Insight into canine behavior?

[Dee & Chloe]

Chloe was attacked at the dog park two days ago. She sustained several puncture wounds and is on antibiotics but no stitches needed. This is the third or 4th  time she has been attacked while just standing and by a dog she has not interacted with. She is very submissive and just howls and tries to get away. This time the dog  kept going after her and I had to hit the other dog with a tennis raquet to get him to stop. Both Chloe and I were very traumatized. I know there are many discussions about dog parks and I wish I didn't have to go there but I have no other place for Chloe to be able to run and burn off energy.  I am beginning to feel she sends out some type of weird "vibes" as it seems like the agressive dogs keep "bullying" her. She plays well with many  dogs and has never had a problem with them. I do leave if I see a dog acting agressive but all of the attacks have come with no warning.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

So sorry about what happened to Chloe. I know exactly how you feel.

Chewie got bitten once in the face by a labrador and another close call with a big rottie (luckily I was able to get him out of the way). Both incidents were completely unprovoked in my opinion. Chewie is also very submissive, never retaliates and lies on his back to give up almost instantly. 

Totally agree with Adina's ideas. There are many things you can do to drain energy without going to dog parks.

One of the things I do at home is to let him do "zoomies" in the living room. We've worked out what triggers him to do "zoomies" and then you just sit back and let him run till he's tired (5-10mins usually)

[Dee & Chloe]

LOL, I call Chloe's running like she is jet propelled, "zooming". I like the word you use better. I don't know what triggers it but it is usually on days when it has been raining and/or no dog park days. I let her do it as long as needed to and I love watching her (:

The dog that bit her was a Aussie/Rot mix and twice her size.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

First let me say I am happy that Chloe was not seriously injured and you both will be okay.

Daisy is also submissive but she ignores all other dogs she does not know...in a dog park she is subject to being attacked because she will "bark off" a dog (I consider it a way of telling that dog she is not interested  but some may think she is being aggressive) that will usually cause the other dog to be aggressive towards her. WE DO NOT GO any longer...we find school yards and empty parks to play off leash with. Thankfully she has TOTAL recall and comes when called. Come come Daisy gets her there and STOP does just that.

Good Luck with finding that special place away from the dangers of dog parks, you obviously love her and want the best for her.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh yea, schools!    Don't know why I did not mention it earlier because we use a school the most.  Our most Favorite!  We use a primary school because there is a fence surrounding the yard.  It is a very large yard with baseball fields, swings, etc.

We go during off hours; for example Sunday Mornings are great, cold weather days, snow blizzards,  anytime we know people will not be using the area.  Even though we have a fence now, we still like to get out somewhere different. This provides a lot of running within a fenced area.  

You have to do  your homework and find times that are good for you.  We typically do a drive by and it no one is there but the janitor~  we seize the moment.

I also like a few other ideas here: GBK mention the small dog area   :)   We have done that too.  Explain to others your situation.  Most dog owners get it. If not, respect that until those who are uncomfortable leave.

When Spud was a pup, I constantly staked out areas where I could safely take him.

Another idea, find a pup who likes to play with your dog.  Set up play dates.  I know, hard to do. I do now have a fenced yard and I find it hard to find someone to set up play dates with. Wish you lived closer, you could be here right now having coffee with me while watching our dogs happily play

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so glad you posted this... the responses are great. I hope you and Chloe are going to heal in every way from these traumatic incidents. A note: All of the parks, beaches and school yards here say at best: Dogs must be leashed. But as Joanne mentioned if no one is there, we let the dogs off leash. We go to a park at 6:15 am. Seriously, no one is there until we leave at 7:00. So far so good and it has been several months. I hope you two find a safe and happy place to play!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Many Park Districts and Youth Athletic Leagues have athletic fields that are set back away from any streets or traffic; there are usually parking lots, but the grass areas are still set back a pretty good distance from those, too. While they are usually not completely fenced, you can keep a long line on your dog.  I would not try this with any puppy or dog who does not have a good solid recall, though.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A way to handle these park areas are........ well when Spud was younger he still would never leave his Frisbee.  So, to keep him near, we made sure he saw that ball or Frisbee first. Then let him off leash.  Of course, he already had some steady recall, but .....   the toy  cements the attention needed for him not to run outside the area.  10 straight throws and by then they tire down enough to finally realize they are not on leash  :)  

These Soccer Fields, Football fields, one of our schools,  are the best.  It is a wonderful experience without some ' bully ' coming over and biting your dog in the arse!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Substitute "tennis ball" for "Frisbee", and that's what I have with JD. It's been a lifesaver for us, as he cannot run full-out in my small backyard. 10- 15 minutes of chasing the tennis ball at warp speed, and he would give me the signal that he was ready to go home. And we almost always had the entire field to ourselves.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

One word of warning, watch the paw pads on the tennis courts.   Depends on if you dog dives, does sudden stops, etc.

  That's it.  And, find other places than dog parks.  If you think about it, Dog Parks are a relatively new concept but dogs have been around for thousands of years.  Many dogs before ours needed places to run and  never had Dog Parks.  You will find other safe areas to enjoy playing with your dog. 

[Dee & Chloe]

Thank you  all so much for putting so much thought into finding a good solution. You have, as always come up with some great ideas! I do appreciate your  support and kind words. I must admit I have been feeling rather guilty because I could not protect her more and want to do anything possible to prevent her from further trauma. She is a very sensitive dog and I try very hard to keep her balanced. After a 5.3  earthquake here (her first) a few months ago, she was so shook up I had to pet her for over an hour in bed to calm her down. She kept looking up at the ceiling, I guess thinking the  "bad stuff" came from there.  Since she was bitten she reverted to looking in fear at the ceiling again.

In response to the frisbee, unfortunately, she eats up every one she sees and will not give them up,  even if they are not hers. I have had to take her out of the park many times because she  got another dog's frisbee.  I have tried getting the soft flexible ones they sell at Big 5, but that was chewed in a few minutes. Also, some with cloth on the edges. She is still young, 20 months, and there is still work to be done with her.

One of the things I need to work on is her recall. She did well until about one month ago when she started to refuse to come when at the park. I walk out the gate several times and she just sits and looks at me.  I have talked to several people about places to go in this area and have a few places to explore. One is the local high school which has tennis courts and the other is a gully or drainage area that is fenced in with a gate. So I hope to do some exploring.  Also, after the holidays I will go for some more private lessons with the old trainer to help me improve her recall.

I would be interested in reading  the blurbs about curly haired dogs getting bit if you can find it (: But I do think that "bully" dogs sense the submissive ones.

I have not had a puppy for 30 years and there was no such thing as dog parks back then. Also  there were not leash laws like they have today. I have gotten older rescue dogs in the intervening years, and also had a big yard until I moved here. So, it is a challenge but one I will be sure to conquer!

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dee, it does sound like Chloe needs some work on her basic obedience skills. Training sessions are an excellent way to wear a dog out; the mental work required can be just as exhausting for them as physical exercise. Many of us practice obedience skills as a substitute for physical activities during the winter months, or when our dogs have some health issues that prevent them from getting physical exercise.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yeah, Frisbee and Ball chewing at 20 months is common.  We no longer use Frisbees ( rarely- too much jumping ) and we rarely use  cloth tennis balls ( hard on the teeth)   We love the Chuck It balls of all kinds.  I like them too because I can find them and they can't be destroyed.

With Recall, go back to the original way you taught your dog-REWARD every time they come no matter how long.  Have cookies in your pockets at all times and let the dog know,  you have em and you would be happy to give them up if he just comes   :)  I don't care if he is 10 years old and he takes 10 minutes- reward the recall. 

Here are the ChuckIt Balls we now use. My favorite 3 pack.  Two of these have lasted two years, the other we lost.  About 20 bucks but worth the investment. Glow in the Dark, Whistle Ball, and a recycled rubber ball.   These may help

With these new fear issues, please don't go back to the park.  Do go  out and about. Find stores, happy people, etc to re-socialize her.