Scuffle with loose dogs - how do I get over it?

[damontis]

First - is this the right place to post this? I was in training and behavior to enter a new topic but it winds up here.

Hi again - It's just me, Samson and Delilah's mom.
I have a couple questions:
I’ll start off with Samson is dog selective.
About a month ago, Samson and I were out on our walk (they get walked separately) when a neighbors two big dogs (1 blk lab and 1 giant rust colored Sheppard like dog) managed to unlatch their fence gate and get loose. They came running over to us and I panicked. I know you're supposed to stay calm, but sadly I didn't. I don't know these dogs and just because one's a Lab I’m not going to assume it just wants to play..it still has a big mouth and it’s running towards me and my dog, and with Samson being dog selective I didn't know what woud happen. I didn't want Samson hurt. I didn't want their dogs hurt. I didn’t want any more bad publicity for pitty’s.
I try so hard to have them be good citizens and well behaved with everyone they meet, and to keep them in an environment that is good for them (always on leash except at home, never at a do park, etc.). I want both Samson and Delilah to leave people with a GREAT impression of the breed (and they have changed several people’s opinion of the breed – yeah!). That is SO important to me. That is why it saddens me that I panicked. I handled it wrong. Bad mommy!
To make a long story short, it was a slight scuffle. I did wind up on the ground with three dogs in a 'mix". The people came out for their dogs (who I really believe were just over excited and playing - it just wasn't the situation for Samson). Samson wound up with a torn paw pad. All dogs are fine and the people apologized, offered to pay vet bill and have secured their fence.
The problem is now I'm jumpy and I want to get over that. My thought is to face it. I still go past that house, but I do make sure I am calm before even coming up to their house. If the dogs are out there I do cross the street. I know I can take a different route but there are dogs everywhere in this neighborhood. I find myself more comfortable with the route I know where the dogs are than trying out a new route where I don’t know where all the dogs are. At least for right now…
Samson was doing so well meeting other dogs through the fence before this, and the dogs he knows he is still okay with. I just don't want to send the wrong message down the leash.
Any suggestion on building my confidence?
How can I learn to stay calm?
Is there a proper way to handle a situation like this when it happens? I know you're supposed to stay calm, but what should I have done? Hold my ground trying to scare the other two dogs off? (but there were two) Run away with Samson (or try to)?
I am much calmer when walking Delilah as she is much more dog friendly.

[loverocksalot]

Yeah I am much like you. Everything makes me anxious. Rocky and I usually freeze. Last time this happened as I realized a dog was running toward us I just walked away dragging Rocky. the other dog got bored with following behind sniffing Rocky and turned around and left. In the past I have stopped waiting for owner to get their dog. But never again. when you walk away the owner pays more attention to the situation.

[adoptapitbull]

I freaked out the other day when a loose dog came up to me and Snorts. Luckily his owner was just a few feet away in their garage and knew the dog was coming towards us. He was barking at us and definitely had a nasty look. I shouldn't have done this, but I stopped and picked Snorts up. This way no one could say my dog started anything. I know if confronted like that, Snorts will fight back. I didn't want it to be "Pit Bull vs. Lab mix" because you all know who'd have been blamed. The guy came and grabbed his dog as soon as he got up to us, and then I walked away a little bit and put Snorts back down. If the owner wasn't there, I'm sure there would have been an issue! When are people going to start being responsible?!

[maryellen]

carry a stick, dog mace, wear heavy boots to kick the oncomng dog away from your dog.. and call the police to report it as well right away, this way you have on record what happened and which dog started it or you could be stupid like me when 2 dogs charged me and rufus and stand in front of rufus and put my hand up and told the two charging dogs to STOP GO HOME BAD DOGS BAD DOGS GO HOME and stand there like an idiot lol... yes the dogs stopped and turned around, which will probaby never happen again

[maryellen]

also only walk one dog at a time too this way you have more control over one dog .. its easier to control your dog and the oncoming ones vs your two and oncoming dogs

[adoptapitbull]

Yes, good point, ME. It might save time to walk two at once, but it would be a disaster if multiple dogs are loose, or there's any 3+ dog fight.

Where can you purchase doggie mace?

[maryellen]

i got mine from a friend of mine who gets them from work. i think most catalogs have them or pet stores might

[loverocksalot]

I dont know if I could do it only because if it were other way around and ROcky got out he would might run up to a dog. ALthough for sure it would be all for play. I would be horrified to see him get kicked. I suppose as last resort I would kick. IDK

[emilys]

be careful with mace.. it's not legal everywhere. And it can blow back into your face (or your dog's). Citronella is safer.. or even a good spray bottle with water+lemon juice

[maryellen]

i use doggy mace, like what mailmen use, and yep, it can blow back in your face

[tank]

uh... labs. i have had more dog fight issues with labs. People think they are automaticly friendly slo they dont need to give themany training. /end rant

i once had to fend off lucy and Gauge from a loose 90 lb lab. I saw the owner in the distance so I yelled at the dog to "go home" and whipped my dogs behing me. Luckly the owner responded quickly and then mentioned "shes a good dog but..." (then keep her on a &@$%&@!!! leash) I know that was the wrong way to deal with it but it worked at the time. I also tence up when I walk by that house with a dog because I know the dog is still loose sometimes. I just try and focas on where I'm going and hopefully my dog will too.

[damontis]

Here is a good link. It's KV Vet and it's cintronella spray.
www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=60023&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=B2798FEF68F44544A63FD78237C74422

I have this and do now carry it with me on our walks.

Thanks you everyone for your insight.
I do walk them seperately (thank goodness based on what happened)

[damontis]

I think I like the idea of a big stick too. Now...where to find one...lol
I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for one.
I also have to learn not to panic. How do I practice that??

Thanks again everyone!!