Put the damn dog in another room.

[csquared]

If you have someone you can trust come take the dog (or stay with the dog), make arrangements now. That way, if you have to have an ambulance, the poor pooch won't be left without someone or in the way and likely to hurt herself or an EMT.

I'm thinking worse case scenario. Home alone. I have collapsed. Lucky to have called 911. Can't get a hold of anyone near by, etc.

Let's hope I never have to find out.

[tropicsgoddess]

Aside from lack of common sense, I don't get why some people don't understand the concept of putting their dog somewhere that they won't bother the people coming in the house or yard. The dog is nice to you because it's YOUR dog. To a total stranger it won't exactly be that way and bet your bottom dollar that if that stranger is perceived as a threat the dog WILL react in a hostile/aggressive manner.

[kpzra]

In cases where no one is able to get control of the dog we'd call for police help. They'd usually send a K9 handler since they know dogs and have protective equipment. Oh and no I'm not refusing to treat you, I'm refusing to be mauled. If I haven't touched you I haven't treated you.

[Marmalady]

Nothing violent, just a "stay away, she's not right, so don't bother her" kind of thin.

*nods* My old dog Shandy was the gentlest dog ever, but when I was pregnant he would stand between me and anyone he thought was too close. He even positioned his body lengthwise in front of my stomach for maximum protection.

[MoonCat]

Among the things that people say that you should never believe: "Oh, he won't bite, he's just a big baby!"

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Among the things that people say that you should never believe: "Oh, he won't bite, he's just a big baby!"

Actually... that's quite true of my dog Ranger (black lab.) He's scared of bunny rabbits, and if someone comes to the door he'll bark then run and hide behind us or the couch.

[veniteangeli]

Actually... that's quite true of my dog Ranger (black lab.) He's scared of bunny rabbits, and if someone comes to the door he'll bark then run and hide behind us or the couch.

HA! Mine too. He whimpers and whines when Chihuahuas bark at him, though he's taken craps bigger than those pseudo-dogs!! He's a big baby.

That said - he WILL bite if provoked enough. He bit me last year, owing to a misunderstanding (regarding dominance issues and food - long story short it was completely my fault). So I know better than to think just because a dog's a wuss most of the time, that means it won't bite under the right circumstances.

[dbuzman]

I'm thinking worse case scenario. Home alone. I have collapsed. Lucky to have called 911. Can't get a hold of anyone near by, etc.

Let's hope I never have to find out.

Maybe write the contacts name and number on a card and keep it on you? Hopefully one of the responders at some point would call the person to get your dog.

[Gizmo]

See Mum did this right: She put the dog in the kitchen and shut the door. Then once Dad had been got out of the house and was being loaded she explained to the EMT's and went back in the house, let the dog into the rest of the house and quickly calmed it down. Then left and the dog was good, stayed on the sofa and didn't try to get out.

[RealUnimportant]

If it's worst-case-but-you-can-still-make-the-call, just be sure to notify them that the dog's present. At least it gives them a chance to arrange for suitable assistance.

[crazylegs]

If it's worst-case-but-you-can-still-make-the-call, just be sure to notify them that the dog's present. At least it gives them a chance to arrange for suitable assistance.

Perfect - my rant is normally reserved for when patients have other people in the house who can undertake the role of 'putting the dog away'. I wouldn't be angry with any patient who is on their own & is so sick they can't put the dog away - that would just be churlish.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Among the things that people say that you should never believe: "Oh, he won't bite, he's just a big baby!"

One thing I never tell people . . . and I have 2 dogs.

Buddy . . . not so much. He's lazy and stays in a fenced dog lot, so he's no trouble for anyone. Just don't try to bring him out of the lot . . . he'll plop his 140 lb Mountain Lab butt down on the ground and refuse to move.

Abby, OTOH, is a differnt kettle of fish. I can't promise what she'll do or won't do . . . ie, she does what she wants pretty much. She's the one we'd have to lock up (if she's inside at night, she stays in the laundry room otherwise she's roaming the house helping herself to stuffed animals off the shelves in the doll room, but I digress) because we simply do NOT know how she would behave in such a situation (and we've not had any situations so far since she's been with us that have required us to call 911) and we aren't taking that chance that she may become defensive and try to bite anyone.

I value my dog too much . . . . wouldn't want her biting anyone not only for their protection but for hers as well.

[csquared]

If it's worst-case-but-you-can-still-make-the-call, just be sure to notify them that the dog's present. At least it gives them a chance to arrange for suitable assistance.

That is a given. My worst fear is that the police show up, think they are being attached and shoot.

Perfect - my rant is normally reserved for when patients have other people in the house who can undertake the role of 'putting the dog away'. I wouldn't be angry with any patient who is on their own & is so sick they can't put the dog away - that would just be churlish.

I figured as much. I just thought that I would ask the EMTs on here and get their advise. Thanks for the info.

[Kristev]

People should trust a dog they don't know the way a cat trusts a dog they don't know - don't.

[Flying Grype]

I have to warn people about my mother's little fluffy lap dog. Yes, she's cute, and she wags her tail at people, but if you're a stranger and you touch her you might lose a finger. Fortunately she doesn't 'guard' her people, she knows she's too small for that, so if she's afraid of someone she just gets out of their way.

Now, the previous dog, the pit bull ... if a stranger showed up with pizza, she'd be like 'well, come on in! Take this silverware, will that be an acceptable trade?'