Tonight we started another advanced class and it was larger than the last class we had been in. This was a different group and I didn't know any of the dogs or owners, I guess everyone from my old group didn't continue. This boxer/pit mix had some kind of gentle leader or something over his mouth and he was not behaving at all. We were in heel position and walking around the room and the instructor stopped and put a pinch collar on this dog and she kept having to work with this girl and her dog cause he was not behaving. We were doing our turns and all of a sudden this dog attacks Remi and wouldn't let go of his lips. She was pulling her dog and Remi was pulling away and blood was going all over the place. Finally the instructor got the dog off Remi and told me to go sit in the corner. I was so upset and Remi was upset and she just kept teaching the class. I finally got Remi to leave because the dog kept passing us and growling. Normally she puts a dog on his side when they do this and it happened so fast I don't know if she did or not. I left because I was so upset I couldn't stay another minute. Should a dog like that be in an advanced class when he obviously doesn't know how to behave? I really thought she would have called to check on us but she hasn't. Remi has four puncture wounds on his lip and I am not sure if I should go see the vet in the morning or not.I started with this lady when Remi was four months old and we have worked so hard to get to where we are but I don't think I can go back to this class with a dog like this in there. I have cried since I got home because it is so unfair to Remi. I hope he is not gonna have any trauma because of this. I am sorry I am rambling on but I have never had anything like this happen to my baby and I don't think the instructor handled this very well. And the girl didn't even tell us she was sorry. Am I just being hysterical?
Remi attacked in Advanced Obedience class
- Thread starter joy4749
- Start date
G
Garden_girl
Guest
She told YOU to go and sit in a corner?
I've been going to obedience classes with my two Newfs for well over four years now and my instructor would have dismissed that dog in a heartbeat. You are not being hysterical, there should have been apologies all the way around from the dog owner to the instructor! I can't tell you what to do, but if it were me, I'd take Remi to the Vet, send your instructor and the boxer/pit owner a copy of the bill. I would also start looking for a new class tomorrow.
Poor Remi, I feel bad for both of you.
FuzzyDustBunnies
New member
I'd be upset too. You should not have been set in the corner and ignored. I'd take Remi to the vet to get checked out, send a copy of the bill to the trainer, owner of the other dog, and tell them you expect to be reimbursed. I'd also let the trainer know exactly what you think. I don't think that was handled well at all. 
I hope Remi will be ok. Give Remi hugs and tell him it's ok. I'm sure the poor guy is scared.
I hope Remi will be ok. Give Remi hugs and tell him it's ok. I'm sure the poor guy is scared.
DreamTime Newfs
New member
Oh no, this is terrible. I have been to several obedience classes and every instuctor that I know would have dismissed the aggressive dog for good from the class.
I do not blame you for being upset.
And I agree, I would take Remi to the Vet because you never know if he needs some kind of sutures and I am sure that he will be put on antibiotics.
I feel so bad. I would start looking for another class also.
I do not blame you for being upset.
And I agree, I would take Remi to the Vet because you never know if he needs some kind of sutures and I am sure that he will be put on antibiotics.
I feel so bad. I would start looking for another class also.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
Yes I agree with Gardengirl. Go to the vet because any puncture wound should be looked at and treated with antibiotics. Then send them the bill with a note to the instuctor how unfairly you were treated and how uncaring she was. Then look for a new instructor.
Give Remi a big huge.
Give Remi a big huge.
I am going to take him to the vet in the morning. He keeps shaking his head and I know it hurts. I couldn't think straight when I got home because I was so upset. I really thought she would make that dog leave and I was so surprised when she didn't do anything. But the worse thing was she made us feel like WE did something wrong.
I was so proud of Remi, right before it happened I was thinking that he was doing as good as anyone in the class and that our hard work had really paid off. Total euphoria turned into total horror in a split second. I am so thankful he isn't badly hurt.
Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts of never wanting to see that place again. Remi deserves better than that.
I was so proud of Remi, right before it happened I was thinking that he was doing as good as anyone in the class and that our hard work had really paid off. Total euphoria turned into total horror in a split second. I am so thankful he isn't badly hurt.
Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts of never wanting to see that place again. Remi deserves better than that.
Blacknewfs
New member
Poor Remi...I'm so sorry this happened. I can imagine how horrible that must have been for him and you....and then to be treated that way by the instructor. Awful, just awful. I'd be furious.
Get your boy to the vet in the morning for some antibiotics...may be too late for stitches at that point, but at least you'll be able to stop infection. If he keeps shaking his head tonight like his lips are sore I'd probably ice them to numb them up a bit and reduce any swelling.
Give Remi a kiss on the nose from me. Poor boy.
I can imagine how horrible that must have been for him and you....and then to be treated that way by the instructor. Awful, just awful. I'd be furious.Get your boy to the vet in the morning for some antibiotics...may be too late for stitches at that point, but at least you'll be able to stop infection. If he keeps shaking his head tonight like his lips are sore I'd probably ice them to numb them up a bit and reduce any swelling.
Give Remi a kiss on the nose from me. Poor boy.
luvxl k 9
New member
I agree with Paula to, but I'd take it one step further. Is this training facility part of a store, or does the instructor have a boss or manager? If so I'd take the vet bill to the owner or manager of the establishment. This was handled so badly this instructor shouldn't be allowed to teach anymore, and should be stopped before a dog is hurt even more seriously, maimed or even killed.
I'm so sorry Remi is going through this. You might want to wet down a face rag really well and freeze it so he can chew on it. Hopefully will help with any swelling. Extra soft treats to, plus lots of hugs and kisses.
I'm so sorry Remi is going through this. You might want to wet down a face rag really well and freeze it so he can chew on it. Hopefully will help with any swelling. Extra soft treats to, plus lots of hugs and kisses.
ardeagold
New member
Oh poor Remi! I'd be furious, and would let them know it.
Did the teacher SEE what happened? Is it possible that she thinks Remi attacked the other dog? The big dogs tend to get the blame...too often.
Something similar happened with us and a Terrier (nasty little creature) when Mira was in Basic Obedience, but fortunately, we avoided a conflict. They blamed her because when he lunged she lunged back and she was bigger and sounded more intimidating.
It definitely affected her. She became tenative around "strange" dogs after that. If any dog (other than ours) would look her way or even come too close, she'd tense up and start to go into defensive mode. It's taken work to get her past it.
Try your very best to keep going out and about with Remi and having him meet other dogs...especially nice ones. If there's another class somewhere else, I'd try to make sure he gets into it...or something similar, soon. If you keep him away, or act differently, it could cause him to start behaving more "protectively" around other dogs.
Hopefully Remi will be as good as new very soon. And, yes...go to the Vet.
[ 07-11-2006, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]
Did the teacher SEE what happened? Is it possible that she thinks Remi attacked the other dog? The big dogs tend to get the blame...too often.
Something similar happened with us and a Terrier (nasty little creature) when Mira was in Basic Obedience, but fortunately, we avoided a conflict. They blamed her because when he lunged she lunged back and she was bigger and sounded more intimidating.
It definitely affected her. She became tenative around "strange" dogs after that. If any dog (other than ours) would look her way or even come too close, she'd tense up and start to go into defensive mode. It's taken work to get her past it.
Try your very best to keep going out and about with Remi and having him meet other dogs...especially nice ones. If there's another class somewhere else, I'd try to make sure he gets into it...or something similar, soon. If you keep him away, or act differently, it could cause him to start behaving more "protectively" around other dogs.
Hopefully Remi will be as good as new very soon. And, yes...go to the Vet.
[ 07-11-2006, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]
Nasus
New member
I absolutely feel your pain.. Same thing happened to Kelvinn, same place on his cheeks with a pit. It has changed Kelvinn, he is on guard now with dogs he does not know.. u can see the body language.. head down, hackles up, tail upright. I am also careful of any unleashed dogs.
Kelvinn's wounds where not so bad as i was able to get the pit off him fast... the owner was useless and i really don't know where i got the courage, but i remembered a post on NN about grabbing the back legs of the attacking dog... i just did it, might have been a dumb move but i acted in reflex mode.
I would call the trainer and tell her she will be getting the bill and maybe she would like to split it with the owner of the pit/boxer.. Personally i would fill out a police report about the the dog.. just for the record. The trainer was 100% wrong in not dismissing that dog or maybe she did after the class.. i would find out.
Kelvinn's wounds where not so bad as i was able to get the pit off him fast... the owner was useless and i really don't know where i got the courage, but i remembered a post on NN about grabbing the back legs of the attacking dog... i just did it, might have been a dumb move but i acted in reflex mode.
I would call the trainer and tell her she will be getting the bill and maybe she would like to split it with the owner of the pit/boxer.. Personally i would fill out a police report about the the dog.. just for the record. The trainer was 100% wrong in not dismissing that dog or maybe she did after the class.. i would find out.
sarnewfie
New member
WOW that dog should have been excused, and private lessons should have been offered if anything, you also should get your pup to the vet, infections can set in quickly.
this whole thing was handled horribly, and i for one would have a discussion with that lady, and dont be to nice either.
this whole thing was handled horribly, and i for one would have a discussion with that lady, and dont be to nice either.
Erika
New member
I agree with everyone, definitely go to the vet and if the instructor dont have a boss contact the consumer protection agency and better business bureau....compliants .com works too,cant imagine why the dog wasnt asked to leave...talk about brains in the wrong end, perfect example..
BoundlessNewfs
New member
So sorry that poor Remi had to go through this. It does sound like it was poorly handled by the "trainer". What kind of training has she actually had? What qualifies her to train? Is she an employee of a facility, or does she own it?
Definitely document everything. Send copies of the vet bill to the facility owner, the trainer, and the dog owner. Send them certified mail, with signature required. Let them know that the whole thing was handled very unprofessionally and that you expect them to pay the vet bill, and reimburse you for the classes.
Definitely document everything. Send copies of the vet bill to the facility owner, the trainer, and the dog owner. Send them certified mail, with signature required. Let them know that the whole thing was handled very unprofessionally and that you expect them to pay the vet bill, and reimburse you for the classes.
Ohana Mom
New member
I totally agree with Laurel above. You are not over reacting. Conflicts like this are bound to happen at times, but it is how the situation is handled that determines a professional establishment. Let us know what the vet says - and I agree - get Remi back to playing with other dogs soon....
Ivoryudx
New member
Whew, I hope Remi is better this morning, and as others have stated, definitely get him to the vet asap. I'm so sorry this happened, and I would definitely hold the instructor/business, and the other dogs owner responsible.
There were 'warning' signs before Remi was attacked making your instructor really at fault here. Not just for the attack, but also for continuing to escalate the behavior with the chosen training method, putting the entire class in danger. The whole thing was handled very poorly, as class should have been stopped and you/Remi should have been attended to immediately. Very bad....find another trainer for you and Remi as soon as possible, as it is important for both of you to get help moving past this.
As Laurel mentioned, I would also demand a refund for the class, along with the Vet expenses.
to Remi!
There were 'warning' signs before Remi was attacked making your instructor really at fault here. Not just for the attack, but also for continuing to escalate the behavior with the chosen training method, putting the entire class in danger. The whole thing was handled very poorly, as class should have been stopped and you/Remi should have been attended to immediately. Very bad....find another trainer for you and Remi as soon as possible, as it is important for both of you to get help moving past this.
As Laurel mentioned, I would also demand a refund for the class, along with the Vet expenses.
IrishMist428
New member
I just can't believe she handled it so poorly. Hope you follow all the suggestions and something gets done.
Hugs to you and Remi. I'm sure it was very frightening for both of you.
Hugs to you and Remi. I'm sure it was very frightening for both of you.
