Dog park Dilemma

[Aimee Santa Monica]

I've noticed that my  5 1/2 month pup Storm usually gets a little diarrhea (small amt) whenever we are at the dog park.   Could this be some anxiety affecting him whenever we are there?  He never runs ahead and never plays with other dogs, like my other pup Ayla ( 5 1/2 mo, too) , he usually stays around close to me and i guess he's so attatched to me since we had him at 9 wks of age. We have had Ayla for almost 2 months now.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

It very well could be a little anxiety or nervousness.  Lots of dogs get loose stools if they have a new thing introduced to them.  It very well could be the dog park which is all new to him and a bit overwhelming for sure.

[Aimee Santa Monica]

Thanks Nancie & Gracie Doodle Casey!   Yes, i agree, i know he gets nervous, because he just stays near me & keeps looking at me and never runs ahead to meet new dogs, it was his first time at Marymoore park (off leash dog park)  today.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Another thought...my Gracie Doodle is now almost 4 years old and she has really never liked dog parks.  I am lucky because I live in a cul de sac and we have over 9 dogs that play together almost every day.  On the weekends we meet in front of one house in the morning and use the chuck it and throw the ball.  Some of the younger pups play with each other but the older just retrieve and hang out.  Every afternoon we all get together again too.  I took Gracie to a dog park once and she was petrified.  She had the advantage of growing up with two of our neighbor's Springer Spaniels starting when she came home at 6 weeks.  They were "safe" dogs as far as shots and not going to dog parks so there wasn't the concern about keeping Gracie away until she had all her shots.  They are all like sisters now.  Right now I am up in San Jose at my daughter's while she and her husband are vacationing in Hawaii.  I'm dog sitting my grandpup Luna who is an almost 2 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback.  Now Luna is a different story.  She goes to a dog park every day but always at the same time and has a pack of friends that she and my daughter have made.  On the weekends they usually are not there.  I took Luna on Sunday and she didn't see anyone she knew and was very timid and stayed by my side.  She had many offers to play but refused.  Our dogs are strange creatures.  They are only attracted to certain dogs and they will be the one to pick who they want to be friends with.  I am up here without Gracie (she stayed home with DH), but when we drive up she comes with us and when we all go to the dog park she just stays by our side.  Gracie won't play with strange dogs unless maybe a Doodle.  It is funny but she is attracted to "her kind"...Poodles, PWaterDogs, Doodles and she will check out Springers to see if they are her friends.  Otherwise, she won't give them the time of day.  She hates Pits and Rottweilers because she has been attacked by them more than once.  Yesterday at the dog park some losers showed up with two totally uncontrollable Pits and there was already one at the park.  I was over at the side of the park with my daughter's friends and we all commented that trouble was coming...and it did.  Within less than 10 minutes there was a horrible fight and they could not pull the Pit off the other one.  He had his jaws locked on the other's neck and the owner was kicking, hitting, pulling and doing everything to get his dog to release.  When he pulled it away it still had the other dog in it's jaws.  It was a horrible scene and it took almost 6 people to break it up and there was blood from the one attacked.  With that we all leashed up our dogs and left.  The losers did NOT!  When you are at the dog park try to pick a time where there are family type people and nice dogs and see if you and Storm can bond with some nice dogs and people.  Be very aware of the dogs that are there and their body language.  The tail and hackles up will tell it all.  Also, male dogs who have not been neutered are usually the problem.  Weekends can be the worst because so many people are off work and you get all types.  Also, keep him off leash when in the park.  Dogs feel threatened and helpless when they are on a leash and all the dogs rush them or sniff them.  They feel they don't have control to take care of themselves if they need to.  It is supposed to be a rule of the dog parks but I don't see people paying attention.  They also should take off any pronged training collars because those are only for training and they are dangerous to play with them on.  The dog they are playing with an get their lip, teeth, paw caught and badly hurt.  So, now that I have totally scared you into going to the dog park...take Storm and have fun...seriously...my daughter and her Luna love it and have made wonderful friends who all get together with their dogs and watch out for each other.  They dog sit each others dogs and have parties at their houses that include the dogs.  It can be a wonderful experience once you find the group, right time of the day and know how to keep Storm safe from those occasional bad dogs.  Good Luck!

[Aimee Santa Monica]

Thanks Nancie & Gracie Doodle Casie! Wow, sounds like a terrible scene for everyone there yesterday!

I usually go to the nearby dog park on a monday or tuesday late morning or lunchtime- when there are just a few dogs present.  Those seem to work for me & my 2 doodle pups! :)   We are fortunate also that we have a nearby field, down the block, where some late mornings we let them run loose and play- and they run hard there!    Strange thing  is, the previous times at the dog park nearby,  Storm has been attacked by a smaller (adult)  dog . :)     Nothing serious- just barking and that growly face thing . I felt bad for Storm, but at the same time it was kinda funny seeing a little dog scare my Storm- since at home he usually barks at everyone outside our property!    

I hope to keep my pups safe at the dog park next time, thanks for all the great advice! 

[Amy Murphy]

I would say anxiety, but does he chew on anything while he's there? Sticks or leaves or anything? It might be helpful to add a dollop of plain yougurt to his food once a day. I've had a few puppies with nervous stomachs and the yougurt helps keep the harmful bacteria from taking over.

[Aimee Santa Monica]

Thanks Amy!  He does'nt chew on anything when he's at the dog park.   I had been giving a TBSP of plain yogurt during last weeks food transition. But stopped when their stools were ok.  Should this be a regular snack for Storm?  Like once a day or given with food?     Thanks again!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Aimee...join the Food Group.  They talk about yogurt and pumpkin all the time.  I think though that I remember reading to NOT give him Greek Yogurt!  Karen and Jackdoodle are the gurus of the food group.  She has all the answers and is wonderful.  Don't hesitate to address a question to her if you need help.

[Taylor & Huff]

Thats kinda funny because after a good dogpark play or walk he has to "go" too but no diarrea.