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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

So upset, my puppy has been attacked at classes tonight.

21 replies

ihatethecold · 22/05/2013 20:43

My 15 week old vizsla puppy has been bitten badly by another dog.

My DH has taken him to the vets to get it seen to.

This dog has constantly shown aggression to my dog during each class. My pup has a lovely temperament and hasn't retaliated at all over the last 4 weeks at the class.

I'm so upset and cross that the owner didn't keep her dog under control

OP posts:

ReluctantBeing · 22/05/2013 20:44

I presume the fact the other dog is not under control is why they are there, but the other dog should have been on a lead if it posed a threat.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 22/05/2013 20:46

Sorry for your pup.

Why didn't the trainer keep you apart?

Bowlersarm · 22/05/2013 20:48

It's horrible isn't it.

My only word of advice would be to socialise him with lots of the type of dog he was bitten by. Ie if it was a golden retriever then try and introduce him to as many (kind!) golden retrievers as possible, to build his confidence up again.

My dog was bitten as a puppy by a spaniel. I, being a naive first time dog owner, avoided spaniels like the plague, but now as an adult he has real issues with all spaniels-he thinks they are all going to attack him.

pigsDOfly · 22/05/2013 20:58

That's awful Ihatethecold. Were the dogs not on leads? And how many dogs are in the class.

Surely the person taking the class should have been on top of this and aware of this dog's aggression. Any dogs in a class showing aggressive behaviour should have been banned from the class. That was one of the question I was asked when I enrolled my dog for classes; the agreement I signed stated that if the dog was at all reactive it would not be allowed in the class.

Also are they insured for this sort of thing in order to cover your vet's bill?

I hope your puppy is ok OP. I'd be having a strong word with the class leader if I were you.

pigsDOfly · 22/05/2013 21:02

No ReluctantBeing. If a dog is at all aggressive it should not be in a class with other dogs. It has to be seen by the trainer on it's own until it can safely be with other dogs.

A puppy class is not the place to train out aggression.

Original poster

ihatethecold · 22/05/2013 21:07

I've just popped to he vets, they have put my lovely pup under GA to stitch up his nose

In the class there are 6 dogs.

Only 1 aggressive jack Russell.
He has been gunning for my dog for weeks.

I had just left before it happened because my dd was tired.

We live 5 mins away by foot.

I think the other dog must have been let off its lead.

The other owner has said they will pay the costs.

I really don't know what to say to the class trainer. I'm not happy!!

OP posts:

Original poster

ihatethecold · 22/05/2013 21:08

He had his first proper run out with an other dog today and totally loved it.

I can't let this incident put him off.
I'm so sad

OP posts:

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 22/05/2013 21:09

How old is the Jack Russell? Surely it's unusual for puppies to attack like this?!

Original poster

ihatethecold · 22/05/2013 21:11

It's not a puppy,

My dog is the youngest there.

I think the class is a beginners class rather than puppy class iyswim

OP posts:

pigsDOfly · 22/05/2013 21:12

Oh your poor little chap. Has the trainer been in touch to see how he is?

Yes, not sure I'd know what to say to the trainer either.

Let us know how he gets on OP.

Wish him better.

Original poster

ihatethecold · 22/05/2013 21:17

No she hasn't,
I think she has other classes after mine.

I think she will call tomorrow.

I think I would get upset if I spoke to her now.

I think she got bit also but I'm not 100% sure.

I hope not.

OP posts:

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 22/05/2013 21:18

The JRT must have serious issues. It's not normal for a dog to attack a pup, is it? Especially such a young one. I hope your chap recovers quickly.

ReluctantBeing · 22/05/2013 21:48

In that case, I have come across some rubbish trainers.

pigsDOfly · 22/05/2013 22:01

The trainer I went to with my dog had pretty strict rules. She had separate puppy classes, junior classes and seniors. And no bitches in season. I thought this was normal practice. And dogs were on leads at all times.

MagratGarlik · 23/05/2013 00:19

My trainer (who I think was fab), allowed dos with 'ishoos' in classes if it was containable. For example, I would be told, when I entered, don't sit next to the JRT, he needs space etc. Dogs with dog-on-dog aggression would also not be off-lead for recall, but would be on a long line. She also modified some exercises for dogs with aggression issues.

My trainer is very experienced in rescues (and owns a couple herself), but regardless, your trainer should be training the owners of dogs as much as the dogs themselves on how to best socialise your dog and good doggy etiquette.

mrslaughan · 23/05/2013 06:38

The class I go to , the trainer allows dogs with Ishoos - infact we had a jack Russell come who did, it apparently had been attacked.
But it was muzzled, we were all explained the situation and to keep our dogs under control ( same expected of JRT owner), it would never have been allowed off lead..... Plus ours is not strictly a puppy class, they are earlier, it is more of a training class for young dogs.

What (unfortunately) I think you need to do now is socialize your dog a lot so this negative experience is replaced with lots of positives

Original poster

ihatethecold · 23/05/2013 07:01

Well odi had a good night. I think he is to tired to do anything but sleep.
He has had 8 stitches in his nose.

The dog trainer called late last night, she was upset about the situation.
She said she was bitten and will need a jab today.

I have said that I'm not willing to go back to the Class with the aggressive dog there. Even if he is muzzled.

OP posts:

moosemama · 23/05/2013 09:29

8 stitches - oh your poor boy.

Is the trainer actually going to continue to allow the JRT to attend? It's highly inappropriate to try and deal with a dog's aggression problems around pups, there are specific trainers and classes for dealing with dog aggression and the JRT should be attending one of those, rather than having an unmuzzled aggressive dog in a mixed class.

I would search around for a club in your area that uses only positive reinforcement and has a dedicated puppy class. It would also be useful to ask the new trainer if she knows of any well socialised, well trained JRTs you could meet with your pup to give him plenty of positive experiences with the same breed.

Poor little mite, hope he recovers quickly.

Floralnomad · 23/05/2013 10:17

I think you should find a new trainer who does separate puppy classes ,which is the norm. At the classes we went to you had about 10 minutes at the end where they were allowed off lead in groups to play which was lovely . Hope your little boy is feeling better today .

D0oinMeCleanin · 23/05/2013 10:23

My JRTx hates puppies, as such, I always let any trainer know before we attend any classes or groups where there might be puppies.

If the trainer cannot guarantee to give us enough space to work away from any puppies, we don't go. He is also muzzled where necessary (usually if working in close proximity to a puppy in order to deal with his issue with puppies, which is normally their lack of manners)

I can't imagine ever letting him off lead in class with a puppy in it or wanting to attend a class where the trainer would a) think it was appropriate to let him off near younger dogs and b) not allow us enough space.

If I were you I'd be finding another class. I hope your pup recovers well.

digerd · 23/05/2013 12:35

I met a lovely Vizsla who was 1 year-old, and very friendly with my very little calm 2-year-old dog. Vizsla was jumping up and down around her which she is normally wary of, but just stood there non-reactive. Vizsla's owner said about mine "Wow, she is so serene".

No, I wouldn't go back there either. Your poor puppy.

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