My friends dog tried to attack me today, what should I do?

[petitedollbabee]

So my friends parents got a border collie last year. They don’t exercise it, they have a really small property with no room for the dog to exercise itself, and they’re gone 12-14 hours everyday at their jobs so the dog is alone.

6 months ago, the dog started acting aggressively towards me for no reason. I haven’t done anything to it to make it think that I’m a threat. Since then, everytime I go see my friend (who lives at her parents place), their dog goes off at me. Today, the dog wasn’t aggressive until I stood up from the couch, and then it started barking like crazy at me and it backed me into the corner of the room before trying to lunge at me. My friend pulled the dog backwards by its collar and locked the dog in her bedroom while I had a panic attack.

I’ve told my friend that I don’t want to go to her house anymore, she has to come to my house when we hang out from now on. But I told her to let her parents know about what happened today. My friend undermined what happened when she told her parents, and now her parents think that the dog only barked a little bit at me and I overreacted and was being a drama queen. I wanted her to warn her parents that her dog might injure someone one day because they’re neglecting the dogs basic needs! It’s made me so angry.

It’s also made me not want to be around my friend at the moment. I feel sorry for the dog, and I have a feeling that it’s lashing out because it’s not getting the lifestyle that it needs, but at the same time I won’t be tolerating a dog that tries to attack me!

How am I supposed to handle this situation? I know that what happened isn’t my friends fault, it’s her parents fault for neglecting their dog, but my friend undermined what happened today and I’m annoyed with her.

[AmandaYVR]

You sound like a very fair and reasonable person. Certainly you did nothing wrong, and it's refreshing to see someone so measured in their assessment of a situation, and you are also generously of the vicious animal, too. So, good for you. 👏

I really like animals, both wild and domestic. I grew up around them, and have had experience with quite a few as pets. My animals have been mostly sweet-natured and my dog only bit one family member years after I had left and my parents were now taking care of her, so I really don't know the details of that incident, but it would not have happened with me present. Owners need to be firm and not let them run amok, but also make them feel secure, letting them know this person in the home is accepted and not a threat. It's particularly sad because my uncle, the person she bit, loves dogs, even her, before that incident.

The problems are 1. Reckless breeding - people letting the wrong-tempered animals breed, prioritizing money over future safety of people, and, 2. This common belief nowadays that pets are little innocent keepsakes to be cherished but rarely disciplined. Many owners don't realize it, but they create a home environment where that dog thinks that it is the pack leader, not the humans. That a recipe for disaster.

What should you do? Well, you are right on in your thinking. This is more a problem with your friend and her family and their attitude, than perhaps it is about the dog. This kind of thing ends relationships. They've spoiled that dog and let it run the house. Your friend was good to put it in the bdrm, quarantine it. But it seems there may be a history of mishandling the situation and dog. I've never been in this situation, and I've always felt sorry for people who have to deal with it. The only thing I can think of, beyond what you have already done, is to suggest they watch some dog training shows or videos. (What's the name of that guy from Mexico who has a successful show on TV?) Anyway, you could probably find some youtube videos and send them to her. If she's offended by that, you've just confirmed that you do have a serious problem on your hands. She absolutely should do as you asked, and instead spend time at your place. I'm afraid your friendship could end over this, but it will not be in the slightest way, your fault.

[AmandaYVR]

Cesar Millan. That's the dog trainer's name.

[purplepoppy]

Those dogs need a lot of stimulus or they get bored and dangerous very quickly. They're not guard dogs but do need to know what their role is and if left alone all day will try to be the one in control. To be honest unless you have a farm or are into agility competions you shouldn't own one, they're not good pets and will outsmart most humans.

Just keep your distance.

[SnowedIn]

Don't go back to the house and let time heal your relationship. There's nothing else to do. If you make a point of this with the parents, they'll just think you're attacking their child. And the dog. Just keep yourself safe and don't go back.

[petitedollbabee]

That’s true.

[SnowedIn]

Thank you for MHO!

[Gent207-2]

Wow and I guess talking to your friend about it abd include resources onhow to take care of her dog - has done nothing?

The moment that dog attacks the wrong person your friend will have a dead dog and her parent's a lawsuit.

[petitedollbabee]

I’ve tried time and time again, to show my friend videos on how to take care of the dogs needs, aswell as trying to explain to her what’s wrong with how her parents are treating the dog.

But she doesn’t listen. She just thinks that I’m telling her off, instead of understanding what I’m saying.

[AviatorTom]

You need to stay away from the dog, whatever that takes.

I feel sorry for the dog. Its owners should not have a dog. They don't know how to properly care for it, nor do they take the time.

[petitedollbabee]

Exactly. Her parents had 2 Labradors a few years ago, and they never exercised them and they overfed them for years until both dogs died. One died from heart disease and the other died from diabetes.

[Paul09]

Ugh! I hate humans. Selfish , lazy , gluttonous humans. Hire a dog walker, higher a trainer. Why bother getting dog if you are not responsible? How on earth did they raise kids? Dogs are way easier and faster to train. These parents should get fined. Poor dog lives a stressful life with dumb humans. Not to much you can do but stay away.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Yes, the dog needs better treatment, sadly your friend's parents are neglecting the dog's well-being, I would not go back to her house until she makes some decisions on what to do. Best wishes on this matter :)

[TallAnon]

I think it would be good for you to be around dogs more, so you can get used to them. But, with people who know how to treat them properly.

A dog will not attack you without reason. If you had stood your ground and commanded it, there's a good chance it would have listened. It sounds like you were afraid and dogs catch up on that.

[petitedollbabee]

I’ve been around dogs my whole life. I’m not scared of them. But when all I do is stand up from a seat and suddenly a dog starts trying to attack me, ofcourse im going to be scared, why would I not be? The dog isn’t trained, my friends family haven’t taken care of it at all. So commanding it would be like pissing in the wind.

[TrueConfection]

That's all you can do. It's best to not go to her house.

[Unit1]

This is why I don't like those dogs, that can kill humans. Not dislike but definitely not liking them.

Unsecured killer dogs = Bye, I'm not gonna gamble myself to join the shameful Darwin award list.

[Massageman]

If you have clear evidence as to who is to blame for the inhumane treatment of a dog, you can provide that information to the paper authorities who will handle it from there.

[AimeeKyle]

Don’t put yourself in that situation unless the either put the dog in another room locked up or they get proper dog training. Meet your friend at your place or out and about.

[lorenzomichael]

Kick it in the ass real hard when your friend isn't looking. That son of a bitch won't try that shit again.

[Christoff92]

Well. Try to be distance until her dog get attached to you again.

[Engin12]

I would get a bigger dog with me lol. You should simply stay away from it.

[NoFollowReqestPlz]

I would report them animal neglect

[petitedollbabee]

I’ve been wanting to report it, but I think that my friend would cut me out of her life if I made a report and had her parents dog taken away.

[NoFollowReqestPlz]

What's more important allowing a dog to suffer and potentially one day escape and maul a child to death or your friendship with someone who is neglecting their dog to the point the dog is suffering. You also said yourself, your friend undermine what happened. This is them not understanding the dangers that are unfolding before their own eyes. You realise the dog could even one day turn on your friend and her parents and potentially maul them to death.

You also said you had a moment where you didn't want to be around your friend. Sorry but looking out for the dog and potentially saving people from further attacks or worse being killed by the dog is far more important than

[mommymommymommy]

get a rabies shot? in case he had it

[petitedollbabee]

I didn’t get bitten, she pulled the dog back right before it got me.

[mommymommymommy]

Ah, well, you should still go anyway

[gothbxtch]

i’m so sorry! i would talk to your friend aboht it

[Iron_Man]

Nothing have your friend control the dog

[In_Trance]

Stay away from the dog in the future

[Anonymous]

Sue the dog