[chubby]

Hi everyone...I'm still really shook up by what happened at the dog park on Saturday and I had a nightmare last night of a repeat...I just feel really terrible as a doggie parent, and need some advice from loving and educated doggie owners who have some wisdom to share :redface:

What should you do when your dog is being bitten/aggressively wrestled by another dog who is larger, and considerably more dangerous than what you're used to handling?

Just some background info - small Bichon (my dog) and a Boxer (mix?). He was pinning her down, and biting her ears and tails, and she was crying out loud in pain, and I tried to get between them to push him away with my legs, but I couldn't because he had a hold on her and it was hard to push him away, and so I was screaming loudly "STOP STOP!" hoping he would back off, and I asked the owner to extricate her dog but she told me she won't, and that it was my problem...and then finally my friend who's a police officer was able to use a very commanding voice, which scared off the boxer. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what I would've done, and half of me was so terrified I felt frozen in fear.

Since I was screaming STOP STOP! all the other dog owners in the park were staring at us (and there were a LOT of dogs that day), and the owner finally put the leash back on her boxer and left the park about an hour later. I had Butters on a leash after this incident to better manage in case it were to happen again, but she was getting along really well with the other dogs in the park, and played well with them (I don't know how shook up she was about it). Before this incident I knew I had to be wary of him as he was jumping on me and my friends and mugging at our treat bags trying to get some food from us, and the owner did nothing to correct his behaviour.

I don't know how this erupted and it all happened so fast, that I don't know what lead up to it - Me and butters were previously working on our recall in the park, and when she'd get a few feet away I would call her back to me, and when I was giving her treats, he would always be there too hoping to get some as well, so he was always kind of close by,

I just need some advice on how to better handle the situation so next time it doesn't happen again, and if it does, that I'll be better prepared to resolve the situation.

Please only constructive advice and tips/warnings, just want to know what I can do next time as I'm still really shaken up about it. Thanks!

 

[dagwall]

Sorry about what happened and the owner of the boxer should have stopped their dog if your dog was crying out in pain. But I'm curious as to why you stayed after that? To be able to say they stayed for an hour more means you did too. Basically if you feel your dog is unsafe someplace it's your job as their caretaker to leave to unsafe environment. It doesn't sound like the boxer actually attacked your dog or Butters WOULD be hurt, just playing too rough and not backing off when it was clear your dog wasn't having fun.

As for the boxer being all over you trying to get treats... I don't really have much sympathy for you there. Bringing treats to a dog park is a big no no in my book and if you do you can't be surprised when you attract other dogs who want those treats. That drove me crazy when I still went to the dog park and my dog would be all over people who brought treats instead of running around and playing. I could tell when Jubel was overly interested in people they had treats. I'd warn them NOT to give him any or he'd never leave them alone, ignore him long enough and he'll go away. If they gave him some anyways they were on their own dealing with Jubel's attempts to earn more treats because they chose not to listen. From what you said the park was pretty crowded as well making bringing in treats even more likely to cause issues. Most dogs will just want to get some treats but some might get aggressive around food and other dogs. Just all around bad to bring food into a dog park, most have rules against that as well.

 

[Crantastic]

Grab the dog's back legs and wheelbarrow it away from your dog, slowly turning in a circle. Most dogs will let go of whatever is in their mouth once you grab their back legs, and when you are wheeling them in a circle they can't turn around and bite you because they have to keep walking on their front feet.

I also wouldn't go back to that dog park... but if you must, your small dog should not be in the same section as large dogs like that boxer. Read this whole recent thread:

 

[Mizuno]

Firstly, are there separate areas of your dog park? Ours has a small/big side, and people rarely use the small dog side, so I use it for some great and usually alone play training time with my dogs. If I don't want to take rambunctious Deebs around teeny tiny yorkies that I know she isn't a fit with play-wise, I'll go to the back of the big park where no one is and distract her there.

Main thing is, if a dog comes in that makes me nervous with their actions, I usually leash up and move to the other side or leave in a fun way with Deebs so she knows it isn't anything she did. You can't control the bad owners, and you look like a dummy getting in an argument at the dog park with said bad owners (lets just say I've been there, done that... and I made an ass of myself even though I was in the right), so you may as well leave before they or their bad dogs ruin the day. Advice on how to handle it next time?
a) leave when that specific dog enters, obviously
and b) pay attention to the pack. Some dogs get along, and sometimes there is the bad egg. It is much more worth it to me to leave with Deebs than let her get hurt or caught up in a fight.

As for training, I would get a 20 footer and practice recall outside the dog park. There is still the distraction, she is on lead and safe, and you can monitor the dogs on the inside while you're out to see if after training it is even worth it to go inside!

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

yeah bringing treats to the DP is a no no usually but you live & learn as mom says. i have never had a small dog that i had to defend at the DP, & when i did (Bear, my used-to-be-mine-but-is-now-my-folks JRT) i had Izze at the time & she took care of herself & Bear against any brutes & always sent them packing, if she didnt i was there to back her up.

 

[Spook82]

Sorry about what happened and the owner of the boxer should have stopped their dog if your dog was crying out in pain. But I'm curious as to why you stayed after that? To be able to say they stayed for an hour more means you did too. Basically if you feel your dog is unsafe someplace it's your job as their caretaker to leave to unsafe environment. It doesn't sound like the boxer actually attacked your dog or Butters WOULD be hurt, just playing too rough and not backing off when it was clear your dog wasn't having fun.

As for the boxer being all over you trying to get treats... I don't really have much sympathy for you there. Bringing treats to a dog park is a big no no in my book and if you do you can't be surprised when you attract other dogs who want those treats. That drove me crazy when I still went to the dog park and my dog would be all over people who brought treats instead of running around and playing. I could tell when Jubel was overly interested in people they had treats. I'd warn them NOT to give him any or he'd never leave them alone, ignore him long enough and he'll go away. If they gave him some anyways they were on their own dealing with Jubel's attempts to earn more treats because they chose not to listen. From what you said the park was pretty crowded as well making bringing in treats even more likely to cause issues. Most dogs will just want to get some treats but some might get aggressive around food and other dogs. Just all around bad to bring food into a dog park, most have rules against that as well.

I agree here, if this dog was really being aggressive, your dog would be injured. Boxers have quite a rough style of play, very mouthy, body slamming, jumping on dogs, etc. and your dog just wasn't up to it. But if you were concerned, it's up to you as the dog parent to look out for your pup and leave if you're seeing something you don't like.
And bringing treats to a dog park? Expect to get crowded and followed by a trail of noses.

 

[JohnnyBandit]

Hi everyone...I'm still really shook up by what happened at the dog park on Saturday and I had a nightmare last night of a repeat...I just feel really terrible as a doggie parent, and need some advice from loving and educated doggie owners who have some wisdom to share :redface:

What should you do when your dog is being bitten/aggressively wrestled by another dog who is larger, and considerably more dangerous than what you're used to handling?

Just some background info - small Bichon (my dog) and a Boxer (mix?). He was pinning her down, and biting her ears and tails, and she was crying out loud in pain, and I tried to get between them to push him away with my legs, but I couldn't because he had a hold on her and it was hard to push him away, and so I was screaming loudly "STOP STOP!" hoping he would back off, and I asked the owner to extricate her dog but she told me she won't, and that it was my problem...and then finally my friend who's a police officer was able to use a very commanding voice, which scared off the boxer. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what I would've done, and half of me was so terrified I felt frozen in fear.

Since I was screaming STOP STOP! all the other dog owners in the park were staring at us (and there were a LOT of dogs that day), and the owner finally put the leash back on her boxer and left the park about an hour later. I had Butters on a leash after this incident to better manage in case it were to happen again, but she was getting along really well with the other dogs in the park, and played well with them (I don't know how shook up she was about it). Before this incident I knew I had to be wary of him as he was jumping on me and my friends and mugging at our treat bags trying to get some food from us, and the owner did nothing to correct his behaviour.

I don't know how this erupted and it all happened so fast, that I don't know what lead up to it - Me and butters were previously working on our recall in the park, and when she'd get a few feet away I would call her back to me, and when I was giving her treats, he would always be there too hoping to get some as well, so he was always kind of close by,

I just need some advice on how to better handle the situation so next time it doesn't happen again, and if it does, that I'll be better prepared to resolve the situation.

Please only constructive advice and tips/warnings, just want to know what I can do next time as I'm still really shaken up about it. Thanks!

1) Screaming, loud emotional outbursts only increase the intensity of the situation.

2) Treats in the dog park = VERY BAD IDEA

3) A small dog like a Bichon in the same park with a Boxer sized dog = VERY BAD IDEA

A couple other people have gone over wheel barrelling the dog. IT works and works well. Problem is you mentioned not being used to dealing with the larger dogs. If you lack confidence or hesitate when wheel barrelling a dog. You and your dog can get hurt.


And Lastly.... I have said this before and I am going to say it again.

Dog Parks = BAD IDEA.....

 

[trainingjunkie]

Everyone has covered the prevention aspects of this situation. Prevention is always the best solution.

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

Wheel barrow suggestion is where it is at. Gets the dog off (in most situations) and does not require you stick your hand any where near bite zones. I'd personally just opt out of bringing my small dog to big dog play areas. They may be able to hang with the right big dogs, but not all big dogs are right. My 80 some pounder will play very nicely with my Dachshund, but new dogs are exciting.

I agree here, if this dog was really being aggressive, your dog would be injured. Boxers have quite a rough style of play, very mouthy, body slamming, jumping on dogs, etc. and your dog just wasn't up to it

I was going to say, currently at work we have four Boxers and man alive they are rough players. I ended up grouping them ALL together because most of my other groups could not handle the body slamming and rolling. Even harder when one of them is deaf and I can't traditionally call him off other dogs if he's being too rough. Now they are happy as clams beating the crap out of each other with a Husky mix (another notorious rough player)

 

[LuckySarah]

don't take your dog to the dog park....

 

[wvasko]

You've been a DF member since 8/11, I'll bet in that time to present day there has been a minimum of at least 10 dog park nightmare attacks. You have a small dog as bait eventually you're gonna get a bite. I will end with my usually posted. "Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here"

 

[chubby]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your responses.

I am definitely not going to bring treats anymore!! That's a serious lesson learned, and I realize that now, and I will let the Park know they should have rules for the dog park. The only sign when entering is "off leash dog area", which I think leaves a lot out.

I'm tempted to stay away from dog parks in the future, as this experience has showed me how dangerous it can be!

I will read up on the thread regarding the small Chihuahua and see if I can pick up some info there as well.

Thanks everyone!