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

About the Author

Spike’s Dad

Not a veterinarian — the human behind Spike, a dark brindle Frenchie, for 7+ years. What is written here is checked as carefully as we can against the sources listed above. When real life with Spike differs from the studies, we say so.

How this site is researched →