Dog Community

Need dog advice fast!

Posted : 11/15/2006 1:45:20 PM

My Sassy is a 3 lb yorkie and love of my life (I'm sure you all can relate). 3 days ago we experienced a tragic accident. I was walking her when a neighbor's 50+lb dog attacked her. (he was off a leash) I grabbed her up in my arms and twisted around away from the dog, but it came around and bit her. After hitting the dog to get him off my little one, I ran inside. It all happened so quickly. I was so upset. I took Sassy to the vet and it seems all is okay with no damage.

Problem: SHE WON'T STOP BARKING NOW!!! I always took pride in the fact i thought i had the only non-"yappy" little dog, but since the attack 3 days ago, she will not stop barking. Even before the attack she knew "quiet" and would stop immediately. Now she just ignores me and keeps yapping. I'm sick of hearing her bark and now a neighbor has now complained of her barking while i was at work. WHAT DO I DO??? WHEN WILL SHE STOP? :-(

~desperate housedog.

Xerxes

Posted : 11/15/2006 2:10:22 PM

Is she barking at something? Or just barking at nothing?

If it's at something, then you could try gradual desensitization. She's had a very traumatic experience it's going to take a while to recover fully.

I am sending good vibes for you and your little one!

espencer

Posted : 11/15/2006 2:44:59 PM

Well it will take a little bit of time to forget what happened, is really important that you dont feel sorry for her because that will slow the "healing" process, use the NILF program and that would help you and her to move on

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Posted : 11/15/2006 2:47:31 PM

ORIGINAL: espencer

Well it will take a little bit of time to forget what happened, is really important that you dont feel sorry for her because that will slow the "healing" process, use the NILF program and that would help you and her to move on

Defintly agrred! Dont coddle her our she'll think her behavior is ok and everytiem she see's a big dog she is going to freak out

jjsmom06

Posted : 11/15/2006 3:07:10 PM

Patience is the advice I would like to offer...my last greyhound got attacked by a neighbor dog. He WAS seriously injured with $1000's of dollars worth of vet bills and surgery. He had 4 drainage tube that we had to clean 4 times a day for a month and he would quiver and cry everytime he we had to inject the betadyne solution into the wounds. It was absolutely horrible.

It took him quite some time before I could get him to even walk in our neighborhood again. He was my poor spooky boy and this incident changed his personality toward other dogs he saw. He was always on gaurd, had developed a "voice" when he saw other dogs walking by the house.

reviously I heard him bark maybe once in his life.

Becky Riddle

Posted : 11/15/2006 8:57:18 PM

Thank you all for the great advice.

Xerxes,
No, she's not barking at anything in particular and it seems as if the barking actually gets worse when I'm not around. Even tonight she seemed fine until I took a shower and then she just barked non-stop at nothing until she realized I was in the house. Thank you for your help.

espencer and sheprano,
Thank you for your quick responses and good advice. I'm glad you caught me in time. Today I've been starting to cuddle her and reasure her that everything's ok by holding her when she acts out. I will stop. Is this like the thing you're supposed to do with babies...just let them cry until they realize they cant get attention that way? Thanks!

jjsmom,
Its never good to hear that someone else's dog has been attacked. My dog wasn't even supposedly hurt and I freaked. I can't even imagine your courage. I hope he continues to get better. I know I hope Sassy gets over whatever she's going through. I guess I've been "humanizing" her thinking "what would I want if I'd been bitten" but I must be thinking about it the wrong way. I know what you're talking about as far as "the voice". I don't like to hear it. It's almost a combination of fear and aggression. I've never heard her bark like it before. Good luck to you and your baby.