Permanent Sydney Dol Meet

[juice]

perhaps we'll give it a miss then as i get p#@* ed off with people who take dogs to offlead parks that aren't friendly and then get cross with other dogs having fun, try recalling 10-20 dogs all having fun away from one grump. no thanks

[MonElite]

if my dog was friendly and I was in an off lead park and 10-20 dogs rushed to me and my dog, with no recall Id get just as p*ssed off.

a reliable recall should be prerequisite for any dog and owner to enter an off lead area. Its unfortunate that it isnt.

[juice]

and i think dogs that aren't "reliable" towards other dogs in an offlead situation, shouldn't be there . the idea of the dol meet is for us all to get to know each other and socialize our dogs, perhaps you could add to the title only dogs with relaible recall are allowed to attend :

[MonElite]

no matter how friendly the dog is its not fair on any dog to have 10 dogs rushing onto it.

Reliable recall can save your dogs life, why wouldnt you put extra effort into achieving it?

How does anyone know that their dog will get on with any other dog??? Why would you put your dog at risk letting it torun up to any strange dog?

perhaps the OP should change the title to - only extra friendly and accepting dogs invited.

[Alison1474]

Ummmm Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone here but if a 100% recall is required then I'm sorry i can't go.

Belle is going well but she is only a puppy and hasn't got a fantastic recall.

Sorry to anyone that she may have run up to and upset last time.

How does anyone know that their dog will get on with any other dog??? Why would you put your dog at risk letting it torun up to any strange dog?

Myszka I took Belle down there and was confident with her around the other dogs because I knew they were all dog friendly. I wouldn't put her in that situation if there not.

Edited June 6, 2006 by Alison1474

[hlk70g]

I gotta say, my reaction to the 100% recall prerequisite to attend the next meet made me think I shouldn't go.

My pups are pups, they train hard and they do well - BUT I can't say that when they are off playing with 10 other pups on the other side of the field and I call them, that they would drop the game and come running!

Can anyone really say their dog has 100% recall?

I've never met one yet.....

If this is going to turn into a bitch fight and people are going to make rules for attending, then I won't be coming any more.

I take my dogs to places where they can relax and have fun, they get a chance to run free and play like the puppies they are and I know my dogs have absolutely NO agression towards any other dog or human. I know and trust them 100%.

I feel that if someone has a dog that is not well socialised and could turn on another dog or human, then an off lead park is not the place for them to be until they get over it.

Ok, I've had my say...off to cuddle my pups now....

[MonElite]

have fun guys, its best if I dont come.

Those that attend lure coursing - Ill see you there.

[Flames_Daddy]

I would have been upset if Belle hadn't run up to me... that little ball of muscly snugliness!

Sorry to anyone that she may have run up to and upset last time.

[MonElite]

I feel that if someone has a dog that is not well socialised and could turn on another dog or human, then an off lead park is not the place for them to be until they get over it.

in my case it is an over socialised dog, that was picked on by "friendly" dogs when he was a puppy, the raugh play when he was young has certainly left a dark mark on him and he developed a fear agression, without me even knowing. For him to get over it at 6.5 yo its a bit of hard work and IMO unrealistic, considering that even people with some dog knowledge consider that the best place for him to be is being locked up and not having a right to fun free.

Lucky he has a nice owner that can provide him with some social life that he is happy with.

Also lucky that some doggy friends are willing too cooperate, with some understanding and instruction it can be done as shown here

and here

[kamuzz]

I gotta say, my reaction to the 100% recall prerequisite to attend the next meet made me think I shouldn't go.

My pups are pups, they train hard and they do well - BUT I can't say that when they are off playing with 10 other pups on the other side of the field and I call them, that they would drop the game and come running!

Can anyone really say their dog has 100% recall?

I've never met one yet.....

If this is going to turn into a bitch fight and people are going to make rules for attending, then I won't be coming any more.

I take my dogs to places where they can relax and have fun, they get a chance to run free and play like the puppies they are and I know my dogs have absolutely NO agression towards any other dog or human. I know and trust them 100%.

I feel that if someone has a dog that is not well socialised and could turn on another dog or human, then an off lead park is not the place for them to be until they get over it.

Ok, I've had my say...off to cuddle my pups now....

Agree 100% with you. So far Coda's recall has been fine - but I've only had him a couple of months. If he's having a lovely time with doggy pals I'm sure he'd think twice before coming when called....

[wagsalot]

Just adding, even if all the DOLers did have great recalls with their dogs, who says the other dogs in the park are going to??

[Flames_Daddy]

Apart from spending time with DOL people, the main reason I like the Rouse Hill meets is because Flame has a unique opportunity to socialise with a variety of Dogs. It lets her hone her social skills and it then becomes "no big deal" if we're out on walks and she spots another dog. I really enjoy meeting other dogs and learning about them.

[reddog21]

Myszka, I would still come along for the day. I've not seen any dog get overly agressive at these outings. I live close by and get to use this area each week. If you think your dog may have a problem just keep him on a leash. Most of the dogs gather in a pack and hoon around the oval so I don't think you will have a problem of being singled out as they are too busy with the pack.

[FreyaJade]

myszka if you are that concerned, then you could stay on the other side of the fence & we could all introduce our dogs one by one to Rex & when you feel comfortable that he is happy, then he could be let off lead.

It's just going ot be very hard for everyone to recall their dogs at the same time. Also I found that my girl was nervous meeting the other dogs UNTIL i let her off lead, so maybe Rex is the same but reacts with aggresion rather than nervousness.

I think the whole point of an off lead dog meet is so that friendly dogs can meet & playwith no hassles of them fighting & without one owner telling everyone else abide by certain rules.

I remember you took Rex to that protest in Parramatta Park & even though everyone's dogs were on lead, there were ALOT of dogs there & Rex seemed fine.

[Jefe's owners]

Well, I think going to an off leash area with or without 100% recall is a managed risk, although a very high risk, and I see it as a must if you want to do off leash work. I'll explain why.

Think of this: time > distance > distraction

I see off leash areas as AMD (Area of Massive Distraction)

We've been working on Jefe's recall. and I can centainly say that at home he's 100 reliable to come. Specially when very high in drive. I have starting to add distraction by introducing another dog, Jefe's play buddy Toqui (my brother's staffy that you all met)(yes, the black 'run like a rocket' staffy that all dogs were chasing). . And Jefe's recall is still reliable at home and my brother's place.

Now, that is all well and good, but the way I see it is not enough distraction. So you still need to expose the dog to the world. The way I see it, if you never work with the dog on its recall, on a big area, where there are other dogs around, you will never achieve that 100% recall. So you start by taking small steps, say, off leash areas really early in the morning, when there's no or just a few dogs around... and so on...

So far, when working with jefe on off leash areas (maximum 5 other dogs), the dog is always looking at us before approaching to another dog, before play, looking for approval, as at that stage we are still in control, and at that moment I could call him and he'll come. I still don't think he would come if he was running like hell with other 20 dogs. But we will get there.

Another risk has already been mentioned. You could have the best neutralised dog in the world, but someone else hasn't, and then your dog gets into a fight.

As the dog owner and trainer, it is your choice and responsability whether you take the dog to and off leash area. My trainer does not recommend it, yet I think is a process you both, the dog and you, must endure.

Jefe is a very relaxed, sociable and non aggressive dog. He's not affraid or people or other dogs. He will ignore most dogs, except Toqui , and will not start a fight. Yet I'm not saying that could not happen. and there is where dog insurance kicks in.

Having said all that, we'll try to be there on the next DOL meet. :p

Disclaimer: Jefe will not have a go to any dog, other than small-white-fluffy-barking-rabbit-looking-critters-dogs that don't go into submission immediately. If that is your dog, then I make no promises, nor garanties on my dog's behaviour.

[juice]

perhaps we could have 2 meets, sat for those with perfect recall and sundays for those who's dogs just wanna have fun ( which i thought was the idea)

[MonElite]

All I have asked for was - please keep your dogs away from mine unless I agree for your dog to meet mine.

I got an impression that for some its too hard to do that, and suddenly I was the guilty one.

If I say there is a danger here keep an eye on your dog its the same as if I said - there is a cliff over here, watch your dog so it doesnt fall.

I keep my dog under control/away from others on purpose and would never consider arriving at a leash free park, uncliping the lead and letting my dog to join a free running pack of 20 dogs. My dog can not hoon around in a unknown pack of 20 dogs, especially if he knows one or two of them and there is a ball throw. It just creates posessiveness and jelousy issues, hence I wouldnt let my dog get himself in that state of mind.

In return if my dog is running free with another, I ask someone not to let their dog join that pack.

My dog will recall from a play so that I can put it back on lead, I just dont want a unknown dog to run and join mine, wheather on lead or off. Is it too much? If that is too much to ask than I cant come, I dont want to put mine or anyone elses dog in a difficult situation.

[juice]

i think the problem is that everyone elses dogs are friendly and will all play together, and your attitude is that we all have to keep our dogs away from yours or else.

perhaps at a smaller meet this is possible, and with people who are willing to abide by your demands.

if you can keep him at the far end, fine our dogs will stay away, but don't go off if the odd one comes over for a nose.

i don't understand what you want to achieve in bringing him to something he is obviosly not suited too? this is not a training session for your dog, at the expense of our dogs fun.

[Stormy]

I equate off leash dog parks to childrens' playgrounds. I wouldn't expect to take my kids to the park and then have them sit next to me and not go and play. Just like when I go to an off leash park, it's so my dogs can have down time and behave like dogs having fun - off lead.

I would not let my dogs off lead if I thought that they were a risk to the other dogs (just like I wouldn't let my children hurt other children playing in the park). I would expect the same from other parents and dog owners.

It's called parental (yes, for dogs and children) responsibility.

Simple.

Oh, and my whippets do not have 100% recall , it just depends on how much fun they are having

[MonElite]

Every outing for any dog is a training session - it could be a training session to weaken that recall.....

if you can keep him at the far end, fine our dogs will stay away, but don't go off if the odd one comes over for a nose.

No dog should go for a nose up to anything/anyone without owners aproval. That is IMHO a definition of a responsible ownership. The reality is that hardly any dog can do that - mine included, although I strive to achieve that.

Now Im confused as some say come and some say dont, I dont want to cramp anyones style.