Vibes please.Coco just got attacked

[Brattina88]

When Maddie got attacked, it was pretty serious and she has lasting physical scars (she is blind in the one eye). It was very traumatic for both of us, she was reactive for about a year after. But I bet some of that was my fault for how I would react if I saw an offleash dog, no matter the breed, size, whatever.
But she completely completely recovered and isn't reactive at all. And I am more proactive about who my dogs come in contact with any more

{{{{+++vibes+++}}}} for a quick recovery!!

 

[puppydog]

This is why I never let my dogs off leash around other dogs. Its too dangerous!

Vibes for Coco.

 

[Barb04]

Sending lots of healing vibes to Coco and lots of hugs to you.

 

[Doberluv]

I'm so sorry she got attacked. How very frightening. I'm glad she's going to be okay. It was good that the woman did the right thing by you. I avoid dog parks and especially would not like my little ones to be off leash where the odds are high that there are other dogs in the area I do not know. This is such a possibility in these kinds of highly populated dog areas.

As far as her developing an issue with other dogs...yes, that is a strong possibility. I would keep her on her leash and as she sees other dogs from a comfortable distance, would dispense treats, one after the other in quick succession, regardless of her behavior. Just start re-associating other dogs with something of high value. Don't let on if you're nervous. Just keep her where she's comfortable as best you can and then see how she is getting up closer. I'd stick around with dogs you know as much as possible and be extra wary around dogs you don't know. Lots of vibes for a speedy recovery.

 

[~Jessie~]

Oh no! That is terrifying! I'm so happy to hear that Coco is okay!

Tucker was attacked at a park a while back, but luckily didn't need a vet visit. It's so scary, though.

 

[JuliaMae]

What a horrible experiance for you and Coco. My thoughts are with you and lots and lots of vibes for Coco's quick and complete recovery. JuliaMae

“If caring is a crime, color me guilty.â€

 

[JessLough]

So glad the woman owned up to her responsibilities

I would simply pick her up any time you see another dog.

I would not suggest this. If you pick her up every time you see a dog, you are coddling her fear if any is there, and it will just get worse and worse, because you are rewarding her for fear.

I would do the treating from a distance. Dogs = something really REALLY yummy. Heck, I'd even make it a certain treat that she *only* gets around other dogs

 

[Emily]

Oh god, I'm so sorry. I've been there and it's so scary.

IMO you did nothing wrong, and Coco being on leash would have solved nothing, as she was in heel position when she was attacked. I don't really see her being off leash as a "dangerous" factor here, since she was under control, but maybe that's just me.

Like Dekka said, a choke out is the best way to get a dog to release it's grip. It sounds brutal but it works with minimal injury to both parties.

As for her reaction to other dogs post-attack, first I'd give her some down time away from the scene of the attack. Let her heal, let her come down from it mentally for a while, and then slowly start having her do leashed walks around other leashed/under control dogs. Click and treat her for just looking at other dogs and save her favorite treat for being around other dogs only.

 

[Renee750il]

That's a horrendous experience for both of you! I'm so relieved she's mending and if there is a bright spot in all this, it is the way the woman reacted -- not just taking you to the vet but sending her husband off like that! Gives me hope that he won't be walking that dog off leash again. Ever.

Coco will probably need some de-sensitizing . . . but so will you. Remember, she's going to respond to YOUR tension as well as her own memories.

((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

 

[Fran101]

I am so sorry! VIBES!! And lots of kisses for the little gal!

Romeo became reactive after his attack. My cousin is working with a behaviorist and he can now be across the street without FLIPPING OUT.. BUT that is largely due to how we reacted with him around dogs after.
We coddled him and freaked anytime a dog came near during his recovery..so he learned that other dogs are scary and should be kept away.

 

[puppydog]

I never said she was attacked because she was off leash. I just said that is one of the many reasons I keep my dogs on leash when I am out with them. Because I am paranoid.

 

[Dekka]

How is Coco today?

 

[cloudcandy]

Thanks for the vibes and advice everyone.This couldn't have happened at a worse time (as if there would ever be a right time anyway!) I had a uni deadline and an interview today,and another deadline tomorrow and a flight to catch.

Last night when I got her home she slept and relaxed,too hurt for cuddles.Around 2am she started getting fidgety and had some diarrhea.I really tried to stay awake and keep an eye on her but I was knocked out and she seemed to be ok,getting up and pooing on the pads and then popping back to sleep.
I called the vets in the morning and they said it could be a reaction to the anesthetic and to keep an eye on her.I changed her plaster over,looks like he did a very nice job on stitching her up.I left her some food out and water and tried to encourage her to drink.My friend watched her for me whilst I went to uni.By the afternoon she had eaten all her food and had refused to use the pee-pee pads so I took her out for a pee,she seemed alot more playful etc and we managed a short walk.We came across three dogs all across the road from us and Coco didn't react any different to how she normally acted however I did reward her for looking.When we got home all she wanted to do was play and chew her toys like normal.She ate her antibiotics eagerly!Right now she is snoozing away,she felt well enough to give me a big snuggle and ran to the door to greet my mum (where as the previous day she hadn't moved).
I feel like she is going to physically recover well,as for mentally I want to take it slowly to make sure everything is done properly as I don't want her to be encouraged to be scared by me coddling her,but at the same time don't want to rush her into anything. I'm slightly worried about going away,I do feel awful that I have to leave her at a time like this.My sister and mum will be looking after her and they are 100% trustworthy and will be even more cautious then I would.She definitely won't be going to the park!I just feel bad....!?

 

[Brattina88]

I'd like to PM you what happened with me and Maddie, but I don't want to scare you or be to gory. But I can share what worked for us


Soooooo glad to hear Coco's perked up and seems to be doing better! Dogs recover a lot faster than we do! lol you've been in my thoughts and sending more vibes!

 

[cloudcandy]

Pictures...
(If anyone could tell me if that is a "big" bite or a "small" one...the vet said there was no muscle damage)

20120521_184208 by sweetheart-roland, on Flickr

C360_2012-05-21-17-43-36_org by sweetheart-roland, on Flickr

C360_2012-05-20-21-29-53 by sweetheart-roland, on Flickr

20120521_092815 by sweetheart-roland, on Flickr

 

[cloudcandy]

I'd like to PM you what happened with me and Maddie, but I don't want to scare you or be to gory. But I can share what worked for us


Soooooo glad to hear Coco's perked up and seems to be doing better! Dogs recover a lot faster than we do! lol you've been in my thoughts and sending more vibes!

Yes please do

 

[Xandra]

yay I'm glad she's doing better! I think you're doing the right thing by not pushing her, but not coddling her either. And that's a pretty big tear, even if it isn't very deep.

 

[Moth]

Sounds like she is on her way to healing...

Poor little girl...

 

[Kat09Tails]

Ow... I would say that's a big bite for the size of dog you're working with. I'm glad she made it out of there with nothing that can't heal.

 

[Laurelin]

Oh poor girl! That is so scary.