Dog Community

Dog park/exercise dilemma . . .

Posted : 5/11/2006 8:27:16 PM

Ok, I have another dog park question, actually I guess it#%92s more of a “getting enough exercise” question, but here goes:

So, C is a 13 month old RR. He#%92s a big dog – probably weighs 80 or 85 pounds right now. He has a TON of energy (as most young dogs do). I try to give him as much exercise as my out-of-shape body can give. I take him for a walk in the morning, a walk in the evening, and he goes to daycare (which totally wears him out) two days out of the week. He also plays with doggie friends once in awhile.

I used to take him to the dog park before going to daycare, but I read scary stuff about dog parks . . . so I stopped going. However, I just didn#%92t think he was getting enough exercise, so the past two weeks I#%92ve been taking him to various dog parks to wear him out.

However, we have some problems: 1) C does not listen to me at all as soon as he sets foot in the dogpark (yea, I#%92ve tried giving him treats whenever he comes to me and I let him keep playing, but he is so infatuated with the other dogs he usually just ignores me 2) he only seems to like to chase other dogs (never be chased) – I feel like somewhere I read this was a problem if a dog is always the chaser (however he is considered a sighthound), and 3) sometimes if there are little fluffy dogs running around he will try to chase them and then bark at them if they don#%92t keep running around.

So, does this mean we should stop going to the dogpark? After rereading what I wrote, I guess it is kind of obvious that we should. I don#%92t want other dog owners to get annoyed by C always chasing. The daycare owners say he is great at daycare, but they are all spazzy dogs anyway. However, I really want C to be able to run all out, and I love watching him run at the park. Should I just stick to doggie playdates for his extra exercise? Should I try to start running? Oh, and for the life of me I can#%92t get him to chase balls. But boy does he love chasing other dogs who are chasing balls!

Xerxes

Posted : 5/12/2006 11:09:16 AM

Is there a local dog park that segregates the larger (30lbs and up) from the smaller dogs? That might be a good place to start.

When he chases the other dogs what does he do when he catches up to them?

It sounds like to me that your Ridgie needs alot more exercise than he's getting. And just keep working on the recalls. Make every recall the best one he's ever had. Eventually he'll start listening most of the time. With most of the hound breeds, if they are "on the trail" then anything else around them does not exist.

Patt

Posted : 5/12/2006 1:06:48 PM

I don't think he's getting enough exercise either, how long are your walks? I think you need about 45 mins to an hour, morning and night. This should also be done before you enter the dog park. Sounds like he needs a 'job', have you had him in obedience training this should help with him physically and mentally. .

sillysally

Posted : 5/12/2006 1:23:16 PM

Sally is the same way about balls--lol. Doesn't like to chase them herself, but boy will she run after dogs chasing them. Have you ever tried letting him play with a Jolly Ball?http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=30e0742c-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5
Sally is OBCESSED with hers, and will play herself silly when I get it out.
She also likes those large, hard plastic balls. They're too big to get her mouth around so she has to takle/herd them around. You could also get a long lead and go hiking with him.

What about biking with him? That would be a good way for him to get some running in without you pulling something. Depending on what kind of shape you are in you have to work yourself into running, or you'll hurt yourself and be no good to either of you.

Have you thought about lore coursing woith him? That might give him a "job."

Also, you could get him into some obedience classes to stimulate his mind a little and then possibly get him into agility.

I would definately get a better recall going if you are going to be at the dog park, especially with little dogs around. You could try going to the park at off hours, so he can run by himself.

Catherine

Posted : 5/12/2006 3:14:25 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies - yep, C and I go to obedience once a week and I try to practice as much as I can at home and in other environments. He's actually very good at recall at home, in the backyard, but when there's more distractions and he's not on a lead (ie, dogpark) he pays no attention. I know I have to gradually increase the distractions and time and distance, which I am working on, it just seems like the dog park will always be hard for him (well, for me). The problem with taking him when there isn't anyone at the dogpark is that he won't run around. He'll just sniff.

So when he chases other dogs for the most part he runs after/beside them and then when he catches up usually circles around them once and waits until they start running again.Occasionally he'll kind of nudge them with his snout, or try to mouth them, and I don't know what this means. Is he trying to assert his dominance? Or is that just play? With little dogs he does the same thing, but for some reason he barks at them half the time. And I'm sure little dog owners are scared he will (accidentally) hurt their dog, even though he's never hurt anything in his life.

Yes, he definitely needs more exercise. I'll try to up the walks, but a walk (besides being socialized on lead) really does not do much for him. Maybe I should try biking - I'm just worried about the whole coordination of it all. Like if he tries to run after a squirrel.

I might have to try that ball - although C isn't much into rubbery/plastic toys. He likes fluffy toys inside the house, but outside he's not interested. I am just hoping he's not dog-obsessed (now that I read that thread on OCD with lights maybe C is OCD with dogs:-(

huskymom

Posted : 5/12/2006 5:07:12 PM

What he needs is Crusher's friend Lucy. She love love loves to be chased and will go up and nudge, mouth, and tackle the other dogs in the park until they give chase and then she will happily run around for hours. They would make a perfect match.

You could try one of the Busy Dog Balls. Its made of clear plastic and you put a treat inside so the dog can see and smell the treat but can't break the ball to get it. He has to roll it around and kind of figure it out. It apparently really tires them out mentally. Mic swears by them. I haven't tried one yet.

spiritdogs

Posted : 5/13/2006 5:30:35 PM

Make sure you don't only call him when it's time to go home, or time to stop the fun. You can practice in a less distracting environment (maybe your trainer would help). What we do is to call our dogs, give them a treat, and tell them "go play". They learn that coming doesn't mean the fun will stop, so there's no risk in it for them. Also, to make them successful, we call when the dog is facing us, not far away. Or, we go stick a piece of garlic roast beef on their noses and back up a couple of steps, calling as they get to us. But, then it's always followed by "go play" (until we really do stop the play, then we simply walk over to our dogs and put their collars on while they munch - then they don't become "dodgers" either).

Xerxes

Posted : 5/14/2006 8:11:14 PM

Make sure you don't only call him when it's time to go home, or time to stop the fun

That's absolutely true. I don't know how many people I see that end up chasing their dogs around because the dog equates a recall with an end to the fun. Make sure every recall is fun, fun, fun for your guy. Then when it's time to leave you won't be a "chaser."

Catherine

Posted : 5/15/2006 8:21:53 AM

Yea, I made that mistake the first time I took C to a dogpark. I called him over and then we left. After that I read about calling and giving them a treat and letting them go play, and that's what I've been practicing, but I think I ruined it the first time (ie, I think just that one experience he learned that if I call him we might be leaving). He is definitely a dodger.

I'll have to bring more yummy food with me!