Thanks Steph, that is reassuring to hear that about your sons dog. I've just had a long chat on the phone with Gerri who knows Lily really well and she has said the same about it being hormonal. I'd already planned on getting her spayed and I'm hopeful this will help her. She's already displaying other signs, like being very sleepy and licking herself. xx

I know what you are saying and believe me, I'm not going to wait for that to happen. It is out of character for her and she is due in season, so the chances are there is a link. She will be on a long line around other dogs now until her season is over and until I have my trust back in her. She met a female terrier the other day and I saw her body language change but the dog engaged her in play and that was them for the next 20 minutes. Thanks for the advice.

I will keep her on a long line but going on what I've been told, I'm going to avoid muzzling her. I will have control over her with the lead so that will be enough. She must have met 40 odd dogs this week and was fine with virtually all of them but I know there is an issue so keeping her on the end of a lead might be the best solution for now. I had planned to get her spayed after this season anyway. Thanks Maxine.

Im sure it is hormonal. She seems to be ticking all the signs off in her book! Its reasuring hearing Stephs experience of her sons jrt. That dog was six when she was spayed and it changed her for the good so I would think that it hopefully wont be a behaviour that cannot be changed in Lily. Its not a nice thing to happen and I know how awful you are feeling Claire. But you are taking steps to insure it wont happen again, you're not ignoring it. Tilly will be having serious words with her on sunday! Big hugs mate. xx

Do you have a problem with the idea of a muzzle?

I am interested because I have had several dogs that I have had to use muzzles on and I don't find it a problem but I know a lot of people do.

Are you worried that she will be labelled in other peoples eyes?

Not knocking you I really am interested.

rune

Thanks Gerri. I appreciate your call and your advice. I know people who would shrug this off, like that stupid woman I met once, but I will not let Lily carry on like this. xx

I think because this does seem to be linked to her season, so not an ingrained aggression issue as such, I would be reluctant to muzzle her. When I trained to be a groomer, I witnessed dogs becoming more aggressive when muzzled and it bothered me to see that. Having said that, I don't want anything further to happen, so I feel that by keeping her on a lead and monitoring her closely, she won't get the opportunity to 'attack' again.

As far as what other people think, I'm really not bothered and I certainly don't judge dogs I meet out that are muzzled. We met a dog the other day who greeted Lily in a friendly manner and they played briefly and she was muzzled. If in the future, it turns out that Lily needs to wear a muzzle then so be it. I just want to rule out this hormonal thing first. With her on a lead, I can stop her if she does try and lunge at another dog.

Best of luck with her.

rune

Sorry to hear this Claire, no wonder you were upset, I would have been the same if it had happened to me

Hope you get to the bottom of what's causing this. Hugs to you, try not to get too upset/stressed as it could transmit to Lily if you meet other dogs and she might pick up on your tension and make her worse.

Thanks Anne-Marie. I just know that I can't let it happen again so will be getting her on a long line. It's so hard not to worry and I know they can pick up on it. The theme seems to be small females. She is fine with large dogs. I'm so sure it is linked to her season now which makes me feel optimistic about this being temporary. xx

Fingers crossed it's season linked, best of luck!

Wys
x

Thank you