No pictures with this post, just a quick story that I wanted to share with you all. I was taking Schumi on a walk down our street, and on the way back a dog came running out of someone’s backyard and began lunging, snapping, and growling at Schumi. I didn’t really know what to do, I backed up and kept turning Schumi around out of the dog’s face, but the dog kept tripping me and wouldn’t leave us alone. This happened probably for only a few seconds (although it seemed like a long time), and the whole time Schumi kept his cool. He never snapped back or growled, even when the dog was right in his face. He was kind of just looking at him like “what is your problem?!” Luckily, my kind neighbors next door were yelling out the window that they were going to come out and help, and then the owner came. She called and called her dog, finally the dog went to her and that was that. My neighbor made sure to tell the dog’s owner that her dog wasn’t friendly (I was fighting back tears and couldn’t really talk – ridiculous I know!), and the lady apologized to me. I don’t know what I would have done if that dog’s owner didn’t come. Anyway, the real point of this story is to thank Julie. Thank you Julie for breeding such great dogs and for giving me Schumi with his wonderful temperament!
Exactly, thank you Julie. Becky, I am so happy this story had a happy ending. Hugs to Schumi! JH 🙂
I’m happy that you are both safe. Hugs to you and Mr. Schumi. Kudos to you for keeping your head. Kudos to the breeder!
Kudos to Julie and kudos to you Becky for raising such a good pup that trusts you to handle any problems!!!
@Jennifer, I agree with Jennifer. Kudos to you Becky for raising a good dog!
Great job Rebecca Perry! You stayed calm and Schumi’s reaction to the entire episode speaks volumes.
Excellent ending to an awful situation. Congrats to all.
Niro is only 7 months but even at five months when I would walk him around our lake he would often encounter two very aggressive golden retrievers on an electric fence and just look at them as if to say “what is your problem”, and then would keep on walking. When we walk Niro and Kora (our easily intimidated [by aggressive dogs] Australian Cattle Dog), she just walks alongside Niro totally oblivious. Prior to Niro, she would cower and want to give them an extremely wide berth.
Thanks from us too, Julie! Can’t sing your praises enough!
Becky, It is very scary to have a dog charge you like that. I can understand that you felt tearful, it certainly shakes you up. I use to road-work my dogs while riding my bike and had many experiences with dogs charging us, I would plan my routes to avoid the dogs that were habitual problems. The one dog I could not avoid was the neighbors very nasty Golden Retriever. He would go after anyone going past his house, whether you had a dog with you or not. This Golden would actually attack and bite! The dog would self-limit his attack zone to the street in front of his house. So I would grab a couple of rocks before I set out and pelt him as he charged me, after a few times I only had to threaten to throw a rock and I could get him to stop. The owner didn’t care her dog was attacking me nor did she care I threw rocks at her dog when he did attack.
Anyway, that long story was to share my observations that generally the dogs will “attack” within an area they feel is theirs so moving out of the area takes away the threat; second I would carry something like pepper spray and use it if you are threatened.
I am glad all turned out well.
Thank you for the information Julie – that is good to know. I had a similar experience with Lindi. A Chihuahua slipped out of its collar and attacked Lindi. It was like a bee, biting at her head and body. I froze, not knowing what to do, until the people walking the Chihuahua were able to grab it. Thankfully Lindi just stood there because she could have easily badly hurt the small dog. On the other hand at only 7 months, Lindi has stepped in four times between me and another dog who was either rushing toward me or jumping on me. Never aggressive or mean, but very clear. Such sensible dogs you have made. Thanks Julie!
Becky – what an ordeal for you and Schumi – I am glad it worked out okay. That kind of thing happens so fast, often you don’t know what to do – luckily Schumi did not inflame the situation and kept calm. Thanks for sharing your story!