Rua was Attacked at the Dog Park

[Dori & Rua]

I'll start out with saying that she is just fine.  She (or perhaps more so me) was just a bit shaken up. 

 

I started out on some errands today with Rua.  We went to the beauty supply store to find some thinning shears (they were out), went next door to the natural dog food store (got some peanut butter & blueberry treats), then went into to Office Depot (worked on walking her up and down the isles) and then finally to Petco to do some training (kinda a long strip mall).  At Petco they had retired greyhounds to adopt out, so we tried to do some recalls and sits.  Just a bit too much distraction, so I decided to go to the dog park.

 

I took Adina's advice and did some recalls outside of the park on her long lead, and she did fairly well.  So, as a reward, I took her in to play.  Kinda windy and cool, though the sun was shining.

 

All was going well, she really was actually venturing away from me and having so much fun running and frolicking.  She is always fairly cautious in approching dogs, and she will run back towards me if dogs appear too aggressive to her (we were in the small dog part).  Well, I was chatting with a couple who had a 1-year old fairly shy dog, and fortunately I always  Rua in my sight.. All of a sudden, Rua is being surrounded by four dogs and they started attacking her.  Rua was squealing/crying in a very high-pitched manner so I did what any totally insane person would do...I threw myself over Rua, pulled her from the dogs and tucked her under me to protect her.  I tucked my head down to keep from getting bit in the face.  The other dogs were pulled off of us...I don't even know who really attacked her (I think two of them were border collie-type dogs)...but just heard lots of "are you both alright" and "I'm sorry".

 

I checked her over...someone said one of the dogs had her by the top of the head...and other than being full of dead grass from being rolled, having a wet head from slobber, and piddling herself, thank God she was fine.  I did get bit on my left index finger, 1/2 way between where it joins my hand and the first knuckle.  The skin was punctured just a bit (just a few drops of blood) in two places.  I have treated it and will just watch and see.  I am not concerned about rabies...just an infection.

 

I had been considering getting an invisible fence this spring so Rua can run and play in the backyard.  The back of our lot is along the out-of-bounds line for the 6th hole of the golf course we live on and we have golfers almost in a yard all summer long (ummm mostly the bad golfers LOL).  After reading more about invisble fencing, I am thinking that I am going to have to talk my DH into a real fence.  We can only put up an ornamental fence and they are really expensive.  What with the housing prices, we wouldn't recoup the cost of an installed fence in who knows how long.  But, I think perhaps I can get an Ornamental Alumium fence - instead of iron - and do-it-ourselves (how hard can it be to dig and set 37 or so fence posts) install.  Hmmm...perhaps I will hire the digging!  I had planned on getting new great room furniture this spring, but I think a fence needs to be a higher priority!

[Carol and Banjo]

So happy Rua and you are ok.....very scary for you both!

[Donna K & Quincy]

How totally terrifying for both of you, so glad you and precious little Rua are ok. We have been to the dog park a couple of times but I was never really comfortable and I know that if Quincy was attacked I would go to his defence as well. It would be a case of act first and think later, probably not a wise move when dealing with big dogs but I wouldn't be able to help myself. I think that is the problem with dog parks they are too unpredictable.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Home Depot will rent you a gas powered post hole digger which would make the fence a lot easier.  They come in "one man" and "two man" sizes.  You and your husband could probably get that fence up in a weekend.  I am so glad that Rua and you are OK.  Watch those puncture wounds, dog bites are dirty.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm glad that neither of you was hurt badly. Dog parks are too problematic IMHO. The dogs get wild, the owners don't control them and the dogs gang up on some poor dog. I really think I won't go again. I went once this winter but left when it got wild and Calla actually growled and snapped at a dog the was harassing her. We immediately left. Yet my dogs play well with others here and are fine with dogs we meet out and about. A fenced yard is a wonderful thing : )

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It was a border collie who 'rolled' Ned at the dog park.  They think that the little doodles need herding or eating!  I am so glad that Rua was not hurt but I am sorry you were bitten.  Dog parks are problematic.  We go for doodle play dates or when we are traveling and the dogs need to run.

[Dori & Rua]

There are two border collies in the S.T.A.R. Puppy training class we started on Wednesday.  They were sitting next to each other (there was at least 12 feet between them) and they were snarling and making vicious noises at each other.  I am not used to that.  Rua will bark when someone goes by our house, or our neighbor has the audacity to put HIS garbage can at the end of HIS driveway (she hasn't quite gotten that his driveway isn't ours yet), but it is a  "woof woof woof"...fairly high pitched.  Not gonna scare anybody! 

 

I will go back to the dog park just because there are other dogs there for her to play with.  But I will only go in if there are a few dogs and I feel comfortable with their breed.  In the meantime, I just sent in a request for a quote for a fence.  I will lobby hard for the fence and will gladly give up new furniture at this time.

[Adina P]

I'm so sorry.  Although she'll be fine, I'm sure.  The mental image of seeing your dog attack sticks with you.  I'm sad to say that over the years I like dog parks less and less.  It only takes ONE dog to ruin it for the rest.  And it's not even necessarily a 'bad' dog...but stuff can happen. 

 

Rosco--who's NOT a little dog has been attacked.  Once or twice by some large black mixed breed who probably should NOT have been there.  His young owner was hoping to 'socialize' him but he was past that young puppy age and that wasn't the place to do it--not when he had the temper he had.  Rosco had barely arrived and dashed by this dog and took a toy that was a foot or so in front of him and so he attacked.  Another time two goldendoodle 'siblings' who came in with chips on their shoulders went for Rosco.  Again so odd because Rosco was bigger than each of them.  But they tag teamed him.

But other times Rosco has gotten into a chase with a smaller dog and got me worried about the small dog.  Rosco isn't vicious and he's not the type of dog to randomly attack (he'll guard toys though and will defend them from dogs at the park).  But despite the fact Rosco is a nice, good, dog.  He definitely has an intact prey drive and in the right (wrong) situation I wouldn't hold it past him to accidentally hurt a tiny dog. 

 

So for such reasons, as well as potential spread of disease, I'm just NOT a dog park fan anymore.  I thought they were GREAT when it was just a group of people who got together in school yards on early weekend mornings.  That group grew by word of mouth and because it was almost always the same people, it sort of weeded out irresponsible owners. 

 

I also think it's just not a good idea for random dogs to meet off leash like that.  Whenever dogs get together they have to establish some kind of hierarchy.  When they live together it sort of gets established and a working order is set and then mostly left alone.  But at the dog park, it has to be set over and over and over with different dogs changing the dynamics as they come and go.  Most of the time it's fine...but without some way to control WHO gets to bring WHAT dogs inside, I dunno...it just turns me off.  I love the off leash play.  I love when a few compatible dogs get into a fun play session and get to act like dogs.  But there are just too many unknown factors.  It got to a point where I would NOT go unless Clark was with me because I did NOT want to get hurt having to break up a fight.

[Karen Farr]

Dear Dori,

I just read about you and Rua being attacked.  How frightening!  I hope Rua wasn't to scarred by the incident(or you for that matter). Did you get the information about the dogs from their owner?  If their dogs are that aggressive together they shouldn't be allowed in the enclosure together.  I know it was an accident, but everytime I think about it, it makes me mad.  I'm sending good healing thoughts your way.

 

We have a five month old goldendoodle and I have been kind of afraid to take him to the dog park.  The last time I raised a puppy, they didn't even have dog parks.  I'm really aging myself. I like the idea of it but it makes me nervous.

 

You did a great job of protecting her.  I know we're not supposed to throw ourselves in the middle of a dog fight but I would have done the same thing.  Take care, and speedy healing.

Karen

 

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Dori - I am so sorry that this happened to you and Rua!  I had nightmares for weeks after Rooney and I went through this - it is horrific to see and even worse to hear their screams.  Look Rua over extra careful - I know it is hard with all of the fur - Rooney's vet missed some bites marks on his back that our groomer found a few days later.  (Most of his damage was in his mouth, broken teeth, etc.) I am glad that you jumped right in there to protect her - I can so see you doing this!  Ya know I was in favor of dog parks but I've changed my mind.  Just too dangerous.  We'll continue to use the one here in our own development - but any others - including Dog Beach - its a no go.  Too many horror stories.  Rooney sends Rua a big face lick!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Oh My! I am glad you are both okay.  There is some really nice fencing out now that much less expensive than wrought iron and I think would still be considered decorative.  It is called powder-coated rolled steel ( I think).  It is available in a variety of colors and can have very small (thinking of the size of Rua) openings and still look excellent.

So glad you are both okay. I had my large but elderly Siberian attacked at a dog park and I thought my heart would stop, I was so frightened.  People are not always watching their dogs as closely as they should at the dog park.  Luckily you were!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

 Just the thought of one of our dogs getting attacked send me into a panic after I've seen firsthand what can happen.  I am so happy both you and Rua are okay.  I'm sure DH won't give you any arguments about the fence...but those darn bad golfers might want you to put a gate in on the golf course side so they can retrieve their balls!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So glad that everyone is ok!  If I were on a golf course type lot I would think that the fence would be worth every penny.  Hopefully you can get the ornamental type with the posts close enough together.  We have the black aluminum and the little shih zsu next doors comes right through the posts.  Hope it all works out, it is expensive, but a great peace of mind.