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08-20-2008, 11:57 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 123
| Dog Park Etiquette So- yesterday I took Wall-E to the dog park for the very first time. He is 4.5 months old and he gets so excited when he sees other dogs in our neighborhood and always wants to play with them, so I figured now is a good time to socialize him and take him to the dog park. Well, I took him and as soon as I let him roam free in the small dog area, 7 different dogs (all small dogs) swarmed over to him and started sniffing him and wanted to know who the "new guy" was... well I think Wall-E was freaked out and terrified by all the dogs sniffing at him that he kept trying to jump on me and after a while, I made the mistake of picking him up (I didn't really know what else to do) and holding him for a bit. Well- this lady that was there asked me if I ever watched the Dog Whisperer Show and I said no (I don't have cable tv) and she said that its better not to "reward" fearful behavior by picking Wall-E up because he should be able to hold his own with other dogs... so then I felt really sheepish and kind of embarassed that I gave in and picked up Wall-E. So then I put him down and just let him fend for himself with the other dogs. The whole time at the park (like 45 minutes) he was cowering behind my legs... and everytime I moved away from him hoping he would play with the other dogs, he would follow me like my little shadow. So now I feel like its my fault that I coddled him too much as a puppy and now he doesn't know how to play with other dogs... is this normal? Will he grow out of this fearful behavior and eventually learn how to play? Anyone out there have similar dog park stories? Are there any tips on how to socialize him slowly so he's not traumatized by the dog park? Thanks for reading and sorry for the long story!!! |
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08-20-2008, 12:00 PM | #2 |
Missing Yoshi Everyday! Donating Member | aww don't feel bad...it is our natural instinct to do that....it was probably overwhelming to him to have all 7 come at him...maybe you should try again but this time 1 or 2....then slowly introduce him to more...hope that helps
__________________ Yoshi Mei Ling Ting Ting Ting Ki Sun Hye Yukio Kioshi |
08-20-2008, 12:20 PM | #3 |
I ♥ Scooter Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 533
| I found that taking Scooter to Doggie Day Care did wonders for his attitude at the local dog park. He used to be scared of the other dogs but now that he knows someone is watching and will protect him if the need arises, he is a happy camper. He will run and play but occasionally swings by to make sure all is well with me. Is there a good doggie day care near you that you can take your baby to? A few times with the daycare and he will be cured, I promise.....just make sure that at the daycare they move slow and gently introduce him to others, instead of throwing him in a room of puppies. Scooter believes he is the size of a lab, even though we all know he isn't.
__________________ Lauren and Scooter Texas YTers Club |
08-20-2008, 12:30 PM | #4 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ~*~YorkieWorld~*~
Posts: 8,428
| Aww honey the first time I took Phoebe out with more than two dogs she was freaking out, but know you should see her, she loves to be out just take time keep the good work |
08-20-2008, 12:37 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 3,154
| I had the same experience with Layla, and I've talked about it a few times here on YT We started going to the dog park last year when she was a year and a half old, and week after week she would cower and hide behind my legs. If another dog came up she would immediately lay down on the ground, sometimes rolling over until they left. I spoke with a trainer this spring and she suggested puppy classes. The puppies are all small and playful and very outgoing, so it would hopefully get Layla out of her shell. I signed her up for puppy classes at two and a half years old and the first day, she hit under a table, terrified. The second week she stayed by my side. She kept getting more and more brave until the last week she was actually running around with the puppies. I think it helped that they weren't constantly NEW dogs. It was the same group week after week and she learned how to greet dogs and play I think she has been enjoying the dog park more this year. She is soooooo excited when she sees another dog, her little back end won't stop wagging!
__________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash |
08-20-2008, 03:01 PM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 123
| Music to my ears! I'm sooo relieved to hear that you all have had similar experiences. Thanks for the responses! I feel ALOT better now. I have enrolled him in puppy obedience classes at Petco so I'm hoping that will add to his socialization experience. I just want him to be confident around other dogs, but I guess I'll keep taking him to the dog park and hope he'll get more and more comfortable around other dogs. |
08-20-2008, 03:06 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa
Posts: 12,552
| My guess is, that the reason he was acting fearful, is because your were not comfortable with the situation and he picked up on that. Maybe you should just start with smaller groups and let him get used to that, then try the dog park again. And make sure that you are giving of calm energy and not nervous energy. Perhaps walking through the park so he is not able to sit cowered behind your legs. |
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