Linkin got Bit. I NEED ADVICE PLEASE.

clarkiek

Linkin and my neighbors Lab Rocky were standing by the grill while my neighbor was cooking hot dogs when all of a sudden Rocky went after Linkin. It seriously lasted for about two seconds and then they were fine and it was like nothing happened. About 10 minutes later I noticed that Linkin was bleeding. I have no idea how we didn't notice it right away, but we didn't.

Some background... Linkin and Rocky have played together since Link was 6 weeks old and have never had any problems. Once in a while Rocky will warn Linkin that he's getting too rough and Linkin immediately lays down and submits. Because Linkin doesn't fight back I don't understand why Rocky bit him.

My thoughts... This could possibly be just a freak one time incident??? What concerns me is the fact that they weren't playing at the time so it's not like they got too rough and it escalated. I'm also concerned that Rocky just up and bit Linkin. He didn't warn him first.

Rocky is my favorite neighborhood dog. I LOVE him!! He's a happy go lucky boy and he and Linkin have so much fun together. I hate to think that they can't play together anyore, but I want to keep Linkin safe. Do I write this off as something minor that "just happened" possibly due to the food and expect things like this to happen from time to time??? Is it minor??? Is this what happens with more than one male dog or was this a more serious type of bite??? Or could it be a sign of a real problem??? Do I continue to let them play or not???? Wait and see if it happens again before I make a decision??? I don't want to over react, but at the same time I want to make sure I'm not under reacting - if this makes sense.

One more thing. If you look at the picture the top bite is a puncture type wound and the bigger one is more like a jagged cut. Well, it happened on Saturday night and the bigger wound seems to be healing nicely. It's scabbed over and not really puffy anymore. The puncture wound I think was deeper and it widened a little after I took the picture. It's scabbed over and not pink or anything, but the scabbed is raised more than the other one. Other than pinkness or puss is there something I should be looking for to indicate infection? It doesn't seem to be bothering him.

weimdawgs · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

Lots of neosporin.

The grill is not a good place for them to hang around. They are after the drippings. I have had several fights around the grill.

As soon as one goes up, another follows because they think someone is going to get something. I don't let anyone around the grill.

Django · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

Yep - definitely food aggression on Rocky's part.

iris · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

I agree with Lynn, i though of the grill being so close right away!!!! Have these two ever had any dominance issues with each other! I have noticed that quite often, especially male dogs will remember a dog that tried to be dominant before.
I would pour paroxide on the cut then pack it with neosporin. It should not get infected.

clarkiek · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

They haven't had any dominance issues yet that I've noticed. Linkin still seems like the "the crazy puppy" when he's with Rocky. Once in a while Rocky will put him in his place and Linkin will lay down. So I guess Rocky is dominant.

AmyB · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Most likely it WAS because of the food. And that can be avoided easily. Something like this is to be expected, any dog can and most likely will bite at one point or another. I would just let them play like normal for now, you'll know for sure when you have a problem. Hopefully it never comes to that. Just supervise them while playing so you can break up anything or intervene before it happens. Very Happy

Poor Linkin, I hope his boo boo heals quickly.

SoonerDog · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject:

I can't even tell you the amount of times Sooner has been chomped, nibbled, bit, etc. However, Sooner does like to stick his nose where he shouldn't. He always is fine and just acts like nothing is wrong. Hardly notices where there is blood all over the place. I think we just have that with dogs. They do have to figure it out. I'm sure it was the food.
BUT Weims are the best looking dog out there.. so I'm sure that has to do with it.. all the other dogs are jealous at how beautiful they are! Laughing

They just need a little nibble..

LunaBrown · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry Link got bit! Give him a big smoooch on the snoot from Luna!

marniekat · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Ouch! Puncture wounds are the WORST! I sew and have done embroidery and cannot tell you how many times I've had puncture wounds from various sizes of needles. They heal slower and hurt much worse than any other kind of cut that I've ever had.

Poor puppins!! I also agree with lots of neosporin or polysporin...some sort of antibiotic ointment.

I would just keep an eye on them the next time they are together and see how it goes. It could be an issue with Rocky but it might also just be an isolated event.

Django got nipped a few times at the doggie walk-a-thon but I had to remind myself that they are first and foremost pack animals and if one feels that the other needs it, for any amount of reasons be it correction or re-establishing dominance, they will nip. There was one dog that we passed by a few more times and I just knew that it was definitely acting out of aggression so we avoided him/her like the plague that day. The others got along great with him after the first little scuffle was over and he learned his place. He's such a typical pup and loves to play by using his paws like drumsticks...older dogs do not seem to share his enthusiasm. Wink

I hope Link gets better soon. Poor fella!

Indian · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Yep, I agree, The grill. Don't let them around it, not even when there is nothing being cooked.

As far as the cut and bite mark go. That's nothing, You should see Steele and Ashley after a day out in the brush! scab city! Just watch it for discharge, Linkin should be just fine.

simis · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

Poor Linkin! With the neosporin, make sure that he doesn't lick it all off - Rosie got a rope burn from a retractable leash that she didn't see and landed on it mid air and everytime we cleaned it, she would try and lick the neosporin - silly doggy thought it tasted good!

Welches · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Poor guy! Yukon's been nipped and done his share of nipping. I used to freak out when it would happen to him. He just nipped at a boxer we had over for a play date and broke the skin. I feel terrible whenever he does it to another dog, which is pretty rare, but still happens. But they're dogs and it happens. I'm sure it was over the food. Just keep an eye on them the next time they are together.

As for the puncture, if it's already scabbed over, then that's a good sign. If it doesn't scab, then it's too deep and might need stitches, or worse, a drain. But if it's scabbed then it's not too deep. Just keep an eye on it and make sure the scab stays hard and doesn't ooze anything.

clarkiek · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

Thanks for all of your replies! I feel much better. It sounds like this is normal for dogs and will happen from time to time. I just wish they wouldn't break the skin. We will keep them away from the grill for sure.

Hopefully this was a one time incident. Right now Linkin lets Rocky be in charge. I just wonder what will happen if Link decides he wants to be "the boss?"

kamfam · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

Awww, poor Linkin Sad

. Give him big smooches from me!

Um, how will this affect his modeling career Very Happy

????!!!!!

clarkiek · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:19 am Post subject: