Lucy's first time at the dog park!

[Ringo1]

Took Lucy to the dog park today; her very first time ever. There were some dogs in the 'small dog' park that I really did not consider to be small; however, everyone seemed very friendly.

When I held her ~ she was shaking a little and nervous.

I kind of walked away from everyone and put her down. She explored a little and got petted by a lot of people. She loved the attention.

She did not make any doggie friends though! She made no effort to approach another dog or join in play. If one wanted to sniff her but - she let them. That was it.

I tried walking her over to where I could see a couple of doxies and papillions (?) but she steered clear of the actual dogs.

My son came over to the outside of the fence with Ringo (he didn't get to come in) and after that, she just kept running over to where Ringo was. She wanted him and that's it.

I'm going to try again - just us. It was very crowded today.

There's another one in town that has 3 areas - small, medium, and large. We'll try that one evening.

And I should have brought a toy to throw!

[KazzyK810]

That's just like my ZoE! She loves people and likes getting petted on, but doesn't wanna have anything to do with other little dogs. My town is in the process of building a dogpark. We're looking forward to it being done so we can take her there & see if she'll get a little more dog friendly.

I think Lucy did well for her first time! I'd just keep taking her and build her confidence and maybe one time she'll trying playing with one of the dogs she'll let sniff her.

[DCotaC]

Aww,,, she wanted her brother... If u keep taking her, she will start playing with the other dogs, Im sure. I love how ur park is seperated... That has to feel safe for you as her mom.

I took Diamond to our dog park,,, it didnt go too well... Its all one area for all dogs... And its off leash... There were 3 Boxers and a German Shepard... I was very nervous... I kept her by herself and on leash... I wont be taking her back... I wish we had one for small dogs... The groomer I take her to only does small dogs... I think they only do small dogs, unless they do larger on different days... Anyway they dont crate the dogs... They let them run around and play... Ive only taken her once and she seemed to love it, from what I saw when I dropped her off... I thought I would take her there for half day doggy day care so she could play with other dogs since she was alone and I didnt like that... But since then, we have rescued our lil Chestnut... They are now the best of friends... A park would still be nice to take them to.

[Ringo1]

So I took Lucy again and she was again terrified. She was shaking and just kept running to the perimeter of the park - trying to avoid all dogs. Again, she could see Ringo.

There were too many bigger dogs in the small dog area and when the last big dog came in; we went out.

She let other dogs sniff her but basically cowered to the ground. Another lady there told me to bring her earlier in the evening when it is not so crowded.

I'm not sure if I will continue taking her; she just seems so very frightened.

I might try ONE more time during a different time of day when it is not so crowded. Honestly, I'm not sure dog parks are all they are cracked up to be. She has Ringo to play with and that seems to be all she needs or wants.

I think the idea of your doggie daycare sounds like a good one!

[Britster]

Awwww, sorry little Lucy did not have the greatest time.

You probably know that I love our dog park. We actually have not been going as often as we used to, as in the hot weather, Jackson tends to just lay around outside anyways so it always seems pointless to go.

But all the dogs at the two parks we frequent always have a really good time. I have seen a few first-timers who come in and are terrified. There was a Chi who did not enjoy it at all and kept wanting to be picked up but after about an hour there, she calmed down and went and sniffed around.

That's annoying when the dogs are too big to be on the small side! I have no problem with old senior mellow dogs over there but sometimes people bring in rambunctious large breed puppies and that's not cool.

Some dogs are just not meant to be dog park dogs. I would try to find a meet-up for small breeds, I have seen a few of those around here, so there are certain days when a dog park is full of a small dog meet up group. They also have specific breed meetups -- there is a Westie one at our dog park and I've never seen so many white dogs in one place!

Here is how Jackson generally spends his days at the dog park:

YouTube - ‪Dog Park...

[Ringo1]

I was hoping you'd respond Brit since I know you are a pro at these. I can't watch your video yet because I'm at work.

I think I'm going to try her one more time on Saturday afternoon - minus Ringo. We end up only staying for 15 minutes or so because she spots Ringo on across the fence and then she just wants to go to him.

If it's not too crowded on Saturday - we'll give it one more shot. I do think she would like it a lot better with small dogs. Maybe I'll try and find a yorkie meet-up; not sure how to do that though.

She's just scared though; she wants to turn around and head home the minute she sees where we are walking!

There was a cute little Westie there too! Only four months old. I tried to get her to play with him but he was VERY BUSY playing with everyone!

I guess maybe it is scary when you are only 5 lbs and everyone is so much bigger than you.

Can't wait to see Jackson in action when I get home!!!

[AllDogBoots]

How old is Lucy? When Cooper was about 1 1/2 I took him to visit my parents in Florida and to a dog park for the first time. I was scared, as was he. He would cower in the corner and not let any dogs go near him. We actually tried the park every other day for a week and it never got better.

A few months back I discovered a new dog park about 1/2 hour from where I live. I was scared to take him for fear another dog would hurt my little teapot (& am sure Coop sensed it). We were the only ones at the dog park for the first hour. He had a wonderful time playing with his ball by himself. Slowly, other dogs started coming into the small dog area and Cooper ran to the fence to greet them! I was so pleased by his behavior.

I really think that going when it's not crowded is really going to help. When we were in Florida, there must have been 15 dogs there when we arrived. Cooper was scared to death to enter that area, as was I. I'd try it again when you think it'll be less crowded, or perhaps there's another dog park in the area?

[Ringo1]

Lucy is almost two, Karen. I think you are right about finding the right time when it's not crowded.

We went to two separate parks, one on Sunday and one Tuesday evening and both were jam packed with a variety of size dogs. She seemed better at the one on Sunday because the big dog park is not right next to it. Tuesday evening, she could see the big dogs all running on the other side of the fence and that scared her as well.

I'm sure she could tell I was a little nervous - but all the dogs seemed friendly so I wasn't really terrified.

But I would looove to find a time when there were only 1-2 other dogs there. I'm thinking Saturday before 11:00 - might be another time to try.

Thanks for your encouragement!

[AllDogBoots]

I'm lucky enough that I am able to take my boys on the morning of a weekday. There's rarely anyone there. I think you should keep trying a little bit more. I think Lucy will become comfortable with time.

Our big dog area is attached by chain link fence to the little dog area. Both my boys walk right up to the fence and try to great the giants. One time a huge German Shepherd barked at my boys and they zoomed away at the speed of light. Max has races with the big dogs along the fence. Oh, and I've taken Max on 3 separate occasions. He's getting a little less nervous each time, however he still plays fainting goat when a dog is chasing him.

If you go during a quieter time, Lucy can get comfortable in the area exploring on her own.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I was hoping you'd respond Brit since I know you are a pro at these. I can't watch your video yet because I'm at work.

I think I'm going to try her one more time on Saturday afternoon - minus Ringo. We end up only staying for 15 minutes or so because she spots Ringo on across the fence and then she just wants to go to him.

If it's not too crowded on Saturday - we'll give it one more shot. I do think she would like it a lot better with small dogs. Maybe I'll try and find a yorkie meet-up; not sure how to do that though.

She's just scared though; she wants to turn around and head home the minute she sees where we are walking!

There was a cute little Westie there too! Only four months old. I tried to get her to play with him but he was VERY BUSY playing with everyone!

I guess maybe it is scary when you are only 5 lbs and everyone is so much bigger than you.

Can't wait to see Jackson in action when I get home!!!

I agree - I think I would try it at a time when it's less crowded.

Actually the very first time I took Jackson to a dog park was for a mini YT meet up we had (it was Bo/Mom to Hot Rod, Lauren/Banditsocks2 and a few others). He just took right to it, lol. He was around... 6 months old? I think. Wow, crazy to think that was that long ago! But he just walked right in and immediately found a dog to play with. But he's always been like that. He's really in his element around other dogs. He has slowed down a bit actually, now that he's almost 3, he definitely not does run as much as he used to (but still enjoys to). But maybe the fact that he's been going since he was so young made an impact? I'm not sure what he would be like if I had just started taking him, at 2 1/2. I think it would definitely take more time.

YouTube - ‪Let's Get Movin' Into Action,...

^this was another older video I complied, hehe... I think some of the clips were from his first visit... I think...

There have been a few Saturdays when I went in the past where it was just WAY too many dogs. Like honestly probably about 30-40 this one day I went and it was just... too much. Even for Jackson!

[Ringo1]

Well, Brit, I sure wish Lucy were having as much fun at the park as Jackson in those videos! (She actually did but only after everyone left and Ringo came in).

Our third try was yesterday - gray, overcast, and not crowded. Maybe 5 dogs were there. Two little kids there too - who wouldn't leave her alone.

When the dogs came over to sniff her, she just cowered down (my poor baby) and she growled a little at one larger dog. I walked to the other end of the park and called her but she just walked the perimeter, wouldn't pay attention to me at all. I felt like the two kids were kind of cornering her ~ so I went and got her and took her to the other end of the park. She did not play with any other dogs and I could tell she was scared.

Finally, everone left and my son came in with Ringo (they had gone for a walk). She was so happy! She danced and pranced and ran all around the park. She does NOT like having her pack split up. She was happy once they got there and everyone else was gone.

I haven't decided about a fourth try. She is so little and she seems so scared; I don't think she enjoys it at all ~ much as I want her to. I admit I was stressed out; I let my son drive (whole nuther story) and I think Ringo definitely needs to stay home. But it's hard to take one and not the other!

[kdhawks]

Aww, poor Lucy! Sounds like she really loves her Ringo!

Little kids (12 and under) aren't allowed in our dog parks here, which I think is an awesome rule. I get really frustrated when people bring their kids into the dog park, because like you experienced with Lucy, they can't just leave the dogs alone to play.

Did she seem to have any more fun today than previous attempts? Any less nervous at all?

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by kdhawks

Aww, poor Lucy! Sounds like she really loves her Ringo!

Little kids (12 and under) aren't allowed in our dog parks here, which I think is an awesome rule. I get really frustrated when people bring their kids into the dog park, because like you experienced with Lucy, they can't just leave the dogs alone to play.

Did she seem to have any more fun today than previous attempts? Any less nervous at all?

KD, she didn't have any more fun. She just wanted me to pick her up or hang by the gate for a possible escape.

I haven't decided to try a fourth time or not. She isn't having any fun. I think if all the dogs were more her size - she would like it .

Maybe 5 lbs is just too little - though she is used to playing with Ringo and he's at least 15 lbs.

IF we try a last time - I will have to leave Ringo home. He can't come in and if Lucy spots him on the outside of the fence - then that's all she cares about.

I would just love to have a dog park dog!

[CruiserCody]

We started taking Cody to the Dog Park this year and he loves it --- I should qualify that he loves it when there aren't too many dogs. Cody is 1-1/2 and plays like a puppy. Where there are a few dogs he does just great. But when it gets crowded (like 20 dogs in a small dog area), he is overwhelmed and will sometimes jump in our lap to get away from the others. So like other have posted, we try to take him at time when we think there will be a few dogs.

I think its been great to socialize Cody and he loves to run with the others.

[Ringo1]

Well, I did take Lucy a fourth time; this time was just she and I. There were only about 4 dogs there. She ventured out a little more - but mainly she sat in the middle of the park and watched the dogs run around her. She got a little snarly when several of them were around her at once.

One little Jack Russel was so sweet; she just laid down close to Lucy for a long time; patiently waiting for Lucy to get up and play - but she never did! They both just laid there in the grass for a while.

Lucy did actually sniff some butts before we left - which the others told me was a good sign.

NOW - for the bad part. When we were walking out - I was carrying her - and a loose big dog came running right for us. I quickly leaned over and dropped her (gently) back into the little dog park for her safety because the big dog could have easily reached her in my arms. I was so mad at that owner! As soon as she got control of her dog - I ran back into the little dog area and got her.

THEN - Ringo was really mean to her when we got home. I guess he was jealous that she got to go somewhere and he didn't? He pounced on her when we walked in the door. He didn't hurt her but he did scare her and I felt so bad for her! First, she was scared at the park; then Ringo scared her again when we got home.

So, back to the drawing board. Next time, I will have to take Ringo for a walk FIRST, before I take Lucy on an outing without him.

I'm really struggling with what is the right thing for HER. Yes, I want her to go to the dog park, but is she really cut out for it?

Just thinking out loud. I'm jealous of all you guys that have such fun there!