Samantha was bitten by a doodle at Dewey Romp

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is ball obsessed. She has never taken a ball from another dog - that's not her way. If a dog gets to her ball first, she will just follow that dog until the ball is dropped by the other dog and then she quietly takes it. She is so anti confrontational about anything, including her ball.

We were playing on the beach yesterday at the Dewey Beach romp. A doodle that we know well (family is not a member here of DK) was playing ball with us.  I will call this doodle Jane (this is not her name). Jane would get to the ball first and bring it back. Samantha would get to the ball first and bring it back. This went on for over an hour. This particular time, Samantha got to the ball first and the other doodle wanted it and decided to go after Samantha. We didn't see what actually happened since it happened so fast. I heard Samantha scream and saw Jane's mouth clamped on Samantha's face and her nose and cheek bleeding. Samantha had a slice under her nostrils and a deep puncture wound on her cheek. It did not pierce through her cheek but I could see the tooth mark on the inside of her cheek. There was no warning to this attack - they have been playing ball together for so long no one ever thought this would happen.

My friend who is a trainer keeps an emergency kit in her truck so we washed it off with bottled water right away. When we got back to the hotel, we washed it with antibiotic wash and put antibiotic ointment on it. She was not happy about us touching her cheek but she was so good about it.

I am telling this story for only one reason - anyone who has a doodle that resource guards a ball, toy, food or their human MUST get professional help to make sure that their doodle never does this to another dog or human. Don't think that it is 'cute' how a dog 'protects' their ball, etc. It is not cute, it could be dangerous to another dog, child, human and in the end, to your doodle.

If Jane was going to go after a dog it's a good thing that it was to a dog that her DM knows. I know that this is a good DM. If Jane attacked a dog that was not a friend of her DMs it might have not been such good outcome for Jane. .

Samantha will probably have our vet check her out. I am keeping an eye on her wound but it seems to be healing with my washing it and the antibiotic ointment. Not sure what else the vet could do but stress her and shave her face. If it continues to heal without any signs of infection then I will not add to her stress. Only time will tell.

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

I hope Samantha (and YOU) are feeling better today...Hopefully another Doodle family can gain some knowledge from Samantha's experience and may prevent this from happening to them...Doodle kisses to you all!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Joan - were you at Dewey? I didn't see Louie but I spent my time watching the doods in the water! They had a blast!

Charli, the black doodle, spent 99% of the day in the water. Ms. No Fear has to be watched constantly!

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

Adrianne,

Couldn't do it...

We had things going on all weekend which is not normal...it figures on a weekend that we would had preferred a Doodle Romp....

hope we meet up sometime!!! Charli had to represent the Black Doodles by himself!!

Love the pictures...I checked out all 47 online. Hope Samantha is better this evening. Hugs, Joan

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

So sorry about Samantha getting bitten!  Hope she heals fast, and thank you for very valuable advice.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

You are very welcome. This info is from my laypersons eyes. I don't know if a professional trainer would agree with me 100%. If there are any out here in DK land, I would love to hear what they think of my 'advice'.

[Frannie & Callie]

Poor Samantha! Callie sends her lots of doodle hugs and kisses and wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Alli and Barkley]

Oh no!  I hope she gets well soon!

[Leslie and Halas]

That had to be scary.  I hope Samantha is feeling better soon!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so sorry to hear about Samantha. It sounds like she will heal with your prompt first aid without a vet visit, always a good thing to avoid if possible.

Luca is ball obsessed and will take the ball right out of Calla's mouth on the rare occasion that she actually bothers to pick it up. There's never a cross word, she just lets him. I was a little worried when my son visited with his Italian greyhound-Jack Russell mix because he is a rescue dog with "issues". But both dogs played well together and Luca did not attempt to take a ball from him nor vice versa. But you never know.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

They played well together because you were watching to make sure nothing escalated. But you are so right - you just never know!

 

[Melissa & Porter]

I hope Samantha heals quickly and thanks for posting this.  I have been considering getting a trainer to work with me on Porter's man-on-my-property fears.  People often say, "You should be glad he barks at men who come on your property."  But I don't feel he listens to me when I tell him they are okay or I do not tell him that effectively.  Either way, I think it has potential to be a problem.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Melissa,

If something has made you feel this way then you have to follow through with it. If nothing else, the trainer can tell you you have nothing to worry about and just work on whatever she/he suggests. I know you have kids through you house all time and I know what a great doodle Porter is but if there is something that makes you think twice, then run with that. You have to be comfortable with his reaction.

When are you and Porter coming over for a play date???