A day at the dog park

[Ninjasquirrel]

I decided to take our new dog to the dog park for a little fun today. Shes been doing well with her training so I thought a little reward was in order. Plus it was a great opportunity to socialise her with other dogs. She's shown some aggression in the past weeks we've had her so I want to socialise her very slowly.

I went at 930 in the morning to our local park. Its an "off leash" park but I kept her on leash to be safe. There was only one dog there when we arrived (not on a leash). He was a 150 pound dog. Looked like a lab but very overweight. We walked parallel with him along the fence line before we walked in the park area. He then growled and bit her on the nose. The owner grabbed him and apologized saying "I didnt know we are just dog sitting". I'm sorry...but that is unacceptable. I understand if you dont know if your dog is aggressive but you should KEEP HIM ON A LEASH until you do! Either way I shrugged it off because he kept him leashed from then on.

Duchess was in her element! She wanted to sniff and pee on everything! She even continued to try and pee when nothing was coming out lol. I gave her a lot of water the whole time we were there. They have workout equipment for the dogs there (ramps, hoops and jump rails) and I was shocked that she knew how to use it all. She was excited about the other dog (even though he bit her) but I wouldnt let her near (especially since the owner was so irresponsible). She listened to all my commands though and was a very good girl.

But then...someone else showed up. A twenty something with a medium size mix...just a little smaller than our dog. Duchess was on it. She began whining and crying because she wanted to go see the dog. I held her tight as the owner approached. "Is she cool?" He said. "I'm not really sure but I have control of her". He immediately leashed his dog and the two of them sniffed for a bit at each other.

Grrr...Duchess growled and opened her mouth to attack. I immediately pulled back on the leash and corrected her with a strong "No! We don't do that!" I had her sit and she just sat and whined. "Looks like shes aggressive then." He said. I shrugged and said "I think she's just had a bad experience. I think the shelter lied to us though about a lot of things. Maybe if we walk parallel she will calm?" "Oh ok...sure"

We chit chatted a bit but not much as we walked them parallel to each other. Duchess kept watching his dog. The convo started changing from just two owners walking their dogs to one owner criticising anothers. My cutting point was this:
"Maybe you should go to a different dog park"
Maybe I too it a little too personal. Maybe he didnt mean how it sounded. But I was mortified. "Well we've been here a while now and I think she's getting tired so we will be leaving then. Nice meeting you."

I quickly brought her to the car and we went home. I don't know if we should go back. I liked the exercise equipment but the people...

Are all dog parks like that? I haven't had a dog in over 10 years because I lived in apartments. Now that we have a house we could finally have one. I was excited about being able to take her for a nice long walk that wasn't through the mosquito filled woods. Feel free to share your stories this was just our walk in the park.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Dog parks are... hit or miss. I've personally not had any issues beyond one of my dogs snarling at a man who put his hand on him (never assume you can handle or touch someone else's dog!) But currently I don't do dog parks as we don't have one close by, and I have 3 shy/relatively shy dogs weighing a total of 200 lbs so it's not something manageable for me.

I know other people who've had issues though, like my in law's dog was recently got bitten by another dog ("Oh so sorry, I don't know why my dog did that!") and it happened out of the blue, the other dog took a snap at her as she walked by.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Some dogs just can't handle being in a dog park. There's too much excitement for them - new dogs, new people, so many smells. And it's totally okay!

I'm glad you're working with her. It may take her a long, long time to get adjusted to a dog park. And she may never get there. Again, that's totally okay!

That said, I'm not a fan of dog parks because the other owners are generally the worst. I take my dog to doggie day care. I know it's expensive, but for me it's worth the investment. I know my dog is having a blast in a safe and supervised environment.

Your pooch may be a good candidate for doggie day care. She'll be evaluated and then put into the appropriate group - play style and size the most common groupings.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Some dogs just can't handle being in a dog park. There's too much excitement for them - new dogs, new people, so many smells. And it's totally okay!

I'm glad you're working with her. It may take her a long, long time to get adjusted to a dog park. And she may never get there. Again, that's totally okay!

That said, I'm not a fan of dog parks because the other owners are generally the worst. I take my dog to doggie day care. I know it's expensive, but for me it's worth the investment. I know my dog is having a blast in a safe and supervised environment.

Your pooch may be a good candidate for doggie day care. She'll be evaluated and then put into the appropriate group - play style and size the most common groupings.

Doggie day care isnt really in the budget I'm afraid but I do have the time and energy to invest in her experience. The whole reason we went early is because I figured there wouldnt be a lot of people there if any. I figure we will do once or twice a week until I see improvement followed by more frequent visits. A friend of ours is supposed to bring his dogs by for a meet and greet outside the fenced in area. It could be just a defensive thing since she is on a leash and not free to move around but it's not a chance id like to take.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A friend of ours is supposed to bring his dogs by for a meet and greet outside the fenced in area. It could be just a defensive thing since she is on a leash and not free to move around but it's not a chance id like to take.

Sounds like a good idea to try and get your dog used to another dog in a more controlled situation.

My dog that I mentioned above was the type who got defensive when restrained. The man who touched him pushed him back to try and leash his dog, so that was enough "restraining" that my dog was upset by it. So possibly your dog may not want to be leashed around other dogs, but until you know more of her quirks/personality issues I would be careful having her off leash around other dogs.

Also have you done any formal training with your dog? I really like group classes since that gives you a chance to work with your dog around other dogs, with a trainer present to keep an eye on things. Even if your dog knows their commands it's a good way to work on socialization.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Sounds like a good idea to try and get your dog used to another dog in a more controlled situation.

My dog that I mentioned above was the type who got defensive when restrained. The man who touched him pushed him back to try and leash his dog, so that was enough "restraining" that my dog was upset by it. So possibly your dog may not want to be leashed around other dogs, but until you know more of her quirks/personality issues I would be careful having her off leash around other dogs.

Also have you done any formal training with your dog? I really like group classes since that gives you a chance to work with your dog around other dogs, with a trainer present to keep an eye on things. Even if your dog knows their commands it's a good way to work on socialization.

No formal training but we have considered it. She knows Sit, Wait, Lay down, Down, No bite, Calm, Wash paws, Shake, Speak, Couch, Leave it, Crate, Bed time, Go to your room, Go potty and "how many scoops?" Thats the meal command. She has to bark the number of scoops she gets. Shes very smart. But very stubborn. I have spent almost every waking moment of every day training her.

 

[aart]

No formal training but we have considered it.

It's worth it, because of this...

I really like group classes since that gives you a chance to work with your dog around other dogs, with a trainer present to keep an eye on things.

I learned a lot from the classes.

What kind of dog is it.....from the 'pound'?
Pics would not be unappreciated.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

It's worth it, because of this...
I learned a lot from the classes.

What kind of dog is it.....from the 'pound'?
Pics would not be unappreciated.

We got her from Lakeshore Paws. They claimed she was "dog friendly". Then again they also claimed they did a fecal which they did not. She had giardia. 60 dollars later she is now parasite free. They said she was a border collie australian shepard mix. Another falsehood. She is more like a border collie blue heeler mix.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We got her from Lakeshore Paws. They claimed she was "dog friendly". Then again they also claimed they did a fecal which they did not. She had giardia. 60 dollars later she is now parasite free. They said she was a border collie australian shepard mix. Another falsehood. She is more like a border collie blue heeler mix.View attachment 1864185 View attachment 1864186 View attachment 1864189

Ah yes I remember this dog... you took her for a "test run" and decided to keep her.

Most shelters/rescues do their best but sometimes things get mixed up (i.e. paperwork for my latest rescue dog from previous owner said husky. She's either mostly or completely Anatolian shepherd, so not even close), and of course they can't test for every situation or account for how the dog will be once they start to settle into their new home.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Ah yes I remember this dog... you took her for a "test run" and decided to keep her.

Most shelters/rescues do their best but sometimes things get mixed up (i.e. paperwork for my latest rescue dog from previous owner said husky. She's either mostly or completely Anatolian shepherd, so not even close), and of course they can't test for every situation or account for how the dog will be once they start to settle into their new home.

To an extent I can tell that. But they also told us she was a stray. I called the shelter she was transfered from and she is not a stray. She was abandoned. When I brought this to their attention the woman just shrugged and said they "must have filed the paperwork wrong". They did not. I wish I knew why they would lie about such a thing. Either way I'm happy with the dog but unhappy with them. I am considering volunteering to expose them. My dog does not eat feces so if she contacted giardia it's because there is poo water. She is also terrified of the hose which makes me think they might hose out the enclosures with the dog inside. I pray not but if they do...