dog help needed

jessicabessica

I hope TK is working, because I would love some advice from the dog people around here. 

Last night our dog was bitten by another dog at the dog park.  I don't think the other dog was vicious--our dog was playing with two dogs from the same family, one of the dogs was in between our dog and the other and maybe felt boxed in or something, not quite sure.  Anyway, she's pretty miserable.  She had to be sedated, stiched up, and have a drain put in at the vet last night/this morning, so now she has a cone (H is home with her, I am pretty sure a greyhound wearing a cone is going to be pretty sad looking). 

We've made so much progress in socializing her with other dogs since we got her a year-and-a-half ago.  I am worried that this experience--she was bitten at the dog park that we go to everyday--is going to really freak her out.  Am I worrying unnecessarily?  Any tips for working with her while she's recovering?  Tips for when we go back to the dog park, once she's healed?  TIA.

redheadfsu

1. Is there someone with a calm dog you know that can come visit her in a few days (once she can move freely again)?

2. But the main thing is that YOU don't freak out when you see other dogs. How her people react after the bite will effect her. So when you take her back there you need to act normal.

aragx6

I think the best tip I can give you is to not let it freak you out. Dogs are unbelievably sensitive to the feelings of their humans, and if you tense up, even subconsciously, when you go back to the park that's going to have a bigger impact than anything else.

That said, i would suggest going back only when the pup is properly healed and try to go at a time where it will be nearly empty -- say early early morning perhaps? -- that way you can get back into the groove without too much craziness from the other dogs.

Best of luck and I'm glad to hear she's OK!

Edit: Red beat me to my first point!

mkrupar

I'm sorry to hear about your pup! Ditto PPs advice. Dogs can sense their human's emotions. If you're nervous, they're going to be.

KellyBrian2013

Sorry to hear about your pup. But this is exactly why I don't like dog parks...

Can you look into a doggie daycare near you? They at least have people supervising play with trained eyes to know when it is escalating or to know when a situation is becoming potentially dangerous. TBH, I probably would avoid the dog park now (though I avoid them to begin with). There's very little time or room for intervention in case that play is too rough or if you meet a dog that isn't as friendly as its owners would like to believe it is.

That said, PPs are right in that YOU can't tense up around other dogs now. Your dog will read it. How old is she? That will affect a lot of the advice that I have to give.

maribeth721

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dog-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:294a42fa-cead-49d4-b417-20c1f96a4b0cPost:448d4351-f42d-4b5b-9d98-c3fe22cbca1b">Re: dog help needed</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I think the best tip I can give you is to not let it freak you out.</strong> Dogs are unbelievably sensitive to the feelings of their humans, and if you tense up, even subconsciously, when you go back to the park that's going to have a bigger impact than anything else. That said, i would suggest going back only when the pup is properly healed and try to go at a time where it will be nearly empty -- say early early morning perhaps? -- that way you can get back into the groove without too much craziness from the other dogs. Best of luck and I'm glad to hear she's OK! Edit: Red beat me to my first point!
Posted by aragx6[/QUOTE]

I agree with this totally. So sorry to hear about your poor pup :(

Is there maybe like a class you can take your dog too? Just for the socialization aspect? Or do you know friends or family with a calmer dog you could begin introducing your dog to?

OliveOilsMom

You may want to try walking her around the area of the dog park first, not take her immediately into the dog park again.  I would walk her for about a week or so, you know your furbaby best - go by how she is acting.  Then take her into the dog park and see how she is.  If she immediately freaks or doesn't want anything to do with it.  I would not pressure her.

I also like the PP idea of bringing a calm dog over to visit her to make sure she won't get stressed around any other dogs.  And to stay calm yourself when you begin to take her to the dog park again.

bmoruzzi

Poor puppy.  Sorry this happened.  My dog was bit by a dog at his day care.  He was totally fine going back there.  No other problems in the last year.  On a different note, my dog got into a bit of a scuffle with a boxer in the neighborhood.  The boxer jumped on my dog and kind of held onto him.  He is deathly afraid of all boxers now and barks like a nut when we pass one whether at the park or on the street.  Someone told me that if we pass one I should start giving him treats and praising him (as long as he doesn't make a scene).  And do that each time.  But, I never tried it so I'm not sure.  

SunriseAmber

That is horrible. Poor pup. Your worries are totally normal and understadable and it IS something that you should be concerned about. The dog park we go to we have met several owners with dogs who have been bitten and have become anti-social and somewhat agressive. I'm not saying this is how it is for ALL dogs, this is how it is for those dogs we've met.

Definitly give your dog time to heal and then start re-socializing him/her slowly. Like the other PP's said, if you feel worried, anxious, nervous, etc your dog will feel that and react in the same manner.

Maybe you have a trainer in your area? PetSmart has good trainers that can work with your dog on this. Plus going to the class will give the dog a chance to interact with other dogs in a safe-managable enviroment.

Good luck!

sparent2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dog-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:294a42fa-cead-49d4-b417-20c1f96a4b0cPost:ec0ec679-d329-48b1-b04d-6a70e1337018">Re: dog help needed</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm sorry to hear about your pup! Ditto PPs advice. Dogs can sense their human's emotions. If you're nervous, they're going to be.
Posted by mkrupar[/QUOTE]

Yup and look around in your area. We have some dog parks here that have Shy dog areas or old dog areas that are much calmer than the open dog park.

But really it just takes time. Yea sometimes things like this happen but as long as you are calm and relaxed when she meets new dogs she will be fine.

Have you considered doing something like obedience with your dog? In those classes there is a lot of doggie interaction going on and obedience training is fun. And if your registered you can work towards your CD, CDX etc.

StephBeanWed61502

I don't know where you are, but I know in my area, people use websites like Craigslist and Meetup to set up "doggy play-groups" for their dogs, usually broken down by breed/size (so a Shi-Tzu can be in a playgroup with other toy dogs, instead of going to the dog park where the other pups may be way, way bigger/stronger/more aggressive/etc.).  Maybe this would be a safer place for your dog to socialize, with dogs of her own breed and size?  Also, you could try socializing her in more structured environments - doggy day care, an obedience or agility class, etc.

RKPugs

I don't have any advice but I'm sorry about what happened! It's so hard to see your dog in pain  

jessicabessica

Thanks for all the advice so far!  That's true about our dog sensing our emotions and anxieties.  We will definitely ease her back into the dog park slowly when there aren't any other dogs there and then try to coordinate with dogs we know.  I've been a little iff-y on this dog park already, so I think we might need to be more selective about when we go in general, at least for a while.  

That's a great reminder about the training classes--we have been meaning to do that.  We used to live in a fairly rural area and the couple of trainers in the area did not come highly recommended, but now that we're in a more urban area, we should be able to find something that will work out.  

Oh, and the dog is 5 1/2.  I think she went into rescue from the racetrack when she was 3 1/2 or 4.  

ZombieNates

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dog-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:294a42fa-cead-49d4-b417-20c1f96a4b0cPost:f015a6a6-be79-4588-a31c-1ca1b5b6488e">Re: dog help needed</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for all the advice so far!  That's true about our dog sensing our emotions and anxieties.  We will definitely ease her back into the dog park slowly when there aren't any other dogs there and then try to coordinate with dogs we know.  I've been a little iff-y on this dog park already, so I think we might need to be more selective about when we go in general, at least for a while.   That's a great reminder about the training classes--we have been meaning to do that.  We used to live in a fairly rural area and the couple of trainers in the area did not come highly recommended, but now that we're in a more urban area, we should be able to find something that will work out.   Oh, and the dog is 5 1/2.  I think she went into rescue from the racetrack when she was 3 1/2 or 4.  
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]
This is somewhat similar to what happened to my dog. We adopted him when he was about 2. Soon after, I was walking him in the new-to-him neighborhood and a large Doberman-Lab mix broke out of his house (sounds funny, but wasn't), knocked Bax to the ground, bit his neck and drew blood before the owner could get his dog under control. 

Since then, Bax is very aggressive towards large dogs, but still very friendly and playful with small dogs. Doggy daycare has helped a lot, as has frequent play periods in our courtyard with other neighbor dogs (on leases for easy control).

Good luck! I know how hard it is to witness firsthand.

sparent2010

http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/training_clubs/index.cfm?action=search_state&state=ME

This might help I am not sure where you are in Maine 

Our dog was severly abused as a puppy which has led to permanent issues. This is my 8th year of having him and it took about 5 years for him to warm up to other dogs. We tried obedience but the abuse made it hard for him to function in social situations. But hard work has paid off and I am sure she will be fine in your hands \-  

jessicabessica

Lucy is adorable.  I'm sorry to hear about how many others have had to deal with this, but I do appreciate you sharing your experiences.

sparent--we actually moved down to the DC area (I just haven't bothered to update TK), so we should have many more options.  Thanks for sharing that link, though, I'll see what's available in our new area.  

I'm not really sure why Bridget has the cone.  The wound is on her shoulder, so she can't really get it with her mouth--but she can with her hind leg.  We are going to put a bootie on so her nails won't be able to get it, and I should hear her tags jingling if she starts scratching  during the night.  Not really sure how to keep her from getting at it, though.