Rooney was attacked at our dog park

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I haven't been on DK since the attack, I've just been so upset (at myself) that I couldn't even come to you all for the comfort that I knew would be here.  Before I go any further - Rooney is fine, acts like his normal, loving, happy self so I do not think that he has any emotional trauma.  We took him back to the dog park yesterday when we knew that it would be empty and he just ran right it so he isn't associating the park with the attack which is good.  He is on antibiodics but we never had to use the pain killer.  He has one baby tooth broke off and another one is chipped and he has a laceration in his mouth.  No stiches were needed and the only thing we have to watch is that when his adult tooth comes in where the one tooth was broken that it comes in straight - worst case scenaro is oral surgery to correct that issue if it occurs.

Our dog park is a private park in our own development, the small dogs would meet up at around 4:00 and the larger breeds come later, just an unspoken arrangement.  Rooney has always loved going to the park to play with all of his buddies, the owners visit and the dogs have a blast.  Friday was no different except that DH was in town and was able to go with (thank God).  We were there and Bozo (an obese Corgi) came with his owner.  Bozo was dressed in a Santa outfit and it was pretty darn funny.  Rooney and Bozo have been around each other without any problems so many times.  At one point Rooney was trying to get Bozo to play and Bozo did a little growl.  HOW I WISH THAT I HAD PICKED UP ROONEY AND LEFT.  But I was told by our trainer that dogs will signal to each other and that they will work it out, a little growl or snap is their way to teach each other.  Everything was fine then and all of a sudden Bozo attacked Rooney without cause.

I'm ashamed that I let this happen, I love that little guy so much and I know that I let him down.  Bozo's owner offered to pay the vet bill (which we declined as we feel partially responsible) but I told them that if he requires oral surgery on that tooth down the road - I'll be sending the bill.  Bozo's owner has promised that Bozo won't be back to the dog park.  Well, later I was told by someone that Bozo has had other run ins and that they said they wouldn't bring him back then.  We didn't know about this or I would never had let Rooney around Bozo.  I will report it if I see him there again. 

I'm so conflicted about letting ever go back when any dogs are there.  I feel so guilty that I can barely sleep.  I feel like I'm a bad doodle mom.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Jane...please don't feel guilty or think you are a bad Doodle Mom!  We have all been there at some point with our Doodles and think we have failed them or were negligent.  If you have raised kids you know that we can't watch them every minute of the day and they fall, break bones, chip teeth, skin knees, etc.  We just have to be there to make it all better for them and try to figure out how to prevent it from happening again.  My Gracie Doodle has been attacked by our neighbor's Rottweiler (which I hate) while she was on her leash.  She was standing right beside me at the end of our driveway and the neighbor let his dog out of the car and it came over and grabbed Gracie around the throat!!  Oh...sorry! and off he went.  This dog is bound and determined to take Gracie down if ever given the chance!  If I see them coming I turn and go the other way.  Gracie is not fond of dog parks and neither am I.  But that is because the one we have is in our beach community where all the hippie and transient losers live.  They all have kick ass dogs and don't supervise them.  You on the other hand live in a private community.  You most likely pay homeowner's fees.  Therefore you are entitled to use the park and feel safe.  I would not wait to see if Bozo returns but I would contact whoever is in charge and file the complaint.  That way it is in the file. Too bad the others didn't do it.  From the sounds of it your park is fantastic and even that one Gracie would love.  She loves agility equipment which we don't have in our parks.  I say...take little Rooney back to the park to play with his friends.  But...keep an eye out for Bozo or any other dog that gives any sign of aggressiveness.  Tail up and rigid is a good sign as well as standing tall in an Alpha pose.  You just have to watch out for the little man and don't hesitate to go up to someone is their dog is acting out and threatening.  I agree with Karen about not using the park for "socialization".  You are there for Rooney and his socialization.  My daughter takes her dog to a dog park and has made quite a few friends.  They all stand together and chat but they also all keep an eye out for each others dogs.  My daughter is a good multi-tasker and can chat as well and supervise her dog.  Her Luna would be lost without her dog park to go to and her doggie friends.  It is the highlight of her day.  They also take Luna at the same time every day and you will find that at different times there are different people.  People sort of get into a routine and show up at the same time.  You can sort of pick Rooney's time based on the types of dogs you see at a specific time.

I feel so badly for you and Rooney.  I know exactly how it feels and you did the best thing by taking him back to the park so he has no lingering fears.  Just report Bozo and avoid him!!!  Hugs to you and the little man!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Jane...please don't feel guilty or think you are a bad Doodle Mom!  We have all been there at some point with our Doodles and think we have failed them or were negligent.  If you have raised kids you know that we can't watch them every minute of the day and they fall, break bones, chip teeth, skin knees, etc.  We just have to be there to make it all better for them and try to figure out how to prevent it from happening again.  My Gracie Doodle has been attacked by our neighbor's Rottweiler (which I hate) while she was on her leash.  She was standing right beside me at the end of our driveway and the neighbor let his dog out of the car and it came over and grabbed Gracie around the throat!!  Oh...sorry! and off he went.  This dog is bound and determined to take Gracie down if ever given the chance!  If I see them coming I turn and go the other way.  Gracie is not fond of dog parks and neither am I.  But that is because the one we have is in our beach community where all the hippie and transient losers live.  They all have kick ass dogs and don't supervise them.  You on the other hand live in a private community.  You most likely pay homeowner's fees.  Therefore you are entitled to use the park and feel safe.  I would not wait to see if Bozo returns but I would contact whoever is in charge and file the complaint.  That way it is in the file. Too bad the others didn't do it.  From the sounds of it your park is fantastic and even that one Gracie would love.  She loves agility equipment which we don't have in our parks.  I say...take little Rooney back to the park to play with his friends.  But...keep an eye out for Bozo or any other dog that gives any sign of aggressiveness.  Tail up and rigid is a good sign as well as standing tall in an Alpha pose.  You just have to watch out for the little man and don't hesitate to go up to someone is their dog is acting out and threatening.  I agree with Karen about not using the park for "socialization".  You are there for Rooney and his socialization.  My daughter takes her dog to a dog park and has made quite a few friends.  They all stand together and chat but they also all keep an eye out for each others dogs.  My daughter is a good multi-tasker and can chat as well and supervise her dog.  Her Luna would be lost without her dog park to go to and her doggie friends.  It is the highlight of her day.  They also take Luna at the same time every day and you will find that at different times there are different people.  People sort of get into a routine and show up at the same time.  You can sort of pick Rooney's time based on the types of dogs you see at a specific time.

I feel so badly for you and Rooney.  I know exactly how it feels and you did the best thing by taking him back to the park so he has no lingering fears.  Just report Bozo and avoid him!!!  Hugs to you and the little man!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin was attacked at a dog park once. I felt the same guilt and horror you are feeling. I'm so glad Rooney is okay, and that there aren't any emotional scars that you have found so far in Rooney. Can you report Bozo and his owners to the park owners? It says on most dog parks "no aggressive dogs" and if he has had run ins before...

 

Don't feel bad! You are a great doodle mom. It's hard to know when to intervene.

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Jane, don't you have any Daycare Facilities that do temperament testing before allowing a dog to attend?  I try to bring Guinness and Murph to our Daycare once a week.  You can select a half day or a whole day.  A half day is usually enough.  Every dog is temperament tested by the owner/trainer.  I actually watched her do this with my guys on the video camera and it's pretty involved.  Also, there are lots of trained staff who continually walk around looking for any signs of dominance or aggression.  It is a very controlled situation.  No toys are allowed to prevent any instances of resource guarding.  I feel comfortable that my guys are safe there, and it's where they get their opportunity to really socialize with lots of different (but balanced) dogs.  If you could find a situation like that, it would be great for Rooney.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Play dates seems your best option. Maybe during off times at your dog park. You are fortunate to even have one in Fla. As having lived there for over 40 years, I know that there are very few, on the east coast anyway. And with hundreds of miles of beach, we know of only 2 areas that dogs can run off leash on a beach within about a 100 mile span. 

I just feel sorry that you now live in such fear of this happening again and it has taken some of the joy of watching him play and be a dog with a pack. I can see myself feeling guilty as well and would have to do a lot of self talk to convince myself that even if I was standing right next to him there are just some things that can't be predicted or prevented. He is okay and suffered no permanent damage physically or emotionally so I would have to MAKE myself move forward and get past it for his sake. I know Murphy senses my anxiety and fear, as Rooney must.  You may be thinking you let him down and he may be feeling very differently. Maybe even thinking he proud of himself for keeping this mean dog away from his mommy, that he did his job very well as he is YOUR protector.  Who knows. I sure don't. Just thoughts to consider.

[Rose]

I'm sorry you and Rooney had to experience this and I'm glad to hear he's o.k. Hugs to both of you!

[Dori & Rua]

Oh poor Rooney...  Poor Rooney's mom!  Rua sends a big Doodle Kiss and Hug to both of you.  Glad to hear Rooney is OK.  That is such a scarey thing to have happen.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sue - if Rooney had a sister to play with and a fenced yard - no way would I take him to the dog park - private or not.  In our golf development, even though the houses are large - the actual lawn size is not due to you either have a lake in your backyard (with gators which is why yes we might be able to add a small fenced area but it is too close to the gators to be safe) or a marsh.  I used to enjoy visiting with my neighbors but I'll never be able to be that relaxed there again.  I have seen Rooney running as fast as he can go with his ears flying out and a look of pure joy on his face while playing with other little dogs at this park.  I'm feeling guilty that he got hurt, sad that it will never be the same again and uncertain about how I am going to move forward.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Hi Jane, I am so glad Rooney is okay! Scary beyond words I am sure.. I don't take mine to dog parks either.  Especially with two it is really hard to keep an eye on both and my worst nightmare is something like this happening.  We set up some playdates for them but for the most part they get all of their dog on dog play at the doggie daycare.  The dogs are all temperment tested, they have to be up to date on shots and there is plenty of staff to monitor situations.  It's wonderful you have this park in your neighborhood thou, I would try and schedule times with dogs and owners you trust. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have never had a problem with our dog park, but this does give me pause as I really do feel it's probably a matter of "when it will happen" not "if it will happen". Lot's of different breeds, excitement, anxiety, and distractions at the park that can get even an ordinarily good calm dog into an aggressive mode.

We do go to a dog park nearby and it is very nice, clean and we have never had an issue. But again I do feel some anxiety while there and am hyper-viligant. So maybe it really isn't worth it. Murphy has a sister now, our daughter doodle Marley who he has been raised with his whole life, comes for the day 3 x a week, we have a very large fenced, safe backyard, and we go for run-walks several times a week. So I'm beginning to ask myself "why?" 

I organize our doodle romps at this dog park and it is fun when the majority of dogs are doodles. They tend to stay together. Maybe I will need to have our romps at our house. I would hate to be the reason a doodle is at the park and it become injured. I'd just be devastated!!!  Good post. Got me thinking.