Im fortunate enough not to work weekends. So with the dark nights, at the weekend for Dexter's walks we try to go out somewhere for him to be off lead and explore. Today I decided to meet with my sister and go to the park near to where she lives to take Dexter to the dog section. Somewhere new for him and hopefully to meet other dogs. We get to the dog section and there's three dogs inside. One a sort of pitbull type and two, I want to say, spaniels. Even though playing together, I still asked one of the owners are they ok with other dogs (there were three people so I was presuming 3 different owners with dogs). The reply was yeah they're fine. So my sister and I walk in, Dexter is all excited meeting other dogs. Well, I think in total we were in there for not even 5 minutes. Those three dogs chased Dexter (whose tail was between his legs), jumping on him, barking. He was petrified. I called him over and tried to calm him down so he could think about what was going on. One of the spaniel type dogs Hunter (fitting name...) was a menace. The last straw was Dexter tried to get out of the gate, fell, Hunter was literally on top of him and Dexter just lay there. We all left a bit shaken, Dexter was practically a black lab. Bit that didn't bother me. What got me was these owners were like yeahhh the dogs are friendly. Clearly Dexter wasn't part of the clique or something. Sorry to moan I just hope he's not phased when we next meet dogs out Part of me also wishes I'd given them a piece of my mind.
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! I've met lots of people who are amazed when their dogs have a go at mine and always say 'thats never happened before' yeah right !!!! : The thing with this situation though is dogs can sound and look scary when they are actually just sorting themselves out. Those three dogs may know each other well and they were letting dexter know we're he stood. I can imagine it would be scary for you and dexter though. Perhaps introducing him to dogs his age if possible or a single calm dog would make it less traumatic. Jen
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! That must have been quite scary for you, and not so nice for dexter. But the dogs didn't actually hurt him, so try not to get too upset, as that will transfer to your pup and make him nervous. A lot of dogs are very nice and friendly to puppies; others will 'rough and tumble' them, but without actually hurting them. It looks pretty fearsome, but actually they are just sorting things out. In the future, when Dexter is grown up, if he sees these dogs again he'll remember them as 'the big boys', and won't try to muscle up to them - so possibly avoiding an actual fight. I'm not trying to belittle the scare you had, nor the anger you are feeling against the other owners, just trying to explain what might have been going on. As Jen says, maybe meeting up with some other dogs that you already know to be calm and friendly to puppies might be easier on you both. Hope you find some nice friendly dogs for Dexter to play with!
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! Thanks Jen and Karen I spoke with my fiancé who said the same thing as yourselves. It was them showing Dexter who was boss. I think the whole thing was just pretty overwhelming for me as we've met so many dogs out and about, and apart from the odd one or two never had problems. It won't stop us from going out. Just got to learn/read up on what maybe I should do in that type of situation for Dexter's sake and mine
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! Paige I understand your pain with this.I've had similar situations....in my case a big part of it is lack of experience of dogs,Dexter being the first one we've had,I still find myself scrutinising his play with other dogs and I call him out of wrestling matches quite a bit when I think it's getting a bit rough ......usually to other owners surprise,good recall practice though! ;D Dexter is very good at backing off if he gets warned ...I've never seen him challenge a telling off,in fact I've never seen him give a telling off either .......it does rattle me though when I hear a telling off and I usually move on pretty sharply when there's one been given out.Its a bit easier for us as I have such few walk choices .Ive got to know now which dogs are ok to play with and which to avoid ,as I totally agree that there are owners who have an altered reality with regards to their dogs 'friendliness'
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! I think you were right to step in and remove your dog. Of course in part I hold this view because Charlie doesn't really play rough, unless it's a dog he knows well or is very comfortable with (even then I wouldn't describe the play as rough, really), and would have hated the situation you found yourself in. This has not changed as Charlie has got older. I think between dogs that know each other very well, siblings or dogs that live together, or meet everyday, the situation is different. I've spent a long time observing Charlie's interactions with other dogs he doesn't know so well - I have a lot of opportunity to do so as we meet a great many off lead playing dogs where we live. I know that Charlie gives off a lot of signals before engaging with other dogs - play bows, downs (he does this when the other dog looks unsure, it's not an indication he feels unsure, which I find odd), approaching in an arc, saying hello before play begins. Some other dogs do the same, and then I know we are usually in for a good play session that will suit Charlie. Other dogs don't give off these signals, and pile in - then I know we should leave, smartish, as Charlie is likely to be unhappy. It's obviously a question of doggie personality and style, but I think that it's also a bit about the degree of socialisation. Poorly socialised dogs don't have the same range of signals and are not tuned in to the reactions of other dogs - they are not looking for signs play should stop, because it's become too much for the other dog, for example. To my shame, I once walked half the way along a beach with a dog that was bullying Charlie. The other owner kept saying things like "he's only playing", "he's just putting the puppy in his place". I pulled myself together after a while and we left. I won't do that again. I've met some very well socialised older dogs that have put Charlie back in his adolescent place - when Charlie has got in his or her face. They do it once, firmly, with a growl or tumble Charlie over, and that's it. Situation resolved and puppy knows where he stands. They did not chase Charlie round snapping at him.
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! I think a few factors contributed to this. With it happening so fast and like Angela, Dexter being our first dog I'm still learning. Part of me thought I'm not comfortable with this, Dexter certainly doesn't look like he's having fun (his tail between his legs) and in all honesty, the only way to describe it was as if he was bait. He was running so fast around this dog section, these three dogs were legging it after him. I suppose maybe for me it was just too rough? I just can't get the image of him lying on his side in the mud, not moving with this dog over him barking What got me as well was the owners were laughing and commenting on how dirty he was getting which didn't and doesn't phase me in the slightest. Thinking back to when Dexter plays with other dogs he bows and lies down, like a border collie for example, like you said Charlie does Julie. I just hope we don't have a repeat of yesterday! On the plus side, we went a longer lead walk, Dexter was shattered after it (and his hose down in the garden) and slept most of the afternoon!
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! You know something Paige,if you aren't happy I don't think there is anything wrong in taking Dexter and yourself out of a situation......and Dexter wasn't happy with his tail down,you should be having a nice time when you are out together not having your nerves strained..... My Dexter can get a bit rough ( I think it's because he has 2 plays a week with my friends badly socialized dog ,this is a tricky situation for me,I don't want to offend her but I do limit the exposure Dex has to this dog ) and when he does I call him out and give him a 'time out ' in a sit by me.the other owners usually say,It's fine,mines ok and they always are.I watch the other dogs and Dexter never scares them but I dont want him learning it's ok to be rough. .....and I would hate other owners to think I was just letting my dog be a thug ??? Sometimes though I'm mentally punching myself in the head thinking I'm too overprotective and fussing about it when are they really just being dogs and sorting themselves out like Karen describes?its hard to know ,I think I always go on the side of caution though because I would be devasted if Dexter got injured in a situation I could have avoided.
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! I'm glad you had a good walk afterwards. [quote author=NNorris13 link=topic=3984.msg46314#msg46314 date=1389520241] Part of me thought I'm not comfortable with this, Dexter certainly doesn't look like he's having fun (his tail between his legs) and in all honesty, the only way to describe it was as if he was bait. He was running so fast around this dog section, these three dogs were legging it after him. I suppose maybe for me it was just too rough? I just can't get the image of him lying on his side in the mud, not moving with this dog over him barking [/quote] I would trust your instincts - a play chase is quite distinctive, the dogs will often take it in turns to be chased regardless of who is the faster dog. So you often see one dog run, then stop, bounce round, invite the chase again by dashing - usually to one side - or wait for the other dog to invite the chase. It's very good natured. It can be very fast and furious of course, and involve the chasing dog reaching over the chased dog to grab at ears or neck but the whole thing has clear rules, if you look you can spot them. What you describe doesn't sound like this.
Re: "Yes My Dog Is Friendly"- Lies! [quote author=NNorris13 link=topic=3984.msg46314#msg46314 date=1389520241] I think a few factors contributed to this. With it happening so fast and like Angela, Dexter being our first dog I'm still learning. Part of me thought I'm not comfortable with this, Dexter certainly doesn't look like he's having fun (his tail between his legs) and in all honesty, the only way to describe it was as if he was bait. He was running so fast around this dog section, these three dogs were legging it after him. I suppose maybe for me it was just too rough? I just can't get the image of him lying on his side in the mud, not moving with this dog over him barking What got me as well was the owners were laughing and commenting on how dirty he was getting which didn't and doesn't phase me in the slightest. Thinking back to when Dexter plays with other dogs he bows and lies down, like a border collie for example, like you said Charlie does Julie. I just hope we don't have a repeat of yesterday! On the plus side, we went a longer lead walk, Dexter was shattered after it (and his hose down in the garden) and slept most of the afternoon! [/quote] Oh no, that does sound like too much. Poor little Dexter. I'd have stepped in and taken him away as well. And shame on the other owners for not stopping their dogs. Sorry, I didn't understand in my first response quite how rough they were being. That sounds beyond normal older dog behaviour with a puppy.
