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Horrible Drama, Rufus Style
First off I want to apologize for the length of this post. I am sooo upset I can hardly type. Its been a pretty rough day for me. Walking the dogs daily has been quite a challenge and adjustment for me. They have for the most part adjusted, but still get very “excited” from the other dogs in the neighborhood. This morning I was walking Rufus and on the corner is a house that has two tiny little Yorkie pups. They are barking at/to Rufus as we start to walk by. I tell him no and to leave it and he stands there very intent on the two. We start walking again and he pulls just a little and SNAP the slip collar I use for control breaks and he goes charging acrossed the street to the Yorkies. OMG! I think crap hes going to see them, then run off and I am never going to catch him. He decides he wants to play. He play bows with the little girl and they start a game of chase while I am screaming at him.
The lady starts hitting him and screaming – at this point they are still playing but it is annoying. Then they get tangled up in the tie out the yorkie is on and the dog starts screaming. When Rufus had his head down the little yorkie ran around him 3 times so the tie out is wrapped around his neck and when he picks his head up the yorkie is dangling from his neck squalling and covered in slobber. The tie out snaps and the yorkie runs off and the woman is about to faint. She is screaming at the top of her lungs and the whole neighborhood comes running. Why do women scream, just scream at the top of their lungs durring stressful situations? It just makes the situation worse! So Rufus is standing there with the other Yorkie looking at everyone like “hey whats up” and the lady is on the ground bawling and cradling the female Yorkie. The husband comes out and she’s screaming and crying.. I ask is the dog ok.. she says she sees no blood but its all wet from being in Rufus’s mouth. I tell her he was just slobbering (saints do that – alot) and he didn’t have her in his mouth, she was hanging from his neck. She continues to insist that Rufus attacked her dog and she has to take him to the vet that instant. She goes inside and slams the door while I am standing on the lawn with her husband. I am in tears at this point and assume she is going straight to the phone to call the ACO to have him picked up. I told him I was so sorry and I hoped the pup was ok and that if Rufus had intended on hurting her, she would be dead (Rufus is 160 pounds the yorkie is 5 pounds). He is all concerned that Rufus is agressive towards children etc, I said he is sooo friendly and he loves people and that they just got tangled… it was a huge accident. We say good bye and says I should check back in on the pup later. I am just gutted!
I go home and tell my hubby what happened and he says that I should just leave it alone. That there is nothing I am going to be able to do to smooth things over. Most little dog owners just don’t like big dogs. I am so upset and figure the ACO will be at my door any minute.
We decide to run to the store about an hour later and guess who I run into, the husband. OMG! He sees me and asks if I am feeling any better and I burst into tears again. He says the Yorkie is fine. They looked her over good and not even a scratch but she is taking her to the vet tomorrow to be checked out anyways. I am just sick because now the neighborhood is going to think Rufus is a vicious dog that “attacked” her dog and had it “hanging from his mouth” – Trust me lady, if he did, there would have been alot more than slobber on the dog.
I bought the little Yorkie a gift bag full of treats and toys and a card from Rufus saying he was sorry he was bad. I went to take it to her and she was out, but I talked to the husband yet again. He assures me everything is ok and for me to come back later to give her the bag.
I am just so upset this happened. I can’t believe that his collar snapped. I have been using that brand/style of slip choker collars for years and never had any problems. This is a brand new one and has only been used a few times for walking. The ring just broke and popped off and he wasn’t really pulling. I am going to have to buy a better collar for walking them. I really hate prong collars, but I think with all the distractions in the neighborhood, it might be the best thing for Rufus’s safety.
Ohhh…I’m SO sorry for all the stress that you are feeling. You are right…..given his size alone, if he really wanted to hurt that little dog, that woman would have had more than a wet dog! I hope things get better!
{{HUGS}}
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Oh I’m so sorry this happened.. one of the “joys” of a having a big dog is the assumption that our dogs are always the problem..
You know I use prongs on my kids… always have.. for this reason.. I want to be able to say that I had control of my dog should something happen… because the dogs in my neighborhood ARE agressive.. and yes my dog could kill one too.. (not that he would)
You probably know this but here is a link to Suzanne Clothiers article on prong collars : http://www.flyingdogpress.com/prong.html
Also .. you can buy little rubber tips to go on the prongs if it will help you feel better.. sometimes you can find a prong collar with leather running through it .. in case the prong unhooks but I’ve not had that happen yet.
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Thanks Shannon.. I am just gutted. He knows I am upset too and has been stuck to me like glue.
Thank God the dog wasnt hurt. I just wish I could take back the last 24 hours.
Thank you for the links Jen. I read through it and the one on the head collars. I was thinking about a dogmatic too. But I think just for the safety of everyone involved prong collars are going to be a must for the “burbs”.
Oh my! Beuatiful Raja weighed 190 pounds and really didn’t like anybody at all. Momma walked her with two leashes (one on her collar and one on her harness) just in case anything happened. I use a gentle leader which is kind of annoying, but helps mom communicate with me.
Good luck!
Mango
What an ordeal! I completely feel for you, having 3 reactive dogs that can be complete PITAs. Of course, all 3 of mine put together total 160 lbs!
One word of caution with the prong is that it can pop open too. We’ve had some bad experiences with dogs getting loose from an ill fitted prong and ending up in trouble. It’s always best to have a back-up slip collar on just in case. You can just put both links on one leash.
Jen
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Mango.. I think I am going to suit him up with a back up as well.
Thanks for the advise Jen. I have had no experience with a prong collar yet so I dont know the ins and outs. Any other advise you could give would be greatly appreciated. Mango also suggested a back up and it is a really good idea. I have a harness and will just suit them up in it and attach it separately as a back up.
Oh man, I can’t believe the collar broke either! I can just picture the same thing happening to Ace because he always wants to run up to other dogs as well. And he is nowhere near the size of a Saint Bernard. Little dog owners (in general) can be so annoying. Like, I’ve had a yorkie owner run and pick her dog up just because Ace and I walked by.
Get a prong collar.
Ace runs away from me when he sees me with the Gentle Leader, but he comes running, happy to go for a walk when I get out the prong collar. They don’t hurt the dogs at all, and your walks will go a lot smoother. They won’t come unsnapped unless they aren’t on right or one of the prongs is bent.
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That really is so sad that some people react so badly to a normal dog play!!
I hope it all gets better! I’d recommend a gentle leader or halti head collar before trying a prong! They are pretty sturdy and really help in keeping control of your dog! Plus they are much gentler than a prong collar!
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Mitch wears a prong collar every single day and we haven’t had any problems with it. In addition to the prong we have a very small choke collar that we use to loop through the ring on his neck collar and attach to the leash along with the prong collars ring. It’s a safety factor!
What a shame this whole thing had to happen
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
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awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww hun i m sorry to hear that
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That was very unfortunate and we know how your mom must feel. We agree lots of small dog owners do not understand large breeds.. We are sure everything will be ok… Tell mom to hang in there..
Hey mom had a St. Bernard when she was in high school. He was a farm dog. Not really very good at chasing cows but the cats loved to lay on him in the winter time to keep warm. He always tagged along with mom when she road her horse to go get the cows.. As he got older he usually would just lay in the pond until Mom returned with the cows.. Unfortunately he passed away the same day that Mom got married.
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie
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Lindsay, I am leaning away from the gentle leader types of leads because people think they are muzzles and that will just make him look more vicious. Its amazing how opinionated people are about prong collars… they are either vehemently opposed or big fans.
Its all so confusing.
Thanks Spoiled.. My biggest concern with the halti type control is the perception of others that it is a muzzle. The last thing I need is for people to think he is more vicious.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Hope to see you around
Good idea Maggie and Mitch! I am thinking that a back-up is quite prudent and wise. I’m glad to hear the prong collar works well for you. I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks Jessixa
What a sad story Gus and Louie… I bet your mom misses that Saint alot. They are great dogs and leave HUGE paw prints on your heart.
Thanks for stopping by!
I know Mommy doesn’t take me out to the pet store much since last time I scared a small doggie by my barking and pulling then I got up on both feet trying to get to the little guy, I just wanted to say Hi but the dog was shaking and hide behide it’s mommmy. My mom makes me wear a gentle leader to when I go out and I just hate it and try to paw it off my nose, it is the worst. I also have to wear one of those remote collar since I love to jump on the fence and bark and jump at the neighbors but she will beep me and I get down. It doesn’t hurt but the noise just drives me CRAZY I tell you. I think she is a control freak and that is why she makes me wear it because I am a very loving dog you know! I too am misunderstood and people and dogs don’t come around me but the are over my siser Sami…oh she gets all love and people just think I will snap them in two.
My family just love me and I get all the love I need from them and Sami. I would play with you if I lived close by and so would sista sami!
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People are stupid That is all there is to it and if you can’t tell the difference between a dog playing and one attacking you shouldn’t own a dog.
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No offence but what a bloody twit of a woman…I think you handled it with ‘grace under fire’…
Chels has always had a gentle leader, they are not the norm in Australia (ive only ever seen a pair of boxers once with them) and you are quite correct in people assuming they are a muzzle, usually non-dog owners….prong collars are illegal here
I say try it and see what works for you and the Saints…between this twit and Coby the lab… walking is sure becoming a trial for you…it sucks that you have to assume all the responsibility just to do what others take for granted, to be able to have a pleasurable walk with your dogs… It drives me nuts with Chels when owners have yap yap dogs in front yards letting them run along the fence and give Chels a fright…
Hang in there and lets us know how you get on…Love Abz
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Thanks Abbey… it was quite a scary event. I have had to take Coby home 3 times this week alone. Supposedly he is going to live at her sister’s house.. yea right! I caught him on my lawn just today pooping! When I went out to pick up the poo he took off.
I think my husband’s right.. little dog people don’t like big dogs – end of story and there is nothing that can change that.
I am still searching for a good collar/harnessing solution. I will post whatever I do end up finding.
Hi Lora,
thanks for your reassurance to my Mum about my little ordeal.
It’s tough being a big dog, Rufus was obviously curious to get to the little fluffy dog and see what’s going on down there on the ground. But us big dogs only get one chance. I had a cross breed jack russell/terrier snarling at me not long after I moved here, my mum was furious that no one corrected him, she soon put him in his place though, she pointed at him and said ‘oi, you, NO!’. She said I’d never get away with such behaviour. Dog owners forget that us dogs communicate with our mouth’s you know, as you know, I am trying to work out how to do that still and mum & dad are being protective of me, but they have to let me keep trying it. I am well mannered though, no snarling, goodness me, how rude and aggressive.
Lots of Love to the gang
George
x
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I agree George. The double standards are so unfair. If big dogs acted half as bad as alot of little dogs acted they would be euthanized. But when the little guys do it, its cute. I don’t find any dog misbehaving cute.
Keep up the good work adjusting George. You’re gorgeous and you rotties sure do get a bad rap right now in the UK. More reason to prove everyone wrong
Licks and Slobbers
I’m so sorry you had such a fright. And I am angry at the woman for over-reacting – little dog owners are always the same
I wish they could tell between play and nastiness.
I use a “Stop-pull” harness on Kiska, as she is immensely strong and Mals can pull 13 times their own body weight. She weighs almost 8 stone, so that’s a lot! It is the only thing that works on her apart from a Dogmatic, but I see you do not wish to use a halti-type thing.
I am afraid I am in the anti-prong brigade…
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Char – I did end up settling on a halti-style set up. I ended up with the Gentle Leader. I am very pleased with it too. B and R are both about 12 stone and I walked them together tonight both wearing gentle leaders and had amazing control over both of them. In just a few walks they have completely stopped pulling when they see another dog or cat and will just stand there. I cant tell you how pleased I am with the results. I have had to tell people its a head collar and not a muzzle a few times and it relaxes them after they hear that. But people wont just come up to them to pet them now which is sad. I assume the prong collar would probably be even worse as far as appearances are concerned.
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