very aware of how weal she was, and knew she coulnt defend herself if she met other more boisterous dogs, so i think that your dog needs to recover fully so she feels strong inside and ready to meet other dogs.

after 3 months my dog is strong again and loves meeting dogs

Actually, my friend is having problems with the police and a dog to dog attack, although i previously thought the police didn't deal with it. The other woman is claiming that my friends dogs attacked the dog in a similar way (although there is reason to believe they didnt), but the police has taken it very seriously and it is going to court. ITs not a criminal offence, but apparrently it is a civil offence or something like that.

The fact that it was a dog on dog attack may not make it an ofence however it is a criminal offence under the DDA to have a dog that is not under control and so I would think they could be prosecuted on that count
Archer

Very sorry to hear about your poor Cav. It is absolutely devastating what has happend, I dare say your husband is having nightmares about what happened too.

If your pup is well enough, I agree with the others get her back out there.

My thoughts are with you.

Hi Cairo,
I know how you feel. Molly (3yr old ckcs) was attacked by my friends patterdale terrier only luckily the attack wasn't as bad as yours suffered. It was still enough to shake her up. She went from being the most friendly dog who'd seem put out if someone walked past her and loving all dogs to cowering and hiding behind me if we saw another dog. It took a chance encounter with a yorkie to bring her round. I was walking the girls when out of the bushes popped a little yorkie who obviously wanted to see Molly. Molly froze and dropped to the floor but then realised thatyorkie just wanted to say hello. Mollys confidence grew from then and although with some dogs she is wearily she is almost back to normal. It showed me how important it was to get her out and meeting other dogs again.
Wishing yours a speedy recovery.
Marie, Molly and Freya

Thanks Guys

Yes you are right, have cancelled walk for this week with the two labs, as this walk is off the lead running around the fields.  Just giving her a 5 minutes at a time at the moment to break her in gently, but still not a happy girl