Chula Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I need some help. I'm planning to take Chula to the dog park today. First we waited for all her shots, then she had her surgery, so she hasn't been before. I'm just going to let her be in the small dog area as she's still little. Any tips? I plan to keep her on a lead but would you recommend a flexi or a regular lead? Any etiquette I should be aware of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Some dogs can be leash aggressive (either be aggressive while on lead, or aggressive towards other dogs who are on lead). Not sure if that would apply in your case, though. When I've seen people take pups to the dog park, they usually keep them on a normal leash (6ft) at first, to let them get used to the surroundings and the presence of other dogs. They stay for a few minutes, then leave. So I assume they do that for a few times to get their pup used to everything, and then they'll let their pup run around (leash free) in the dog park. A word of caution (sorta! ) : At dog parks, usually all dogs come over to meet and greet the 'new dog' in the park. So don't be alarmed when you see a bajillion dogs come running over! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine0925 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 4 months is young ( in my own opinion) I would wait at least 6. I used to go to the dog park it's great socialization but I almost always see a fight and it just makes me to nervous. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 4 months is young ( in my own opinion) I would wait at least 6. I used to go to the dog park it's great socialization but I almost always see a fight and it just makes me to nervous. Best of luck I think 6 months is too late... Here's some great info on pup socialization and fear periods...have a read, its easy to follow: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/developmentalstages.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 I agree 6 months is too late. For socialisation, the sooner the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Pups should be socialized as soon as possible and we start from the day we bring them home at eight weeks. However, socialisation isn't about taking your dog to the dog park or even about letting your dog play with other dogs. Socialisation is about exposing your dog to lots of new experiences, assigning those experiences a value and teaching your pup how to behave in new environments. I personally don't use dog parks and I would never take a pup to one. There's far too much risk IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Pups should be socialized as soon as possible and we start from the day we bring them home at eight weeks. However, socialisation isn't about taking your dog to the dog park or even about letting your dog play with other dogs. Socialisation is about exposing your dog to lots of new experiences, assigning those experiences a value and teaching your pup how to behave in new environments. I personally don't use dog parks and I would never take a pup to one. There's far too much risk IMO. I may be unclear on exactly what a dog park is. Socialisation is a good thing, but if a dog park is a dog free-for-all, all off leash etc and little control, then Bec may be right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 A lot depends on the other owners. Some owners keep a close eye on their dogs for unwanted attention or behaviour. Others (usually the owners with the aggressive dogs) let them off lead and promptly ignore their dog and all it's antics until someone shouts at them to get control of their dog, or it's time to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chula Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Well I ended up going to a friends house instead. She has an ornery 12 year old lab. Chula promptly pissed him off and then stole all his toys. She literally picked them all up in her mouth and would not let go. And she got all growly, an attitude which followed her home. She snapped at me for trying to connect her lead. Not a play nip, a real mean nasty snap. First time she's ever done that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 A lot depends on the other owners. Some owners keep a close eye on their dogs for unwanted attention or behaviour. Others (usually the owners with the aggressive dogs) let them off lead and promptly ignore their dog and all it's antics until someone shouts at them to get control of their dog, or it's time to go. I agree it does depend on other owners and personally that's why I won't use dog parks. You are relying on many other people to do the right thing and the reality is that very few dog owners have adequate control of their dogs at dog parks and very few understand how to manage dogs when they get over aroused like they will at parks with lots of other dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Well I ended up going to a friends house instead. She has an ornery 12 year old lab. Chula promptly pissed him off and then stole all his toys. She literally picked them all up in her mouth and would not let go. And she got all growly, an attitude which followed her home. She snapped at me for trying to connect her lead. Not a play nip, a real mean nasty snap. First time she's ever done that. It's important when we have pups around other dogs to make sure we teach them what Behaviour is appropriate. When I have my pups around other dogs I do things like call them back to me to play a game with me so they learn the other dog is never going to have anything as exciting as what I have to offer. Remember your dogs highest value should always be with you and the rewards you have to offer. She could have gotten too over aroused and excited by the play, hard to say exactly what caused her reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 we have a local dog park where I live, nothing like the pictures I see of US dog parks though. We have 1 dog bin & a 10' fence with bushes around the edge & grass on the ground - that's it. And whenever I have been (apart from when we had husky meets there), our dogs were on their own the majority of the time, maybe 2 or 3 other breeds at most, so we have more "control" over situations due to hardly any dogs being there. Is there a time of day when your park is fairly quiet & you can take your pup to interact with just a few dogs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chula Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 I had her treats in my hand. I tried to get her to drop the toys by giving the leave it command and offering a treat. She was not interested in anything but taking his toys. Not even playing just guarding. Tried taking her into another room (she was on a leash the whole time) but the only way I got them from her was to wait until she let go. I didn't want to yank on them since she might have ripped them and they weren't mine. She does not guard her toys from us at home and never snaps if we try to take one from her. We do leave a few out almost all the time. Would it work better to have them away and give them to her one at a time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chula Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 At home she will drop toys with the leave it command no problem. It was definitely the presence of the other dog, who wasn't even trying to get the toys from her. He is definitely an alpha type dog though and it was his house. He was so good with her until she tried to climb on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Em, that link that Solitary Howl put up is great! I think we need a place to gather links like that so we can point new <??> people to them as they're needed. Chula's a puppy so she's going to act like a puppy and that's what she did when she was interacting with the older dog, who allowed her to "exercise her puppy license" and when she'd reached its limit, promptly (if I'm reading your note right) put her in her place. (although in re-reading it I might not be ...) Labs, with their generally gentle disposition with the young, make excellent teachers to a young pup ... As far as the Dog Park goes, I agree with Val's comment that I'd introduce her to the dog park when there are very few (if any!) people there. Especially with your little girls "contradictory attitude" you'll want to make it someplace that she finds safe before letting her play "with the big dogs". That shold also give you a good time and place to work on recall, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.