We all hope it never happens, but dog parks can sometimes get intense. One minute your dog is happily running around, and the next, there’s a scuffle—and suddenly, your dog has been bitten.
In that moment, it’s hard to know what to do first. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it feels. But when you’re in the middle of a stressful situation like this, staying calm and following the right steps can make a world of difference.
Here’s a simple guide to help you handle the situation with confidence.
Step 1: Check Your Dog’s Condition—How to Inspect for Hidden Injuries
Before anything else, check your dog for injuries. Sometimes, like when my dog Ramsay was attacked, it’s easy to miss injuries, especially if they’re hidden by fur or in an area that’s hard to see. Ramsay acted pretty normal—shaken, but not distressed—so I didn’t realize his neck was bleeding until we got home and he left a couple of stains on the walls.
He ended up needing stitches, which I hadn’t seen coming because his behavior seemed fine.
Here’s how you can better assess the damage:
- Look under the fur: Gently part your dog’s fur to check for hidden cuts or puncture wounds. Bites can easily get buried under thick coats, so even if your dog seems okay, it’s worth doing a thorough inspection.
- Check for signs of blood: Even if there’s no visible bleeding, your dog may have internal wounds or punctures that need attention. If you find blood on their fur or collar, even if it seems minor, it’s a good idea to take a closer look. White paper towel is a great tool to find small stains in the fur.
- Feel for swelling or heat: Run your hands gently over your dog’s body, checking for any unusual lumps, swelling, or warmth. These could indicate an injury or developing infection.
- Watch for subtle signs of pain: Dogs can be stoic, so they might not yelp or show obvious signs of pain right away. Pay attention to any flinching, stiffness, or if your dog is avoiding being touched in certain areas.
If the injury looks serious or there’s excessive bleeding, get to a vet as soon as possible. Dog bites can cause deep tissue damage that might not always be obvious at first glance.
Step 2: Separate the Dogs Safely—When and How to Intervene
Sometimes dogs will have minor squabbles, and other times, it can escalate into something more dangerous. Knowing when and how to step in can be tough, but here are a few signs that tell you it’s time to intervene:
- Dogs “telling each other off” usually looks more like posturing: stiff bodies, barking, growling, or showing teeth, but not making direct contact. This is their way of setting boundaries, and often, they’ll work it out on their own without needing intervention.
- An attack involves actual physical contact: one dog biting, pinning, or repeatedly going after the other. If you see direct biting or one dog is clearly dominating the other, that’s when you should step in.
How to Safely Intervene:
- Avoid grabbing the collars of the dogs. This can put your hands in the line of fire and potentially get you bitten.
- Use the “wheelbarrow” method. Grab the back legs of the attacking dog and lift them off the ground. This can help disengage them without risking injury to yourself.
- Leash your dog as soon as the dogs are separated and move them to a safe distance. This helps prevent further fights from breaking out while keeping your dog calm.
Step 3: Approach the Other Dog’s Owner—Keep It Calm and Civil
Once the dogs are separated and you’ve checked your dog’s condition, you’ll need to assess the situation with the other dog’s owner. This is often the trickiest part, but keeping things calm and focused on the dogs’ well-being is the best approach.
Here’s how to handle it:
- Start with concern, not blame. Begin by asking, “Is your dog okay?” This opens up a conversation without immediately putting the other owner on the defensive. Once that’s established, you can mention, “I think my dog was bitten—can we exchange contact info in case I need to follow up with the vet?”
- Stay calm, even if you’re upset. It’s natural to feel protective of your dog, but staying civil helps avoid escalating tensions between you and the other owner. The last thing you want is for them to leave without giving you their info.
- Exchange contact information if your dog was injured and you might need to follow up. This is especially important if veterinary care is needed later on.
Step 4: Get Your Dog Checked by a Vet—When You Really Need to Go
I get it—going to the vet can be expensive. And sometimes, you wonder if it’s really necessary. But dog bites can lead to infections or hidden damage that needs attention, even if the bite doesn’t look that bad at first.
Here are some situations when vet care is a must:
- Puncture wounds: Even small punctures can lead to infection. These wounds tend to close quickly on the surface, trapping bacteria inside and leading to serious infections.
- Excessive bleeding: If you can’t stop the bleeding after a few minutes, head to the vet immediately. Your dog may need stitches or further treatment to close the wound.
- Swelling or redness: If the area around the bite starts swelling or gets red, it could be a sign of infection. Infections can develop within hours, so it’s important to have your dog looked at.
For more minor bites, you might be able to monitor your dog at home. Keep an eye on the wound and watch for any changes in behavior, like lethargy, excessive licking, or signs of pain. If anything seems off, it’s better to be safe and go to the vet.
Step 5: Address Any Behavioral Changes
After an incident like this, your dog might feel anxious, nervous, or even aggressive around other dogs. This is completely normal, but it’s important to help your dog work through it with patience and care.
- Take it slow: Don’t rush your dog back into the dog park or high-intensity situations. Give them time to rebuild confidence.
- Consider working with a trainer: If your dog seems particularly shaken or starts displaying aggressive behaviors after the bite, a professional trainer can help guide you through how to safely reintroduce them to other dogs.
No one wants to deal with a dog bite, but staying calm and following these steps can make a stressful situation a little easier. Make sure your dog gets the care they need, approach the other dog’s owner calmly, and give your dog plenty of time to recover both physically and emotionally.
