Dog park help

GlennR said:
One thing that I didn't see much emphasis on in this thread is the fact that dog parks can present situations that are detrimental to your dog. There are some dogs that are too rough, there are some dogs who are too frightened. As much as Willow enjoys running in the park, playing chase, we skip the park more often than we go in.

When we get to the park, we stand outside the fence and watch the dogs inside and how they play and if they are new or dogs we've met and loved previously. Many times that's lead to our leaving. Willow used to have a hard time being denied the opportunity to go in but she takes it in her stride these days. A bad experience in the park can cause behaviour changes that even impact home life. If things start to sour while we are inside, we leave right away. You can't control others even if your dog is perfectly well behaved. So keep in mind that every visit does have some risk associated with it. I want the number of smiles Monty's antics have given us all to go on and on. :)
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Great perspective, Glenn! Appreciate your posting. We all feel close to Monty and want NO HARM to come to him.:hugs
 
GlennR said:
One thing that I didn't see much emphasis on in this thread is the fact that dog parks can present situations that are detrimental to your dog. There are some dogs that are too rough, there are some dogs who are too frightened. As much as Willow enjoys running in the park, playing chase, we skip the park more often than we go in.

When we get to the park, we stand outside the fence and watch the dogs inside and how they play and if they are new or dogs we've met and loved previously. Many times that's lead to our leaving. Willow used to have a hard time being denied the opportunity to go in but she takes it in her stride these days. A bad experience in the park can cause behaviour changes that even impact home life. If things start to sour while we are inside, we leave right away. You can't control others even if your dog is perfectly well behaved. So keep in mind that every visit does have some risk associated with it. I want the number of smiles Monty's antics have given us all to go on and on. :)
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Could not agree with this more, Glenn! Dog parks scare the bejesus out of me. So many things could go wrong, not to mention the diseases a dog can pick up there. Doggie playmates are fine but it's best if they're dogs and owners you know.
 
Everyone has already said so many great things.

My dogs spent a lot of time with other dogs, at the local oval and walking with others every morning, and of course at the dog club. Typical scenario at the oval, on arrival be excited and sniff each other. Then Deska would walk around the edge and piddle on every post with his little entourage of other boy dogs following him and piddling. Then he would come over to the owners and spend the rest of the time shmoozing. Tully would head straight for a ball and chase the ball with her 'girlfriends'. They had 'best friend' dogs who we knew well, they would be so excited to meet and then just go off sniffing together. I think Shelties like to hang around other dogs but don't expect labrador behaviour. Kismet still likes playing chase with other little dogs (and whippets), but she's only a year old.

You know, he would probably be really happy to just have one doggy friend to walk with. Is there anyone you know of that you can walk alongside? Usually if you walk at the same time every day you'll meet regular dog walkers. People often go in shifts when they walk (where I live, now it's getting colder the retirees are out between 3.30 and 4.30, the workers are out 5.30-6.30 - I know because if I have Della I need to miss those times!)
 
I have to chime in here. Once Layla got past puppyhood, she became totally uninterested in other dogs, except for the occasional round with her brother. She especially is put off by puppies. "Eew, eew. Get them away."

I adore Monty and his forever friend, Mr. Broccoli.
 
When Shelby was a pup I would take her to day care on occasion. She did OK but I can say she would get overwhelmed by the amount of dogs as well as the barking and “in your face” greetings. She was never aggressive, she just goes he own way away from these dogs. However if she is with another herding breed of dog she has the time of her life. She has a young collie and a other Sheltie her age she loves to play with. She runs circles around both of them. She loves to chase and does not like the physical playing and barking that some dogs do.

I think they all of their own comfort levels and I think maybe he is comfortable being with just you and your daughters.
 
Thank you EVERYONE for the amazing replies, they really have been helpful! I'm not feeling as guilty now and I think we'll just give up on the dog park. There's only a small amount of dogs near us and none are friendly but maybe we'll meet someone on one of our longer walks eventually. I believe he is happy enought with Mr Broccoli and us but I just wanted to make sure Monty would be as happy as possible, without me taking in another dog (I really don't think I could cope with two Montys lol).

Once again you've been awesome for us :hugs
 
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