My puppy was attacked by another dog, how to help him recover from the psychological trauma?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

My puppy is 3.5 months old and he’s just finished his vaccinations and I started walking him 2 weeks ago, he is still not accustomed to being outside.

Today I took him on a walk to the nearby dog park, we were alone there, so I unleashed him to run free, when a 5 yo Husky with his owner arrived, the owner said his Husky was friendly and not to be afraid. He unleashed him and let him smell my puppy so he would remember my pup and wouldn’t be aggressive.

I decided the Husky was friendly and there was no need to be fearful.

I patted the husky, then I patted my puppy and for a moment I chatted with Husky’s owner when suddenly I heard my puppy’s crying. Seems like the Husky jumped on him, thanks God we went to them on time and my puppy wasn’t bitten or injured. He was just scared and his heart beat really fast.

I felt sad because I felt like I couldn’t protect him the way I must have protected him.

Instead I decided to keep my puppy in the park for a while to let him know the Husky wasn’t the one to be scared of. The owner put the leash on husky and we were there chatting for a while, so my puppy would feel comfortable in the Husky’s presence again. Only then I left.

I feel like today it was a very scary day for my lovely puppy and that I failed at my duty because I couldn’t see the danger coming.

And couldn’t make my puppy feel protected.

I wish I can help my puppy feel less scared, someday he will be a huge dog - Alabai and Cane Corso Mix but today he’s just a little pup and he probably feels scared and disappointed in me. What to do to make him feel happy, relaxed and not fearful?

[Sandeeppingping]

Damn I love your name, I also love dogs, and yea I don't like the term "psychological trauma" he's just a 5 year old kid playwrestling with his older brother who got too aggressive without realizing it, I'd say let him socialize with smaller dogs and slowly get him back with bigger dogs, my bet is he knew he was small and was scared of the husky even though the husky was just playing, none of this is your fault just cuddle and play with him then let him socialize a bit and that's it

[BeMuse]

Dogs play. It doesn't traumatize them... They are just having fun. They wrestle, they pin each other, and lightly bite each other. When one goes to far, the other will yipe and generally it will stop and they will make sure everyone is ok... That is unless it's something serious. Even then it can just be a show of dominance within the pack for one dog to tell the other who is in charge.

[NotTacocaT6969]

Dogs are not like humans.


One frightening encounter is not enough to permanently traumatize a dog.


He will be apprehensive about dogs much larger than him for a little while. That’s about it.

[Midgetmcwidget]

I’m not sure, mine was in the same situation. She is wonderful now except with strangers or animals. It takes her time to adjust, be patient

[AngryCarl]

Try not to project your fears onto the puppy. It will make it harder for him to socialize with other dogs. Since your puppy wasn't hurt they were probably just playing.

[Kichbazp_]

@LaFemmeFatale_1 have you talked to your Puppy about this?

[Yellovv]

I think another dog just wante to play with your dog and your dog get scared from him, no problem he can get use to it soon..

[Dreamclouds]

You give him all the love in the world.