... and I thought the housetraining was stressful !

[donnakebab]

I'm glad it ended well TS. It's a shame when things like this happen because dogs can be such good friends and companions to us primitive humans (who are very good at treating fellow man badly let alone animals).

I've started to miss my daughters dog really badly. I was at my lottie the other day and there's a guy there that has a young German Shepherd. I went to have a chat with him and the dog got excited and wanted to say hello, he was on a lead and I wasn't worried. He did jump up at me and being used to it I braced myself and accepted the the luscious licks he gave me. People not used to dogs probably wouldn't have let him get that close. However, we do always have to be aware that they can be unpredictable at times, especially around children and smaller animals. Frazer (daughters dog) and my three legged familiar get on really well. Even when he comes home for a visit.

[ladylottie]

I'm going to carry a small perfume squirty bottle of vinegar in future

What is this for please - I'm scared of dogs especially when they bark and run towards me. Wondering if this would help to keep them away from me?

[rustylady]

^ ^ ^ The idea is to shock the aggressive dog into letting go of whatever it has grabbed. Do be careful though, you might just antagonise it even further.

[Hilary B]

If a dog is bounding over, full of enthusiasm (and probably wanting to play) and you don't want to get acquainted, stand your ground, look it in the eye, and when he is getting close just say "NO" in the most positive voice you can muster; that does NOT mean shouting you just have to sound as if you are sure the dog is going to stop.
Try not to flinch, turn away, jump or do anything that might (from the POV of a dog, not very bright but good at body language) be the start of running away; many dogs will see that sort of thing as an invitation to play chase.

[lottie dolly]

several years ago,we were out delivering papers,a little yappy thing came up full of mouth,and when for DH back ankle,i gave the loudest woof's i cound and liked it in the ehe's,it gave a yelp and flew of,never seen it again,had it been a big one,i would not have,this was in the street,not on it's property

[veggiechicken]

What is this for please - I'm scared of dogs especially when they bark and run towards me. Wondering if this would help to keep them away from me?

LL, Follow Hilary's advice ^^^^^. Dogs aren't running towards you to bite you, they're just saying Hello in a Doggy way (NO!!). Stand your ground, they'll back off or just come over and give you a sniff.
I'm not saying you could do this with guard dogs in a compound but dogs are mostly all bark and no bite - Honest