Dog Festival: What would you do?

[Riley711]

If you happen to remember me I have Riley who was attacked by another dog while we were at camp. He had to have surgery and it was extremely scary. (links below). He doing amazing now! He does bark now which he never used to and will do a low growl out the window but I think he's nervous himself.

Well they are building a dog park less than an 1/8 of a mile from my house and they are having a dog festival tomorrow. I'd like to go with Riley and my 1 year old but I'm very nervous about it. In theory everything should be fine as why would you being an unfriendly dog to a place with other dogs? But of course I was told that that other dog who attacked Riley was friendly. I'm nervous to bring him around so many dogs. Am I overreacting? Is there something I could do to make it safer for Riley and my daughter? What would you do?

My dog was attacked pt. 3 please help (with pictures)

Riley was attacked UPDATE

[smartrock]

I'm glad to hear Riley healed up nicely and is doing better.

I guess if you want to check it out, since it's so close to home, I'd take either Riley or your one year old but not both at the same time unless there's a second adult with you. If you go with the baby by yourself and check it out and it looks like a friendly gathering, you could take baby back home for your husband or someone to watch and then take Riley by himself. That way, if Riley isn't having a good time, too any other dogs are coming up to him, he acts too pushy with another dog, you won't simultaneously be worrying about managing both the baby and Riley. Plus, some dogs act more aggressive when they're on their leash than they might if they are unleashed and free to meet the other dogs. I don't know if Riley has any leash aggression but if so, I'd definitely not put him into that situation.

It sounds from your note as if maybe Riley hasn't been around many other unfamiliar dogs since the incident so bringing him in to a crowd of unfamiliar dogs might be unfair to ask of him. If he hasn't been around other dogs much, I'd take it one or 2 at a time and work my way up to a larger group. Some short trips to the dog park when only one or two other dogs are there might be a place to start, to help build up his and your own confidence in the situation.

[IRISHWISTLER]

I would avoid that situation like the plague. I think Riley would be overwhelmed. Gradual re-introdsuction under a more highly controlled environment would be a much better option in my opinion.

Irishwhistler.

[Snowshoe]

My say is NO. NO, no, no. Don't go.

People will take unfriendly dogs. Other dogs will be overwhelmed and become nervous and unfriendly.

If this is off leash I wouldn't take either dog but if they are leashed, maybe your older one.

[Riley711]

I'm glad to hear Riley healed up nicely and is doing better.

I guess if you want to check it out, since it's so close to home, I'd take either Riley or your one year old but not both at the same time unless there's a second adult with you. If you go with the baby by yourself and check it out and it looks like a friendly gathering, you could take baby back home for your husband or someone to watch and then take Riley by himself. That way, if Riley isn't having a good time, too any other dogs are coming up to him, he acts too pushy with another dog, you won't simultaneously be worrying about managing both the baby and Riley. Plus, some dogs act more aggressive when they're on their leash than they might if they are unleashed and free to meet the other dogs. I don't know if Riley has any leash aggression but if so, I'd definitely not put him into that situation.

It sounds from your note as if maybe Riley hasn't been around many other unfamiliar dogs since the incident so bringing him in to a crowd of unfamiliar dogs might be unfair to ask of him. If he hasn't been around other dogs much, I'd take it one or 2 at a time and work my way up to a larger group. Some short trips to the dog park when only one or two other dogs are there might be a place to start, to help build up his and your own confidence in the situation.

Thanks for your advice. Riley and been around others dogs here and there but very minimal and really just ones that walk by. He's never shown any aggression at all. As I mentioned he does bark out the window but that's it.

But I do think it's safer to have him stay at home. It will be lots of dogs I'm sure and people can sometimes make bad decisions about their own dogs. And I don't want him to get any anxiety. It doesn't feel good though that I feel like we can't do these kinds of things.

Thank you very much for your advice!


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[SunDance]

Ahhh....glad to hear you're leaving him home...that's my reaction to this.

[TuMicks]

I really hate dog parks. In my experience, I have not seen a single dog that could be recalled. And some of the regulars will kinda pack up when a new dog comes along. None of the humans have any control of the situation. I just will never go to them which is a shame because we have a beautiful, huge dog park near my house.