I'm still shaking . We were at the park this afternoon and Ella was playing off lead when we came upon a lady and her border Collie (also off lead). The two dogs said hello and all seemed ok until the lady bent down to say hello to Ella. The dog must have been jealous or something as it just went for Ella, pinned her down and bit her on the head! The lady shouted and her dog got off and Ella came crying over to me. We had a look and the lady gave me her details in case there's any treatment needed. There's a little puncture wound (maybe 2-3mm) on the top of her head that we've now cleaned with antiseptic, will check in the morning and will take her to the vet if it looks bad. Does that sound like a reasonable option or should we be taking her to the emergency vet? She seems ok but a little quiet now although she still tried to play with two other dogs on our way back to the car so fingers crossed she'll be ok and not too frightened Such a horrible end to the day.
Oh no! Poor girl. It makes my blood boil when people have aggressive dogs off lead. It's not like that dog hasn't done something like that before. Try to get her a couple of playdates with lovely, friendly dogs as soon as you can. If the bite looks shallow, yes, just keep it clean and keep an eye on it.
Oh dear, not a nice experience for either you or Ella. I only know a border collie cross who is my trainers eldest dog. He is a lovely boy and so good with puppies, but when she has other dogs staying he can become possessive if the other dogs try and stay too close to her in the evenings (Juno excepted), so it is possible that he was reacting to the closeness of his owner to another dog (poor little Ella), particularly as he had been fine until that moment. Regarding the small wound I think I would contact the lady by phone and check that all vaccinations are up to date. If they are I wouldn't worry too much. You've cleaned the wound and Ella appears fine, and was playing with other dogs afterwards, so just keep an eye on her. Now relax yourself and try not to fret too much. Hugs to you and Labrador licks to Ella.
Oh poor Ella and what a worry for you. You have been given good advice already. Exactly the same happened to me with a collie back in May. The lady had 3 all off lead. I double checked that they were friendly. She said yes they were then the eldest one pinned Mabel to the ground. The women then said don't worry my dog has no teeth!!! Half way round the park this dog appears again through the hedge and does exactly the same thing to Mabel again. I check her over just in case there were any bite marks this time only to be told it's all my fault. The women puts her dogs on lead and tries to bring them to me so they can all make friends. My blood was boiling. I told her to turn round and keep walking. I was lucky on the way back to the car we met some people with lovely friendly Labradors so my girl had a good old play. It's had absolutely no lasting effect on her at all. I'm sure Ella will be fine. I emailed my trainer and he said I did everything correct and Collie's can be possessive (he has 3). Unfortunately it just brings home there are some seriously inconsiderate and bad owners out there. Sending hugs x
What an awful experience. You poor thing and poor Ella Although she has a puncture wound it sounds shallow and small so there's no need to go to the emergency vet. Just keep an eye on it and go to the vet if it doesn't look like it's healing up by itself (which hopefully it does with absolutely no problems).
Makes my blood boil too. The attitude of the owners is usually something along the lines of they are just playing, there's no malice in my dog, your dog needs to be submissive to my dog etc. Stupid, irresponsible woman. These things unfortunately happen and you kind of develop a radar eventually - like seeing the pack of 8 German Shepherds entering the park this morning. But there are times when you can't see it coming. With the puncture wound, the only experience I have had is with cats fighting and sometimes they can ulcerate and need vet attention but having cleaned it you will probably be fine. When this has happened (getting picked on) I have taken Chepi to my home park where I know lots of gentle dogs can be found and I have been lucky to find dogs for her to then have a happy experience with, which seems what Ella was able to do so I think she'll be fine. I didn't know that about collies Hope your next walk is absolutely brilliant
That's a real shame and horrible for you and poor Ella. But now try and put it behind you, for Ella's sake. She needs to believe that the majority of dogs are friendly and trustworthy, and will take her cue from you, so you need to stay upbeat and positive around other dogs.
Thanks for the support everyone ☺. Ella is doing well and we'll keep and eye on the wound over the next few days but fingers crossed it will be fine. I've organised a play date with my friends two choccy labs on Tuesday as they're beautiful dogs, great with Ella and she loves them so that should be good for her. The dog looked like it was definitely an adult but not an oldie and the owner said "that's never happened before". I can't help but think this can't possibly be the first time. So frustrating as it does knock your confidence but I will do my best to set up a few fun play dates this week and we'll move on ☺
It is important for Ella to be confident around other dogs, for sure. But, as Charlie has got older, I've adopted a position of him not really getting to say hello to other strange dogs. First because it's better for him to expect that he doesn't get to say hello (then he won't be dragging me over, or running over), but also because, actually, I don't think the majority of dogs that I meet are well socialised, lots are not good with other dogs. Charlie has plenty of really good mates, that he knows well, and stacks of playdates and interactions with dogs that I know are friendly - and he'll meet a ton of dogs on the Common whether I like it or not. That's enough. I no longer ask "is your dog friendly" and pause for Charlie to interact, I just walk on by....
That's a really interesting point Julie. I do have a number of friends with great dogs and a couple of "people from the park" with great dogs so there's no shortage of dogs for Ella to play with. I have also noticed that Ella is very expectant when she sees another dog as she just assumes that she'll get to say hi. I have been working on her watching me and walking to heal past people (we've been learning this in our beginner puppy obedience class) so I guess what you're talking about is essentially an extension of that. Thanks so much for all of the advice, this is all so new to me ☺
JulieT I can see myself getting to the stage you are at. I have been quite amazed at the amount of badly socialised dogs. I'm slowly building up Mabel's play date group. We have just come back from a walk and for the first time I looked at another dog in the distance and thought no Mabel I am not asking if that dog's friendly for you to sniff I'm taking a left down the track. Emily enjoy your play date on Tuesday
I'm so sorry you've had a shock like that,poor little Ella,glad it wasn't a more serious injury and that she doesn't seem to changed by it.Playing with some nice doggie mates later this week will be perfect. I meet a lot of badly socialized dogs ...luckily mostly on leads,we just make it our business to get on past every dog we meet now that's on a lead.Dogs are mostly on lead here in Dubai. I definately messed up when Dexter was younger trying to use the dogs on lead that I was told are friendly as socialisation opportunities for Dexter.....I'm sure I caused his reactive by doing this ( both that's another thread!) Now I have daycare and a dog park opportunity...places where the dogs are assessed before they can use the facilities.And my off lead walks are with friends and dogs we know,.Strange dogs off lead that run over to us do make me wary.And I'm currently working on really getting a grip on Dexter not running over to other dogs now I've got the dog park to practice in....because sadly we are not without fault in that department either x
