Ari's experience at Day Camp

[Kari_Ari]

Well - Ari went to doggy day camp at the Petsmart Hotel in Southfield on Saturday. I dropped him off at 9 a.m. and we were set to pick him up at 5 p.m.

At around 4 p.m. I got a call from the Petsmart Hotel saying that Ari had been attacked by another dog and that they were bringing him to the vet. We really didn't get any other information, so we immediately went up there.

Because the Petsmart vet was not in at the time - they had to take him to a local vet in Southfield. When we got to Petsmart, we found out that the dog who attacked Ari (not sure what breed) had been going there for a while and just snapped for unknown reasons. They said Ari wasn't provoking him. He ended up putting a puncture wound on Ari's shoulder, a cut on his side, and a puncture wound to his ear. And Ari, being the big baby that he is - didn't fight back.

The people at Petsmart said that Ari didn't even realize that he was bleeding and just continued playing. They had to go wrangle him up so they could take him to the vet. Thankfully it was nothing too serious. There's nothing they can do for puncture wounds except to clean them up and give antibiotics - they can't stitch them because of the chance of infection. They shaved his fur around the areas where he was bit - so he has a couple bald spots showing his battle wounds (as I call them) lol.

Petsmart was really good about the whole situation though. They covered the vet bill (actually - the owner of the dog who attacked has to pay it), they didn't charge us for the day, and they gave credits for day camp if we thought Ari would want to come back. I knew that the staff felt really bad about the situation, especially because it was his first time ever at a day camp (they didn't want him to be traumatized...lol). They were so good to him. I couldn't be mad at them - it wasn't their fault, things like that happen I suppose. The dog who attacked him is no longer allowed at the day camp, which is good. I'm glad they enforce that.

On positive note though - Ari did great in day camp (other than him being attacked). They said that he played all day and did great with all of the other dogs. They said that even when the other dogs were tired and just laying down - Ari still just kept playing. They were surprised at how much energy he had to burn. (That really didn't surprise me much though). The staff absolutely loved him and he seemed to really love them too. And I was happy with how the day camp was run and set up. I checked it all out before I left him there. It was very clean and there was no bad smells upon dropping him off and picking him up. Other "regular" attenders seemed quite happy to be there as well.

Ari came home completely wiped out and seemingly unfazed. He relaxed the rest of the day Saturday and most of the day Sunday. As soon as his wounds heal he's welcome to go back to doggy day camp - so I think we're going to give it another try because he did have fun up until the last hour. I'm hoping that by next week he'll be back having fun (and hopefully no more attacks) lol.

[annieG]

A similar thing happened to Tanner the first time he stayed overnight at a daycare/boarding facility. Tanner's wound wasn't even noticed until we came to pick him up and they edges of it were very dry indicating that it happened the day before.

They didn't give us any credit, offer to have owner pay...nothing. Needless to say we have never gone back there.

These things do happen where dogs are playing and rough housing. It is all in how the facility handles it when it does and if this happens repeatedly.

Tanner didn't show any reluctance to go to daycare when we found a better facility. I doubt that Ari will either.

[blueteal]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh poor baby
I am glad he will be ok!!!!!!!!!!
They seem to have handled it quite well.
I too have a dog that I do not think would fight back........
Hope I never have to find out.......
Have a good rest sweet boy!!!!!!!!!!

[goodheart]

Ouch, I hope Ari is feeling all better!

I am glad to hear that the Petsmart staff seemed to be very responsible about handling the situation - I have had good experiences with our local Petshotel too. The last time we had to board Sammy, I thought I'd try a new place that was cheaper - you get what you pay for =( She came back totally smelly and her bed and toy were totally filthy. Ew. I'm going back to Petsmart!

[Kari_Ari]

goodheart - I'm glad to hear that you've had a pleasant experience with Petsmart Hotel. They also gave us some free certificates for free nights stays at their hotel - which may come in handy this summer if we decide to take a quick weekend trip up north.

[L's Mom]

Oh Ari! Hope you wounds heal quickly so you can go back for more fun!

We take ours to PetSmart Day Camp, they LOVE it! I can see how a thing like that could happen, sounds like they handle it very well.

[sdrudge]

It sounds like he had a good time other then being attacked. I hope he heals fast.

[lindamarie]

ohhhhhhh POOR ARI!!!
Did they take him to the Michigan Vet specialists at 10 Mile and Inkster? That's where Bogart went to the ER.
I'm not sure where you live but have you heard of where we take Bogie?
www.petritzamerica.com
It's in Royal Oak. This is not to say the same thing couldn't happen there. But we love it there and they have round the clock services.
Bogie sends Ari a big smoochie! Get better little dood!
Ya know, I'm not surprised that ARi didn't defend himself. My husband and I have talked about how defenseless Bogie would be if attacked. He's so gentle, loving and non violent! the mail lady gave me a can of her cayenne pepper spray the post office uses. I always take this on walks with me.

I hope he heals fast! Poor Ari. I am glad that Petsmart handled it well....

[blueteal]

He's so gentle, loving and non violent! the mail lady gave me a can of her cayenne pepper spray the post office uses. I always take this on walks with me.

Linda that is a good idea and I have been toying with getting
something.
Denver has been bitten twice, nothing big but he did not defend
himself and that worries me................People assume that because
he is large that he will take care of himself but he is so gentle and
just seemed to get his feelings hurt when the other dogs bit him that I really am not sure that if his life was threatened would he fight back?
But one dog did try to take his precious tennis ball from him forcefully
and Denver growled and stood his ground so....................normally when
another dog shows interest in his toy, Denver just drops it for them.

[sdrudge]

You know i have found with this breed. Beau is a goldendoodle and he is so shy and a scardy pants. If he is unsure he will go to his cage and wait till things are ok. Not all the time but if it is the known. ((Side note)) My dh took Beau over to his parents to meet his dad sunday night. And his parents have three cats. So my h made sure it was ok then took Beau over. And I guess he was (DH) seating at the dinning room table with Beau right beside him. Beau saw the cat and smelled it. The cat walked away. So Beau followed thinking maybe it would play ((we think)). But the cat hissed at poor Beau and Beau I was told ran over to my dh. Poor Beau. But all he wanted to do was play. the cat I guess ran and hid. Cacao would run off.

[lmtoth2]

poor Ari!!! It's good to hear how Petsmart handled it though!

These dogs really don't have much fight in them Kirby would prob stand up for himself a bit, but Dex is the biggest baby ever!

[DebBrown]

Yes, these doodles are a bunch of babies. Charlie can play and wrestle pretty rough but when things get dicey, he runs and hides behind me.

So sorry about Ari's injuries. It sounds like he's not too upset about it. I think I would get him back there or with other dogs soon so that he gets "back in the saddle" so to speak.

Deb

[MaxandMe]

Kari........OMG and i glad to hear how things were handled all the way around. (((((((Ari)))))))))) poor baby, hope wounds heal asap with no infections.

and hearing your experience puts Petsmart in a good light as being responsible, professional andmuch more.
me?i'd be nervous though to let Ari go back if the same dog were staying there again on a day you'd have Ari there.

For those of you walking doodles, carrying Pepper spray is a good idea!!
when i lived on lake erie taking walks along the road meant lots of woods and the dogs from Indian Reservation somehow would appear out of nowhere and not too friendly either. So the spary avoids fights, injuries and bad experiences.

in my yard my NEW fear now is racoons , two were fighting other night in tree, one fell down right next toMax who WAS trying to go potty hahhahaaa
Max didn't go near it, thank heavens!

Oh Kari! That is so scary! It sounds like Ari is doing well and you seem very calm! That's great! We use PetSmart for boarding and have been pleased. I hope Ari gets better fast!