I hope anyone can give me some advice about my problem. It is a little long my story so I do apologise.
My cocker, Lily is 2 years old. 2 years ago she was mauled, when 5 months old, by a Japanese Akita. She was like a rag in its mouth, held in its mouth by her tummy and I really thought she was dead. She was screaming and crying and the owner of the other dog, casually walked over and started swearing and threatening me, saying it was my fault (nutcase). He grabbed his dog and walked away to his friend and they were laughing at me. I was in tears, shouting for help and even thought there were other people around - NO-ONE helped... I still get upset about this ( I am getting upset now as I type this). Lily was patched up and I did get the police involved. Nothing done really - he denied everything when the police went round to his house....
After that any dogs who came near, Lily was scrambling up my legs and crying and shaking.
Now, she will not tolerate ANY other dog, what-so-ever. If we are sat for example in an outdoor tearoom, cafe, ice-cream parlour, she continuously barks to the point where we have to get up and leave. She goes mad if anything comes near her, growling and barking, chasing any dog who comes near her. I have to be so careful if we are out at our favourite spot - the beach - as sometimes friendly dogs (who obviously want to play) come over, she snaps at them and chases them away. The bigger the dog, the worse she is. The number of times, I have to shout to people to keep their dogs away, as "mine does not like other dogs”, is unbelievable.
I have had her to 3 different dog training clubs and trainers and every time, she growls at the dogs in the group and CONSTANTLY barks, where we have had to take her into an other room out of the way. I am at my whits end now.
All I want is for my little dog to be able to run and play with other dogs, and not fear the chance of her attacking anything. She is absolutely fine with people and it is really upsetting me, that because of that swine who let his dog nearly kill mine, I have been left with a little dog who will not tolerate any other dog.
Lily is an absoulte sweetheart at home, loving, friendly, a real soppy thing - who even enjoys a lovely foot massage (
) and a tummy tickle.
I was wanting another cocker at some point, but with this problem with Lily, I don’t think it is a good idea with her behaviour with other dogs. We took her earlier this year to see her mum and sister, and because Sadie (her sister) ran into the living room - to say hello of course - Lily started SCREAMING and ran behind the settee.
Any ideas from anyone at all? I am so frustated with the whole thing and I do not know what to do next. I have asked the Vet for advice but all they suggested was a training course, which I have tried but has not helped....
Sorry again for the long post
Thanks in advance - Lily (and me)