Dog Injury in Dog Daycare
Sometimes people wonder why I am so adamant that dogs be supervised 100% of the time when they are in a playgroup setting. Well, it's because things happen FAST in the dog world. Playing can get out of hand quickly and the results are not always good. But it's not just supervision that is important...those watching have to know what they are seeing in order to make a difference. if you don't understand dog behavior, then supervision won't matter. Here is a video about a dog that was seriously injured in a daycare setting. Thankfully the dog lived, but others don't. This is the sad reality of what can happen when things don't work well in a playgroup. Learn how to properly supervise your dog!
Poor Jasper - I cried when I saw this. I hope he is OK, you can help him pull through with your love.
I run a very small cageless boarding out of my home. I have never had a dog fight and don't ever want to have one. If I have to leave, dogs get separated as you are right - the pack mentality can and will sneak up on you when you least expect it. Jasper is a gorgous dog and with a little luck and time he will be again. Best wishes.
Posted by: sue | January 22, 2008 at 03:27 PM
My thoughts, prayers, tears and best wishes for Jasper are with him. Think positive thoughts for Jasper, hang his beautiful pictures everywhere and keep picturing him all better. And believe, pray and talk him thru this, he can make it. I hope he is thru the worst of it. Please keep us posted on his progress.
Posted by: Patti | January 22, 2008 at 06:11 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jasper. As a pet owner myself and an employee of a kennel; also, a prevoius employee of 2 vets' offices; I can't express enough the need to keep dogs seperated. If people would only think in terms of the canine mind, a lot of stories like this one would be prevented. Good luck to you, Jasper and human.
Posted by: Jan | January 23, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I hope you know how many thoughts and prayers are going out to you and Jasper. I can only imagine how helpless you feel during this difficult time.
Should you find the situation becoming grave, you may want to contact Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, to speak with their senior vet. They are very familiar with a pack setting as they have hundreds of rescued dogs there and experience incidents of their own. Perhaps the senior vet can provide consultative assistance to your vet for treatments to help with Jasper's recovery.
Please know that Jasper will be prayed for each and every day and rests in God's loving hands at this very moment.
Posted by: Pam | January 23, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I'M SO SORYY FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR DOG. I'M A DOG LOVER MYSELF, AFTER READING THIS I WILL BE VERY CAREFUL WHERE I LEAVE MY DOGS. ITS HARD TO SEE THIS, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU.
WE ARE A MILITARY FAMILY AND MOVE OFTEN, SO ITS HARD TO GET TO KNOW GOOD CARE. WE HAVE 3 RESCUE COCKER SPANIELS. THEY HAVE BEEN IN DAY CAE OFTEN, SO FAR, NO HARM, BUT NOT ALOT OF GOOD.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU, AND JASPER
Posted by: DONNA VAUGHN | January 24, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I did not know Jasper's video was featured here, thanks so much for the comments and thoughts and warm wishes. Jasper is doing very well. I posted in my URL to show an update. The local TV news station ended up doing a story for Jasper on New Year's Day so that the story could travel. The daycare owner plans to proceed doing business as he has and admits no negligence and this is my problem with him.
Of course, the main thing here is that Jasper is home and healing, but his recovery in the end could reach almost $10,000 as he is now facing some internal injuries that aren't healing yet and may require surgery. If he heals as is, he'll stay at the $5,000 mark (what I've already spent).
I guess this is another reason to seriously CHECK out and EDUCATE yourself well before placing your dog in a daycare. Most people that have dogs that have been in severe mauling cases don't see their dogs get past the 5 day mark because it is so expensive (I've heard so many stories since posting Jasper's story). Some don't make it at all (killed in a daycare). Sometimes the daycare will blame the dog or dog's owner as in my case. The daycare owner said Jasper was at fault here.
Beyond all this, Jasper is worth every penny and he's barely over a year old. He's like a miracle dog now - he did not eat or drink for 5 days while in the ER (he was given IV fluids). When he returned home he slept all day for about a week and half - it was so scary to see him so depressed! But he is back now mentally and physically. He has not an inkling of what happened to him, he's back to being a joyful jumping Old English Sheepdog again.
At the end of the video that I've provided a link to, Jasper has new "after" pictures. It's only been 3 weeks and he's like a new dog, just with a few flaws.
There was also a 2nd TV news story (I didn't get a chance to copy it) that countered with good advice on how to break up a fight at a daycare by another local daycare which was good. It also provided a statement that the owner of the daycare I used would reimburse me for medical expenses, but so far NOTHING. People will promise anything to save their reputation.
I hope that daycares can continue to operate knowing how to break a fight up as well as prevent one in the future...I still think they have the potential to be wonderful places for dogs if run safely.
Sincerely, Jasper & Jane
Posted by: Jane Snar | January 24, 2008 at 11:20 AM
You have to click on my name to link into the youtube news story. Or go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M2adMjYoZM
Posted by: Jane Snar | January 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I say a prayer for Jasper's recovery every morning before starting work.
I am the owner of a dog daycare. Dogs are never left in a playarea unsupervised. There must always be at least 2 people in our building. Our handlers have a whistle that can summon help immediatly if things seem to escalate...but the point is we stop all behaviors before they start. All employess must read Robin's book "off-leash dog play" and they must understand it. I ask questions continually and teach behaviors and behavior modification continually to my team.
I was recently in another daycare and was surprised to see chairs in the playgroup...our employess cannot sit during the group activities..they must continually walk amonmg the dogs.
Posted by: Deb Jacobs | February 04, 2008 at 06:46 AM
I too am an OES lover. I have one bouncing baby boy of my own, he's almost two now and he's called Duke.
I watched Jaspers video when he was just a wee pup on youtube chasin a lemon and every once in a while, I'd go back to that link just for a smile. When one day, I saw she had another story so I clicked on that, and it was his attack story, my god I cried. Even if I were to watch it today I would cry. What heartache for poor Jane and Jasper (who seems to be unaffected by all of this now, but Jane I'm sure is)
Our love and thoughts go out to both of you.
Be happy, live long,
Dina
Posted by: Dina Dolan | March 19, 2008 at 06:45 PM
One more thing... if anyone ever sends a message to Jane herself... beg her to put more Jasper vidoes on youtube. She's great at editing, and that dog is such a ham! Such a delight to watch.
:) Dina
dina.dolan@live.ca
Posted by: Dina Dolan | March 19, 2008 at 06:47 PM
hi my name is Cassidy I am 8years old. i hope Jasper doing good i hope he had a speedy recovery..i also have a dog he is a french poodle..i love animals i would never want my dog to go to any doggi daycare..i was watching the video of Jasper and i was very very sad..i do not like when animals are hurt.so i hope Jasper is home and okay..
Posted by: CASSIDY | March 21, 2008 at 04:38 PM