Help with walking and other dogs

[ZRabbits]

I understand where you are coming from regarding "not a great neighborhood". I'm sadly seeing our lovely old neighborhood change, and it's not for the good. Have a lovely bike path that could be utilized, but as there have been some really bad things happen there, will not venture. Keep the pepper spray in hand, plus keep looking for an alternate route. I think your plans with play dates and also continued training will help build that confidence when you are walking in that "not so great" neighborhood. So that you can make those right decisions to keep both of you safe. That's always my concern. Thanks for sharing.

KAZ

[Maxx&Emma]

You should definitely worry. My mom lives in a very nice community, last weekend she was walking her Cavalier when she and my mom were viciously attacked by a GSD/Husky mix that got out it's front door. Heidi sufferer multiple bite wounds to her neck, shoulder and back, including a 6" gash on her neck. She was walking the same route she has walked twice daily since getting Heidi 5 years ago. Heidi and my mom are traumatized and my mom is having a hard time getting Heidi outside. I contacted a behaviorist to work with them, beginning tomorrow.

It is not always the area you are walking, things like this can happen anywhere. It is important to be very aware of your surroundings and do what ever you need to do to keep yourself and your dog safe. I also ordered a stun baton for my mom to carry in the event she ever runs in to problems again. I personally carry pepper spray and a gun. I am in the country and I would not get help, no matter how loud I yelled. There is no one around in the area we walk. My mom is very fortunate that 2 neighbors were out doing yard work and quickly came to her aid. Heidi's vet bills are now at $1300 and the owners of the other dog are ignoring requests to pay the bills and have been obnoxious and belligerent. My mom will be talking with an attorney in Monday. It is a scary world out there.

[Kelly524]

Wow! That's awful about your mom's dog. I hope she gets better and your mom can get some help getting the other dog's owners to pay for the vet bills.

To the OP, in regard to socialization, you might want to look into doggy day care once you're done with puppy shots. It is a great way to socialize in a safe environment, and your puppy will be worn out at the end of the day!

[sarah]

Thanks again for taking the time to reply everyone. Had a really good walk a couple of nights ago a few streets down from where I normally go so I will try that route again. The only dog we saw was on the other side of the street in a fenced in yard. I am planning on taking him to the park tonight for his walk. It's a beautiful day here and i'm stuck at work right now so looking forward to going later.

I noticed yesterday that the owner of the boxer that kept getting out of his yard and running up to us has put in a new fence. So perhaps we can revisit that route again one day.

So sorry to hear about your your mom's dog, Maxx&Emma. Hopefully she isn't scarred for life (your mom too) and that she has a speedy recovery. That's exactly the kind of thing I was concerned about. My bf encourages me to take my gun on my walks as well but I won't do that. It's awkward to conceal in the heat of the summer and I don't want my neighbors calling on the cops on me (we both have cc permits but other people don't know that) or god forbid, trying to steal it from me. The tazer is a good idea though, I actually have one but I forgot about it.

We are looking at doggy daycare for one or two days a week. For just the reasons you mentioned Kelly. He'll be 4 months in two weeks so we can start him soon!