Discouraged Doddle Mom...

[Shannon]

So I took Marley to the Dog Park for the first time this morning -- she is 10 months old and full of energy and we live in a condo so I thought what a beautiful morning to let her run.

Well we didnt have the best experience -- when we first went in, she was super excited and ran around and greeted all the dogs (and owners) and then started playing. She was definetly the youngest there with the most energy. She jumped on a few owners (I know something we really need to work on) and played nicely with the dogs. After awhile, everyone else left and it was just Marley, and three other dogs -- dogs which had been growling at her most of the time.

At one point I went to go get a ball they had all been playing with and when I turned around two of the dogs were nipping at Marley and had her backed in a corner and at one point one of the dogs grabbed her leg and I think I heard her yelp. Now I know that it is normal to nip and stuff when playing but she was completly backed in the corner and had the big eyed -- Mom help me look. I yelled to get off of her and the other owners just looked at me like I was crazy and said oh they are just playing! I am sorry but I know my dog and that look was not a I am enjoying this look. Maybe I over reacted but having her backed into a corner just seemed like a little much and her tail was definetly between her legs....

So any advice out there on helping her (and me) in the situation? She does great in Day Camp when she goes (never been told there is a problem) so just not sure what to do....

Thanks-
Shannon and Marley

[Sandy]

Unfortunately some bad owners take their dogs to dog parks, as well as good owners. I know once a dog was ALL OVER Toby, and the owner just told us to tell him when Toby had had enough. Um....he's trying to hide under our legs - there's your first clue. I guess your best bet is just to make sure Marley is with you at all times. If there are bigger or rougher dogs there we just walk with Toby around the perimeter of the park. But definitely have Marley with you - not necessarily within arm's reach, but close enough for a quick recall, or to protect if necessary.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Sandy is right, some bad owners go to the dog parks as well as good owners. I go to a large dog park almost every day. When Yankee was small and very very timid, I would just pull the other dog off and keep walking. Yankee would drop and roll over in submission to some dogs which would make things worse. Then he would draw more dogs to him. It's hard at first, but you can't be shy. Just grab your dog and walk away or pull the other dog off and walk away. I have tried commenting to bad dog owners and just get rude remarks back so I don't bother anymore. You still need to socialize your dog and you will find nice dogs for her to play with. If all good dog owners stop going, it wouldn't be good. Yankee found a best friend at the dog park and we walk together a few times a week now. We have run into many situations and we learn from them.

[Teresa]

Hi Shannon. As everyone else has mentioned, just do what you did and don't worry if inconsiderate owners give you the eyeball. My Hudson had a bad experience the first time I took him to the dog park - a guy there takes in rescue grey hounds and finds homes for them which I think is admirable, but he doesn't control them - which I do not think is admirable. I guess the greyhounds thought Hudson looked like a rabbit and started nipping at him and chasing at him. He was absolutely terrified, yelping and running in panic away from them. I was horrified and started running after the pack yelling at the greyhounds and Hudson finally found a spot between some guys legs and hid there until I caught up. The "protector" also yelled at the greyhounds (one of which had a muzzle on) and the dogs turned away. I thanked the "protector" and Hudson came running up to me and hid between my legs. I didn't leave right away because I didn't want that to be his only experience. In my opinion, I don't care if someone doesn't like me yelling a their dog - if my pup is scared I'll do what I need to do to make sure he is o.k.

So, what have I done since then? First of all, I take Hudson to doggy daycare 1 day a week where he has a great experience playing with other dogs and has figured out the socializing part. I see you do the same thing. I also now know what time to go to the dog park and when the "good" owners are there. For me its 8:00 a.m. on Saturdy and Sunday morning and if possible by 5:30 - 6:00 in the evening during the week. Same dogs are always there and we all know one another and protect one another's dogs if any bullys show up.

Don't stop going. Its really good mentally and physically for your pup. Hudson is now just about 11 months (I've been taking him since 5 months) and he knows how to keep himself out of trouble and who to play with. He comes to me immediately if a dog makes him uncomfortable. I should add that Hudson is not alpha at all - he is Mr Happy and just wants to play. That doesn't mean he hasn't learned how to tell another dog "enough" - but he also doesn't play with dogs that are agressive.

Good luck with your play - and never be embarrassed about protecting your pup.

[Sandy]

Toby does that too! His first defence mechanism is to run and hid between someone's legs - preferably ours, but a stranger's if he can't get to us quickly enough. I think it's smart - he knows when he's had enough, and gets the heck out of there!

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

We had an experience with our Shar Peis, where another dog owner's dog would jump my female and bite her. I nicely asked the owner to control his dog, TWICE. They next time, I took a spray bottle with water and a few drops of lemon juice in it and sprayed his dog in the face whne he tried to grab Lo Fat. The owner was upset, but after that, I carried the empty bottle and just had to show it to the other dog and he would run away. Again, a rather drastic measure, but it keeps your dog safe and doesn't hurt the other dog other than to make it sneeze a LOT.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I am a dog park user as well and I agree with most comments. Don't let the bad owners win! My Gracie is well socialized with the park since she was a young pup and doggie daycare a couple of times per week too. But still there are times when several dogs will gang up on her and at that point she feels threatened and fights back. There are a few dogs that she just doesn't like (or is afraid of). I too, rescue her. I seperate her from the offending group and distract her with a ball or something and herd her toward other more appropriate doggy friends. I have learned what time the offending dogs tend to be at the park and I just try to visit at other times. Keep going and you and she will work things out! It's a great thing when they are having a ball getting some super exercise at the park!!!

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

People at dog parks are suppose to watch their dogs - and some don't at all. I am always aware where Abby is at the park, and can see if she if needs me. She is 7 months old... Her first experience a dog park was just a month ago, and she was pretty much like Marley - people friendly and happy tails to the dogs. She learned fast tho that not all dogs are nice. Now, she senses a dog with a bad temperament and tries to stay away. She was put down by a couple of boxers, and then because she was passively down, a few other dogs went over to her. Now she is afraid of boxers and stays as far away from them as possible. Abby is "pee my pants passive" . That is really the only time she has had trouble tho - so don't give up - Marley deserves to go and have fun. Things will get better - Marley will learn how to handle things.

[Shannon]

Thanks now if I can only handle the stress of it!!! Hehe...we are going to try a different dog park in the morning -- it has gotten rave reviews so hopefully the people (and dogs) will be better behaved :)

[Shannon]

Well good news -- went to a different dog park this morning and the people and dogs were wonderful and really helped me understand the difference between playing and fighting....yeah!

[Teresa]

Good for you! It is true that different parks will have different "clientelle" and so when you find a good one it will make a difference. As a few of us mentioned - time that you go will also make a difference because there will be times when the good guys show up and umm....the not so good guys :-) Have fun - its good socialization time and for me, really good down time to watch Hudson play with his buddies.