This is frightening. The first minutes are about safety. The next days are about getting your dog checked and rebuilding confidence.
In the moment
PDSA says to stay calm. Do not try to pull the dogs apart yourself, because many people are bitten that way and you can injure your dog further. If you can, distract the other dog from a distance with a loud noise like a clap. Do not shout at it or stare, which can make things worse. Call your dog away if you can, and ask the other owner to do the same. If another dog is showing aggression, walk away calmly but quickly, and put a barrier such as a gate, fence, or car between the dogs. For more on this, see Another Dog Appears on Your Walk.
Afterward
Get the other owner's contact details and a photo of their dog if you can, and photograph any injuries. If a bite wound is bleeding externally and it is safe to approach your dog, hold a clean towel or gauze against the wound with firm, steady direct pressure while arranging veterinary care. A dog in pain may bite, so do not put yourself at risk. If the cloth soaks through, add another layer without removing the first. Contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately and take your dog for urgent care, even if the injuries look small. PDSA warns that many bite injuries are worse than they look because of damage under the skin and bacteria in dogs' mouths. Ask your local animal control office how to report an attack where you live.
The next walks
Your dog may be wary of other dogs for a while. Choose quiet routes and times, keep a wide distance, and leave early if your dog looks tense. Reward calm looks at a distance. Do not force greetings. Keep sessions short and easy so your dog's confidence can recover.
Get the right help
If your dog now lunges, freezes, or tries to hide when other dogs appear, ask your vet for a check, and a qualified, reward-based behavior professional to help.
This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.
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Sources
Sources & care notes
Frequently asked questions
Should I pull the dogs apart?
No. Many people are bitten separating dogs. Make noise from a distance and get help rather than grabbing either dog.
What should I do right after?
Get details and photos, keep wounds clean, and have your dog seen by a vet even if injuries look small.
My dog seems fine. Skip the vet?
Bite wounds can be deeper than they look. A veterinary check is the safe call after any attack.
How do I rebuild confidence?
Quiet routes, wide distance from other dogs, short easy sessions, and no forced greetings while your dog settles.
