First Time At A Dog Park?

[Kajirin]

Now you've done puppy class - what about other classes , where you both can meet & greet & learn :) ?

Agree, had more fun meeting and greeting people and their dogs at training than at a dog park. Did visit a dog park when mine was younger, but had too many hairy issues so never went back to one again, didn't want my dog getting hurt or learning silly/dangerous habits.

[sas]

My advice is don't go, they're dangerous and unpredictable places and all it takes is one incident to have your pup end up fear aggressive because of it. Instead find people via this network or family and friends with safe gentle dogs.

You said dogs 'need' to have non human friends...no they don't, that's your emotional need for your dog. Your dog would be better off being neutral to other dogs especially if you want to do obedience.

Edited July 18, 2014 by sas

[juice]

I sometimes take my 3 to the dogpark, but this is what I do.

Walk around the outside first with them, and suss out the dogs inside, let them run upto them inside the fence and see how they react, watch the play of the dogs inside .

If there are any in there I don't like the look of I don't go in, I walk around outside till they leave.

Get in as fast as you can, let them go quickly, and keep moving, dogs all huddled together get over excited fast.

I walk round and round, you get the odd dog then coming over to say hi, and I just keep moving, if a dog worries me I leave.

I have no problem telling other people if their dog is causing a problem with mine ( lady with 3 JRT's thought it was funny that they had bailed up my BT), she changed her mind when I told her I would kick them if they got any closer.

Do not stand around chatting and not looking at whats going on, if he gets over excited ,take him out walk around calm him down then take him back in, or leave it for the day.

Do not listen to people who say ' don't worry they will sort it out".

[Kavik]

My general advice with dog parks is - don't.

[Salukifan]

Thanks for the reads, of course I'm not going to do something that is detrimental to my dog or anyone else's, either physically or mentally, but I do feel he could use more socialization with other dogs.

I'll probably end up doing an obedience course with him anyway, but dogs need non human friends too :)

Do they? They are a territorial pack animal. Those bred to live in large social groups might be accustomed to and happiest with company but they wouldn't generally find it with strange dogs.

You are your dog's "pack". He can get his need for companionship from you.

Dog parks are the product of a lot of odd ideas about how dogs think. The number of incidents that occur in them is testament to that. Use them if you wish but don't think for a moment that your dog 'needs' to go to one to be happy.

You've got a sledding breed. Take up sledding. In addition to giving him the hard physical exercise he was bred for, you may get a chance to see him race in a team - all the sociallisation a Husky could ever ask for!

[Scottsmum]

We went a few times with Scottie when he was "fresh" from the shelter and we weren't 100% sure of his recall. It was a secure area we could let himrun in to his hearts content.

Now he's totally spoiled and we avoid the joint like the plague. We stopped going after he constantly got bullied and rolled/skidded in poo too many times (he plays a mean game of fetch). We also found that he was prone to roll in the mud around the bubbler/dog tap and there is no lighting there so its hard to use the park well in winter (much easier for us to play in the dregs of light near our local tennis court). Most other owners there were either complete snobs or idiots (IMO) - as I said, he was being bullied / physically pushed around too much for my liking.

Really REALLY avoid mid morning on Sat/Sun.... urgh. Yuck.

Regarding the other comments about socialisation and so on... He's a pretty solitary guy who really doesn't want for the company of other dogs. Don't assume all dogs crave company - just like people some are very social some are complete loners. We find that one obedience class a week (more for mental stimulation) and some added training + his two daily walks are more then enough for him to be a happy soul. we set the rules in obedience regarding how he interacts with other dogs - You don't have to socializse or play with them, but you can't be 'rude' either.

In short - I'm not a huge fan of the dog park because of the other users but it did serve a purpose when he was new (to us).

[skip]

I think a long line is a good idea but u already have that under control.

If u want to socialise i prefer going to the local dog training club.particularly i get there early to let my dog socialise in more controlled way.

And u get to socialise to.

[koalathebear]

Unlike most DOLers, we go to our local dog park all the time and we have no problems. As with most things in life, it's a matter of being responsible and showing a bit of judgment. We have been going every week for years with our resident three dogs and pretty much all of our foster dogs go there, too once they've had some training and are ready to be socialised with dogs outside our pack.

• Check out a few dog parks before you pick one - so you get an idea as to what the people and dogs are like
  
• Go during a quiet time, ideally pick a park that isn't crowded too crowded.
  
• For your first time, don't wander too far from the gate so you can leave quickly if you have to.
  
• Our rule is that if there are more a certain number of dogs in there, we leave. These days it's about 6 dogs - more if we already know the dogs and owners in question. If just starting out, you may want to tell yourself you'll leave if it's more than 2 strange dogs etc.
  
• Be vigilant - other people may not. I have seen people dump their dogs (and children!) in a dog park and go and talk on the phone/amongst themselves or even go outside the park, so we always keep a close eye on our dog and other people's dogs.
  
• Watch carefully for body language in your own dog and other people's dogs. Other breeds can be a bit funny towards Huskies sometimes - might be the upright tail. No idea. I know two of our dogs did not like squish-faced breeds when they first met them. Totally did NOT like the first boxer they met, but these days they are fine with all breeds and play with fluffies, pit bulls, poodles, pugs, boxers, staffys, JRTs and whatever breed happens to come in.
  
• You could consider keeping your dog on leash the first time. We do that when we first have a new dog - see how it reacts to newcomers etc.
  
• Make sure you have a means of calling your dog away. For instance, with our dog Elbie we know that the mere mention and sight of a tennis ball will summon him to us.
  

As long as you're sensible and vigilant, I don't see why there should be any more issue at a dog park than anywhere else. At least you can leave a dog park and an undesirable situation. I was walking Hoover once when an offlead GSD came hurtling across an oval towards us - we were on the other side of the road and nowhere near the dog at first. I couldn't run away because that would have made it worse, all I could do was pick Hoover (a very large Kelpie!) up and hope for the best. If I see a dog/owner I don't like at a dog park, I can leave and close the fence between us :p

ETA: I should add we do not use the dog park as an alternative to training. We do obedience with all of our dogs (fosters included), agility for two of our resident dogs and tricks training. They go for walks on-leash, have off-leash time at the local oval. They do enjoy the intense running they can do at the local dog park though so for us it's just another aspect to their enrichment.

Edited July 19, 2014 by koalathebear

[Staffyluv]

Manners around other dogs I meant He has no problems around people, but I really want to expose him to more dogs.

Do you do obedience or other formal training with him?

It is just my opinion but I found the best dogs for my boy to be around were at obedience. Before and after class, a group have a play but class time is working time.

This would be a safer and more controlled environment to 'expose' your dog to more dogs.

Even a good walk early in the morning is a good time to expose a dog to more dogs - there are loads of people who walk their dogs early. You can always ask if the dogs can say hello.

A decent recall is a must at dog parks - you need to be able to call them away from the gate (if someone is trying to get in - there is nothing worse than a dozen dogs bailing you up at the gate).

You also need to be able to call them away if there is a problem, like two dogs in a disagreement. You don't want your dog in the middle of something like that.

You also need to teach your dog what is and isn't acceptable at the park - bad behaviour, gets leashed and removed.. The game ends.

I also go to the dog park all the time but like I said before, I worked out the 'safest' time for us to go, with other dogs that got on well together.

You will work it out - watch your dog and watch the way other dogs respond to it.

If you notice a particularly good interaction, talk to the other owners and find out when they come to the park.

[Dave73]

My advise don't go. Only been once and my 6month old gsd was bailed up by 2 Dalmatians but what they and the owner who thought it was funny didn't realise was that her Ridgeback brother on the other side of the park with my wife was on his way in a full sprint to protect her lets just say the Dalmatians went flying and the owner didn't think it was so funny after that. Never ever gone to one since and that is now 6 years ago.

[aussielover]

Unlike most DOLers, we go to our local dog park all the time and we have no problems. As with most things in life, it's a matter of being responsible and showing a bit of judgment. We have been going every week for years with our resident three dogs and pretty much all of our foster dogs go there, too once they've had some training and are ready to be socialised with dogs outside our pack.

• Check out a few dog parks before you pick one - so you get an idea as to what the people and dogs are like
  
• Go during a quiet time, ideally pick a park that isn't crowded too crowded.
  
• For your first time, don't wander too far from the gate so you can leave quickly if you have to.
  
• Our rule is that if there are more a certain number of dogs in there, we leave. These days it's about 6 dogs - more if we already know the dogs and owners in question. If just starting out, you may want to tell yourself you'll leave if it's more than 2 strange dogs etc.
  
• Be vigilant - other people may not. I have seen people dump their dogs (and children!) in a dog park and go and talk on the phone/amongst themselves or even go outside the park, so we always keep a close eye on our dog and other people's dogs.
  
• Watch carefully for body language in your own dog and other people's dogs. Other breeds can be a bit funny towards Huskies sometimes - might be the upright tail. No idea. I know two of our dogs did not like squish-faced breeds when they first met them. Totally did NOT like the first boxer they met, but these days they are fine with all breeds and play with fluffies, pit bulls, poodles, pugs, boxers, staffys, JRTs and whatever breed happens to come in.
  
• You could consider keeping your dog on leash the first time. We do that when we first have a new dog - see how it reacts to newcomers etc.
  
• Make sure you have a means of calling your dog away. For instance, with our dog Elbie we know that the mere mention and sight of a tennis ball will summon him to us.
  

As long as you're sensible and vigilant, I don't see why there should be any more issue at a dog park than anywhere else. At least you can leave a dog park and an undesirable situation. I was walking Hoover once when an offlead GSD came hurtling across an oval towards us - we were on the other side of the road and nowhere near the dog at first. I couldn't run away because that would have made it worse, all I could do was pick Hoover (a very large Kelpie!) up and hope for the best. If I see a dog/owner I don't like at a dog park, I can leave and close the fence between us :p

ETA: I should add we do not use the dog park as an alternative to training. We do obedience with all of our dogs (fosters included), agility for two of our resident dogs and tricks training. They go for walks on-leash, have off-leash time at the local oval. They do enjoy the intense running they can do at the local dog park though so for us it's just another aspect to their enrichment.

Sorry off topic but which one do you go to? I've just moved to canberra and all the ones ive been to are small with no grass.

personally i prefer unfenced off leash areas- you usually dont get totally out of control dogs

[koalathebear]

Sorry off topic but which one do you go to? I've just moved to canberra and all the ones ive been to are small with no grass.

personally i prefer unfenced off leash areas- you usually dont get totally out of control dogs

Casey. We've tried most of the dog parks and like that one best if you go when it's not too crowded. Lots of photos below of different visits to the dog park :)

Casey Dog Park

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10150408046897152.413158.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151952843767152.1073741875.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152486110842152.1073741963.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152252605082152.1073741934.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152198592447152.1073741924.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152170323607152.1073741922.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152142238202152.1073741913.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152140225182152.1073741912.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10152123690402152.1073741909.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151820234687152.1073741842.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151418866197152.542862.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151360276527152.535111.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151328663617152.530872.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151318176302152.529443.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151308066967152.527941.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151297070882152.526471.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151274908137152.522827.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10150515772302152.429574.668522151&type=3

Forde Dog Park (not a huge fan because of the tan bark but it's ok :)

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151483023872152.546605.668522151&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/claradebear/media_set?set=a.10151339130387152.532303.668522151&type=3

Canberra is great for dogs - lots and lots of off-leash areas as well as dog parks and plenty of dog-friendly cafes.

[Things]

Yeah unfortunately I'm finding Townsville doesn't really have many options. The dog parks are basically just fenced off areas inside normal parks. Canberra is on the list of places I'd like to live. I've lived in Melbourne before (before I had a dog) and there were a few good parks, the people were nice and generally had control over their dogs, but it's a bit too big a city for me (though I lived in the outer suburbs which weren't too bad). Canberra is kind of a mix between the awesome cold climate, not as dense a city, and the outer suburbs would be a beautiful place to live. Although the bushfires are a bit of a worry - but we get cyclones here too occasionally, can't win

Edited July 19, 2014 by Things

[koalathebear]

Yeah unfortunately I'm finding Townsville doesn't really have many options. The dog parks are basically just fenced off areas inside normal parks. Canberra is on the list of places I'd like to live. I've lived in Melbourne before (before I had a dog) and there were a few good parks, the people were nice and generally had control over their dogs, but it's a bit too big a city for me (though I lived in the outer suburbs which weren't too bad). Canberra is kind of a mix between the awesome cold climate, not as dense a city, and the outer suburbs would be a beautiful place to live. Although the bushfires are a bit of a worry - but we get cyclones here too occasionally, can't win

Bushfires really aren't too bad ... I've never been evacuated although it does make you ponder what your escape plan would be. We have 1 Kelpie and 2 Kelpie/BCs (in the suburbs) so we have got our informal plan in place if we ever did have to evacuate.

Back to the dog park thing, it also depends on individual dogs and owners. Our dogs like all other dogs and tend to play with one another and ignore other dogs who aren't interested in playing with them (although they are more than happy to play with dogs who want to play with them) so we get alone just fine at the dog park. The dog park isn't good for reactive dogs, overly-friendly or overly-timid dogs - and the human equivalent in terms of their owners :laugh:

Edited July 19, 2014 by koalathebear

[Things]

I think I'll hold off for a bit and sus it out first - I have also ordered a harness as his lead on the collar is near enough giving him a bald spot from the rubbing! But harness also makes it a bit easier to grab him if I need to, instead of trying to find the collar in his fluff :)

[VizslaMomma]

Thanks for the reads, of course I'm not going to do something that is detrimental to my dog or anyone else's, either physically or mentally, but I do feel he could use more socialization with other dogs.

I'll probably end up doing an obedience course with him anyway, but dogs need non human friends too :)

Yes, I agree with this.

But ( as is with most things dog) it is not your dog that may make trouble. It is a dog belonging to a human who may not be as caring as you.

Try to consider finding humans whose conduct with dogs is something you respect. See if an intro can come that way.

I had a 'rolleye your eyes experiences' at a dog park a few weeks ago. I had the 8 month old Vizsla male on lead walking around the perimeter. A lady arrived with 2 small dogs AND one bigger dog.

All three made a beeline to us. The puppy sat on my instruction. ( Yay!!!!) The two yappers literally climbed over him. The bigger dog decided to growl. Appeared he did not think the yappers should be so close. Luckily, their owner called them & they went off.

Point was I did not want this interaction. I was pleased how the puppy behaved. I never want that again though.

Please be careful.

:)

[Agility Dogs]

There are any numbers of threads on this forum about bad experiences at dog parks. By all means give it a go, but remember to keep the safety of your dog and others uppermost in your mind. I am not just talking about physical safety; I also mean psychological well being. The moment your dog seems to be stressing or stressing others, call it off and leave without making a fuss, though.

Even going to the park when one else is there might be helpful in that there will be a million smells for your dog to investigate and hopefully enjoy.

This - 100%. You need to take responsibility for your dogs saftey.

[Mystiqview]

I have had more problems with desexed males than entire males. Of course there are some exceptions.

Go and check out the dog park without your dog. Don't forget you are taking your dog into a pack situation - with the same dogs every afternoon meeting and playing - they form their own "pack". If your dog plays differently to them, they may not like his play or he may not be comfortable with theirs.

Be wary of anyone with a ball, frisbee etc and those dogs can be very protective of their toy and will snap or snarl at a dog they think may be there to take it. (even my dogs who love to chase the dog chasing the ball - they are not interested in the ball. just the chase).

Also don't leave your dog on lead any longer than necessary. If your dog park has an "airlock" system IE - a little fenced bit just inside the main gate, I tend to take my lead off here before opening the internal gate, or loop the lead through the collar so it can slip through if the dog needs to get away.

Remember, when a new person arrives, a good section of the dogs already in the park will come up to check the new comer out. This can be very daunting for the new comer, and can cause tension - so allowing him a quick escape from the pack is good. Don't forget a dog will do two things, Flight or Fight.

Some people take their dogs to the dog park and any consideration for anyone else ends. They won't pick up after their dog, or intervene when their dog is being an ass or harassing another dog. Some people think there are no rules in an off leash area.

Your boy has blue eyes and a white dish around his face - this kind of face can make reading expressions harder for other dogs and even people. You know your dogs mannerisms and traits - so watch for them and intervene if necessary.

Personally I don't like dog parks as a general rule. Some parks area really good, and others go through periods of good and bad depending on the owners.

As another suggestion - would about joining a dog club up there (obedience, agility etc) and meeting up with other dog owners whose dogs you know (or get to know) somewhere quiet or out of the way? Can be much more controlled than the free for all of a dog park

[Mystiqview]

I think I'll hold off for a bit and sus it out first - I have also ordered a harness as his lead on the collar is near enough giving him a bald spot from the rubbing! But harness also makes it a bit easier to grab him if I need to, instead of trying to find the collar in his fluff :)

The only good thing a harness is for is strapping them into a vehicle or going sledding. Body harnesses allow the dog to put their full weight into the chest pad and pull.

Head halters are only a band-aid for pulling - you still need to teach your dog correct behaviour. Yes they will stop pulling, but unless you teach your dog to walk properly on a lead - you will always need them.

The Ezy-Dog collars which are Neoprene are good for furry dogs - have found they don't rub anywhere near as much as normal leather or even the Rogz brand. If I used a check chain, I tend to use snake ones. Remember though: Thinner the chain the more the bite and less you have pull to check them. (so lighter hand is needed) They also don't tug the fur anywhere as much as a normal check chain. Fur saver check chains are bulky, don't release as quickly, but also don't catch the fur as much.

One method for teaching polite walking is done firstly at home in a hallway no lead. I say this as it stops the temptation for you to jerk, pull or tug on the lead when you say "heel" or any other command you choose. Use heaps of treats in the first instance - treat every step at the side of your leg if needs be. you use the hallway wall to keep the dog close to you. Add a distraction or three. EG another person, favourite toy, a dropped piece of food....Once you have this, move outside.

Do the same as above outside up against a wall. Do it in the back yard where there are lesser distractions. Again once he is comfortable there. Add a few distractions. Once you have his attention here - move to the front yard and repeat. Once you have moved to the front yard, put a lead on him and move to the footpath. Tie the lead around your middle to reduce the temptation to pull on it when you start.

I am sure you can see what I am doing. I had a fully obedience trained husky years ago that I used to compete with. They do take more work to train for obedience and we used to do obedience demos back in the main oval of the Brisbane Ekka with the combined clubs. So it can be done. Off lead with HEAPS of distractions and she did not bolt away and remained at heel.

I live on acerage, so while she was around in the paddock, she used to have a 20m horse lunging rope connected to her collar that she dragged everywhere. It used to catch on things, snag on other things, and if she got too far away from me, I could step on it to stop her.

[sheena]

I live on acreage, so no need for dog parks fortunately. But they do get to go to the beach where I don't let them run up to other dogs & if I see another dog off lead, then my two go back on their leads. I don't let them run around with dogs that they don't know well at any time. I feel that they don't really need to "socialise" but need to be tolerant of other dogs around that are "on lead" as I can't stand it when others let their dogs run up to mine. But on the subject of dog parks.....I have seen the best idea ever at the very recent Agility Nationals. They had two exercise areas side by side, so you could choose to just let your own dogs run without being interfered with by other dogs, but they still got to interact with the other dogs running around & up & down the fence in the other enclosure. Pity more councils don't build these...all it would take is a little bit more fencing, so you could choose to have your dog separate & lock the others out.