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

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by GoSailGo

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

I was a mess. I had to hold the jaws of the Rott open so he couldn't bite down. Not one person helped, they all just stood around, including the owner who weighed less then the Rott

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by llombardo

I was a mess. I had to hold the jaws of the Rott open so he couldn't bite down. Not one person helped, they all just stood around, including the owner who weighed less then the Rott

A lot of the time it sounds like the owners do nothing! I'm sure not all of the time, as mistakes do happen. I had so many people surrounding my pup I couldn't even get to him before the dog was pulled off. I feel bad the lady got bit and apologized/thank her for saving my pup. Just an all around bad day.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by GoSailGo

A lot of the time it sounds like the owners do nothing! I'm sure not all of the time, as mistakes do happen. I had so many people surrounding my pup I couldn't even get to him before the dog was pulled off. I feel bad the lady got bit and apologized/thank her for saving my pup. Just an all around bad day.

Maybe they should come up with a puppy dog park...only dogs up to 9-12 months old allowed(age depending on temperament). That would stop lots of the fighting, they are all on the same level.

[Courtney]

I'm sorry this happened. I am not a proponent of dog parks. We can't expect all dogs to get along...some get along just fine, while others don't. For me not worth the risk.

Best advice, carry on, watch how you react around your pup he will pick up on your emotions. If he must play with other dogs let it be with a trusted dog that you are comfortable with.

Poor little guy....but he's probably tougher than you think. Build his confidence, focus on one on one time

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Maybe they should come up with a puppy dog park...only dogs up to 9-12 months old allowed(age depending on temperament). That would stop lots of the fighting, they are all on the same level.

I was just thinking the same thing.

[Courtney]

Is it unusual that a puppy would be attacked by an adult dog like that?

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Courtney

Is it unusual that a puppy would be attacked by an adult dog like that?

I think puppies are more of a target. My golden was and still is very happy go lucky...he made it worse by crying. I think the crying made the attacking dog more nervous..he just wanted him to shut up.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by Courtney

I'm sorry this happened. I am not a proponent of dog parks. We can't expect all dogs to get along...some get along just fine, while others don't. For me not worth the risk.

Best advice, carry on, watch how you react around your pup he will pick up on your emotions. If he must play with other dogs let it be with a trusted dog that you are comfortable with.

Poor little guy....but he's probably tougher than you think. Build his confidence, focus on one on one time

I hope you're right. And I'm not sure if puppies get attacked more. There was another puppy his age at the park at the same time and that dog didn't go after him.

[jocoyn]

The best dogs to help your puppy would be well mannered adult dogs to be role models. For Beau, in addition to my own dogs, I would drive 45 minutes to take him to a friends house and go for offlead walks in the woods with THEIR adult dogs and Beau. They knew how to tolerate a puppy but gently correct for being too rambunctious etc. ........ I don't think you can beat exposing the pup to solid adult dogs. A bunch of puppies doesnt teach each other much after about 8 weeks, JMO.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

The best dogs to help your puppy would be well mannered adult dogs to be role models. For Beau, in addition to my own dogs, I would drive 45 minutes to take him to a friends house and go for offlead walks in the woods with THEIR adult dogs and Beau. They knew how to tolerate a puppy but gently correct for being too rambunctious etc. ........ I don't think you can beat exposing the pup to solid adult dogs. A bunch of puppies doesnt teach each other much after about 8 weeks, JMO.

I just took him to see the one stable adult doggy friend that I know and he was all wags and face licking, so thats a BIG weight off my shoulders. Maybe he wasn't so traumatized after all. I have another playdate scheduled tomorrow with a different dog I know (but Navarro doesn't) so hopefully that goes well. This is great advice. No more doggy parks for us.