Stella Update :( | Dog Park attack

[StellaTheDogSpaceOddity]

Unfortunately Stella was attacked at the Dog Park. 

We had been getting really weird vibes whenever we goto the dog park. We'd always show up and someone would shout something along the lines of "My dog doesn't like Huskies hold on while I leave". 

Stella had been pretty hesitant of dogs in general, but we had made some good progress in the past few Dog park trips. She recently started playing with other dogs! Thankfully, though hesitant she never exhibited any signs of aggression just the typical "I'm overwhelmed please sniff me and let me be on my way"

This past Sunday we made a dog playdate with a coworker who's dog was in a similar boat to Stella. Again, upon arrival someone told us to hold on while they leashed up their dog and left. (Ok wtf? Don't go to dog parks)

Checking again everyone said they're dogs were fine. No aggression at the first gate  -  as soon as we step in the rush of dogs come and do their thing - awesome Stella even sniffed back! Just before Stella could go off and have a little fun a curly haired terrier type dog rushes over and corners her. Not even deciding to take the risk we rush over to remove her from the situation - but before we could get there the dog started attacking her. (All in the span of 10-15 seconds).

The initial attacks weren't bad, just a few little nips. I got Stella in the air, and began to remove her from the situation.

 

The people in control of the other dog where not the dogs owners (WHY DID YOU TAKE THE DOG TO THE DOG PARK). Before I could get Stella away from the situation they released the dog, because they "Didn't know how to get the leash on" (The person was apparently relying on their 6 year old child to come in to leash the dog) the dog jumped up got my hand really bad once, and then latched onto Stellas hind leg. The dog would not let go, and fearful of causing tearing I was forced to place Stella on the ground after receiving a plethora of panic bites - not her fault her bite inhibition training clearly worked.

Multiple full bottle splashes, wheel-barrels, uneducated hammer fisting (By the not owners even when told it wouldn't stop it), and finally a gum pinch was what got the dog to let go. 

 

Stella ended up with a "Largely superficial" 2 inch laceration on her hind leg which was closed with stitches at the animal ER. I ended up with a few slices which warranted to be closed, but couldn't be because they're dog bites - so a full course of antibiotics for me and Stella.

 

 

Dog parks are ruined for us. I think we made a mistake, and I'm not sure they're even safe. Thats on us.

Whats the deal with this  "Our dog doesn't like Huskies?" nonsense. Has anyone else experienced this?

I apologize if this ended up being a rant. We're super frustrated. Stella is such a kind playful, happy, goofy dog. 

Ultimately we're to blame for taking her to the dog park, and it kills us knowing now she's in pain. Hopefully this saves someone else from this hell. It could have been much much worse.

[chelseafan]

Sorry to hear Stella was hurt, I hope she’ll be ok and you to.
Unfortunately my 2 are growled and barked at daily when we’re out on walks, mostly the smaller variety. I take mine to an off lead field to run and it’s theirs for 30 or 60 mins. I don’t take mine to dog parks as one of mine is reactive but only if he’s growled at first, they love the off lead field. I wouldn’t blame yourself for taking Stella to the dog park and I hope it doesn’t set her back with socialising. Wishing you both well.


Sent from my iPhone using Husky Owners

[Rachael_Astro]

Sorry to hear this has happened. Regarding your question about dogs not liking huskies, my cousins staffy doesn’t like huskies either, he is a rescue so she doesn’t know his full history but he really doesn’t like them


Sent from my iPhone using Husky Owners

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Hope your girl is ok , my girl is now fear reactive with offlead dogs and big dogs who bark at her make her cry , a lot of dogs don't like huskies due to their 'body language' for other breeds of dog ears up and facing forward and a tail held high is threatening , sadly this is a natural stance for sibes so most dogs can't get a read on them , or it could be down to something that happened in the dogs past , my boy absolutely hates all Labradors with a passion doesn't matter what colour or sex or anything he just hates them as he's had a few bad experiences with them when he was younger
Its not your fault your girl got hurt and I hope the people responsible stuck around so u can get her vet bills paid as they are liable

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Husky Owners mobile app

[wolfpup]

Marley has been attacked twice -  once on a 'play date' by three doberman types  - he was the only one on a leash, and once whilst I was walking around the block - someone was working on their car and their dog was loose  - Marley was on leash again.   -  now hubby walks them around 3-4 am  to minimise contact with other dogs.      Lunar is scared of other dogs  if he is on his own because he has been attacked in the past   (same breed characteristics - he is a Utonagan)  but if he is with Marley its a case of "OK - you want a piece of me??  - come and try me and my buddy" - but Lunar will be 14 in Feb and is now suffering with dementia  -  so it makes it harder  -  Marley just basically wants to play.   Unfortunately he has no 'doggie manners'  -  I think it is mainly because he was taken from mum far too early  -  he is just too 'in your face' come an play type.  BUT  he was the on on-leash both times - the other dogs were free.

I really hope your baby does not suffer mentally from the attack   -  try and find a secure park where you can book a solo session   -  mine is over 45 miles away so we don't get there very often unfortunately.

[Shepsky5]

We have nearly cleared the dog park too sometimes! I think huskies have a reputation for playing rough? Also it may have been my dogs size...he is more the size of a GSD, 76 lbs and about 26” at shoulder, so one of the bigger dogs there. One brave owner stayed, who had an elderly lemon beagle. She and my dog sniffed noses, walked around a bit, and then laid down peacefully in the shade while we chatted. So I really do not know why everyone left in such haste! My dog is a peaceful guy.

what a horrible attack!!! You need to be able to control / recall your dog if you bring them into a dog park!! They should have offered to pay vet and medical bills! 😡 this is why we stopped going...it was just too random. I don’t like surprises when it comes to dog encounters...

i hope you are both healing well, and hopefully she will not become dog-aggressive...slow introductions to other friendly dogs, and going on peaceful walks with other dogs, might help her to get over it.

[StellaTheDogSpaceOddity]

Thank you everyone

 

Stellas slowly getting there 🤞. She's been really low energy with little bursts of husky puppy energy, and recently she became interested in her toys again! We took her back to get her wound swabbed and cultured - we don't want any risk of infection. 

 

I'll keep everyone posted! 

In the meantime, not even the cone can keep her from her favorite napping spot... 😂

 

[PnkFlyd204]

I used to take my boy Viggo to the dog park all the time. Unfortunately due to people not wanting to follow rules and not knowing about basic dog behavior, I completely stopped going. It just wasn't fun anymore.

Sorry your girl was hurt. Glad she is on the mend and seems to be doing well.

[jlharries88]

We take our dogs to a dog park everyday many huskies there tho.. only time there's an dog argument is who the dominant one is!! Sorry to hear u had a bad experience we yelped around for the best husky dog park tho.. some even have husky nights where it's mostly huskies.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Husky Owners mobile app

[Onceuponadime]

I have an 11 month old boy he's neutered and I am fed up of other dogs attacking him. I pulled one dog off him and was about to launch the dog with a right roundhouse but I grabbed it hard by the scruff and it let go. My dog didn't seem phased but the stupid owner wasn't bothered. Since this he's been bitten again no damage and these are off leash dogs. I now take a hiking stick with me as my dog is always on leash. I am fed up of it happening. The last time a dalmatian went for him I grabbed him back as he was getting very vocal and I think he was going to have a go back which I don't want but literally every day some dog goes for him. 

[chelseafan]

There’s so many off lead dogs walking where I take mine and the owners don’t ever seem to think they’re the ones in the wrong for allowing their dogs to be offlead, you can’t blame the dogs they’re just being dogs, it’s the owners who need telling. Cai’s been bitten a few times and only 3 weeks ago a spaniel ran down his drive and ran at Cai snarling and growling and jumped on Cai’s back and bit him, totally ignoring his owner shouting his name to come back........nightmare [emoji33]


Sent from my iPad using Husky Owners

[Luna the husky]

Luna is very wary of little dogs as most of them get right in her face barking a lot but she’s always willing to give them a chance. About a year and a half ago she was attacked by a huge Italian Mastiff and the noise that Luna was making was unlike anything I’ve ever heard. It was a young couple with a little girl around 3yo and a big Rottweiler which wasn’t paying attention to what was going on. I was only getting over a massive fear of dogs but we both ran over and he managed to remove his dog. I often think about what would’ve been if I got there first, I woulda done this and that but most likely I woulda been too scared to do anything... I have had someone come over and drag his Doberman away saying it didn’t like huskies, it was like he was oblivious to the minute or so they had together sniffing... a lot of the time I think it’s more the owners don’t like them than the dogs, that’s the conclusion I came to in my experiences anyway. She is more than happy to play tag hoping they will chase her round in circles. She will also lie down until the dog coming towards us gets a lot closer too which probably looks disarming. Hopefully you won’t encounter idiots like them again.


Sent from my iPhone using Husky Owners

[Shepsky5]

Speaking of people not wanting their dogs to meet huskies...we had a bizarre incident the other day!

Rumo and I were walking on the sidewalk and ahead of us was an elderly man and his small dog. Because Rumo is big, and I walk briskly to stay with him, we were catching up to them. The man turned and saw us...he looked horrified. immediately he scooped his dog into his arms and RAN up the nearest driveway!! 

I was puzzled and said “Hi,”, smiled at them, and we kept walking. Rumo is quite polite if he meets small dogs, but I guess he looks as though he EATS small dogs? Or maybe his small dog got attacked by a husky or shepherd in the past? Just felt bad that this elderly man was literally running away from us!! 

( as we got closer, I probably would have stepped into the street for a few yards with Rumo, to pass them...that is what I typically do)

Hope Stella got her cone off!

 

 

[A.ogg]

I know this was posted a long time ago but I just wanted to read up on Huskies at the dog park. 

My dog (a 7 month old Catahoula) loves absolutely everyone and everything, she plays according to the other dogs style, after she learned the difference and how big she was, so she can be very gentle with older dogs or puppies but she can also be EXTREMELY energetic and somewhat rough (wrestling, nipping while running which looks like tag, teeth touching, grabbing each others scruffs, chewing on ears....) with dogs that show interest in rough-housing. We visit the park just about daily, sometimes multiple times a day, she has been attacked out of no where by different Huskies more than any other dog, she could be just playing with another dog and gets bit, Dobermans tend to be the same when it comes to dog parks, they will also keep her from getting to me or her "safe space". I am not saying each and every dog of the same breed will be aggressive but even within talking to other pet parents, non husky owners are very cautious because of what tendencies Huskies have in groups and from what we have experienced. I do not remove my dog until another dog shows aggressive behaviors but I believe all of us would like to make sure our furbabies are as happy, healthy and safe as possible.

Other factors are toy aggression, protecting their human, "guarding their" area, and adult dogs not being neutered or spayed and wanting to be alpha or finding a mate.