Dog Attack Recovery: How We Help Our Pack Bounce Back

It will feel like forever and a millisecond: the moment your dog is attacked by another dog.

Unfortunately, we’ve experienced this firsthand—and we’ve seen it happen to other dogs far too often. Here’s what we do to help our dogs mentally and socially recover after an attack, plus some bonus tips on how we strive to prevent these situations in the first place.

Mental and Social Recovery

1. We don’t “baby” the dog.

We care for their physical needs, monitor their health closely, and provide comfort. But we’re careful not to unintentionally reward fear or confusion.

Dogs are way smarter than many people realize—they’re constantly analyzing how to make us happy and how to get what they want. If we start handing out extra treats or attention after a traumatic event, they might interpret it as a strategy that “works.”

We’ve seen this in action: our Maltipoo DaVinci once faked a leg injury so convincingly after running into something that we rushed to the ER…where he miraculously trotted around like nothing happened.

2. We maintain regular socialization.

Stopping socialization after an attack can reinforce fear. We stick to our normal long walks, training sessions, and exposure to different sights and sounds.

Socialization doesn’t have to mean direct interaction with other dogs—it’s more about helping them feel confident in various environments. During recovery periods, we lean into familiar places and activities to keep things positive.

3. We focus on confidence-building.

A shaken dog can lose confidence, so we incorporate fun challenges like jumping on or over obstacles. These activities remind them that they’re strong, smart, and capable—and that we’ve got their backs.

4. We stick to our routine.

Dogs thrive on routine. When their sense of safety is shaken, predictability becomes even more important. We do everything we can to keep their daily schedule consistent.

How We Strive to Prevent Dog Attacks

• No on-leash greetings with unfamiliar dogs.

• Crate feeding with locked doors to avoid resource-guarding fights.

• No “sharing” of toys or treats—we intervene if one dog tries to take from another.

• Allowing healthy communication like low growling but stepping in if it escalates into excessive resource guarding or aggression.

• Monitoring stress signals and removing our dogs when they seem uncomfortable. (Learn more here: Signs of Dog Stress.)

Dog attacks are scary, but with thoughtful recovery strategies and preventative measures, we do our best to protect our pack and help them bounce back stronger.