Puppy got attacked at the dog park...still in tears...what now?

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by GoSailGo

We're in obedience classes where there is no interaction between dogs. I don't think its helped him learn that dogs aren't scary though.

That's all you need.
Socialization is learning to see dogs and not react to them. You don't need to interact with strange dogs to socialize yours.
I am sorry this happened to you. Please remember that a timid dog needs to be protected by you. Other dogs sense his timidity and will attack.

[wolfstraum]

I am so sorry for your pup, and that you are traumatized.....pups are at the mercy of bigger dogs in situations like dog parks....

Personally, my puppy contract does not allow puppy owners to go to dog parks....if they do it anyway, I cannot stop them of course, but normally, we talk about it before they get the dog and most of them agree it is not a great place to take a pup....

Hopefully, you can get some one with a compatible puppy and try to undo the damage from the trauma....in any case, please do not take this pup to another dog park....do some one on one at a training club or in your yard....our dogs do not NEED dog friends, they need us.....in order to try to prevent dog reactivity or aggression out of self defense, I think you now need to work at making your pup more confident among other dogs and dog social...

Lee

[Nigel]

Was Navarro seriously injured physically? Hope he is ok. One of ours was a target on more than one occasion.

[Liesje]

I would....

1. Not go back to the dog park. Probably not ever. Not just because of what happened but it sounds like he never enjoyed it in the first place, if he was acting timid and just hanging out around people.

2. Go to obedience like you are and just work from there. Work on training, playing games, building a relationship and then proofing all of this around other dogs.

GSDs often are not "social" among dogs. Many are very protective, territorial, and just want nothing to do with other dogs that aren't family. This is just how the breed is. They are not mean to be a "dog park" dog. For a lot of GSD people "socialization" means training and showing the dog to be obedient around other dogs and ignore them, if they have reactive tendencies. There's no reason your dog must enjoy playing with other dogs. Like Jag said a timid dog is often a target for bully dogs. It's just not fair to him if he really doesn't enjoy it, and he will not miss out on anything if he doesn't go to the dog park or run and play with other dogs.

I would personally let him grow up, build his confidence and bond with YOU, and then as you go you might meet some people you trust with nice dogs and arrange play dates with your dogs.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by Nigel

Was Navarro seriously injured physically? Hope he is ok. One of ours was a target on more than one occasion.

He broke a puppy tooth so I'm going to keep an eye on him. I don't think I'll be going back.

Originally Posted by wolfstraum

I am so sorry for your pup, and that you are traumatized.....pups are at the mercy of bigger dogs in situations like dog parks....

Personally, my puppy contract does not allow puppy owners to go to dog parks....if they do it anyway, I cannot stop them of course, but normally, we talk about it before they get the dog and most of them agree it is not a great place to take a pup....

Hopefully, you can get some one with a compatible puppy and try to undo the damage from the trauma....in any case, please do not take this pup to another dog park....do some one on one at a training club or in your yard....our dogs do not NEED dog friends, they need us.....in order to try to prevent dog reactivity or aggression out of self defense, I think you now need to work at making your pup more confident among other dogs and dog social...

Lee

Yeah I don't think I'll be going back. It sucks because the rest of the dogs look like they're having so much fun.

[doggiedad]

dogs are bullies and they take advantage of young dogs.
sitting near the water cooler has nothing to do with the reason
the dog attacked. you should have left immediately after the attack.
when there's a fight or attack at the dog park we go to all
dogs involved have to leave the dog. it doesn't matter which
dog started the attack every dog involved has to leave. they
can come back another day.

your dog may not be as traumatized as you think. find some
some dogs he can play with and set up some play dates.
enroll in a puppy class or group lessons.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I would....

1. Not go back to the dog park. Probably not ever. Not just because of what happened but it sounds like he never enjoyed it in the first place, if he was acting timid and just hanging out around people.

2. Go to obedience like you are and just work from there. Work on training, playing games, building a relationship and then proofing all of this around other dogs.

GSDs often are not "social" among dogs. Many are very protective, territorial, and just want nothing to do with other dogs that aren't family. This is just how the breed is. They are not mean to be a "dog park" dog. For a lot of GSD people "socialization" means training and showing the dog to be obedient around other dogs and ignore them, if they have reactive tendencies. There's no reason your dog must enjoy playing with other dogs. Like Jag said a timid dog is often a target for bully dogs. It's just not fair to him if he really doesn't enjoy it, and he will not miss out on anything if he doesn't go to the dog park or run and play with other dogs.

I would personally let him grow up, build his confidence and bond with YOU, and then as you go you might meet some people you trust with nice dogs and arrange play dates with your dogs.

Good advice. The more I'm reading about puppies being attacked at the dog park the more I'm convinced dog parks aren't good places to go.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

your dog may not be as traumatized as you think. find some
some dogs he can play with and set up some play dates.

Thanks. I will definitely do that.

[llombardo]

I'm sorry both of you had to go through that. My golden was attacked at a dog park and I am thankful he is alive. Unlike your puppy, my puppy had a huge hole in his neck and blood was everywhere I have never gone back, but I can say from experience that moving forward with obedience classes will make a world of difference.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by llombardo

I'm sorry both of you had to go through that. My golden was attacked at a dog park and I am thankful he is alive. Unlike your puppy, my puppy had a huge hole in his neck and blood was everywhere I have never gone back, but I can say from experience that moving forward with obedience classes will make a world of difference.

Poor puppy. That must have been even more traumatic for you than this was for me!