Avoiding breed aversion after bite

[Dunton4]

Tilly was bitten on the nose this weekend by an off-lead collie    We were both very shocked and upset by the incident ("we" being Tilly and myself - the collie's owner laughed at Tilly's high-pitched squealing  )  Tilly is ok, but I would like to ensure she doesn't get a phobia about collies after this bad experience, particularly as she has just started agility where she is likely to come across a lot of them.  I am proposing to take her along to her agility class on Thursday where there is a friendly collie who isn't the slightest bit interested in Tilly (as she's not a ball  )  I want to try to act as though nothing has happened and hope that Tilly will just be the same with Reuben as she always is.  If all goes well, I will then ask the trainer if we can pop along to some of her other classes where she knows there will be nice border collies that Tilly can meet casually (hopefully!)  Do you think this is a good strategy?  Is there anything else I should do?  What should I do if things go pear-shaped and Tilly reacts badly?  Has anyone who has suffered a similar set-back any advice for me?

Tilly is very sociable with other dogs (but she will tell them off if they do something she doesn't like) and she has met loads of them since she was a pup - at obedience, dog shows, out on walks, whilst we were fostering Guide Dogs and so on.  She has never been even remotely close to getting into any trouble with other dogs and although she is very vocal (well, she is a cocker  ) it is all talk and she is just a cowardy-custard really and other dogs seem to know this.  When the incident happened she had just said hello to another off-lead collie in the group and went too close to another collie who was lying under a bench.  I noticed that although he was off-lead, his owner had her hand on his collar, so I called Tilly away, but not quickly enough and it launched itself at her and bit her on her nose (it was so fast its owner couldn't hold it back!)  No warning growl, nothing and the owner said nothing to warn me whilst Tilly and her other dog were greeting each other.  Poor Tilly.  I feel that we both misread the situation. 

Sorry for the long post - I'm still upset about what happened and thinking I should have done something differently to protect my girl.  I want to ensure we won't have any ongoing problems.

Sue and Tilly

[Karma]

I think what you are suggesting sounds like a good plan...

At the agility class will they be meeting on or off lead?? On-lead greetings are often more difficult and if Tilly is in any way anxious being on lead may cause her to react rather than just avoid the situation...

Take it steady and don't force a meeting - let Tilly (and the other dog) approach each other in their own time... and (hard as it will be) try not to be anxious yourself, as Tilly will pick up on this and react accordingly.

If Tilly does react badly, would the owner of the Collie be willing to just walk around the field with you and Tilly a few times - this tends to help diffuse tension between dogs (you could start a small distance apart so you are not forcing the issue) and Tilly won't learn that reacting means the situation is avoided...

Hope all goes ok, and that her nose is ok!!    Don't blame yourself - unfortunately these things do happen and you can't always tell when a problem is going to arise...

[Dunton4]

Thanks Karma, that's reassuring.  At Agility we tend to have the dogs off-lead when we first get there so they can run around and get some of their initial excitement out of the way.  They then go on lead when we start the training.  I think this will be an ideal approach for Tilly.  I'm probably worrying about nothing and she will be fine, but I'd rather be cautious.  Thanks for the advice for if things go badly (which I hopefully won't need!)  I'm sure Reuben's owner will be happy to help in any way if Tilly shows any stress (nice dog, nice owner  )  I do suspect that I will be the problem, rather than Tilly, as I will find it difficult not to be anxious and she will pick up on my feelings.  I may ask the trainer if we can set up some situations where Tilly meets some collies who are lying down too - although I take your point about not "forcing" the situation.

Ironically when Tilly got bitten I deliberately didn't put her on her lead when we approached the strange dogs, as they were off lead and I didn't want to put her at a disadvantage 


Sue and Tilly

[brownsugar]

Sorry to hear about Tilly, perhaps not a very well socialized collie (and ditto owner  )?

Nothing to contribute to all the well thought advice of yourself and Karma, just posting to say we've had a similar experience with Toby and with a bit of luck it doesn't have to become a problem.

Toby was bit in the nose (as a pup) by a JR and I remember the awful squealing very well  .

Luckily he didn't suffer any ill effects at all. Not towards other dogs and not towards JR's. Though I had sweaty palms in the beginning  .

Hope Tilly's allright too and has fun with her agility. 

[Helen]

Poor little Tilly    Karma has given sound advice 

Jarv is cautious around springers due to an unprovoked attack when he was smaller - he will socialise with springers but it is a completely different approach that he has with other breeds 

[fifer]

I agree with your plan and Karma's advice but would advise just one really well balanced (ie not overly friendly  ) collie first.  In other words don't "flood" her with too many or an over friendly "in her face" type of collie.  Gradually increase the number until she gets over her fear.  Good luck!

[Dunton4]

Thank you everyone.  Tilly went out for a short run yesterday and met loads of nice dogs off-lead.  She had no problems with any of them  - just back to her normal friendly self.  At the end I'd just put her on her lead to walk across the car-park when I saw two border collies on lead coming towards us.  Tilly and I just walked past with a cheery "'Afternoon!" and I am pleased to report that Tilly didn't react to them at all 

I take your point about not flooding her with BCs, fifer.  The one I have in mind from Thursday's class is not at all interested in Tilly (he just likes balls  ) so I think he will be a good "off-lead" starter.  Having seen her (non) reaction yesterday I am much more confident today that Tilly will take this incident in her stride and not hold a grudge - bless her little furry paws 

Sue and Tilly

[Michele]

I'm so sorry to hear about the incident Sue, but I'm delighted to hear that it doesn't seem to have affected Tilly.  

Florence sends her cousin a sloppy lick and a play bow.  

[mcphee]

Too late for Rufus after he was attacked by a collie. Poor thing is only ever exercised by ball throwing on the green. He is completely ball possessive, and Rufus went too near chasing his own ball and the collie went for him. Now, if he sees this dog, or any other black and white collie on the green, he wishes to take another route and will not run after his ball. Luckily, away from the green, at agility and else where he is ok, but does not choose to play with them. He has nice collie friends, but sniffs and passes. You may find that it is just this dog that there is a problem with, rather than allcollies.

[NicoleandPoppy]

I am glad she seems okay! It is a shame there are bad owners out there. I took my old dog Sassy when she was a baby to a country park and this young irresponsible teenage had a pitbull off the lead. the Pitbull attacked Sassy and had to be pulled off. The teen owners response was " He don'd like puppies or small dogs" terrible really. Luckily she overcame her fear of dogs! x

[Dunton4]

I'm pleased to report that Tilly had a very good session at agility today.  When we arrived our trainer had her "bomb-proof" border collie (Muddy  )  off the lead and as Tilly ran in he lay down (as the collie that bit her was doing)  She hesitated and moved forward cautiously, Muddy got up and they had a bit of a chase and a greeting, no problems whatsoever    She was fine with all the other dogs too.  As we were leaving two off-lead border collies arrived and Tilly was fine with them too.  Aversion avoided I think  .  I am so proud of Tilly - the incident doesn't seem to have knocked her confidence or caused her any problems at all - what a good girl 

Sue and Tilly

[Helen]

excellent news   well done Tilly 

[Max X 2]

That's good to hear Sue.  Good girl Tilly 

[Michele]

Testament to her good breeding , I'm so pleased there's no lasting damage, clever girl Tilly.