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Originally Posted by katstock  I truly appreciate everything everyone is saying. As I'm reading everything, I think about how I actually was really careful with my babies. I never let them "play" together or be alone together. When this happened we were walking in from the backyard and the Boxer got a burst of energy. I see now that it was risky.
I still have Harley's sister, Faith. Believe me that I'm reading all the suggestions to make sure I never go through this again. The one that surprised me was from Gemy who said she recommends not taking them on walks together. Her comment makes sense, but I was thinking that walks together keep the pack mentally healthy. Now I don't want to walk them together, hopefully the right decision.
I love and am thankful for Kerryn915's post! We really needed a Boxer saves the day story here. I'm glad your baby is ok. |
For sure walks together helps with pack bonding no doubt about it! I am sorry that I was not more clear, a single handler should not walk a Yorkie and a large dog together. Again this is just my opinion and many many folks do do this.
We usually have one handler my hubby for the large dog, and one for the Yorkie. When I travel alone with all three - 2 big dogs one Yorkie - I take 3 separate walks and pottying times 2x per day.
You see for me, if a dog on dog aggression occurs during a walk, I can only intervene and protect the wee one - the large dog is on its own.... That is a tough very tough call to make, and you only need to make it once to feel that emotional toll it takes on you. Your big dog will usually protect you and your pack-but at what cost to your big dog? I posted before somewhere here about a situation we encountered a few years ago now. My breeder and trainer was with me on vacation, she had 5 Yorkies on lead, 2 running free, I had my big boy Magic and Razzle my Yorkie on lead - out of the blue a Rottie mix comes barrelling down the hill seriously going after the 2 Yorkies running out ahead of our pack. Magic roared and went to the end of his leash in full blown protection mode. The Rottie was ever so surprised (I guess he did not scout out the situation before his prey drive went into hyperdrive). Razzle was going crazy wanting to protect as well - (my mini pack was in the lead) - I had to make the decision to pick up Razzle - and if the Rottie attacked to drop Magics lead and let happen what-ever was going to happen. The Rottie froze and his eyes went wide as he looked - it was the longest 10 or 15 seconds of my life!. I was seriously hampered to intervene should a dog fight occur. I could of course run back the 50 yards to my friend and hand off Razzle - and run back to try to intercede in a dog fight - but the time it would take? Serious very serious damage could have been done. To either one or both dogs. Thankfully the Rottie decided to turn tail and run back up the hill. That is when owning a serious dog with serious attitude is a boon. How-ever it could easily have been another dog who decided he could take Magic. If you have ever seen two large dogs fight and particularly working protection breeds, in the space of a few seconds three or more bites can happen. The thoughts that went through my mind at light speed I can hardly recount them all. I had already put in the closest emergency hospital in my GPS (remember we were on vacation) - I travel with their medical records. The time it would take to get to the hospital from the cottage. Separation techniques - my first aid kit (where was it?) etc etc.
WE did continue to go for our late day walks, but only with a couple of Yorkies at a time - for we had no idea if that Rottie was still out n about. I handled Magic alone as the protector of the pack. Magic loved all the multiple walks as we had a dozen or so Yorkies to exercise. And there was no off lead walking of Yorkies....