First Dog Park Trip

[Ali]

So Lola is 4 months old, and recently finished her round of puppy shots, so I have been taking Lola on more outings to socialize. For example, I took her to go visit a puppy, my friends dog, to the park with my friends dog (and view few other dogs), and walks. I also live in an apartment complex that has a walking trail that all of the residents use to walk their dogs, she socialize with them as well (they are all medium size dogs).

So I felt pretty confident about taking her to the dog park for her first time today. But... it didn't go as well as I planned. Most of the dogs there were medium to big dogs with a few small dogs, all very friendly and wanting to play with Lola. However, Lola did not seem to enjoy it. Anytime a dog came running up to meet her she would run off yelping and wanting to hide behind me or anyone for protection. The dogs don't even have to touch her, she will just yelp, and it sounds like the dogs were killing her.

Is this normal? What should I do to help her be more confident and just have fun? I want to be able to take her to the dog park again, but it just seems like she is horrified. Help!!!!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Lucy is 5 months old today and has never been to a dog park. I don't plan on taking her to one until she's fully grown. I do, however, take Lucy to weekly 'puppy romps' at a local doggy daycare facility, that only allows pups up to 6 months of age. It took Lucy 3 visits before she became confident enough to play with the other pups, and then only a selected few. The key at the romps was not to give the pup any attention for being frightened. Just stand up and be there, but don't reinforce insecurity. There is a trainer there that separates the pups into 3 groups. One for shy/timid puppies, one for small/med. interactive puppies, and one for larger confident puppies. Its worked out really well and we never had to deal with any kind of anxiety issues over exposing her to older dogs too soon or frightening her so bad that it stuck.

Personally, I'd be careful of dog parks for a puppy.