The Trauma of a Dog-on-Dog Attack

How to Care for Your Dog and Yourself

Your dog is a beloved member of your family and when they are sick or injured, you do everything you can to make them feel better, heal and recover. But when your dog is attacked by another dog, the experience is traumatic, painful and heartbreaking not only for your dog but for you. How do we help our dog recover physically, mentally and emotionally from the experience and how do we care for ourselves to come to terms with the guilt and the emotional effects we feel afterwards.

After an attack on your dog by another dog, the first thing you need to do is have them evaluated by a veterinarian. Dog bites or injuries caused by another dog can be serious and result in substantial damage to skin, muscles and organs. The wound may seem to be a small puncture or worse, but it can be the tip of the iceberg and only a veterinarian can properly evaluate and treat the wounds. The vet will determine the right course of treatment for the wounds or perform surgery, if required. It is likely that your dog will be on a course of pain medications and antibiotics for a few weeks to control pain and prevent infections.

We must also consider the mental and emotional healing that may be needed for your dog after a traumatic dog attack. It is so important to first provide lots of loving, tender care and attention to your dog during recovery, paying close attention to any behavioral changes that may indicate stress, anxiety or emotional distress. These may occur directly after an attack or weeks or months after the attack. You know your dog best and can determine what is normal behavior and what may indicate stress. Here are some signs to look out for:

Look for signs of anxiety or hesitancy around other dogs. Your dog may either be shyer or more aggressive or show signs of avoidance or displacement.

These signs of stress may be observed: panting, shaking, yawning, pacing, licking and vocalizing. They may also tuck their tail or exhibit avoidance or displacement behavior where they focus on something else like turning away, sniffing the ground or licking themselves.

They may be hesitant or anxious walking in the area where the attack took place.

Though your dog may not show any of these signs, it is important to show them they are loved, cared for, and especially that they are safe with you.

Here are some steps you can take to help reduce your dog’s stress after an attack and make them more comfortable in their world:

Give them lots of love and attention. Let them know they are loved, cared for and safe with you.

At home, provide them with a quiet space where they can retreat and regroup.

Physical activity can be helpful, so taking walks outside can help reduce stress.

Provide indoor activities for your dog like snuffle mats or puzzles that can keep their minds active and may be a good distraction from their anxiety and stress.

When navigating your home and environment:

Protect your dog from close encounters with other dogs, especially those they do not know. Do not have any off-lead encounters with other dogs.

Limit their dog-to-dog interaction to only dogs they are familiar with and have a good relationship with. This can help build up their trust and reinforce good memories of dog-to-dog encounters.

If faced with an unfamiliar dog, be sure to alert the dog’s caregiver to keep their distance and keep their dog under control. Keep your own distance from the dog and remain calm.

Always keep your dog on a sturdy short leash when walking through narrow or confined areas, so you can maintain control in case of a surprise encounter. Never use a retractable leash. Retractable leashes limit the response time in an emergency and can cause serious damage to you and your dog.

If you may need to revisit the area of the attack or cannot avoid the area, use positive-based techniques to help your dog feel safe, like high value treats and verbal praise.

Create positive memories for your dog through good encounters with dogs they know and walking in areas where they feel comfortable.

Engage the services of a qualified fear-free pet trainer or pet behaviorist who can help you and your dog navigate through the experience and reinforce training to help keep your dog safe.

It might be helpful and relieve your own stress to carry an animal deterrent spray like PetSafe Spray Shield.

Don’t forget about your own trauma. Self-care is so important and will help you in providing the best care you can for your dog. As pet parents, our first response to an attack on our dog is to run to their aid. Your adrenaline kicks in and you are totally focused on protecting and saving your dog. You may not even recognize that you sustained your own injuries. While your dog is being treated by the vet or has an extended stay at the animal hospital, you may experience a deep sense of guilt, not be able to sleep because the incident keeps replaying in your mind, and you may have no desire to eat a meal or engage with others. These are all normal responses to trauma. You must be gentle with yourself as you navigate these difficult and painful feelings and memories.

It is so important for you to take steps to care for yourself during this time. Go for a walk in nature, do meditation, take slow deep breaths and exhale slowly, take time to eat a healthy meal, get a good night’s sleep, take a midday nap, or do something creative. You can also engage the services of a licensed professional mental health provider. Self-care apps like Calm, Insomnia Coach (free) and PTSD Coach (free) can also be helpful. There is no timeline for healing from this kind of trauma. Take it one day at a time and always be kind to yourself. Remember to stay in the moment and be present. You and your dog can heal together and find comfort in each other.