Ailill got attacked at class

[bigpup]

There was a 14 month merlequin at Ailill's intermediate training class last night that had been previously attacked, and the owner was trying to re-socialize it. She had brought the merlequin last week as well, and towards the end of class, the dog had started acting a lot better. Well, last night, Ailill and I walked into the training room and sat down, and the merlequin pulled her owner to us, sniffed Ailill, and promptly attacked. Thankfully, the owner managed to get her pretty quickly, but Ailill got 2 puncture marks in his ear, the top one almost a tear as well. Provided he doesn't get an abcess or a hematoma, I think he will be okay, though scarred. He was really crying when we were cleaning it out, but he soon settled down, and we ended up staying for class. The woman left with the merlequin, and Ailill is pretty comfortable with the other dogs in class, so I thought it would be a good thing to stay, after such a tramautic experience (for both of us!). So my question is do you think he may now have a fear of large dogs? I was thinking of taking him back to Petsmart tonight when there's no class, and taking him in the training room, and just doing some work. Just to show him there's nothing to be uncomfortable with at Petsmart, before our class next week. Thanks in advance, and sorry this is so long!

[Meatos]

I don't think he'll have a fear of large dogs provided you don't make a big deal of large dogs when you encounter them (i.e. anything from changing your grip on the lead to moving Aillil out of the way, expressing your own fears or tension, etc.). I hope you didn't baby him too much after the incident?

It's good that you stayed after class. I hope the big lug is feeling better today!

I'm a loser...bored at work, bosses are gone, and I'm lurking DOL...hence the fast response!

[bigpup]

We didn't baby him too much, it took a while to get him to stop crying, and then we had to clean the wound. This morning he was pretty non-responsive, which is very unlike him, but this afternoon he's pretty much back to normal. Maybe the whole thing was more traumatic for me than him! Quite a scary thing. Thanks for the quick response!

[faust]

Duke, my rescue dane that has since passed, was attacked very viciously at the dog park one afternoon. I was there with him alone and there was a man with a pitbull on a chain. Do no misunderstand, pitbulls are one of my favorite breeds and they can make great companions if trained and treated correctly, but the rule of thumb is to know your dog. The man as he was bringing his dog through the gate had it still on the leash and it was pulling and trying to get into the park. He looked at me and told me he wasnt sure how his dog would do as he walked by me. I was just standing next to the fence and my dane was next to me just laying down. He was a lazy ass if no one was there to interact with. When the pit passed me it growled and lunged. Before I knew it Duke was on top of the pit and within seconds he had it on the ground in his mouth. I immediately went to grab duke off but the idiot with the pit on the leash kept pulling the dogs back towards him but not seperating. After about a minute of chasing this guy backwards i grabed duke who calm sat back down and smiled at me. His face and mouth was covered in blood and he had puncture wounds all over. The man promptly left the park appologizing but getting away before any information could be exchanged.

Granted I am very laid back and handled this differently than most people I have seen. I was pleased my dog steped in to protect me from what he sensed was danger since the other dog was within inches of me when he grabed it, but he was not the least bit traumatized. He looked up at me like, " See mom! I did good. Let's play!" I went over to the water fountain washed the blood off hsi face and mouth and we stayed at the park for an hour and a hlf more and he played with all the dogs that eventually showed up. No agression no trauma. I didnt make a big deal about it and neither did he. When we got home i pulled out the neosporin and dotted his 13 puncture wounds and within a week you could not tell anything had occured.

He was not remotely traumatized. Always played with pits and other dogs fine afterwards. I truely believe that dogs sense and feed off your energy. If you flip your shit so will they and will become as traumatized as you are.

[jeann1230]

If he was traumatized or not will show up later. Probably at an inopportune time when another large dog is just to eager.

In my experience Great Danes have the brain of an elephant, they never forget or forgive.

My Luca was bit as a pup, at first there were no changes to his behavior. When he hit puberty he showed that for him attack is the better defense.

Keep socializing your pup and I sincerely hope your pup gets over this incident unharmed.

[bigpup]

Thanks for the replies. I figure the best thing to do is just keep taking him back and socializing and hope for the best. His ear is looking pretty good tonight, and is not very swollen, so I'm hoping no vet visit. Thanks again.

[humbug]

I think it is good that you stayed. Unless absolutely necessary I never leave a situation on a bad note.

I hope his ear heals very quickly!!

[bigpup]

So I took Ailill back to Petsmart tonight, just for a bit of training. For the first time ever he actually showed some signs of being anxious in the car, just wouldn't settle. We went into the training room where the attack happened, and did some work in there, just one on one. There was definitely a difference, he kept looking around the room, and it was difficult to keep him focused. But all in all, not too bad, and we did end on a good note, and then went and got ice cream! It's just so upsetting because we have done everything to socialize him with people and dogs, and have stayed away from the dog parks because the ones we have here have a bad rep. And still something happened. But I guess all I can do now is keep doing what I'm doing, and hope that it hasn't affected him too much. Thanks for your concern and comments.

[faust]

Dogs...Just like kids, new shoes, and white clothes.... no matter how careful you are and how many precautions you take... something out of your control will always happen to make a mark on them.

In the end it is how you handle it and work it out that makes all the difference.

[empm]

The summer after we got Annie we took her to a 'Bark in the Park' to let her meet other dogs. All went really well for a while. All of a sudden it was like watching Wild Kingdom. Up from behind came 2 dogs, seemed like at the speed of light. One grabbed her thigh and one had her by the other front leg. She was seriously traumatized. We left immediately. I don't think this has much relevance since Annie is blind, but your experience brought it to mind. I was traumatized too, and will never get over or risk it again.

[lookinforanangel]

Geez. I can't believe that happened to you! I hope and pray nothing happens to my baby when I'm around, because I know I'd act like a total freak! He'd be tramatized for life. At the local zoo I'm known as the lady who freaks out and throw rocks at the swans when they pick on smaller ducks.. needless to say I try to avoid going there any more..

[shunee]

.immediately went to grab duke off but the idiot with the pit on the leash kept pulling the dogs back towards him but not seperating

If I didn't know any better it looks to me as if he was egging it on. People can be real dum a**
People like him and how he rasied his pit, make people hate that breed.

[alicat613]

Oh poor pup! Just keep going out and socializing and having good experiences.

It is my experience that a general rule in training classes of never having the dogs meet, be within reaching distance or approach face to face is best. It may seem overkill and not fun, but it keeps everyone safe and on task.

I feel this is also a great rule to follow when at any on-leash event or meetings on-leash unless you know your dog is good with on-leash introductions AND trust the other person's evaluation of their dog. Of course that can be tough in a crowded area! My dogs are fine with on-leash socialization but I try to make sure they aren't approaching dogs head on and that if owners allow their dogs near mine and the dog seems tense or overly interested to keep my dogs moving.

[bigpup]

He did well today, almost back to normal thankfully! We went to a local nursery and he got to meet new people, and a little pit bull, and did very well. It's amazing how quickly something like an attack can happen, the dogs' body language as she approached Ailill seemed good, so it was definitely a surprise when she went for him! I didn't freak out when it happened, but I'm not ashamed to admit when we got home and he was crashed on the couch, I went in the bedroom and had a bit of a freak out. But at least it wasn't around him!

[empm]

Oh, I'm glad to hear the good news!