The Bulldogs were reduced to 12 players for the final four minutes on Thursday night, when prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa was sin-binned after a push-and-shove with Tigers back-rower Montana Clifford.
They had already lost Moana Courtenay (groin) and five-eighth Ash Quinlan (eye) to injury to put extra pressure on their bench and remained scoreless in the second half.
"We were lucky to score those early first tries and we just hung in there at the death," Bulldogs lock Holli Wheeler told ABC Radio.
"We want to be a team that's known for fighting hard and to show there's a lot of heart behind the jersey.
"It's a new team, new combinations so it's always going to be a bit rusty at the start of the season," she said.
Canterbury led 12-0 at the break after a burst of points late in the half.
Bruising defence from both sides meant there were few scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes.
The fact Wests Tigers forward Jessikah Reeves didn't return to the field after her HIA test was further proof.
The floodgates opened for the visitors with two tries in three minutes – the first to former Tiger Ebony Prior from dummy-half and the second to back-rower Alexis Tauaneai, who picked up a spilled ball and raced to the line.
It was another grind to start the second half before the home side snapped into action with two quick tries of their own.
A sublime kick by halfback Losana Lutu was left to bounce by and Tigers centre Emily Bass picked up the scraps to score.
Then captain Kezie Apps fired up with a 40-metre solo run after pushing off a couple of defenders.
Two missed sideline conversions from Lutu was the difference, and despite the hosts throwing everything at the Dogs over the final few minutes they came up empty-handed.
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