Horrific First Dog Park Experience

[Jenna & Cider]

I can't stop crying, I'm so upset and shocked.  Today we took our  4 month old doodle to a reputable dog park. A girlfriend of mine takes her dogs there and recommended it to us. Our doodle has been in puppy training with other dogs and our neighborhood has a lot of dogs that we encounter on our walks....I felt like he has had a good amount of exposure to other dogs. He just got his last set of shots a week ago and we were looking forward to taking him to the dog park and let him play and run around.  He's 36lbs of sweetness. He has never showed any aggressive tendencies. He typically will stop, sit and watch another dog if he sees one.  My girlfriend took her pups to the park when they were 3 months and never had any problems so we figured he was going to be fine and it'd be good for him to get more socialization.

The park has 2 sections, a 20# and under section and a 20# and over. Cider is far beyond 20# so we went to our designated section.  As we walked in, he was so happy! A couple people walked by with their pups and they sniffed eachother. Cider doesn't wander far from us, he walks about 10 feet and waits for us before he walks further. George and I were laughing because Cider would run and stop and look at us to make sure it was ok. He started running around with a retriever mix and we thought....this is great for him!  He followed the retriever over to a group of other dogs that were playing and all of a sudden we heard him yelp and was running towards us.  He's still clumsy, he's growing and getting so tall but he's not used to these long legs yet and he stumbled.   6 dogs chased him down and were attacking him. One pit mix had hold of his side and was trying to get his neck.   Everyone was just standing there while George and I were trying to get Cider who was pinned on his back yelping. George had to tear the pit off of him while I lifted him up. I'm 5'0..not very tall....so while George was trying to get the dogs away from me and Cider- another dog jumped up on me and grabbed Cider's rear. George got him off. I was holding Cider and shaking and crying.....Everything is a blur now. 2 men started fighting because one man pulled the other man's dog off Cider. George got knicked by the pit when he pulled him off.

What is most disturbing to me is how little the other dog owners did. There were a couple folks who tried to help but if it were not for George I do not know what could have happened.  I read mixed things about dog parks on this site. I decided to give it a try based on the glowing reviews from my friend. I feel like I am the worst mom ever. Cider is laid back, doesn't bark at other dogs, not very assertive. Maybe he was too young? Maybe he is too timid to be in that environment... I think maybe the other dogs sensed he was a little nervous/fearful and went into attack mode. The aching in my heart is so intense because I feel like I put my pup in harms way and it's all my fault.

When we got home, I gave him a bath and gave him another inspection to confirm there was no broken skin. Thankfully he is such a fur ball that it appears that they mostly had mouths of hair. I don't think I will ever forget the sight of looking down and seeing my dog's rear in the mouth of another  dog yanking.  We are going to the vet today just to be sure he's fine. I'm freaked about about George have a cut from the dog. Today has been a disaster :( 

[Jenna & Cider]

You are absolutely correct.....I have good dog people around me and maybe I was desensitized to the fact that bad owners exist and I need to do a better job of protecting my pup and making better decisions. Thanks Sue.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

OMD!  I am so sorry this happened to you and poor sweet little innocent Cider.  After reading some of the stories on DK, I don't think I'll ever visit a dog park with my doodles - too risky.  I have 2 doodles now and they play with each other, so I don't feel the need.  Maybe you could get Cider in daycare a day a week or find another dog you trust to have come over for a playdate.  I sure wouldn't go there again...but that's just me.  I hope he gets over it soon.  I'm sure he's scared.  Poor little guy.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

By the way...Cider is so freaking adorable!  He reminds me so much of my Bexter!  I want to hug him through the monitor...just sayin...

[Jenna & Cider]

aw thank you!! Your pups are gorgeous...makes me want to get another one!!!!!  I think I will look into a doggy daycare for a once a week thing to help with this experience. Thanks for the suggestion and support! :)

[cheryl & oliver]

I just don't understand people, I really don't....How do u let your dog attack another dog, and u stand by, and do nothing????...And when they see what is happening, they do nothing????....thank goodness that Cider is ok, and I hope that DH is ok too.  He should go and be checked by his Dr. though, just in case, DH and Cider... I am so sorry that this happened to you and your fur baby and husband.  I am not a fan of Dog Parks, I am sure Oliver would love it, but he is such a scardy cat, if a dog went for him, he would freak, and I would too.  We also do play dates, and he loves to play with our friends dogs. Big or small, but strange dogs, not for him or me....Hugs to you all...Let us know if Cider and hubby are ok....

[Jenna & Cider]

Thank Cheryl. I was so shocked yesterday and was laser focused on getting Cider to safety but today I am infuriated the more I think about the lack of action of the other owners. They just froze and watched George and I jump in that mele. Ultimately, after I had Cider free, people came over but not one of those dogs who were in on the attack were put on leashes or walked out of the park. I find that incredible. Not one of the owners came up to us and asked if Cider was ok. George is an athlete and is very muscular (sidenote -*swoon*) and he's intimidating looking, maybe that's why? Everything happened so fast and you're so focused on making sure he is alright and removing him from the environment but I really think I should have called animal control to come out there and have the owners confirm that all shots were up to date, etc. *sigh* Learning the hard way..

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jenna, I am so sorry this was your first experience at a dog park, but glad Cider was not seriously hurt. We don't go to dog parks anymore, because our Fudge is not good at them. When we used to go, I found weekends to be really busy and lots of dogs there. We preferred to go during the week when less dogs were there and we knew more of the dogs and owners. I cannot believe no one helped you. What is wrong with people. Maybe a doggie daycare would be better for Cider. The dogs get screened there and someone is there to supervise or you could arrange play dates with dogs you know. Don't be too hard on yourself. You were trying to give Cider a great experience and maybe another day none of this would have happened. I hope George is ok and the vet visit goes well. Please keep us posted.

[Donna K & Quincy]

This sounds like a truly terrifying experience, I am glad there weren't any serious injuries. This is the kind of scene that prevents me from going to dog parks. I went with Quincy a couple of times and although there weren't any incidents I was not really comfortable.

[Pat and Traveler]

So sorry to hear about this terrifying experience!  Glad you had somebody with you to help rescue Cider.  As others have mentioned, I will rarely, very rarely, go to a dog park--but only if I'm out and about very early on a weekday morning.  Trav loves it, and starts getting excited when we're a block away.  The alternative for us is an indoor dog park, where all the dogs have been tested for their ability to get along with other dogs and the place is constantly monitored by staff as well as the dog owners.  It costs $10 per visit, though, and I only stay about an hour at a time.  Trav doesn't really 'play' with other dogs.  He might give them a quick sniff, but he really just wants me or somebody to throw a ball for him.  He also enjoys saying hello to any humans. 

[Jenna & Cider]

That indoor park sounds great! Thanks for the comment Pat :)

[Lauren, Scooby and Bella]

Jenna,  How awful that experience must have been for you, Cider and George.  There are some people who just don't take responsibility for their dogs when they are at a dog park.  They think it's a  break for them where they can talk on their cell phones or socialize.  The dog parks are meant for the dogs and dog owns need to stay close to their dogs and  be aware of where they are at all time.  Unfortunately some dog owners do not follow that rule.  I'm so glad your adorable Cider is okay.  It would certainly be understandable if you decided to forego the dog parks in favor of a leashed walk in the park.... at least for the time being.    Keep us updated on Cider's evaluation.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I am so sorry that this happened to Cider. It's just unbelievable. Thank goodness he seems to be ok. He is adorable!