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.

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

So happy to hear the Rooney s doing well and doesn't seem affected by it and can enjoy the park.  Please don't feel ashamed or like your a bad mom.  Dogs will growl and signal they don't want to play or be bothered for whatever reason.  If Bozo has had episodes before the owner is to blame.  Plain and simple.  They need to take steps to corect their dogs behavior and maybe just maybe the dog doesn't like to be paraded in a santa outfit in pubic.  It may make him feel vulnerable to other dogs.  I would continue to take Rooney to the park and just avoid Bozo and report him if you see him there again.  You aren't the first and it doesn't make you a bad mom at all. 

Give Rooney a gentle hug from us and one for you.  Get some rest and smile and love on that dood!

 

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I guess I just thought our park was safer (mistake) because it is private.  It is such a nice park, a couple of acres large and has dog play equipment (tunnels and bridges).  It is a very up scale development and most owners know each other - you can't have any animal here that isn't registered and has all its shots.  We also have miles of paved trails through the FL marsh lands that we walk Rooney on off lease.  And Rooney was going for an hour on Saturdays to a puppy play group but because of our dog park and the fact that it was a long drive to get to the play group that was only once a week we had stopped going (he still attends there for obediance training).  He does have a dog sitter for when I play golf but that is not a play type situation.  There is an "open" boarding/daycare facility in Ft. Myers.  They have people monitoring the dogs play but this type of thing could still happen there too so now I'll never take to that place.  This all happened so fast that there was no stopping it.  I'm going to try to see if I can't get a few of Rooney's buddies to meet us at the park at a different time when it would be more invitation only.  We would have room for a small fenced area in our back yard but it couldn't be very big due to the lake right there.  A thought that I'll have to check into.  Thank you all for your support, I needed it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad Rooney is okay and suffered no lasting fear of dog parks from the incident.

I'm among those who don't use dog parks for "socialization" or to let my dog play with other dogs. I don't go to the kinds of dog parks that are just a big fenced area. We're fortunate that we have forest preserve dog parks which are huge fenced sections of the woods with hiking trails, open fields, etc., and  we use them for exercise only. No chatting with other owners while the dogs play. Jack and I keep moving. We walk the trails and play ball.

I think for the purposes of playing with other dogs, you don't need dog parks. In addition to the kind of thing that happened to Rooney (and many others here have had similar incidents at dog parks), your dog is exposed to all kinds of things, because every dog owner is not as conscientious about vaccines and preventatives as we are. It's safer to have your own playdates with friends' or relatives' dogs in someone's yard. A good doggie daycare would be another option.

Don't feel guilty; this has happened to a lot of owners here on DK. Be grateful that Rooney will be okay and consider it a lesson learned. Hugs to both of you.

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jane, I got tears in my eyes reading this blog!! The thought of little Rooney being attacked just broke my heart!! I have the same thought as Jane-try to let go of the guilt it will not help either of you! You both need to move forward from this incident!  I also have the same feelings about dog parks. Tara has never been to one because of my concern about something like this happening to her. There are too many people with unstable, unpredictable dogs that continue to bring them to off leash parks.

 

What we have done is what you are considering. We set up play dates for Tara with dogs that we trust and know won't hurt her.  And Rooney goes to day care doesn't he? If not perhaps occasionally he could go to care and play with the dogs there.

 

I am so glad to hear that his was not more seriously injured and he seems to be recovering well emotionally too. Tara and I are sending you both  big doodle hugs!

[Laney Owen]

You are a good writer and I hope Rooney is okay

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I really am leaning towards the not going back while others are there but he just loved it so much when he had the other dogs to play with.  I really wish I could get him a sister but I'm not sure I could handle two.  I hate the thought that he would be isolated from playing with other dogs.  I just think that maybe I might setting up play times with a few dogs that I know are safe and trying that route.  This was beyond scary!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

First of all, you're a great Mom to Rooney, so try to let go of the guilt.  I'm just glad that he seems fine physically, and that he's not acting afraid to go back to the dog park.  I know that I'm probably in the minority, but I've always been afraid of dog parks where there is nobody with knowledge of dog behaviors there to supervise.  The only dog park I let my guys go to is indoors where there is always a trainer there to monitor what is going on.  If there's no trainer, they don't open.  Again, I know that dog parks work great for others, but I'm just so fearful of things like this that I can't bring myself to take the Doods.  I'm glad DH was also there to support you.  I bet this bothered you WAY more than it did Rooney.

[Laney Owen]

You are not a bad doodle mom. My doodle has gotten hurt sometimes, but he still loves me anyway, just like your doodle still loves you!