Dog attack leading to anxiety and aggression! HELP!

cwinkler340 · 03-03-2013, 09:59 AM

My Beautiful male 91 lbs GSD was attacked by full grown two Akitas yesterday while we were on farm property (neighbor ( 1 mile away) dogs jumped their electric fence and went for a stroll our way) Thanks to all dogs having thick fur few injures were had on all sides, BUT shadow did have a tooth ripped out $650 dollars and an emergency vet visit later he's now on pain meds and antibiotics. Mostly what came from the fight was terror on our and Shadows part, he did a lot more running(whimpering) than fighting and I did a lot of screaming and chasing

I would say the fight was broken up within 2 minutes but mentally I think the damage was done.
His vet said he's fine to have an hour outside a day for the next 3 days.

So today on his first 15 minute trip outside he decides to nip at the neighbor dog over the fence and then stalk the fence up and down while also peeing all over his own dog house and blankets. And now that hes back inside he's obsessively pacing and whining to go outside. He has never been like this will it subside or escalate, what steps should I take to prevent any future problems! Thanks you!

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llombardo · 03-03-2013, 10:29 AM

Sounds like mentally he is still in that dog fight

The way you describe it, its like he wants revenge. I don't know if thats possible, but I'm guessing a dog can hold a grudge. Redirect him, do some short training exercises with him, get him around stable dogs he knows and learn to read him.

codmaster · 03-03-2013, 10:52 AM

Our great sympathy for both you and your dog! No real advice - except to see if you can find a good behaviorist to consult with. And take a good look at your dog - could be the symptoms are just a temporary reaction to the attack.

Maybe you can arrange to be able to bring your dog near (but not touching) the 2 Akitas and let your dog desensitize to them? I.E. behind a fence maybe?

What is the relationship with their owner?

GSD mum · 03-03-2013, 10:58 AM

Ouch! Poor babe with his tooth, I hope he heals quickly.

Dogs who are attacked always seem to handle it better if they aren't the only dog in the house, it gives them some clarity on how to handle the aftermath. A pack offer support.

He's going to need socialization with well-behaved dogs as soon as possible. Do you have any friends dogs that you know who he can play with, dogs who aren't aggressive? If not I'd hire a private trainer with hopes they have personal dogs you can do the socializing with.

GatorBytes · 03-03-2013, 01:11 PM

There is the possibility that your dog is feeling off b/c of - antibiotics and pain meds, abx. could be upsetting belly and pain meds might be making him feel funny...we have the cognitive ability to discern that meds are making us feel off...the dog does not and could be causing him stress.

perhaps cook and feed some turky (for tryptophan), 1/2 hr. prior to outings and use as high value treats as a distraction - naturally calming

brew a cup of camomile tea and add to water - will relax him

lavender essential oil - few drops (10) to a spritz bottle, and mist bedding, back of neck, or bandana, don't want too strong though - calming and keeps fleas away

volcano · 03-31-2013, 01:22 AM

Im not experienced, but I think its best to ignore it. Dont coddle the dog and act like this experience lasts forever. And id avoid the neighbors dogs and Id confront the neighbors and give them a warning that Id shoot their dog if it attacked on my property again. It sounds like youre in the country. If youre not up to shooting an attacking dog then at least have some strong pepperspray handy -foxlabs is good stuff.

03-03-2013, 09:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
cwinkler340 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 17	Possible aggression after dog fight My Beautiful male 91 lbs GSD was attacked by full grown two Akitas yesterday while we were on farm property (neighbor ( 1 mile away) dogs jumped their electric fence and went for a stroll our way) Thanks to all dogs having thick fur few injures were had on all sides, BUT shadow did have a tooth ripped out $650 dollars and an emergency vet visit later he's now on pain meds and antibiotics. Mostly what came from the fight was terror on our and Shadows part, he did a lot more running(whimpering) than fighting and I did a lot of screaming and chasing I would say the fight was broken up within 2 minutes but mentally I think the damage was done. His vet said he's fine to have an hour outside a day for the next 3 days. So today on his first 15 minute trip outside he decides to nip at the neighbor dog over the fence and then stalk the fence up and down while also peeing all over his own dog house and blankets. And now that hes back inside he's obsessively pacing and whining to go outside. He has never been like this will it subside or escalate, what steps should I take to prevent any future problems! Thanks you! color=gray]Sent from Petguide.com Free App[/color]

03-03-2013, 10:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,144	Sounds like mentally he is still in that dog fight The way you describe it, its like he wants revenge. I don't know if thats possible, but I'm guessing a dog can hold a grudge. Redirect him, do some short training exercises with him, get him around stable dogs he knows and learn to read him. __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Midnite-German Shepherd "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

03-03-2013, 01:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
GatorBytes Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,230	There is the possibility that your dog is feeling off b/c of - antibiotics and pain meds, abx. could be upsetting belly and pain meds might be making him feel funny...we have the cognitive ability to discern that meds are making us feel off...the dog does not and could be causing him stress. perhaps cook and feed some turky (for tryptophan), 1/2 hr. prior to outings and use as high value treats as a distraction - naturally calming brew a cup of camomile tea and add to water - will relax him lavender essential oil - few drops (10) to a spritz bottle, and mist bedding, back of neck, or bandana, don't want too strong though - calming and keeps fleas away __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. - Unknown

03-03-2013, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
codmaster Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California, US Posts: 5,928	Our great sympathy for both you and your dog! No real advice - except to see if you can find a good behaviorist to consult with. And take a good look at your dog - could be the symptoms are just a temporary reaction to the attack. Maybe you can arrange to be able to bring your dog near (but not touching) the 2 Akitas and let your dog desensitize to them? I.E. behind a fence maybe? What is the relationship with their owner?

03-03-2013, 10:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
GSD mum Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,565	Ouch! Poor babe with his tooth, I hope he heals quickly. Dogs who are attacked always seem to handle it better if they aren't the only dog in the house, it gives them some clarity on how to handle the aftermath. A pack offer support. He's going to need socialization with well-behaved dogs as soon as possible. Do you have any friends dogs that you know who he can play with, dogs who aren't aggressive? If not I'd hire a private trainer with hopes they have personal dogs you can do the socializing with.

03-31-2013, 01:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
volcano Master Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 523	Im not experienced, but I think its best to ignore it. Dont coddle the dog and act like this experience lasts forever. And id avoid the neighbors dogs and Id confront the neighbors and give them a warning that Id shoot their dog if it attacked on my property again. It sounds like youre in the country. If youre not up to shooting an attacking dog then at least have some strong pepperspray handy -foxlabs is good stuff.

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