This just happened at the dog park

• 03-26-2008 7:19 PM

  aerial1313 Joined on 02-12-2008 Atlanta, GA Posts 447 Points 35

  This just happened at the dog park Reply Contact I just got back from the dog park.  A lady there had a dog that clearly should not have been off leash with other dogs.  I overheard another lady say that the dog had tried twice to bite her dog.  Let me just say that Harry being a pup, I am never far from him at the park.  The "biter's" owner was also close by.  Well, Harry was running around as usual, and this dog came up to him nicely at first, but then out of nowhere charged Harry (not growling or baring teeth, just full speed ahead), and well, for lack of a better term, slammed into Harry and rolled him.  It happened before myself or the other owner could stop it.  Harry got up kicking out his left hind leg and whimpering, so I held him still for a minute and he wouldn't put weight on that hind leg for about 30 seconds, but then he got up and trotted off, limping a bit at first, but then he seemed fine, and was content to continue to run around.  I grew up with horses, who have extremely fragile legs, and I know that some minor mishaps just need a minute or two to work out the initial pain, so I let him "walk it off" with an eagle eye for anything I thought might look unusual.  We left about 10 minutes later.  But, being the overprotective worrying mommy that I am, I am still concerned that he might be injured.  The vet's office is closed, and since he doesn't appear to be in any pain, and will let me touch and massage his hip, leg, paw, etc, I don't see that a trip to the emergency vet is in order this evening.  I will monitor him closely tonight and tomorrow morning, to see if resting tonight makes him at all stiff, and if so, will take him to the vet tomorrow.  But, I wanted to see if any of you guys might have any opinions.  Harry's my first dog, so I'm new to all this, and probably overly cautious, but I figure that's better than being slack about stuff.  Thanks guys and gals!

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• 03-26-2008 7:26 PM

  In reply to aerial1313

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,743 Points 4,170

  Re: This just happened at the dog park Reply Contact Dogs rolling young dogs isn't a bad thing imo. It's part of play. Neiko and Lily roll each other all the time. However, if your dog was hurt that's another story. I wouldn't worry if he's no longer limping but if he is limping still tomorrow then I'd take him in.  How old is your pup? if he's 5 months or less I wouldn't be taking him to the dog park at all. Negative experiences with other dogs that you can't control can cause problems later in your dogs life.

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• 03-26-2008 7:33 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  aerial1313 Joined on 02-12-2008 Atlanta, GA Posts 447 Points 35

  Re: This just happened at the dog park Reply Contact Yeah, it wasn't the rolling part that bothered me, but the fact that Harry was hurt.  I mean, this dog slammed him HARD to where, gosh it happened so fast it's taking a while to really put it all together, but it was the force that made him fall on his side and roll, and I think he might have twisted his leg in the process (dog impacted him right in the ribcage).  Yeah, that's pretty much the plan right now...to just watch him and make sure he's not in any pain later after he's had time to rest. Harry is 21 weeks.  He's been through puppy socialization classes already, and I waited until 3 weeks after his final round of vaccines before taking him to the dog park for the first time.  This is his third trip to the park, and this is the only negative experience he has had there.  All of the other dogs have been fine, and Harry has been fine with them.  It appeared to me that it was the other dog who has a lack of socialization, or at least a lack of social skills with other dogs.  Especially given what another person said about that dog attempting to bite her dog twice.  There's a reason the rules of the park state No aggressive dogs.

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• 03-26-2008 7:49 PM

  In reply to aerial1313

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-28-2008 South of Boston Posts 1,140 Points 175

  Re: This just happened at the dog park Reply Contact My parents have a small Cocker Spaniel (19-20lbs) who thinks he's a big dog. He often tries to play with the big dogs and often gets rolled/bumped around, all playing. He's never been seriously hurt though. I think if Harry is running around tomorrow, and isn't limping and is OK when you touch his leg he should be fine. Hope your next romp at the dog park is a better one! If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution. ~Author Unknown

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• 03-26-2008 8:01 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  aerial1313 Joined on 02-12-2008 Atlanta, GA Posts 447 Points 35

  Re: This just happened at the dog park Reply Contact Thanks!  Like I said, it wasn't the rolling that bothered me at all, and I think I even surprised myself at how calm I was once I realized Harry had been hurt.  The other dog's owner was so apologetic, and I just kept saying to her, "It's okay, it's okay.  These things happen."  The same thing could have happened if I accidentally knocked him over, right?!  But then the lady said, "I'd better leave before I get yelled at."  I think somewhere in the background someone must have been making a fuss over the incident, because it certainly wasn't me, and I was too busy tending to Harry. So my other dumb question is - what does him kicking out his hind leg like that indicate?  My boyfriend says he's seen him do it before, though not at all frequently (I've never seen him do it).  Is it joint, muscle, tendon, or just an automatic response to pain in that leg?

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