Hi there, my 11 weeks old puppy boxer got bitten in the park today. He has two cuts. I took him to the vet who gave him an antibiotics injection and some antibiotics tablets to take over the next couple of days. How soon should I take him to the park? Would this bad experience have any impact on his behaviour towards other dogs? Any help would be appreciated as I don't want him to be scared of a dog next time he sees one.

Thanks.

Mon

As soon as he is fit and well eg cuts scabbed over I would take him somewhere you know is likely to have a few good natured dogs so he can get his confidence back on his own terms.

For me I live in a village and just from living there know who everybodys dog is and what kind of temperament it has. On the whole it is better for him to have as many good experience as possible now while he is still in his socialisation period rather than avoiding letting him meet anything. Obviously proceed with caution as if he looks worried about greeting anything dont push him into it. Once he gets enrolled in a puppy training course im sure his confidence will come back in leaps and bounds.

Take him back as soon as possible, on the same principle that you get back on a horse as soon as you can after a fall, to prevent fears of it happening again.

Many vets have a puppy socialisation group  (unfortunately at times a puppy free for all)but at my ex vets nervous or wary dogs were taken seperately into another room to buid up confidence)may be worth ringing around or finding a different puppy group.Hope the little fellow recovers fully.Jude

We were supposed to take him for puppy socialisation and training classes yesterday evening but were advised not to as he was limping and shaking. He slept through the night but cried from his sleep. I will take him out for a short walk today and see how he is. Many thanks for your replies.

Mon

Ah bless, thats terrible, hope he isnt scared of other dogs now, yes you need to get him with good natured dogs as soon as you can, hope he is better soon.

but were advised not to as he was limping and shaking

Is he still limping? Was he still shaking when you got home and how was he during the night?

It is unusual for a dog to attack a pup like that, how did it happen? If your pup is still limping although I agree in getting him back out there to install confidence again, he shouldn't be walked if he is limping he needs rest, carry him around to shops and noisy places where he will get lots of scents, sounds and fuss from people and you can let him say hi to dogs that you know are friendly for now.

Poor babe, some dogs do find it hard to get over things like this, straight to puppy classes as soon as he is able that will do him the most good.  Give the wee might a big (((((hug))) from me.

He still does, now and then, is much more lively this afternoon.

We were walking in the park and he was friendly with dogs, as puppies are. On the way back he met this pitbull terrier who, out of nowhere, attacked him for no reason. Ollie was on a lead and was very surprised when the other dog went for him. It was the scariest of the moments, I couldn't get the other dog off Ollie. He seems to be back now as he has just stolen one of my slippers and ran to the kitchen with it :)

We are going to the puppy class next week but taking him to the park today, fingers crossed!

poor both of you, I really feel for you. My WSS puppy was the most outgoing and friendly little guy and out on a walk a month ago we came across a couple with a huge Akita on a very short lead. As we passed them by the Akita lunged at the puppy and bowled him like a rabbit, really roughed him up and although it was all over in seconds it was a very nasty moment--and the Akita people didn't even ask if the puppy was ok, or apologise. If I hadn't been so worried about him I'd have had some choice words to say to them. As it is, he is now quite leery of other dogs and sod's law put him in the middle of a giant out of control GSD and the world's barkiest lurcher at our 'puppy' obedience class (they were no more puppies than I am a spring chicken!)--after 5 minutes of this he flatly refused to come out from under my chair.

If you have friends with sensible dogs. that might be a good way to get him more settled. Good luck :)

You could really do with finding a dog walking buddy. With friendly dogs to help your boy and teach him those vital social skills that he needs at this age. Did you report the attack to the dog warden. I know nothing will probably be done but at least it will have been reported. Good luck

Thanks, LouiseDDB.
Yes, I am gonna get one of my friends to arrange 'play days'.
I wasn't aware there was a dog warden, and to be frank, I had no idea what to do in case a dog gets bitten by other dog. What are the things/questions I should be asking the owner?

You don't need to ask the owner anything. Just phone your councils dog warden and say what happened. Your dog was on the lead and it was an unprovoked attack from "pitbull" type. I hate stating the breed as any breed can attack. The dog was dangerously at large and you have had to seek vet care for your puppy. Times dates and area of when it happened and hopefully they will keep it on record. I doubt from a nasty dogs owner you will get anything other than foul language. If you know the owner or where they live even better.

Hi, what you do in the next few days/weeks could influence your pup's behaviour as you know :)
Ensure your puppy class is a good one and have a gander of this in cas it helps:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/choosing_dog_trainer_uk.asp

http://www.puppyschool.co.uk/index.html

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation2

L
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Hi mongon,

I hope ur little lad is ok now. As everybody has suggested, get him back out there, as soon as he's fit to. Find some nice doggy friends for him to play with. The sooner he gets back to socialising the better for him. Just try to avoid dogs you know aren't friendly or aren't sure off.

And as for the slipper........the cheeky little monkey must be feeling better :)

Thanks for the links and advice, Lindsay. It really helps. I've had dog owners coming to me asking whether Ollie is ok, apparently he is a bit popular at the moment, being the only boxer puppy in the park (more likely for being attacked though!) They all know what dog it was and are trying to avoid him as well. I feel a bit sorry for the owner but hey, it was her dog that attacked my little pup!
I took him to the park today, he saw a dog and straight away hid in between my legs, but then got a bid adventurous and went to say hello, so I am hoping it is only gonna get better.

Mon

Thanks, Gemma. Love your dog by the way! :)

Lots of luck with him :)
Try to ensure that all the coming interactions he has with new dogs are positive, and that will help to outweigh the one bad experience. It's really important as you don't want him to meet another "aggressive" dog at the moment. If he meets dogs who are pleasant, he will get his confidence back again!

Oh, and make sure you relax yourself!!! (easier said than done sometimes!)

Lindsay
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So true, I resulted in asking the owners whether their dogs are 'puppy friendly' before approaching them. I just don't want Ollie to get bitten again.