Help - How to Reintroduce Dogs after an Attack

[Natasha]

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sad to say that Rouser was attacked by one of our fellow agility dogs at class today. Actually, he was attacked twice.  The first time it was a small scuffle that no one saw what started it so we assumed Rouser (the class clown) was just too much energy and maybe tried to take our friend's dog's toy.  We went on with class (Rouser just had a little scrape on the nose) and then, after class, we decided to walk our dogs on leash together to reinforce the pack/who's in charge etc.  Out of nowhere, our friend's dog just lunged at Rouser, attacked him, grabbed his ear and wouldn't let go.

Rouser is OK (DH has him at the vet to get cleaned up right now). He has a big scrape on his ear and a little puncture on his ear as well.  However, he's petrified of our friend's dog. 

Rouser is not, in any way, the alpha dog.  He's 2 1/2 years old and totally submissive to even the smallest of dogs (he rolls on his back around the littlest dogs you can imagine).  He is, however, very large and can get quite excited when we first get to training.  We've been going to the same place for about 1 1/2 years - every Saturday. We've been doing agility for about 5 months every week as well.  Rouser has trained with our friend's dog at the same facility - almost always twice a week - for the last year.

Our friend's dog is about 14 months and is 40 pounds to Rouser's 90 pounds. He was rescued as a puppy (he was under 8 weeks which can cause some behavior issues) and is some kind of cattle dog mix. He's super intelligent and really good at agility. He's also pretty obedient - HOWEVER - over the last month we've been watching his obedience wane.  First it was getting up from long stays.  Then it was a little ignoring of his owners from time to time. This past Saturday, he actually started barking at his owner and wouldn't stop as his owner was trying to get him into a down. It was really surprising to see him challenge his owner like that - not the dog we all know.

I think our friend's dog has something going on. They're responsible dog owners so I know they will do everything they can to get to the bottom of it, but, in the meantime, does anyone have any advice about what we should do to ensure that we can train with them again.  All of our training, at this point, is off-leash so I need to make sure Rouser won't be in harms way. We will, of course, consult the head trainer at our facility, but I'd really like to know if anyone has successfully addressed this and has some do/don't do tips.

Thanks for your help!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

OMG!! That POOR boy!!! It sounds like you have a really good vet and that is cool that he likes her so well! It is so nice to have someone you can trust with your doodle boy!!

As for the emotional part, I know that I would be devastated and angry if Tara had violence inflicted on her like that!! We try so hard to protect them!! I'm sure a dog bite is as painful to a dog as it is to a person !!!!:( I hope your "friend" is ready to step up and pay for the financial damages incurred by her dog!!

And Rouser, I hope you feel much better soon and that tomorrow is a happy day for you! Sorry about missing lunch- that is a bummer!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Rouser's ear and his lousy day. JD and I are sending big doodle hugs and wishes for a very speedy recovery.
If this had happened to JD, it would also be the cattle dog's owner's worst day ever. At the very least, I would make copies of your bills and present them to the owners of the dog, the agility class trainer, the person in charge of the program, and the building owner, along with appropriate notes in each case. I guarantee you that this dog will not be allowed back in the building, let alone the class. I know you will feel bad about that, but not as bad as you will if this happens again, to Rouser or any other dog.
Please give sweet Rouser a kiss for me.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes, keep receipts and stop going to the class if the dog is back in it. I know dogs can get wound up, but this guy attacked Rouser out of nowhere! Peri is the same as your guy - she will just submit and roll over, so I will tell you if this happened to her I would be LIVID.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think there is a lot of great advice already, so I will just say that I hope poor Rouser feels better, emotionally and physically. I have a submissive class clown myself, and when he was attacked a few months ago he was absolutely confused and scared. Luckily he got over it pretty quick and is now as playful as ever with other dogs.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Same here Camilla. Spud was attacked by an Albino Doberman a few months back. He can still go back into that play area and seems to have recovered fine emotionally. He does however have a scar between his eyes.

In our class, if a dog was aggressive the trainer walked right over, without asking the owner and said, " Here is how you muzzle your dog". She placed it on and said, that needs to stay on the rest of the night.

Feel better soon Rouser!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Wow! You had a "no nonsense" trainer! I like it!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Big Time No Nonsense. If I had a collar on I swear she would have corrected me too!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

LOL!! That conjures up quite an image....

[Michael Gurley]

Sunny was attacked by a pit-dobie mix at the dog park recently and is going to have a scar between her eyes when it heals up. She refuses to go back to that park! Luckily, it was not our regular park so she is still ok playing at the regular one. She was terrified and ran around the park squealing like a piglet (which attracted every other dog in the park to come chase her, scaring her even more) but when I scooped her up, she stopped screaming.

[BG and Gavin]

Poor Rouser! Did the cattle dog owner call you to check on Rouser? I hope she does the right thing.

[ej]

Poor Rouser! Sorry to hear about the fight and the wounds he sustained. I hope he feels better soon.

[Jenny and Chester]

Your friend's dog is acting like a teenage boy, which is normal in their development. If they can "sit" on him through his challenging authority, he will emerge a an obedient dog. All of my dogs have had 2 difficult ages ... at around 9 months then again at about 16 months. If your friend's dog is challenging authority, he should be back on a leash until he is responsive to his handler again. My Doodle was attacked several times in his agility group. He had to run the gauntlet past all the other dogs as they snarled and snapped. Chester used to get in trouble because he looked at the other dogs, which set them off. They were all older and aggressive. My solution was to switch out of the class to a group that was more friendly. I worked on the "watch me" to keep his eyes on me, not the other dogs. He was much more comfortable and loves his agility runs. Also, our runs are one dog at a time. The others are in a waiting area on lead.