Dog park questions

 The two things I will add is leashes cause tension and a dog who may not react aggressively off leash may do so while on leash especially if swarmed by multiple dogs. second is I also noticed that some dogs are more nervous and defensive with muzzles on in a group situation like the dog park.

good luck with your two!

One dog 2 many

 By the same token I'm not sure that I would be a good influence on them if I took them on the leash into the park.  Is there anything I could try?  I have a feeling that they would do fine, but certainly don't want to risk hurting someone or their animal.  Would a muzzle be a good option? 

IMO, if you think there is any chance that your dogs could be a danger to any other dogs or people at the dog park, then they dont belong in one. Not all dogs are suitable for the dog park, even dogs that like to play with other dogs. Bailey likes to play with other dogs, but he is absolutly not a dog that should be in a dog park. Even if a had a dog that was suitable for the dog park, I still would never bring them there, cause it is NOT  a controled setting. ANYONE can bring their dogs in there, and there is no way to know what behavior issues they may have, or illnesses.

And, IMO, no dog in a dog park should be wearing a muzzle, if there is a need for a muzzle, they shouldnt be there. YOU dont know any other dogs there, or their owners. What if someone brought a dog in and attacked your dog, that is wearing a muzzle, and they're too far away to break them up right away? How is your dog suposed to defend himself? Brining a muzzled dog to the dog park just sounds like a set up for a very, very dangerous situtation.

 If you think your dogs are so nervous about meeting and greeting other dogs that they need muzzles to do it, a dog park is probably not going to be much fun for either of them.  Some dogs, especially older dogs that haven't had much social experience (i.e. didn't get much socialization during critical periods of puppy hood, or which have had poor experiences, such as being attacked or bullied by other dogs) prefer the company of one or two "familiars" but aren't really anxious to play or even interact with others.  That having been said, it's also possible that your dogs are simply "leash reactive" or "barrier reactive" and might be fine off leash.  However, other participants at the dog park probably prefer that you not use their dogs as guinea pigs to find out.  My advice would be to find a really good behaviorist or trainer who is familiar with this type of dog, and see if you can get a safety evaluation.

My advice would be to find a really good behaviorist or trainer who is familiar with this type of dog, and see if you can get a safety evaluation.

Thank you, this is an excellent idea.  I never thought about a behaviorist :-) 

The thing is that I truly DON'T think the dogs would harm another dog.  I've had them both for several years and they have been approached by many off-leash dogs, have had dogs come into their yard, and have put up with stray dogs that we have brought home from time to time.  All this and never a bite incident or even an attack.  Just barking for a bit, and then they are over it and on to other things. 

My husband (who has trained animals all his life) thinks that I am ridiculous and should just let the poor dogs have fun (and have fun myself).  But I don't like risk, and it is hard to be SURE how an animal will act in a new situation until you try it (hence the thought that maybe a muzzle would give me a chance to give it a go, while eliminating any remote risk to others). 

I think a behaviorist could help me decide whether we should stay away from dog parks (as we have for 7 years), or if I might be making a mountain out of a mole-hill.

Thank you,

M

  Why do you feel that it is important at this point to take your older dogs to a dog park? Ask yourself if you want them to go because you really think they will totally enjoy the experience or if you want them to go because it fits your idea of what you want to do with your dogs. IME far too often, people take their dogs to dog parks or group play situations (such as doggy daycares) because it appeals to them as a human. I have actually seen far too often owners continue taking their dog to group play, even when it was obvious the dog didn't enjoy it and/or was suitable for it.

  Dog parks can be fairly risky as far as the behavior of the other dogs go. It's probably not a great idea to start taking an 11 year old dog to one especially if she has any age related issues such being a bit unsteady on her feet or stiffness (those things may be seen as a weakness by other dogs in a group situation). It is pretty normal for mature dogs to enjoy playing with dogs in their family but not enjoy group play situations.

  I would suggest if your dogs are leash reactive to work with a trainer to learn how to get that behavior under control for sure.  IME dog parks are and doggy daycares may actually increase leash aggression in dogs who are regulars. I suspect it is because they get conditioned to become overstimulated around other dogs and when they are on leash, that quickly turns into frustration which than turns into leash aggression. At the daycare I worked at, many of the regulars became leash aggressive over time.

Why do you feel that it is important at this point to take your older dogs to a dog park?

Good question.  First of all, I know I didn't say this in my original post, but no my older dog will most likely not participate in any dog park experience.  She would much rather stay home and take a nap.  My younger dog is 6 or 7.  He is gregarious, very fit, loves to run and loves to fetch.  He plays soccer better than my husband and I combined, and is getting really good at some of the off-leash work we have been working on.  Problem is, dog parks are about the only answer around here if you need a large fenced in dog friendly area.  I think he would love it.  I don't want to go at peak hours.  I would most likely go around 10:00am on a Monday or Tuesday.  But there is ALWAYS at least one dog there.  I just want to give it a try, in a safe responsible manner.

M

 Well I guess I will be the lone dog park supporter. LOL! I have always taken my dog to the local dog park and for me it works really well. The one thing to remember is not all dog parks are the same. I would suggest you check it out on your own first. Go when you most likely to want to use it and talk to the other dog owners there. Most people have a routine and you will usually find the same dogs in the park at the same time each day.  Tell them about your dog, so when he shows up they know he is new to the park experience. I find most people are kind and understanding when it comes to new dogs. Taking him at off hours is a good place to start. He (and you) will be less overwhelmed and it will give him a chance to make one or two friends and feel more comfortable. I would not leave him on leash but you may want to let him drag a line if you are nervous. Make your first few visits a short and positive experiences. I think it will be obvious very quickly if it will work for your dog. Don't worry if he doesn't actually play with other dogs. We have lots of dogs that come to the park that are happy just running, walking or doing their own thing. They simply love the space and the freedom.

denise m

 Well I guess I will be the lone dog park supporter.

See, I am a big fan of dog parks for the most part.  However, I am very leery when people bring adult dogs that have never been in that situation into a dog park setting for their first dog/dog interactions rather than something a little more controlled first.  Mostly because Jack tends to be the dog that gets harassed/attacked by these dogs-lol.  We have had several issues with first timers-everything from simple but repeated and uncontrolled humping to an out and out attack on Jack last month.  I know that everyone has a first time, I'm just saying it's much better for it to be in a more controlled environment, and THEN if the dog does well and seems to enjoy it give the park a try.  JMHO. 

sillysally

denise m

 Well I guess I will be the lone dog park supporter.

 

See, I am a big fan of dog parks for the most part.  However, I am very leery when people bring adult dogs that have never been in that situation into a dog park setting for their first dog/dog interactions rather than something a little more controlled first.  Mostly because Jack tends to be the dog that gets harassed/attacked by these dogs-lol.  We have had several issues with first timers-everything from simple but repeated and uncontrolled humping to an out and out attack on Jack last month.  I know that everyone has a first time, I'm just saying it's much better for it to be in a more controlled environment, and THEN if the dog does well and seems to enjoy it give the park a try.  JMHO. 

I agree.  The dog that has only had limited off leash play with other dogs, and is thrust in to the dog park environment may react very badly.  In any case, dogs that are there for the first time should never just be let off their leashes, and even more importantly, should not be on a taut leash.  I find that a ten foot cotton training lead is very useful because you can allow it to trail behind the dog and only use it if you need to bail Fido out quickly.

 The only problem with long lines at the dog park is when a mischievous Lab and his mixed breed pal see it trailing along the ground, pick it up and run off with it with your dog still attached! I guess it wouldn't be such a concern for dogs that size, but it happened to Kivi when he was a puppy. Thanks to the quick action of the owners of both dogs his long line was rescued before he was dragged on his back around the dog park. It was a near thing, though.

Oh, and they can quickly wrap up other dogs they are playing with, and people have to be quick on their feet to avoid getting their ankles tied up. I was pretty happy when Erik graduated so early from the long line. They aren't completely safe in dog parks IME.

I didn't mean that you should just let the dog run off with the line trailing!!  It's only there for a couple of moments during the intro while you figure out if the dog is going to be ok with other dogs.  Once you see that the intro is going well, the line is quickly unclipped.  You can't just go in to a dog park with an untested dog and have no way to bail him out if it isn't ok.  The reason for not doing it on a shorter leash is that humans can hardly ever resist the temptation to pull on it.  Many leash reactive dogs that would have been fine at the park off leash are thus labeled aggressive and never go back.  To be honest, the safest way to figure this out is to pay a trainer to evaluate your dog with other dogs.

I've been taking my puppy to the local dog park about once a week for the last month. The first visit was very short and was at a time when only a few dogs were there. Smokey was scared and a little timid around the other dogs, as I said the visit was very short. We went back a few days later and she was a lot better. Now she loves it, and we spend at least a hour there. I would advise anyone going for the first time to take it slow. You will know soon enough if the dog likes it or not.

You need a pass key to enter the park. To get the key your dog must be current on all their shots. There are two fenced in parks one for small dog and one for larger dogs.

Rose

 Tootsie, my sweet and gentle corgi is not a dog park dog. First, she'd rather be with humans.Second, she doesn't play with dogs, except to bark annoyingly at them. Third, also the most important thing is : She doesn't appreciate any rude greeting behavior and if a dog mounts her, Game Over. She'll quickly about face, give a low growl and then as many air-snaps it takes to get the other pooch to back off.

tiffy

 Tootsie, my sweet and gentle corgi is not a dog park dog. First, she'd rather be with humans.Second, she doesn't play with dogs, except to bark annoyingly at them. Third, also the most important thing is : She doesn't appreciate any rude greeting behavior and if a dog mounts her, Game Over. She'll quickly about face, give a low growl and then as many air-snaps it takes to get the other pooch to back off.

 Tootsie sounds like a true herding breed girl!