The latest article from The Labrador Site takes a look at some of the pros and cons of using a dog park. Your Labrador at the Dog Park
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park Speaking as a very frequent dog park user I thought this was a really good article
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park That was really helpful, thank you. We don't go to a specific dog park but we do go to a field which is populated by lots of dogs so many of the principles apply. I wanted to ask a follow up question with regard to the point you made about dogs forming in packs of four or more. There is a dog walker with about six dogs who we sometimes meet in the woods. The dog walker is great and the dogs all seem fine individually. Some want to play with Bonnie, others don't - she's getting it! However, she's now nearly seven months and doesn't look like a puppy any more. Today I noticed a couple of the larger dogs seeming to warn her off, away from the pack. So, I just wondered if my observation was right (or over cautious) and whether I should be keeping her away from a "pack"? ??? Thank you. Hope my question wasn't too off topic! Article is fab! 8)
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park [quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10506.msg155303#msg155303 date=1428569450] That was really helpful, thank you. We don't go to a specific dog park but we do go to a field which is populated by lots of dogs so many of the principles apply. I wanted to ask a follow up question with regard to the point you made about dogs forming in packs of four or more. There is a dog walker with about six dogs who we sometimes meet in the woods. The dog walker is great and the dogs all seem fine individually. Some want to play with Bonnie, others don't - she's getting it! However, she's now nearly seven months and doesn't look like a puppy any more. Today I noticed a couple of the larger dogs seeming to warn her off, away from the pack. So, I just wondered if my observation was right (or over cautious) and whether I should be keeping her away from a "pack"? ??? Thank you. Hope my question wasn't too off topic! Article is fab! 8) [/quote] Ok this is totally off topic, but... Just curious, how are you counting Bonnie's age? Maisie was born a day after Bonnie (October 11, 2014) but I've been saying she's six months now - I am going by calendar months. Are you doing weeks? I wish I could take Maisie to the dog park but she's far too exuberant and in your face. Given the amount of weird dog owners and weird dogs out and about, Maisie has to make do with some of her dog pals who have private yards to play in and sniffing dogs on the street, sadly.
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park [quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10506.msg155303#msg155303 date=1428569450] There is a dog walker with about six dogs who we sometimes meet in the woods. The dog walker is great and the dogs all seem fine individually. Some want to play with Bonnie, others don't - she's getting it! However, she's now nearly seven months and doesn't look like a puppy any more. Today I noticed a couple of the larger dogs seeming to warn her off, away from the pack. So, I just wondered if my observation was right (or over cautious) and whether I should be keeping her away from a "pack"? ??? [/quote] I avoid "packs" of dogs with dog walkers like the plague. But indeed I am careful even meeting two dogs together (although that's usually fine). I find there can definitely be strange dynamics with a "new" dog meeting a "pack" of dogs all known to each other, and whenever I've seen this done at training a great deal of care is taken over it. I absolutely hate a pack of dog walking dogs swarming over us while the dog walker strolls along, looking at his/her phone....drives me potty. They usually have no recall (relying on the dogs staying together) and are waking so many dogs that they cannot get hold of them if there is a problem. So, yes, I'd say avoid them.
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park [quote author=maisiesmomma link=topic=10506.msg155622#msg155622 date=1428692453] Ok this is totally off topic, but... Just curious, how are you counting Bonnie's age? Maisie was born a day after Bonnie (October 11, 2014) but I've been saying she's six months now - I am going by calendar months. Are you doing weeks? I wish I could take Maisie to the dog park but she's far too exuberant and in your face. Given the amount of weird dog owners and weird dogs out and about, Maisie has to make do with some of her dog pals who have private yards to play in and sniffing dogs on the street, sadly. [/quote] Awww, they share an almost-birthday! I was genuinely thinking about this the other day. I'm also saying 6 months, even though when I count the weeks it's more. If I'm totally honest I'm saying 6 months because it still sounds young and it makes her lack of training not seem so bad!!! I know what you mean about other dogs/owners. Had a rotten time with a pitbull the other day. It was the first time I'd seen Bonnie with her tail between her legs as she came away from him (after I threw chicken at him) .... the owner was saying he's only playing but Bonnie yelped so loudly I wasn't convinced. It's made me knuckle down on the proofing around other dogs though! It's hard, eh!?!
Re: Your Labrador at the Dog Park [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10506.msg155624#msg155624 date=1428692826] I avoid "packs" of dogs with dog walkers like the plague. But indeed I am careful even meeting two dogs together (although that's usually fine). I find there can definitely be strange dynamics with a "new" dog meeting a "pack" of dogs all known to each other, and whenever I've seen this done at training a great deal of care is taken over it. I absolutely hate a pack of dog walking dogs swarming over us while the dog walker strolls along, looking at his/her phone....drives me potty. They usually have no recall (relying on the dogs staying together) and are waking so many dogs that they cannot get hold of them if there is a problem. So, yes, I'd say avoid them. [/quote] Thanks Julie, I will do that. In fact, the pitbull (mentioned above) was with another dog now I think of it. Two of them together and it did suddenly just turn a bit weird - as you say, something to do with the dynamic of Bonnie bounding up to their twosome. There's a few dog walkers near me and I've been watching to see if any might come in handy one day. One is definitely out and conforms to the phone-checking example you use! The other is this guy and whilst he's nice, I'm not sure I fancy the idea of B with a pack of dogs.... Hmmm. Well we're fine as we are for now I guess Ta again
