My dog attacked another dog. Again.

[u/Interesting_Mess97]

Update: My apartment complex reached out and I have to remove my dog from the property within 10 days.

Throwaway because my account has personal info. I just finished sobbing, so I’m sorry if this comes across as rambling.

I live in a large apartment complex and drove down to the main floor to pick up my grocery delivery and take my dog out to potty. Multiple things happened at once:

1. The driver wasn’t understanding where I was, so I was rushing to get to her in my car.
2. I had my back window down without realizing it.
3. My dog did realize it and launched herself through the window, ran past another dog, and attacked a smallish dog.
4. As soon as I realized she was out of the window, I ran toward them and separated the two dogs while the owner was pulling their dog away.

I started backing away with my dog and apologizing. I put my dog in the car, made sure all the windows were up, and went back to talk to the other owner. By this point, another person had come over because she heard the noise (probably me and the other dog owner screaming).

I talked to the owner, and she put me on the phone with her daughter. The owner’s English was limited, and she was (rightfully) frazzled. While I was talking to the daughter, the mom was checking the dog, and the other person who had come over was helping calm us both down. I was sobbing through all of this, of course.

After a while, the mom, daughter, and the other person assured me that the dog was okay. There was no blood, and it didn’t look like the dog was hurt anywhere else. I apologized more, offered to give them my number, and told them I would wait until the daughter got there. They continued to assure me that everyone was okay, and I eventually drove back to my apartment. When I got back, I noticed that my dog had blood on her face, but it was her own. I think she got road rash or hurt herself somehow when she jumped out of the car.

I am so frustrated with myself because I am usually so careful. If there are other dogs around, I walk the other way. If we’re driving somewhere, I always make sure she is secured in the back seat. (She has a car seat, and her leash has a car buckle that attaches to the seat belt.) I am always so careful because I know she is reactive. But the one time I let my guard down and got too distracted, this happens.

What do I do? How do I stop the anxiety? How do I protect other dogs and my baby?

I feel awful for the trauma I caused to the other dog, the dog owner, and my dog. I love my dog, and I want to keep her safe, but I also feel like I have to keep other dogs safe from her. I’m so overwhelmed and honestly don’t know what my next steps should be.

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[u/Audrey244]

No offense, but why aren't you using a muzzle? Why isn't that the most obvious choice to keep everyone safe? It amazes me how so many reactive dog owners need to be reminded that a muzzle is an excellent tool

[u/Delicious-Product968 → u/Audrey244]

There’s a shocking amount that flat out say they won’t muzzle a dog ‘in case’ their dog is the one attacked. Even though it’s always easier to separate dogs if even one of them is muzzled and limits the chances of their dog being hit with whatever local dangerous dog legislation is… not to mention personal liability.

[u/ixsparkyx → u/Audrey244]

To be fair, in this situation for a quick potty break and drive around the complex I’m sure the owner wasn’t thinking to muzzle. Even I wouldn’t think to put my dogs muzzle on for a drive around the apartment parking lot and a quick potty break

[u/Interesting_Mess97 → u/Audrey244]

She has been doing well and I felt like I was managing her well. I, unfortunately, learned that lesson the hard way.

That will definitely be my next step. Thank you!

[u/Sitters_4_Critters]

I’m sorry 😢

Living with a dog like that sucks. I’m glad everyone is okay and the neighbors were understanding

Management always fails, you need more management options that are automatic - a crate for the car or metal window screens on the windows.

For example: https://petexpertise.com/products/breezeguard-safety-screens-for-car-windows

Also, your dog needs to be in a muzzle when leaving the house: r/muzzledogs

[u/Interesting_Mess97 → u/Sitters_4_Critters]

Thank you. I’ll look into the safety screen. I need to do some research on sizing, but I am looking into the muzzle training since that seems like the logical next step.

[u/Interesting_Mess97]

I was literally going to make a post in this group because my baby did so well and made a dog friend a couple of weeks ago. I feel like we’ve taken 10 steps back now.

[u/Vivid-Honeydew233 → u/Interesting_Mess97]

I know it can be hard to accept, but sometimes a muzzle is the only way to get peace of mind.

My parents had to put down a dog because they felt guilty about muzzling him after he bit someone, then he bit someone else and they had no choice.

I realized I was never going to be able to walk my girl and have everyone be safe, including her, unless I muzzle her.

I ordered the least scary muzzle I could find from Mia’s Muzzles and were waiting for it but I know it’s the best thing I can do for her.

I feel your pain, though. It’s not an easy thing to wrap your head around 🫶🏼💙

[u/Interesting_Mess97 → u/Vivid-Honeydew233]

Thank you! I will look into muzzle training and Mia’s muzzles.

[u/Vivid-Honeydew233 → u/Interesting_Mess97]

They’re Canadian but there’s another company in the US that makes more “friendly” looking muzzles called Big Snoof.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself that one mistake and one bad moment for your dog doesn’t define either of you.

Good luck! 🍀

[u/knitandstretch → u/Vivid-Honeydew233]

Hi, my mother has an extremely dog aggressive dog, who also happens to be VERY big. He severely injured two dogs before my mother looked into muzzle training. I am now a huuuuge advocate of muzzles. Now that the fear of him attacking another dog is gone, they've been able to socialize him more and he now has a bunch of friends! Before the muzzle we had been seriously looking into BE, and now wouldn't dream of it. It's been a life-changer, in literal terms.

[u/Vivid-Honeydew233 → u/Interesting_Mess97]

Also, you should still make that post about your girlie pop making a friend!

Wins are still wins and you need to celebrate those hard to make the frustrating times more bearable.

I’m proud of her for making a friend! 💕🐾

[u/Interesting_Mess97 → u/Vivid-Honeydew233]

Thank you! I may post about it sometime soon!

[u/Vivid-Honeydew233 → u/Interesting_Mess97]

I’ll be watching for it! 😊

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[u/ShaarkShaart]

I only saw this after the update, just wanted to say I'm sorry ❤️‍🩹 still glad no one got hurt. I hope you and your pup can figure things out.

[u/quirkypeabrain]

A couple weeks ago, I was getting my dogs dinner while my cat was standing by my feet. Basically every night for the past however many months, when my dog hears his food coming he runs into the bedroom. If my cat hears my dog coming into the living room, he hides under the couch and sneaks away when he’s able to. That particular day, the cat did not move and my dog ran straight towards him. My dog pinned him down and dislocated my cats jaw. I felt horrible, my cat was scared, and the dog was clueless. I now put my dog in the room with the door closed before I grab his food bowl, and I keep them in separate areas of the apartment. Sometimes things just happen way faster than we can even process. It’s scary and sad when things are steady and good until they’re not. But that’s how everything works. We live our lives a certain way until something happens and then we think about all the should’ves and could’ves possible. You reacted quickly, you cared about everyone’s wellbeing in the situation, you took responsibility, and you now know to be a little extra vigilant with the windows. It’s natural to beat yourself up a little but it really does sound like you did really good at handling your dog in this situation.