kinda dumb dog park question..

JaspersFam · #1 09-05-2009, 08:17 AM

so... as i'm sure most puppies do, jasper our six month old brindle LOVES the dog park and luckily he is not aggressive AT ALL with any of the dogs we've come across so far.. even the ones that can be with him... but my question is, is i do realize that i shouldn't expect him to come directly back to me when i call him and there is so much going on around him and so many other animals to play with, BUT i also want him to be able to back off when i ask him to if he is playing a little rougher with someone elses smaller dog.. any advice? i was told at the dog park by more than a couple of owners that i should just let him do his thing and play to his hearts content when he is there since that is kinda the point of going to the dog park and was just not sure if that is correct or not....

again, he is a wonderful boy and isn't doing anything bad such as attacking other dogs or anything like that, i just never want him to be THAT dog..

dsmit · #2 09-05-2009, 08:56 AM

The people at the dog park are correct yes and no. The dog park is the place for your dog to run free and play but be watchful of how he interacts with other dogs. If you notice that he is beginning to play too rough, remove him immediately. This will indicate to him that when he misbehaves that he will not get to enjoy the park. Also, work on your commands. I know that the park has a lot of distractions, but he will follow if the commands and instilled deeply in his mind.

Remember that boxers like to wrestle and play rough. It takes awhile to get use to. My Tyson played rough last time at the park with a lab/pitt mix twice his age and size. The dog played rough only with Tyson and I started to remove him and go home but decided to let dogs be dogs and relax. Tyson loved it and only played with that dog the whole time there.

djheitz · #3 09-05-2009, 11:40 AM

We use the command 'settle' when our three are going at it a bit rougher than we like or if there's just a little too much excitement going on. I've heard of people using another command that basically tells the dog to out all four feet on the ground. That one would probably take a bit of work, but it's do-able. I agree, though, that you need a way of letting your boy know to back off a little. Not all dogs can handle it!

JaspersFam · #4 09-06-2009, 10:56 PM

well luckily jasper is very laid back.. never plays too rough and will generally become submissive or back away if another dog becomes agressive... he never becomes aggressive himself unless he needs to defend. been blessed with the fact that when i actually do get ahold of him and tell him to sit and stay he will do it, i just think that since he is so young he has a hard time focusing on anything for very long.. especially when so much is going on around him

dsmit · #5 09-07-2009, 04:53 AM

His behavior in the norm at that age. Tyson is completely distracted at the park but with work I do get him to listen to me. Just be consistent and it will work.

larrygs · #6 09-07-2009, 06:48 AM

Layla loves dog parks. What fun!

Much of the play looks rougher than it is and is certainly ok. Most one on one playing seems to not get out of hand.

What you need to be on the watch for is when pack beaviour instinctively begins to take over and a group will gang up a dog that can't handle it. The energy level can rise out of control. It doesn't happen all the time, but if anything will lead to a fight that is it. The owners need to monitor the energy level, step in and get things settled down.

I think it is good to teach them self control as described, either to back off from a dog (or protective owner) that can't handle the rougher play, or to avoid your pup being pulled into the multidog skirmishes I described.

daisysmomx · #7 09-07-2009, 07:13 PM

Well Riley is six months old and LOVES the dog park (or did at least till he caught bronchitis there a couple weeks ago so we havent been in a while, but anywayy!) But like a typical puppy, once he gets to the dog park he TOTALLY forgets all commands and its like "Mom, Who?" LOL he sounds alot like Jasper though in that he is always like the laid back guy in the group he's down for anything and even when dogs are agressive towards him..he's submissive and the poor thing looks like he just wants to melt away lol

The only thing he'll really listen to at the park is when I tell him "gentle" and thats just a cue to chill out a bit (bc he is SO the puppy chasing another dog into a mud puddle and rolling around in it and running up to other ppl etc haha)

I really do just let him do what he wants though..he has his friends at the park and I have mine LOL The only problem is that he's not really small dog friendly..he just gets way too curious and goes a little nuts around them HOWEVER our dog park has two sections for dogs 30lb and under and 30 lbs and up..but if someone brings their 10 lb Chi into the 30lb+ side because "she's so good with big dogs"..i'll say gentle once and if he doesnt listen its like..Whatever!

sorry for the long response lol can't get me started on dog parks!