I guess it was bound to happen...

Well have been taking Tilly over the farm twice a day off lead forever now..... (5 or 6 weeks) we've met so many dogs - small/big/HUGE young/old playful/not interested etc.. etc.. The more boisterous ones told by there owners to be gentle - Tilly's been trampled a few times, but takes it all in her stride & everyone has been brilliant.
So today my worst fear happened (and some of you know I am scared of dogs anyway)
Approaching was a woman with a staffie - who she quickly put on it's lead. Tilly was off lead but happily stayed & waited for it them to pass. Staffie bearing teeth & dragging owner etc.. and that was that - or so I thought. We continued to top of field & they continued to bottom. Quite a distance. She must have let her dog back off as next thing I heared her shouting & this dog was tearing towards us at speed. Panic! so I just scooped Tilly into my arms - I didn't know what else to do but there was no way this dog was going to attack my baby, I just stood still. It was jumping at me & snarling so I just kept turning away & talking to Tilly (whilst secrectly nearly cr***ing myself) Eventually the woman ran (well broke into a trot) to collect her dog - laughed & said "sorrrrrrrry" & walked off with him back on his lead I didn't say a word - didn't know what to say!! I felt sorry for her - not being able to control her dog & was more concerned if Tilly was spooked - she wasn't we just continued & met some other dogs who were friendly & all was well.
I was just beginning to get over my fears - I've been stroking rotties, next doors huge GSD's ........ all kinds of "scarey" dogs that I've realised are SO pleasant (just some personal fear I had)
Anyway rant over - not sure how I feel about being prepared to let this dog attack me rather than Tilly - just instinct I guess. Maybe he wasn't even going to attack - but his actions said enough!

*hugs* honey - that must have been very scary for you. I hope you can continue to meet pleasant dogs and overcome your fear. xx

No wonder you were scared but please dont let this set you back. (((hugs)))

Thankyou - feel better now I've calmed down. I've always been scared of certain types of dogs - for no particular reason! But have probably met more dogs in the last few months than in my whole life - and realised I was being totally stupid & stereotypical!

I know what its like to be frightened of dogs too, funny thing is when its stinky being attacked I don't really panic, probs cause hes a big boy ...but when sommit turns on my wee one I get quite shakey, frightened, paniky, I know she is well socialised but just have this fear that if something gets a hold of her it'll be lead walks forever with her as I'd be afraid her nature would change.
glad you are both ok and that it didn't bother Tilly too much xx

Urgh...aggressive dogs should be on leads!

Where in East Sussex are you?

Just outside Brighton

Oh! Hun , my heart goes out to you, try not to let it get the better of your new found confidence though. I realise that is easy for me to say, as I have never had a fear of any dog, nasty or otherwise, but I think you should tick it off to a bad experience and think of all the positive experiences you have had.ie stroking Rotti's etc., Well done you, and have a nice peaceful walk next time xxxxxxxxxx

Oh I'm dreading that happening to me!!!! I bet that really shook you up, let alone poor Tilly, it's just not ON that people can do this, and quite honestly, they CAN'T nowadays with this new dog law in force! Grrrrrr. I'd have booted it sky high if it had attacked my girl!!!

Yesterday two big black labs went for mine, but she seemed to know to get out of their way quick, and I thought it might have put her off, but she's been ok this morning, we walked with 4 other dogs and she played with them. THEN, we had this little jr hurfing up to us and went for her, but again, being a smart cookie she shot off sideways and avoided it, and I then found out that this dog had no owner??? The guy approaching with a springer thought it was my 3rd dog, but nobody else was around so I've reported it to dogslost coz it just legged it in another direction but that too could have been nasty if a fight had broken out with no owner around!!! Grrrr. I'm getting sick to the back teeth of having to watch my own a*se coz of dogs like this around offlead!!!!!! You must be getting that way too now then!

I hope Tilly hasn't been put off, I'm sure they learn to just take things like this in their stride, but it sure must have frightened the wits out of you. That woman would have got more than a load of verbal abuse from the likes of me I'd probably have slapped her one!!!

Thanks - I think generally round here the dumb dog owners stick to being dragged round the streets on their leads & don't bother going round the farm. (don't want to get their designer trainers muddy!) But like I said I thought it was bound to happen one day!
We went later then normal this morning - so I won't do that again just in case!