Fear and an unpleasant dog park experience

Awww.. Poor Spirit. I hate to see scared dogs... Mostly because they're usually scared because they don't understand.

banditxx99

nobody stepped in to call their dog off.

I would have stepped in and made the dogs leave her alone. I would have chased them away. If people aren't going to watch their dogs, I'll do it for them. But Spirit needs to know that you'll step in when she calls for it. Not coddling her, you understand, but dealing with the other dogs. Coddling Spirit at that time is the worst thing you can do.

I would guess that she'll get over this little incident because she's recovered from past fears.

banditxx99

What would your advice be about going to the dog park and things we can do when we get there. At this point I'm unsure if I should bother going anymore.

I don't like dog parks. I don't go anymore. Many dogs there aren't balanced and they have a high level of excitement energy going on because too many people take their dogs there so they can socialize with other dog owners while their dogs "get exercise" on their own.

If you want to continue to go for the socialization aspect, I would, but I would play with Spirit yourself and be sure to be there for her until she builds up her confidence a little more. And as SOON as she starts acting afraid, go toward the other dogs and tell them to get back. Let Spirit know that you will protect her.

I think that if your dog generally likes and is not afraid of most dogs, and you like going to the park and would like to continue to go - you should.  Just always be ready to go if you or Spirit are uncomfortable...  If it is not your thing, maybe you can continue play dates with dogs you know and Spirit does well with?

In this particular situation, I would have body blocked the other dogs away - stepping between the dogs and just using my body language to drive them backwards and then gotten Spirit's attention and walked to another area of the park.  If it didn't work I probably would have shouted "whose dogs are these - please call off your dogs" - while standing between Spirit and the dogs (If the owners were nowhere to be found, I might not go back to that park - that is pretty upsetting and not the kind of place I would want my dog to play). 

I have seen many dogs yelp and carry on when they are being chased or played with too exuberantly for their taste - the important thing is that all the owners are watching and everyone is ready to step in if any dog is uncomfortable.  I hope Spirit won't be damaged permanently (although she may just not like these particular dogs or dogs who act like those dogs)...  I would just keep an eye on things and move quickly to exit any situation that makes either of you uncomfortable...

That's a good point about showing Spirit that you will defend her.  When neiko gets to bugging Dakota too much and if he won't listen to her warning barks, snaps then Dakota will run to me and look to me to tell him to back off. Which I do. She looks to me more often now instead of trying to resolve her own disputes her way (fighting), so I'm happy about that. Maybe you need to do that with Spirit. 

Maybe the dog park is a bit overwhelming for your Spirit, All those smells, new dogs, and new area can be intimidating. I cant say how or why she reacted that way to those particualr dogs but it sounds like the dog park was pretty busy that day.I personally dont care for dog parks....not becuase of the dogs but other owners. Too many people dont really pay attention to their dogs, the owners should have handeled it but and your dog was left feeling antsy......poor Spirit. Is it possible to get her socialization in with puppy play dates or maybe try taking her to the park when its not peak hours and she dosnt have to consort with so many strangers.

Thanks for the replies all. She has play dates with my sisters corgi, and she sees my other sisters aussie and husky fairly often. She's been with my sister to dog parks before and I've never heard of a problem. (this was my first time taking her) She had been in doggy day care once every couple weeks when she was a puppy to get socialization and didn't really hear of anything negative.

I think you might be right that the park was a bit overwhelming for her. My sister mentioned the same thing when I told her what happened. There were quite a few people and dogs there. There is supposed to be a wooded dog park right near there, I didn't see it, but that's what I've been told. I'll try to go to that one instead next time. That way I can at least keep her moving and possibly away from other dogs a bit easier if that is needed.

I was not trying to comfort Spirit, which I think would just reinforce this behavior. However, I need to work on staying between her and the antagonizing dog. Thinks for the advice about that. I thought I was trying, and there were two so I found it difficult. I can do a better job of that I know.

Obviously the only problem Spirit had was with those two particular dogs, otherwise, she seemed ok.  I wouldn't let those two dogs keep you from going back if that is what you want.  I too, like the idea of stepping in and shooing the other dogs away, and I would have definitely done so, myself.  I ain't afraid of no stinkin' beagle! lol  Maybe if the owners saw you shooing at their dogs, they would have come over and then you could explain for some reason your dog isn't comfortable with them being so close.  I think too, if possible to always take one of her playmates to the dog park with her.  This may help with her confidence level, and she'll at least know she's not alone.  Don't let one incident deter you, after all the next 100 times you go, you may never even see those dogs again, who knows?  Good Luck!