Hey I've gotten some really helpful advice and information from everyone here before so I'm hoping there are people on here who can help me with this question. Koda is a little over 6 months old is a crazy spaz, but is very good around everyone except other dogs. Occasionally she will get excited and jump and mouth when she meets new people but it doesnt happen every time. The major problem occurs when she sees other dogs even ones she's met before. She doesnt have an aggressive bone in her body and won't growl bark or act in a aggressive manner. However, she jumps repeatedly at other dogs faces with her paws and does this until the other dog gets bored/irritated and goes out of her leash reach. She doesnt nor has she ever bowed and or stayed on all four while meeting and playing with other dogs. The trainer and some people I have spoken to said eventually another dog will "put her in her place" and she will get the message. They recommended taking her to a dog park and seeing if it happens. My problem is I don't know if I want to see another dog acting aggressively towards Koda. We've never been to a dog park before so I don't know the other types of dogs or how quickly I would be able to interfere if a bad situation arose. So all in all should I follow their advice (I'm already hesitant which makes me think I shouldn't, just want conformation or people to tell me that is the way to do it). Or does anyone have any other way to accomplish the same thing in a better fashion. Thanks!
Your instincts are 100% correct - don't follow the advice to go to a dog park to invite a confrontation. It could end badly for Koda, and it could teach her that other dogs are scary. Also, it is not fair on the other dog who is expected to do the 'teaching'. I'm sure you already suspect those things and that's why you don't feel comfortable with this idea Instead, the thing to do is to train Koda how to be calm around other dogs. I'm just running out the door so don't have time to elaborate just now but no doubt others will Just wanted to reassure you that you are right to be hesitant! And there are definately other, much better, options.
Oh gosh, no definitely don’t do that! That sounds absolutely dreadful and would be quite cruel to her. It’s also not the job of stranger’s dogs to be putting yours “in her place”. She’s just being a typical crazy teen, the next 6 months are probably going to show all kinds of unwanted boisterous behaviour. The general advice is not to allow dogs to meet on lead so I would avoid that. She needs to learn how to be calm around other dogs, a popular technique is called LAT (Look At That). I’ve got my own dog-crazy hooligan teenager who I’m working on getting calmer around dogs so I can sympathise!
Thanks for the reassurance, I knew it didn't sound right but was caught off guard because I had multiple different people tell me the same thing. Silver Falcon- I hadn't realized that they aren't suppose to meet on leash, that'll solve the problem right there. We have eyes/focus we use on walks but not look at that. I might have to start working on that so I have another tool in the tool bag. Just out of curiosity what techniques are you using to promote calm behavior around other dogs?
My puppy is 10 months. On lead, she doesn’t interact with other dogs and I have trained using L.A.T or luring her past. We don’t go to dog parks. However, when we go to training which is held in a Village hall, there are loads of dogs and she does the lunging with her front paws. She gets really excited and wants to say hello to them all . She is very very friendly. I find it hard work but I get her to sit (not an easy matter ) and treat her for sitting quietly. I guess it is just going to take time. I do find it exhausting and I don’t encourage her but equally I want her to be able to say hello to other dogs in a calm way. Your instincts are spot on - Koda does not need to be ‘put in her place’.
I know you mentioned having a trainer, is Koda currently in a group training course? That would help her to learn to focus around distractions, although I would be inclined to find a different course than one run by that trainer. Whenever possible I cross the street when I see a dog coming our way, as my dog is not in a place where he can handle passing a dog so closely so it's best for him not to be put in that situation. I also take him out at less busy times of the day so he isn't overloaded with stimulus while we work on him walking nicely. In terms of LAT, you could take her to a dog park but stay on the outside at a distance where she isn't over threshold and can listen to you. That way you can practice some training with her in the presence of distractions but at a comfortable distance.
I would be looking for a new trainer. Getting "put in her place" could result in her getting injured, severely. Sometimes I think some of this has to do with Zen or something like that. When we meet what I consider to be a challenge of some sort I start thinking: "Murphy is going to handle this just fine" "He needs me to be positive, not worried" "Relax, don't start tensing up, he can sense that" "By gosh, we can do this!" OMG!!! It is a squirrel!!!! OH nooooooo!!!!! Seriously, I believe trusting and having faith in the outcome really helps them determine how to react. Oh, and one other thing I have learned over the years. Even when it does not go as planned, look back at what went right instead of focusing on what went wrong.
A question...when is it ok for your puppy (my girl is 6months) to go an interact with other dogs? Is it when they can sit calmly before you release them to play? Any ideas?
Mine interacted from 9 weeks. My friends had dogs who I knew were friendly and patient so we went and met those. Since he's been out for walks I let him play with other dogs if they're happy to play. He went to daycare at 15 weeks too. I do think they take their cue from each other. Stanley plays much more roughly with Basil (because they're both bonkers) than Oscar who he just plays bitey face with. Do you have any friends with dogs who would be happy to let her play?
I take my Jet who is also over exuberant when it comes to playing with dogs and people to a dog park and have never had any problems. The great thing about the dog park is that it is a fully enclosed space where you can safely practice your recall and other training and most of the other dogs there are full of energy and don't mind playing with an annoying 5 month old puppy. The only time Jet has been "put in her place" was when she was playing with my sister in laws elderly (now deceased) male dog who would turn around and growl at her when he got sick of her jumping up and biting him on the rump to get his attention and play. I'm sure that is what people mean when they talk about puppies being "put in their place". It has nothing at all to do with aggression although it might sound aggressive. One thing I've noticed over the years of walking Jet's predecessor is that dogs tend to behave much better when they are off the lead. If you do decide to go to a dog park I would suggest going with another adult so you feel you have some back up, taking lots of your tastiest treats and maybe a squeaky toy to get Koda's attention. This is just my two cents worth - I'm sure there are many other people on this forum more qualified than me to comment! All the best.
Hi I've never been to a dog park either so cant offer anything there. However when Bailey was 9 weeks old we introduced him to three dogs - my best friends two small dogs (who were the same size as him) and my sisters dog that is 10 weeks older than Bailey (quite a size difference). All three dogs are still his best friends - Willow and Penelope my friends girls are a Bichon Frise mix (Penelope) and a terrier Bichon mix (Willow) so are now a lot smaller than Bailey (Penelope quite often stands under Bailey!) and Riley my sisters boy is about the same size now, although Riley is wider and more solid than Bailey. With the two smaller dogs Bailey is a lot more gentle than with Riley, when Bailey and Riley get together we make sure the first hour is outside as they are complete hooligans together - they have the best time ever but do need space so they can run it off! On one of our walking routes there are two other dogs that he is great friends with and has a great time - Hunter and Poppy - Hunter is a French Bulldog and about 6 months younger than Bailey and Poppy is a collie - again Bailey plays with them both differently. In fact Hunter got attacked by another dog a few months ago and was so nervous of coming outside, then he saw Bailey going past his house and went nuts (his mum's description) until she brought him out so he could play with Bailey again (although Hunter was constantly looking around and if he saw another dog at a distance he hid behind Bailey). We have worked with Hunters mum and now Hunter is the confident little dog he always was (Bailey was very protective of Hunter while he was nervous). Luckily little Hunter wasn't physically too hurt and with his confidence back he is again enjoying his hoolies with Bailey and Poppy!
Dog parks aren’t for all dogs, especially frightened dogs. My boy went to a dog park from 8 weeks. All the dogs were friendly and it was just wonderful for him - and me, cos it took the pressure off me to be his constant playmate. I did make a big mistake though: I didn’t practice recall or take treats with me. I was clueless. It took several years to get his recall on cue due to letting him run riot in the park without including fun recall training. He learned a huge amount in behaving well with other dogs, a lot of respect for older and smaller dogs. He also went to doggy daycare once a week where he learned good manners with older dogs. Never from a bad experience - never “attacked” - but he had an old dog growl at him for being too boisterous. But mostly older dogs ignored his advances, so he learned it meant boring, leave me alone. If you’re concerned about the dog park, first go without your dog to check it out and see what dogs go there. Are they friendly? Trained? Nice people? And then when you go, be prepared to leave after a few minutes if things get too much for your dog. Also be careful your dog doesn’t run and play to exhaustion, or gets jumped on by heavy dogs - take her out before she hurts herself or gets overheated. One last tip: Snowie had to sit and make eye contact with me before being let off the lead at the park, otherwise it would’ve been chaotic with all the excitement. I must confess I never managed to stop him dragging me to the gate though!
Dog parks are tricky. Some people do it because they want their pup to learn proper socialization. Terrible idea IMO. If you believe it's the the place for your dog to learn to be calm I think you'll be disappointed. Most parks we've been to are play fighting arenas which will, again my opinion here, promote aggression. My lab was attacked at 9-10 weeks, not once but twice, so now when we visit a park he seems to sense when things are getting out of control and will come over by me away from the fracas. That's a blessing. The imprint has stayed with him and presume it always will. Some dogs however will turn that experience into aggressive behavior which may not ever be correctable. If you decide to do it be vigilant and if trouble arises speak up and then get out. Good luck.
Dog parks are really common in the US and lots of people use them. I think there is some merit in having a dog tell another dog, what is not acceptable behavior. I don't mean a fight, but a quick growl or snap will convey a lot. I don't think they will learn all of the proper canine behavior from us. Some dogs like to play, some like to chase, and some want to be left alone. I think reading the signs is an important part of socialization for a dog. For us it mostly happens with our own dogs since we have two, or with other friends dogs that we know well. When we are at a dog park, Cooper will play with other dogs, and will let them know if she does not like their behavior. Other dogs will do the same to Cooper, although she is seldom if ever the recipient because she knows the rules. Tilly mostly goes around and just checks things out, though she will chase a ball or Frisbee, as long as Cooper is not too close. She is getting old, and other dogs seem to respect that. The gun dog kennel we use lets a big group of the dogs out twice a day to run, swim and play if they are inclined. As long as the dogs behave well with others they get to go. Gun dogs are bred to get along with other dogs and other people. It is part of what they have to do to be good in the field.
