Dog Park

[Caitlin888]

Hi, I take my cavalier x poodle for a walk every single day to ensure he gets the right amount of exercise. However I recently read that it is important to also take dogs to the park for socialisation skills. Our puppy is nearly 1 and up until now had never been to the dog park. Last week I decided to take him for the first time, there were only a few dogs and nothing too big, he had a great time. I took him a few more times the following week and it also seemed to go really well. Fudge is very timid and actually never approaches any dogs at the park he just walks around with us and when they come up to him he will say sniff and all but isnt overly too interested. Up until now all the dogs have been really gentle however I took him up yestereday and for the first time a big dog came up jumpying around intimidating him for the first time ever Fudge snapped at this dog and became really aggressive. I totally understand he was probably feeling quite threatened since he his particularly small but I have never seen him react this way to any human or dog. Would you recommend I dont go back to the park again and stick to walking as I dont want him to get into any habits of snapping at other bigger dogs.

Thanks,
Caitlin

[Jumabaar]

The sniffing was probably a sign of stress. And you have already picked up that he became aggressive because he was scared- well done.

 

Some dogs dont like dog parks- just like some humans dont like noisy concerts or busy shopping centres. That is perfectly ok. 

 

I dont think dogs need to go to dog parks, particularly if they dont enjoy them!! My dogs don't really enjoy the company of strange dogs so we may go to areas where dogs are allowed off leash, but have enough space to avoid other dogs. As soon as other dogs approach then its time for us to leave. Listen to what your pup is telling you and skip the dog park. 

[corvus]

Best not take him back to the dog park unless you can find a time where you know the dogs that will come and know Fudge gets on well with them. Dog parks teach dogs like this to get quite defensive with other dogs. Every time another dog frightens him, he will learn to be more wary around them and rely more on snapping first and asking questions later.

[RuralPug]

I agree with the other posters - your boy is not going to enjoy random dog parks. If there are off leash areas where there is heaps of room to avoid other dogs, then use those. Or visit like minded friends with a large yard where your boy and their dog can safely run free, together or ignoring each other as they wish.
But most days I would stick to your on leash walks.
 

[karen15]

My council has an increasing number of small dog parks so smaller dogs and puppies can gave fun without being threatened by big dogs. I think knee height is max size. The staffies tend to go to big dog park as they can hold their own, plus mine always preferred big dogs. Now I've got a westie, ie small white fluffy that generally equals dog bait, I'm so thankful we can go to baby park. Some of the dogs I see in the big dog park, well, I wouldn't have taken my staffy there if they were there. A great Dane attacked the bin man one day.....

 

my cocker doesn't really play. She prefers to run around park and sniff. If she does play, I warn other owners that she sounds awful - she growls and carries on. It's how she plays, she came that way unfortunately. She so rarely engages in play that there is no opportunity to train her not to vocalise. All other owners have been happy with her, if they were worried we'd leave.

 

 

if you want to go to park, I have always found early to be least populated. My experience is the same people go at the same times, so if you can find a nice group park can be fun. It's important that your dog has a nice time. I've always found other owners to be considerate if someone says their dog needs space.

[Loving my Oldies]

Keep going to the park, just pick your times.  If just a few little dogs, all good; if bigger there avoid and if bigger come in when you are there, leave.  It shouldn’t be like that, of course, but we have to be realistic.  

 

I very rarely go to dog parks because of unhappy experiences, but when I do, my dogs just love sniffing around.  They don’t play with other dogs as they are elderly now and have always lived in a multi dog household.  

 

Good luck.   

[Dogsfevr]

You certainly don’t have to take your dog to the dog park and your dog won’t suffer if you don’t.

 

mine have never been near one and never will ,happy social dogs .

[Daisys Mum]

I used to take my 2 dogs to the dog park regularly but decided that we would stick to walking around the neighbourhood.... they seem to be a lot calmer and happier. It’s not the dogs that are the problem it’s the stupid owners who allow their dogs to play unsupervised while they are busy chatting , or have their noses in their phone.