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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Puppy Bitten

44 replies

Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:04

Posting for traffic, puppy is on his way to emergency vet.
Our pup had his first outing today after having all his vaccinations. Met a friend who had her dog with her and he bit our pup on the back legSad
It bled, and DH thought he could see bone.
I'm so upset, poor puppy.
Is this going to freak him out now? Will he be put off going out? seeing other dogs? he's such a good boy, I'm devestated😢

OP posts:
Slicedpineapple · 13/04/2019 19:12

I'm sorry this happened.
How old is your puppy?

It is important to set up some doggy play dates for him with calm, friendly dogs. If he is calm, happy, friendly, not fearful, reward with treats.

Dogs have a socialisation window that closes at 16 weeks. This is when they need to try a have a lot of positive experiences. After this you can still socialise them, but in a slightly different way.

As this was pups first outing, I would take them out again and let them watch the world go by as you sir on a bench. If he seems fearful, go somewhere quieter and sit further away where he isn't frightened. If he doesn't get nervous, reward his calm behaviour, especially when he sees other dogs.

If it makes you feel any better, our dog has been bitten twice in the last 4 months (both times when he wasn't interacting or near the biting dog) and has been completely unphased. But he is a bit older than yours and has had the opportunity to get lots of positive experiences in, so yours might well be a bit nervous now.

Slicedpineapple · 13/04/2019 19:14

Just as an FYI, you will probably get more helpful responses in the doghouse than AIBU

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:16

thanks pineapple that's so helpful. he's 12 weeks old, quite a big Lab and was bitten by a little terrier cross. DH and my son have taken him to the vet which unfortunately is 20.min drive away as it's Saturday night so local one isn't open!
I'm at here in tears, he's such a lovely friendly dog😢

OP posts:
Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:17

I've put it in the 'doghouse' too thankyouFlowers

OP posts:
Slicedpineapple · 13/04/2019 19:21

:( I know how you feel and it's so horrible to deal with. I would definitely arrange some friendly doggy dates with calm dogs when he has the all clear from the vet to go foe walks again, and in the mean time take him places to sit and watch so he is still getting exposure. You will probably be ok to do short lead walks (but I'm not a vet). Puppy classes are great too and help to practice controlled greetings, just make sure it's not a trainer than let's all dogs off lead to say hello because that's a disaster (nervous dogs will end up terrified and confident dogs learn to be a bit much). Check the ethos of any trainers first to make sure they use up to date positive reinforcement methods, as these trainers will also likely read any doggy body language properly. Sending healing vibes to your pup x

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:23

thank you so much. He's due to start puppy classes next week. just going to have another read about the trainer!

OP posts:
Slicedpineapple · 13/04/2019 19:24

If its not clear from their website, contact them to check out their training methods. If they mention anything to do with dominance, alpha, or packs - run for the hills!

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:40

thankyou, will do!

OP posts:
recrudescence · 13/04/2019 19:46

Something similar happened at this age to one of my pups. He wasn’t bitten but was mobbed by a big group of adult dogs and ended up with a badly sprained hock. He was out of action for a week or so and, like you, I was worried he would be scared on future outings. He was absolutely fine - if he remembered his trauma he didn’t show it. Don’t automatically assume there will be a problem.

I know it’s hard not to worry about them - especially when they’re babies - but I bet he’ll be fine. They’re tougher than you think. Let us how he gets on.

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 19:53

Thankyou. apparently it's through to the muscle but vet isn't keen on anaesthetic as he's a pup. he also said the stitches may not stay put because of where the wound isSadSad

OP posts:
Dellow · 13/04/2019 19:59

Animals are FAR less fazed about this kind of thing than people are. Get him patched up and get on with life Smile . Puppy socialisation groups are always good for young dogs to learn how to politely behave around each other. .......and whatever you do don’t let yourself become anxious about him interacting with other dogs as this anxiety spreads owner—>dog in a flash.

PutyourtoponTrevor · 13/04/2019 20:07

Make sure you send the bill to the owner of the other dog

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 20:08

He's got to stay in overnightSad

OP posts:
Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 20:09

The other dogs owner has offered to pay

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 13/04/2019 20:42

Your poor puppy! What bad luck, it’s very rare for adult dogs to seriously bite puppies. Has the dog done anything like this before? Is the owner taking it seriously?

You have to try to forget it happened and get your puppy socialized with other dogs ASAP. He may now have a recovery period during which he has to start calm which make sure things more challenging but remember, as other posters have said, the socialisation window closes at 14-16 weeks.

Katinkka · 13/04/2019 20:52

Make them pay as well. Don’t be polite about it. I’d be livid. Your poor doggy. ☹️

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 22:29

The vet has phoned, we are off to collect him, they have stitched him up, he's got antibiotics and painkillers. At least he will be home tonight.

OP posts:
BadPennyNoBiscuit · 13/04/2019 22:33

Talk to your puppy trainer as attacks can cause defensive aggression, and your pup may need extra socialisation with hand picked dogs. Not just at the classes, you need to ''accidentally'' bump into people while you are out.

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 22:39

will do biscuit thanks. I really hope this doesn't set him back too much. he was doing so well, sleeping and toilet wise.

OP posts:
Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 13/04/2019 22:41

I doubt we will be starting classes next week. I will phone The trainer.

OP posts:
Whitechocandraspberry · 13/04/2019 22:45

Poor poor pup. I have 3 labs. They are fantastic. It is so hard to socialise as you don’t always know how other dogs are going to react. My oldest one was so boisterous and bad mannered I kept in on lead and only socialised him with hand picked dogs. This was not because of aggression or the likes but because he had terrible recall would shoot towards children on bikes cats etc etc. Anyway he was attacked on more than one occasion when he was on the lead. From different breeds but mostly terriers. As a result he became over time quite lead reactive. When other dogs approached and he was on lead which he always is unless up in the fields with known dog he became uncomfortable. As a result I became nervous and didn’t know how to help him. I may have made it worse. Anyway bear that in mind and take the socialising seriously. Youngest pup has excellent recall. Was at the beach. He was on a lead because busy and young children but a big dog growled snarled and attacked him for no reason. This dog ran towards us from afar. This worried me as well. You don’t always know how dogs will react. Sometimes it’s fine. Older dogs sorting out younger ones but other times it isn’t. Fir what it’s worth it is uncommon for a dog to injure a pup. The dog trainer told me this. My old boy gives the youngest a stern telling off all the time. Never hurt him. He doesn’t even put enough pressure on him to make him squeal. It’s hard but defo something that can become a problem. Get well soon pup. Wish you well. Labs are the best

DogHairEverywhere · 13/04/2019 22:49

Everything that Pineapple said, but make sure you are rewarding him for being calm around other dogs (at whatever distance he feels confortable at). Don't try and tempt him closer using food, you could set up a situation where he is out of his comfort zone to get the food (because he's a lab), but when the food has gone, he may panic or react adversely when he realises how close to the other dog he is.
Don't try and set up lots of doggy playdates, where he just gets to run round wildly, a well socialised dog is one that is calm around other dogs and that means sometimes just walking past, without playing.

Original poster
Softsoftsoft · 14/04/2019 00:12

we are home with the cone of shamehe cried all the way home and still is now. He's finally in his bed bless him. he hates the cone.

OP posts:
imalwaysfreezing · 14/04/2019 00:34

That's so sad, our little spaniel pup was lightly bitten on his first proper walk last year, by a Jack Russel whose owner did literally nothing to stop his dog running & pouncing on mine!

I separated them quickly and picked my pup up, luckily no lasting injuries.

Hope your Ddog is okay!!Thanks

Miscella · 14/04/2019 01:12

Poor pupster. Our dog hated the cone when he had an operation, I ot him an inflatable collar instead and it was so much better. Wonder if this would work for your puppy?

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