It's 8am on a Saturday morning.
I think to get over your fear of dogs you need to understand them more. All dogs are basically wild animals that we as humans think we have trained to be docile pets.
But its there lurking that instinct.
Sometimes it takes over in even the nicest most loving pet.
When I was home the othe week I watched my dog try to eat my cat.
Someone was in the hall so she was barking and growling at the door, guarding me and her house, I went over to tell her to be quiet, the cat came out and ran up behind her also growling(the cat thinks its a dog and mimics my dogs behaviours)this is not unusual and I have seen him do this many times. This time however most likely because I was there and trying to interfere with her protection she got confused. When the cat came up she turned and teeth nashing and barking pinned him to the ground.
I yelled the cat ran the dog followed, of course the cat was all
"Im a dog ill fight back!" and i had to pin the cat to the ground with my hand. and yell at the dog to go.
The rest of the day the cat refused to go near the dog. It was all finally resolved later that evening when the dog and cat gave each other nose touches and head butts.
My dog has protected me from a pit bull attack and growled and barked at strangers in the dark. I know she would protect me and her home above all.
I trust her completely.
BUT she is in the end a dog and a dog is essentially a wild animal, we pretend to know what they are thinking but we cannot possibly.

It is awful that a trusted family dog went after you. He obviously has food issues.
It is also most likely because even though your an old friend you have been gone awhile and he thought he could test his position with you and tell you he was in charge.
Your brother is right you do have to have a face off with him. Although he is saying he's sorry now he needs to know that you are the alpha. You dont have to be mean or yell, more of a non confrontational switching of territory.

Dont worry you wont have to pee on anything!

With your brother in the room have the stare down, it will probably only last a couple of seconds. I also suggest putting him on his back for the stare down. When dogs are on their backs they know that the animal or person above them is the alpha.
Thats why animals tend to want belly rubs, its a sign of submission. Its suppose to say to us "look! you are in charge! touch my belly!" although I suppose they could just have itchy tummies too.

I think you need to do this with Percy to regain that little bit of non fear. I think it would also boost your confidence around other dogs. Im not saying you need to become a dog whisperer but this is the family dog, what if he did that to your little sister? Because he's tested the big female of the house and won and maybe he thinks he can test the small female.
Just remember that dogs are basic animals and respond to basic instints.

Make sure to put some antiseptic on the bite dogs mouths arent the cleanest.

Im sorry its been such a rough week.
But before you know it youll be back in Eric's arms and thinking
"wait did I go home?"
I hope it wasnt all bad, and you can just remember the good times and seeing your brother and sisters. Hold on to the good.

DITTO

LOL I thought that was pretty funny! (Not your tale of abuse by a pug, but myt ditto comment)But Alice is right. I had to teach my Catahoula that I was the alpha, and I had to do this several times, but finally go the message after I grabbed him and dominated him rolled him on his back and bit his throat. He got the message.

I'm so sorry that the week had to end that way. I was attacked by a barn cat when I was 7 and wouldn't go near another cat for 10 years. I ended up with a cat in college, and that got me over my fear, but that doesn't mean I pet random cats. Animals are animals and it's ok if you're scared.

I don't much about dogs except that I don't like them. I bet you can't wait to get back to Germany. And Eric. Have a good weekend, Clarity. ♥

That must have been a scary experience.I had something like that happen with my friend's poodle. A lot of dogs sometimes do things out of their nature, no matter how sweet they seem. Alice is right. All dogs are basically wild animals. You never know what they're going to do. I hope you're okay. You sound like you've been dealing with a lot this week.

Damn girl. Percy is a psycho-chocolate fanatic. I had no idea.

I must join the choir though. You are in great need of showing percy dominance. If you don't, you'll pay for it later. Some people here seem to know a lot about that. Let Jay help you. It's only going to get worse from here. Show that little fucker who is boss! Otherwise you running away from him will get burned into his memory. And don't be fooled by what you think is surrender or bad conscience. He's just getting the affection he thinks you owe. Don't be his bitch and pet him after what he did!

Oh and if you were bleeding you need a Taetanus-shot, immediately. You have 48 hours after the event. Don't wait, go to the hospital, no discussion. Call Tara, no false pride! I don't know when you had the last one, you probably need one anyway. But if you were seeing the slightest bit of blood, it's non-negotiable. A taetanus- infection is no joke, It's life or death. No need to die from that in the 21st century. It's like condoms just do it! You don't want to die from a pathetic scratch. How would that look in the art history books?

I love you so much. I am so glad you still love me despite the separation. And I hope you still will after you see my fat gut I've grown during your absence...:)

I'll admit it. I'm snickering a little.

Clari, you really gotta show that dog who's boss. It seems that maybe he KNOWS you are the top dog... but he needs to have it shown to him, also. You honestly need to do the face-off with him and be the alpha.

PS - Have your little sister fill Percy's food bowl up a little more often. *sigh* I don't think he likes the taste of human, judging by his face. At least he has a guilt complex. That's what I love about dogs - they feel guilty after they've done something wrong.

When Chuckie has done something wrong, we immediately know because instead of perky ears, a smiling face and a wagging tail, we get droopy ears, a frown and his tail tucked between his legs. He's such a guilty little boy. I love him for it.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v400/tenshi85/th_chuckie.jpg

i have an intense fear of dogs, also. and mine comes from good reason. i have been bit four times from dogs whom the people told me, "oh, he's so sweet, he won't hurt anyone." and one time from a dog i knew was bad news. so, yes, 5 times. and once when i was baby-sitting a 6 month-old their family dog (whcih i have baby sat a thousand times before with her around) tried to attack me when i picked up the baby. i had to run out the door with only the baby in hands-- no diaper, no bottle, nothing. it was a mess.

so, i know this is stubborn of me, but i have decided NOT to give up my fear of dogs. i am scared shitless. i admit it and i don't know if it will change. (i am sorry, this is probably not helping your fear, but i want you to know you are not crazy for having the fear, i am right there with ya!)

the family dog really is a scary thing, though. the only dog i have ever loved and trusted was out little family dog growing up. maybe he was just caught up in the moment, it was night time, and he didn't really know it was you right away. either way, that is very surprising!

i am sorry you have had such a horrible week. i really hope you can finally have a good weekend! you deserve it so much! and soon, you will be home with eric. i am thinking of you.

okay now im just laughing because Eric called Percy a little fucker.
I dont know why but I think its funny.
Its like Samantha calling a baby an asshole on Sex in the City.

If you need any dog advice feel free to ask.
Dont worry you wont have to bite his neck- although when my dog was a puppy and going through the biting stage I stopped it in its second day by biting her back.
Not hard or anything, she never bit a person again.
and yes all dog owners are crazy.

Holy moly. Clarity! Kick that dog's ass. Running away was probably the worst thing to do. It teaches him that you will run from him, making him feel like he's twice his size. He's only a Christmas ham, don't let him think he can get away with that. Grab him by the scruff of the neck and say, Bitch, I'm bigger than you!
(Okay, if someone tried to take chocolate away from me, I might have acted the same way. *ahem*)

Eeek! Eric is right, get an anti-tetanus jab. Also, if the dog is an intact male, get him neutered.(Heh) This is supposed to make antsy male dogs much quieter.
If you want to understand doggy mind and behaviour, read Bruce Fogle's book on Your Dog's Mind, (not sure if that is the exact title, its close.) Every so often, a trusted family pet takes a chunk out of a child, or worse, a baby, because people misunderstand how dogs tick.

omg that is so messed up! i'd be freakin out like crazy, i'd probably be throwing everything in the house at him to make him go away. especially if it was over some stupid piece of chocolate!

That had to be scary. I agree with you, just let him have the chocolate. Maybe if he gets sick enough times he'll stop eating it.

At least Percy seems remorseful. It probably was just instinct. Maybe feeding him before bed will stave off such behavior. And if it's just that he has a sweet tooth, putting candy in heavy containers he can't get into could never hurt.

OH, and to show Percy who's boss, bite him on the ear. It worked for my uncle's very ill-tempered dalmatian that bit almost everybody. Sorry...Just thought of that.

"just let him have the chocolate. Maybe if he gets sick enough times he'll stop eating it."
Please don't take this advice, if the chocolate is a big bit, or high in cocoa solids, and if the dog is a small one, it could kill him. Our vet told us that chocolate contains something dogs can't metabolise, and is often fatal. You can buy special "chocolate treats" for dogs. If you want to assert yourself and regain his friendship, and your trust, you could try some basic obedience training, and give him a little treat at the end of each session.

I was considering it today and think you really should have given Percy a slap for that. My old cat, Tiger, went ballistic on us a few times, full out attack, also bit us at times, so then is the time to discipline them to know it's not acceptable. Even if not a slap, then stern voice and like your brother said, look them in the eye to show that you are boss and that was unacceptable.

Hi Clarity. Maybe it was the sugar int he chocolate that sent him mental? When we first got Geoffrey he got hold of a box of chocolates, ate most of them and then trashed, and I mean totally trashed, my parent's living room. He ripped their new sofa into shreds, tore up the flooring and pissed everywhere. When we spoke tot he vet about it he said it was sugar and chemicals in the chocolate causing making him do it, a bit like people sometimes flip if they take drugs. Perhaps Percy had the same problem?
Love Vicola x

One thought that struck me was that since it was the middle of the night and even though you've been there for a while now, maybe it threw him off since he's not used to you being there all the time. Like maybe he didn't realize who it was?? Especially since how he acted afterwards.
I had an experience with a cat when I was about 7 or 8 and it happened so fast I believed for several years that it was the cats whiskers that scratched me, not it's claws!
I second the chocolate treat idea for dogs, apparently they are just as good as regular chocolate because my step-son like them too!

Chocolate just won't make Percy sick - there is a toxic ingredient in chocolate that can KILL dogs and it's not a large amount either.

And I agree that you need to show Percy who is boss. I can't believe he moves chairs and climbs onto counters! Pugs aren't exactly known for their long legs! What an addict.

Good luck with the little darling. I know you'll be fine.