I got attacked tonight, I'm soooo shaken up!

Any tips on how to deal with it if it comes up with another dog?  As I said, there were no warning signs.  He seemed more relaxed than most of the dogs I walk, and was not jumping around or doing and play bows with me.  A lot of them will snap at my hands or grab the leash and tug it, kinda jump around and get all excited, but there was nothing preceding the attack.  How can I make them stop?  I had zero control and he was as big as me.  I turned away and cowered but he still kept coming.  Usually when I play with them in the pens, if I don't respond to them jumping around and chasing me down, they just stop, but it's like the more I shut down the harder he bit and the longer he held on.

Wow wow wow.  Holy cow.  I'm so sorry this happened and agree with much of what's been posted.  I also commend you for your composure.  I would have probably gotten mad and fought him!
 
I also thought that it sounded like totally obnoxious puppy play behavior.  When I first got Cole at 17 months, he was so mouthy during play he left my arms bruised.  I think he needs to have a behavioral evaluation for rehab, and should not be adopted out until folks have time to assess and try to work with him.  I wouldn't give him a death sentence just yet.  Dogs know how strong their jaws are and I really think that if he was attacking you, you would have broken skin and needed stitches.  That said, I also have no experience with redirected aggression, either.  Perhaps your conversation with the behaviorist can work out a few "setup" situations for Wally to see his behavior.
 
If he is an FCR or a Lab, and he is relatively young and not getting much exercise, he may well have just been wild when you took him out on his walk.  It might even be as simple as giving him some really good hard runs during the day to take the edge off that energy. 

it's hard to say. Standing up very tall, arms held tightly to sides, legs together, trying not to move or make eye contact with him, and screaming in pain every time his jaws hit you MIGHT have stopped him-- of course if he was really trying to get you that posture would have left your vitals wide open for attack. Sometimes whispering (not shouting) SIT can have a remarkable calming effect on out-of-control dogs.

Liesje you are to be commended for your coolness under attack. I think you are handling the whole thing really well.

No one has returned my calls or e-mails yet.  My husband got the number and is going to call them later if they don't call back b/c he saw part of the attack.  Maybe he can shed more light on what instigated it.  I don't want to press the issue, but I feel like there has to be some protocol, like and incident report or something, and I don't want to go against their policies.  If they require that I see their doctor, I'd like to know about it.  I really don't think there's going to be anything wrong, it's just very bruised and very sore, but the bruising is all under the skin.  There's no swelling (like, my arm is not getting bigger).  I did find one bit where he broke a little skin, but not enough to bleed, just a superficial scratch.  I'll e-mail my mom and let her know the fleece she bought me for Christmas likely saved me a trip to the ER for stitches!!

We're going back in for our regular shift tomorrow morning.  I said I'm only walking the Dachshunds hehe, and my husband said we'll choose dogs we already know and walk together.

Wow, so you had on two layers of clothing?  And he still bruised you that badly.  Hmm, that makes me rethink my comments about his behavior.  Sounds like he would probably have broken skin if it was flesh contact.  Dang. 

Wow, so you had on two layers of clothing? And he still bruised you that badly. Hmm, that makes me rethink my comments about his behavior. Sounds like he would probably have broken skin if it was flesh contact. Dang.

Yes, I was wearing a big t-shirt (sized too big so where he was biting the hardest on my elbow and upper arms would have been covered) and then a fleece coat over that.  There's no bite marks on my hands, which he snapped many times, but I wear thick leather gloves all the time now because many dogs snap at our hands or miss when going after a toy or treat.  I've been bit on the hand many times by the excited dogs, so I learned my lesson and got gloves.  Those dogs were just playing.  My ribs on my left side under my armpit are also sore, he may have muzzle punched me a few times, I'm not really sure because I kept instinctively turning to cover my face with my arms.  The bruises were pink/yellow but now they are turning deep red and purple, but I think they'll be fine on their own.  I'll just take some ibuprofen later.  My back is really sore, but I think that's from having to keep hold of the lead, I don't think he bit my back, just on the side where my ribs are.

Thanks for everyone's support, insight, and suggestions!  I really hope they call soon so I can just do what I need to do and get over it.

they have had plenty of time to call you back - assume no-one checked the messages and call them again

Oh wow! I'm glad that your okay! That must be scary , I'm actually going to start volunteering at a rescue...hmmmn

Wow...Carefull..!

Ali

Sometimes whispering (not shouting) SIT can have a remarkable calming effect on out-of-control dogs.

 
Reading this reminded me very much of how my rescue lab, Sassy was when we brought her home.  She was about 2 y.o. and about 75 lbs.  I swear there was one evening when I was in the backyard with her that I felt petrified and thought to myself "we've rescued Cujo".  The way you describe this dog as being somewhat calm in other respects, is exactly how Sassy was.  However, she would do the same heel-nipping and arm grabbing/biting.  On this one night, it seemed that I couldn't even take a few steps before she'd circle in front for an arm and then around back for my leg/ankle.  I pointed my finger at her and said "no bite" in my sternest voice and she bared her teeth and chattered back at me.  Right then, my other dog ran over and chased her off.  It worked then (later Sassy decided she didn't care for Buffy's scolding, but that's another story).  She wasn't near as bad as this dog, but perhaps our circumstances were different.  I found that calmly, but firmly asking her to come and sit was the only thing that helped.  Sometimes, I'd take a step and she'd amp up again, and I'd stop and have her sit again.  When she was obedient, I'd stop and pet her and that seemed to calm her down.  I'm not going to lie though.  It was really frightening for awhile and if I'd had children, I probably would've been much less patient and tolerant.  I think you handled it better than the majority of people would've and I hope you don't spend a minute second-guessing yourself.

Update -

I left work at 3:30 because my lower back started cramping and hurting so bad I couldn't sit any more.  The bruises are still getting bigger and darker, but now my muscles hurt more than anything.  My back is really sore from him pulling me down with his weight and the muscles in my arm feel all ripped up.  My husband is worried, but honestly I think the worst that could happen is he tore a muscle in my arm, something you can't fix besides letting it slowly heal.  If something was herniated or broken, I think I'd know by now.

My husband called the HS and the front desk people had no clue what to do and said to call the behaviorist, so he did and left a message (the same person I e-mailed last night).

I got an e-mail back from the new volunteer coordinator and she was very apologetic and we're arranging to meet with the behaviorist.  They said since I didn't need medical attention I don't need to fill out a report, but I think I should anyway because it's not really about me, it's about a dog that seriously could have harmed someone.  We have kids as young as 8 that come and volunteer to walk dogs.  The behaviorist also called my husband back and left a VM saying she got the message and we'd talk about it.

I did not ask about Wally b/c it's not my responsibility to be saying one way or the other about what should happen with him.  I'm trying not to care because what's done is done and the trained professionals will have to make their decisions, I'm just the dog walker.


Cakana, what you described does sound very similar, except that once Wally started, there was no time to say or do anything.  He just latched on and pulled so hard.   I don't really know how to explain it, it was just different.  My uncle's lab is hyper and playful and she's always charging us and snapping at our arms, feet, and hands, especially if we have a toy or leash (actually most of the dogs at the HS are like this), but there was something about last night with Wally that was different.  He was just on me the whole time, I never had a chance to pull his leash or say anything.  I don't know what set him off.

I'd still go to the doctor if I were you.  If something serious (and expensive) crops up later and you never went to the doc, their insurance will probably fight paying for it.

Having suffered dog bites in the past....if you are sore for any more than a couple days, see a doctor. It's natural to feel a little sore from being manhandled (or doghandled) and falling, and also the adrenaline that such an experience sends through your body can make you feel a little funky for a couple days. But beyond that, it would not be normal and could signal a problem. Besides, a doctor can give you some muscle relaxers and/or painkillers to make the healing process more pleasant.

Thank you for the update. 
 
I agree, you should fill out a report.  And I also think that, if you left work early due to pain, then you DO need medical attention, and you should get it, and the shelter should pay for it.  .
 
I also think that while it's not your call what happens to the dog, I personally would want to get an assurance that, if he was still adopted out, the new family was fully informed of the situation.  I think you'd be totally reasonable to ask for assurances that nobody is taking this dog home unaware that he is dangerous.  If it were me I would want to know that for sure. 

I left work at 3:30 because my lower back started cramping and hurting so bad I couldn't sit any more.

I hate to say this, but tomorrow will probably be worse.  The second day after a strain is when you really start finding out how bad it is.
 
The shelter should have told you what doctor to see if you started feeling worse.  I think they still don't understand the extent of your injuries!!
 
The behaviorist is a female - right?  Take her in the bathroom and strip to the waist, so she can see all the bruises.  It may be a bit embarrassing, but the behaviorist needs to understand the severity of the attack.