Tootsie was attacked!!

Poor Tootsie!

Pitties are essentially a great, big, powerful terrier with a potential to have a BIG prey drive.  In the hands of an inexperienced owner they can be very, very dangerous.  OTOH they can be wonderfully docile and sweet.

We often joke that our minpin has the heart of a pit bull, he has gone after other dogs before (which we have socialized and trained him to not do, hopefully).  Any breed or mix can be potententially dangerous.

hope Tootsie is ok.

 I know about prey drive. Tootsie was standing completely still, not even looking at the dog, with her back to him or her. So it had nothing to do with her being prey. When a dog comes tearing around a corner with a football in its mouth and sees Tootsie, drops the ball, changes direction and goes straight for Toots, pins her against the building and bites her making her bleed, something is wrong. Any normal, well socialized dogs would not do this.Can you tell I'm a little ticked? If you've ever seen your dog get pinned and mauled for no reason then you'll understand. Its the worst thing you'll ever see.

It must have been terrifying for you and Tootsie.  I hope she's ok.  

 Shamrockmommy are you saying that because there is a potential for prey drive, this should be expected? I am very defensive about this because in no way was my on-leash dog at fault.

tiffy

 Shamrockmommy are you saying that because there is a potential for prey drive, this should be expected? I am very defensive about this because in no way was my on-leash dog at fault.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.  I have a German shepherd who for the past 11 months has been trained in prey drive every day.  The dog has insane ball drive.  For young dogs that don't know the "out" (drop/release command) the trainer gets the ball back by holding the dog's front feet off the ground by a thick flat collar or the scruff of their neck.  Once it took Nikon over two minutes to release his ball.  When I put on his harness and leash him to a tree, he starts barking at any toy he sees.  Very easy to train and work in prey drive because he absolutely lights up without the human even needing to wave or jerk the toy around.  We had to cut his flirt pole toy to piece because he gets out of his mind in prey drive for that toy, too high a level to even work flashy obedience.  Anyway, the point is that however my dog reacts and however he is trained is MY responsibility to manage and control.  My dog will walk on a leash in the neighborhood around other dogs and ignore them.  He is in dog shows where the other intact males are literally inches from his nose and tail and he does nothing.  Because of how he is being trained, he is *never* off leash unless we are on private property with no other dogs/pets/people (or we are on the training field training off lead).  I can control my dog, I can call him back (actually if he's off leash he doesn't really leave my side anyway), but we have leash laws around here and if the dog is already leashed trained, I see no reason to be walking around public areas with my dog off lead.

Prey drive and attacking another dog is not the same thing.  I've been to Sieger shows where we have over 400 intact German shepherds who are ALL being trained or already titled in Schutzhund (which uses prey drive) and I've never seen a dog fight at a dog show and these dogs do perform tests and gaiting in the ring with other dogs off lead.

There is no excuse for what the dog did to Tootsie.  It's no reason to be banning breeds or whatever, but that owner has shown he can't or doesn't care to manage and control his dog.

tiffy

 Shamrockmommy are you saying that because there is a potential for prey drive, this should be expected? I am very defensive about this because in no way was my on-leash dog at fault.

I think she was just commenting on the fact that people don't think of pit bulls as terriers.  It's not acceptable for any breed of dog to attack another dog and it's lucky Tootsie wasn't attacked by a dog intent on pursuing the attack.  The dog's owner is an idiot and I'm glad you reported it to the police.  It's sad though that all the people with well behaved and trained pitties suffer for the actions of people like this guy.  I understand why you feel defensive but I don't think she was justifying the attack on Tootsie.

Nope, I'm saying all dogs have potential to have prey drive. Some are next to nil  and others are top of the scale 'gamey.' A good dog person can see when prey drive kicks in and be able to stop it.  The eyes widen, the lips tense, ears forward, tail up.  At this time perhaps a "no" or "leave it" a lite touch on the head would put the dog back into pack drive.  Many people do not recognize these signs at all.  When they do notice the dog is "aggressive" or "protective" then it's a big problem for some. If that makes sense. I think it is the fault of the owner for not "speaking" the language of dog.

 I do not think it was your fault or tootsie's in anyway, I'd be just as pissed as you are.   I had assumed that perhaps you were walking along and that movement keyed the pittie in on her rear.  But if she was still, he dropped a ball, it makes me wonder what the dog has experienced before.

I did not intend to blame Toots or you one bit. I am not the best thinker/writer and have a hard time getting my complete thoughts down.

How is she doing now?

 I am so sad that this even happened. Corgis are happy, go-lucky little dogs, she would never hurt a fly. Why my innocent, little baby? I feel so helpless  because I couldn't do anything while it was happening and I can't do anything now. She did nothing to provoke this and I couldn't even help her. I'm tearing up right now.

I'm so sorry this happened to Tootsie (and you). Please give her a snuggle for me! I cannot imagine how scary that must have been. It's good that you filed a report.

Dog attacks are very scary.  It's a shame irresponsible owners can cause such heartache for others. 

It's important, if Tootsie is to be expected to recover, that you try to not dwell on it. Our dogs cue into our emotions, and if you're having a hard time moving on, she will as well.  Certainly be aware, especially if the dog continues to reside in your neighborhood, but try to make outings as happy and carefree for her as possible.

grab01

It's important, if Tootsie is to be expected to recover, that you try to not dwell on it. Our dogs cue into our emotions, and if you're having a hard time moving on, she will as well.  Certainly be aware, especially if the dog continues to reside in your neighborhood, but try to make outings as happy and carefree for her as possible.

I totally agree with this. I think a lot of times it's harder for people to move on, and hard not to tense up when another strange dog runs up to your dog after something like this happens. It took a lot for me, at least, to remember he *will* act on my cues (intentional or not).

tiffy

I feel so helpless  because I couldn't do anything while it was happening and I can't do anything now.

Please don't beat yourself up or think there was anything you could have done differently.  It wasn't your fault this happened...it wasn't Tootsie's fault.  The blame lies with the owner of the pittie.

Just give lots of cuddles and kisses to Tootsie and remember that sometimes things like this just happen, and you were all lucky that she wasn't seriously injured.

Big hugs, and so glad Tootsie is okay!

 She had a walk this mnorning and was fine. I've never seen this dog before, so it probably doesn't live here. I'm not scared now just more aware. I'm getting pepper spray.

 I can't give her to many snuggles or she assumes the role of the victim and plays it well.