Dog Just Gone For Another One- Am Scratched To Bits

[Smowball]

I work for a pet sitting/dog walking agency and I was given a new client last wk. Went and met family and dog. They explained that he was scared of other dogs as he had been attacked in the past and would cower if he saw one and to walk him alone etc. He's a springer spaniel. Very affectionate. Walked for 1st time on wed. Apart from pulling like mad he was fine . Same yesterday. Took him out this morning onto a huge field and I spotted in the distance a man letting two big dogs off their leads. They come bounding over to play and the dog I have went mad. Barking and growling, pulling and pulling to get to them. I'm desperately holding onto lead for dear life but the strength he had. I've ended up on the floor gripping him for dear life - he's scratched all my legs with his claws, my hand is bleeding - not sure whether from claw or teeth. Finally other man came over and put his dogs back on leads but this one was still going mad trying to get to them. Really scared me. My question is - do you think this dog is normally like this hence why their last dog walker finished last week and the owners haven't been honest or has it reacted differently because I'm new? He certainly wasn't scared at all!!

[RATTER15]

It sounds like the dog has not been socialised with other dos correctly, if you are not able to train the dog yourself to overcome this problem I would stay well clear of the dog before it ends in a dog or someone being badly injured. This could possibly then be seen as your responsibility.

[ummmm]

I had a Springer who was previously mistreated and he would cower if scared/nervous. Your one sounds like the aggressor...

[Baldric]

I don't see it as your job to train the dog or to be put in a position where you could be held responsible for something it does.
Walk away now.

[Smowball]

Definitely felt out of control. I've had a springer spaniel myself and it was a soppy lovely thing who played with anyone and anything so I naively assumed this would be similar. If the man hadn't come over I don't know how much long I would have been able to hold onto him.

[ummmm]

My Springer was really soppy too.

[RATTER15]

Most Pit Bulls are very soppy as well before they rip chunks off people! A soppy dog hides many faults, dont be taken in by it.

[woofgang]

Aggressors are often aggressors through fear, and once they are in aggression mode they can’t just turn if off when the threat goes away. Pulling is often a sign of stress/fear too. TBH Smow (and this isn’t a criticism) I am a bit concerned that they will allocate you new clients without some kind of proper assessment, precisely because owners often don’t want to say the truth which is that he has been aggressive since he was attacked. Poor dog shouldn’t be put into such situations and neither should you. The dog doesn’t need walking, he needs behavioural treatment :(

[Smowball]

No offence taken. It's actually made me think - the agency doesn't ever meet the owners or pets and so could be told absolutely anything.

[bednobs]

i think theowners had misled the agency. After all, what agency will take a dog on if they say "he's agressive to other dogs"

[woofgang]

Smow that’s terrible......do you have to work there?

[woofgang]

...also as a dog owner that is NOT the service that I would expect!

[Islay]

When I hired by dog walker they had several sessions with them before agreeing to walk them

[Smowball]

I'm going to spk to both agency and owners today and see what they say but I certainly don't feel happy taking him out again

[ladybirder]

That is exactly how a dog with fear aggression acts. It attacks first before they attack him. .
Agree it's not Smow's job to train the dog, it's the owners'. Springers will do anything for food so should be trainable by someone who knows what they're doing.

[woofgang]

Smow, that deals with that situation and that dog.....what about when the next owner lies ....or the agency doesn’t take suitable care....and you get into REAL trouble?

[Smowball]

Wolfgang - no I don't have to work there. I just registered with them for extra work. Think I'll stick to my cat sitting!!

[ladybirder]

Good idea Smow;-))

[wolf63]

My last hound was adopted from the dog Pound. He was five years old, nervous and not castrated. He had been there for many months. I was so desperate to get a dog and he looked so handsome (Lab/GSD) that I got him.

His behaviour was like this one Smowball - barking and lunging at other dogs (and some humans too). He never hurt anyone (apart from one incident with the postie) but taking him for a walk was a total nightmare.

It's not worth the anguish of taking him for a walk - something that is supposed to be a relaxing experience.

Robbie mellowed over the years and made some doggy friends. He died at the age of 14. He was a lovely dog for me, but people must have dreaded us when they saw us out and about.

[wolf63]

Smowball - watch out with the cat sitting. Many cats seem to like being a total pain. One of mine (girl) is dangerous when she doesn't get her own way.

[Smowball]

Wolf I know what you mean - I've only walked this one three times and am already stressed beyond belief!