I work in a Kennel and if a dog has a lead hook on their door it means they've shown signs of agression and that you shouldn't go in with them. I was told to let out 2 dogs in the run, the first dog came up to me straight away and started sratching and biting my legs and hands, he literally wouldn't let me go. He had my shirt at one point, I couldn't open the door and get out in the fear he'd escape so I had to literally pick him up and put him back behind the door.

I was completely shaken, so I told one of the girls and started to let another of the pens out, I was completely petrified still as nothing like this has ever happened to me so my nerves got the better and I had to go home.

Now my problem is that I'm frightened of going back, hopefully they'll have put a clip on the dog's door now as I believe it was supposed to have one anyway but my nerves and the way work handled it are awful. It's a bloody good job for the pay and the people are lovely but is it worth me being so unhappy and nervous all the time?

What would you do in my position?

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What a terrible experience it is scary when these things happen.Are you working with someone else if so explain to her what had happened and that it has given you a bit of a scare.It sounds like you kept your head and handled it well i got stuck in a kennel with on OES once because you had to go into the kennel and open up the kennel into the run and he got between me and the way out growling and snarling every time i moved i had to wait until someone else came into the block and rescue me.If you dont go back it will escallate and i know that you want to work as a groomer and it will work on your mind until you get worried about any new dog.I am supprised that you didnt have someone with you because you are still new to the job usually you work with an experienced kennelmaid for a couple of weeks.

I'm just so gutted about the whole thing, nobody really seemed to care about what had happened and just carried on to throw me in the deep end of everything. Don't get me wrong, I love a challange, but when you're left to sort out 40+ dogs without any guidance it's a bit of a joke.

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You should really be working with someone i know kennels are busy at this time of year but if they take someone on they should supervise.I would go back and explain to the owner and if they dont care find another kennels or groomer ,have you got a rescue near you as you really need to go in with strange dogs or it will loose your nerve.

I worked in kennels (quite a while ago), and you're right- it is very much in at the deep end. If I were you I would make sure I mention to the owner that an aggressive dog was not flagged and you were shaken by the experience- would s/he please remind everyone of the ground rules to prevent another incident.

I would visit the dog, watch and learn its body language, and wait until I felt calm around it. I had a few run-ins with aggressive dogs- the worst was a very elderly pointer. It might help to do a little mantra in your head, to change your emotions from nervousness to pity- the dog is afraid, the dog is alone, the dog is away from its family. It might help you deal with him in future- viewing the attack as not a personal aggressive attack, but a defence from a stressed dog.

I didnt like going in with the old pointer, but she couldn't move easily and messed herself in her bed often, so she HAD to be tended to- I found reminding myself that she was in pain and scared- not a horrible dog- everytime she tried to bite my hands off helped me steel myself to go in again each time.

It is scary, but you love the job, and your boss should be informed

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They did supervise to begin with but not anymore, I've only been there a week. I just feel really shaken, I couldn't go in with any other dogs just incase they were supposed to have a clip but didn't. It was just horrible and the worst thing is I'm supposed to work for the next 4 days.

Edit: I did tell one of the girls that the dog bit and scratched me as the manager was busy, so hopefully they put a clip on.

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I hate to be blunt - but you are obviously not going to enjoy working with dogs. These things happen, it is part of it. I cant understand what goes on to make so many dogs aggressive in a kennels though. they have to be handled while they are there so what happens.

I worked in a kennels when I was 18 for a summer. I was shown the routine briefly and put in sole charge of the boarding section of a huge quarantine and boarding kennels.
I was told that there was a dog that couldnt be handled and just to go in with a broom and sweep out the mess while she was trapped behind the door. so I studied her for a bit and eventually found out that all I had to do was pick up her lead and she was all over me wagging her tail. I could then put her out in the grass run and call her in when her time was up. Unfortunately when I had a day off the other girl that did my work could not get her in again and I was very unpopular for saying she was ok!

In the short time I was there I was also bitten badly on the thumb and attacked by a dog that launched itself at me but luckily changed its mind when I spoke to it.

I have also owned my own kennels and had nasty dogs to sort out but they are normally just scared and it doesnt take long to become best friends.

It is all part and parcel of the job and if you are nervous you are far more likely to get bitten.

I'd buy my own slip lead from pah, I have a rope one and they are brilliant, easy to just slip over a dogs head without being too near. I'd always have it round my waist in case I encountered a difficult dog. It won't stop aggression but it would give you more control rather than just having your hands to control it. Also lots of dogs change once attached to a lead and become more controllable.

Don't let it put you off, you so wanted this job and are learning from experiences like this one how to deal with dogs in the future when you become a groomer. I agree with AmberNero and the mantra thing, they are scared and in a rotten old kennel and you are there to help them and if you can show confidence and calm they will settle more easily with you.
I would think the pheromones you were giving to that dog was making him even more agitated. Glad you're okay but if you don't face your fears you may never be able to work with dogs, so go on take the bull by the horns - you're made of sterner stuff i'm sure!

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

It's a sucky part of the job but it does happen. We have a dog who comes in regularly who bites and I just walk in and ignore him. He bites my hands and arms for a while but its more to get my attention. He gets bored.

If you feel uncomfortable with it mention it to another member of staff so they can deal with the dog.

Unfortunately you will have to get used to it I know it's not easy but it's a must for a career in dogs.

Best of luck to you chick. x

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i think kennels do tend to throw people in at the deep end. i`m only a volunteer but was given a 2 hour induction and then handed a key to gain access to any kennel in the centre unsupervised. it does freak me out at times as some dogs can show really bad signs of aggression in the kennels but are normally fine once you get them out.

i think the best thing you can do is speak to your manager about it although if you continue to feel shaken up and weary then the dogs will pick up on this and it could provoke certain behaviours from them or make them more anxious. if it were me i`d speak to staff and give the job another chance but if i still felt the same after a while then i`d have to admit it wasn`t for me and wasn`t fair on either me or the dogs to continue. i hope you start to enjoy it soon and feel better about the situation, hopefully the manager will be able to help

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