We finally got Sterling his off-leash park permit. Things have been going great and his recall is getting better all the time! He even comes to me when I call him during mid-play now. I just love it.
On Saturday, however, we decided to go to a different park where there are lots of trails in the woods. It's NOT an off-leash area, although I am the only person I have ever seen using a leash. A woman even asked me if my dog was dangerous because he was still on a leash... There are signs everywhere that all say leash your dog and pick up. I just don't get it.
Anyway, we were on our way back from a 3 mile hike with Sterling and the kids and had passed lots of dogs when we met a women and her unleashed, portly Dalmatian. It ran up to Sterling, sniffed him once, and immediately attacked him. Sterling was yelping and crying and this snarling dog had him pinned to the ground. Granted, Sterling can be dramatic, but this was much more than any of his play barks/yips I have ever heard. I am a kick boxer and without thinking I kicked the Dalmatian in the throat. This stunned the dog and the woman managed to pull it off of my little man. I picked up Sterling immediately and told my girlfriend to get the kids out of there. What it had gone after one of the kids!? Sterling was very shaken up, but wasn't bleeding anywhere. The woman apologized (not profusely, mind you. Just one "I'm sorry"). All I said to her was that if her dog was going to attack other dogs it should be on a leash!
I was shaking-mad and using all of my self control not to take it further. In a way, I'm glad the kids were there. I probably would have pursued it further if they weren't.
I left that stupid woman and caught up to my family. We took the opportunity to remind the kids that they should always ask an owner before they approach a dog because you ever know what they're going to do. I carried Sterling for a while until he can calmed down and then he was walking and back to his normal self again. We've met several other dogs since and he's thankfully still not afraid of other dogs.
My only regret is that I didn't get a better kick at that dog. I was about to answer a phone call from my brother and obviously not prepared. I considering reporting the dog or something, but I didn't have any information about the woman and wanted to get the kids away from there. I'll never forget what that dog looked like, though. If I ever see it again we'll stay far away from it at the very least.