If Your Frenchie Is Attacked — Don't Use Your Hands

Step 1 — DO NOT REACH IN WITH HANDS

Redirected aggression bites peak in this exact moment. Even your own dog will bite you in adrenaline.

Central California SPCA, AKC, Whole Dog Journal: hands between fighting dogs = guaranteed ER visit.

Step 2 — Break Attention With Sound or Water FIRST

• Air horn (most effective per doggie daycare studies — many dogs drop instantly)
• Water hose / bucket to face — can be effective; reliability varies
• Citronella spray directly into nose/mouth of biting dog — taste/smell forces release
• Loud object dropped near them (metal bowl, chair) for psychological break

Step 3 — Wheelbarrow Technique (TWO PEOPLE)

Each handler grabs the BACK LEGS near the feet of THEIR dog. Lifts off the ground. Walks BACKWARDS in a circular motion.

• Circling prevents twist-bite to your hands
• NEVER grab collar or scruff — that's where redirected bites happen

Step 4 — Once Separated, Restrain Immediately

Leash, crate, or car. Do not allow re-engagement.

After Separation — Wound Assessment

• Apply pressure first with clean cloth — 5-10 min solid pressure stops most bleeding
• DO NOT panic-clean — pressure before water
• Look for puncture wounds — close over within minutes, look like "just a scratch." VCA: small canine punctures "can close over rapidly and easily be missed."
• Cover with clean damp cloth, transport to vet

Why Frenchies Are Particularly Vulnerable

• Small size (8-13 kg) — single shake = spinal/internal injury risk
• Brachycephalic anatomy — panicked breathing during attack triggers BOAS crisis. 50% of Frenchies have clinically significant BOAS at baseline; stress amplifies it.
• Spinal vulnerability — studies report 79-97% of Frenchies have some form of spinal abnormality, depending on study and definition. Shake-trauma = severe risk.
• Eye proptosis risk — even minor head trauma during an attack can pop the eye out.

Why Vet ALWAYS — Bite Wound Infection

Dog mouth flora is polymicrobial:

• 50% Pasteurella (canis/multocida)
• Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Capnocytophaga
• Anaerobic bacteria thrive in puncture wounds — canine teeth inject bacteria DEEP, skin closes over → anaerobic chamber

Standard veterinary protocol:

• Surgical enlargement of the puncture for drainage
• Dilute antiseptic lavage
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics covering Pasteurella + anaerobes (typically amoxicillin-clavulanate, or doxycycline + metronidazole) — vet-prescribed

ER vs. Regular Vet

ER NOW

• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Breathing difficulty (especially Frenchie!)
• Pale/blue gums
• Collapse
• Eye injury
• Abdominal/chest punctures
• Unconscious

Regular vet within 6 hours

• Any puncture
• Any bite that broke skin
• Even "just a scratch" from another dog

Legal & Evidence

• Photograph everything — wounds (with ruler/coin for scale), location, the other dog, owner ID
• File animal control report within 24h (most jurisdictions require)
• Dangerous Dog Laws vary: registration, muzzling in public, mandatory confinement, liability for medical bills
• Keep all vet receipts — civil claim window in most US states is 2-3 years

Emotional Aftermath (PTSD in Dogs Is Real)

Behavioral changes after attack:

• Trembling on walks
• Refusal to leave home
• Leash reactivity to ALL dogs
• Hypervigilance
• Sleep disturbance

Recovery:

• Gradual desensitization (parked car at distance from a friend's calm dog)
• Classical counterconditioning (high-value food at sight of dogs)
• Severe cases: vet behaviorist + fluoxetine/trazodone (vet-prescribed)

Prevention

• Skip dog parks entirely (Frenchie owner consensus is overwhelming on this)
• 6-foot leash, never flexi-leash
• Read body language: stiff tail, hard stare, raised hackles, lip-curl = walk away NOW
• Carry: air horn, citronella spray, treats for distraction