Dog parks and doggie socialization

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Diana

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I'm curious about the experiences you all have had with doggie socialization and dog parks. Since we want to make sure Buffy knows how to play well with others (and also because we don't have a yard) we have been trying to take her to the dog park, the dog beach, etc.

We did have a bit of a fright at our first doggie play date a while ago; my good friend's terrier went straight for Buffy's face and the teeth grazed her eye, resulting in an infection. Last time I went to the dog park I heard a 6-month old puppy had been killed there, resulting from an attack by another dog. I think especially since then we have been pretty cautious at the dog park, maybe overly so. We usually stick in the small dog area and stay away from big dogs. Am I being too paranoid here?

I've noticed that Buffy seems to be just a little shy around other dogs sometimes. In our doggie class (with 6 other Lab-type dogs) she generally stayed on the outskirts during playtime and didn't engage. Her favorite game is chase; she doesn't wrestle like some of the other dogs do. And often when we go to the dog park she doesn't want to play with the dogs, she wants to play with us and herd our feet. However, she does fine with the little dogs; it just seems the little dogs don't come to the dog park as often as the big dogs do.

Anyway, two questions:
- What experiences have you had at the dog park or while socializing with other dogs? Any tips, warning signs, etc?
- How do your Shelties act around other dogs? What is "normal"? (Buffy's almost 6 months old.)
 
Phebe has been going to the dog park since she was 6 months old and does great, but a couple of times I've intervened with dogs that were more aggressive than she was prepared to deal with. Fortunately, they were all situations I was able to diffuse by placing myself between Phebe and the other dog.

To be honest though, I think the reason she has always done well is because she started going to daycare a couple of times a week when she was about 4 months old. The more closely supervised daycare environment let her develop confidence in approaching new dogs and being approached.
 
To be honest though, I think the reason she has always done well is because she started going to daycare a couple of times a week when she was about 4 months old. The more closely supervised daycare environment let her develop confidence in approaching new dogs and being approached.
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I've been hoping to find a doggie daycare for Buffy. But haven't found one I really like so far. All the ones I've been to so far are kinda smelly with some crazy dogs. Luckily she is able to go to my mom's many days during the week, which in some ways is even better. But it would be good to have a doggie daycare, especially as a place to get her some exercise during the winter.
 
Our local dog school has a puppy playgroup that I took my puppy too. It is for pups 6 months and younger. It was great for teaching her how to interact with other dogs.

We have a dog beach near my MILs house. It truthfully scares me a bit. It always has a lot of big dogs, that do not seem to be under much control from their owners.

I choose to socialize our dogs with friends dogs. And with going to classes.
 
Since Trapp is our first sheltie,we have been continually amazed at how he reacts to strangers. He's a total wiggle butt,no hesitation. (Thank you Janet & family)

Any new adventure of meeting people with Trapp was always a fun,upbeat,and reasurring time for him.

But I'm sure some here may be able to help you out a bit more with thier experiances.

Labs can be a little out there sometimes in left field if they are young,bouncy,pouncing,I know Earnhardt at times was really over the top with energy when he was just a pup. So I don't doubt your Buffy would find them a bit to much.

Lots of warning signs,its a matter of reading your dogs body language,and the other dog also. Believe me,you'll know it it isn't going to be a good first impression.
 
danisgoat said:
We have a dog beach near my MILs house. It truthfully scares me a bit. It always has a lot of big dogs, that do not seem to be under much control from their owners.

I choose to socialize our dogs with friends dogs. And with going to classes.
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I also don't care for the large dog parks. Too many people haven't got a clue about animal behaviour. And when you are one of the smaller dogs, guess who will end up being hurt.

I have taken her to a small dog park a couple times. But basically I just quit going. Once someone brought their large dog into the small dog park. On another pet site there is a heated debate about some guy who doesn't think it is a big deal that his dog is humping all the other dogs. Talk about a dog fight waiting to happen.

Instead I have been trying to find dogs in the neighborhood that will come over and play. If you do take Buffy to a dog park find one that is only for small dogs. Also take a pocket of treats. Use them not only on your pup, but others if they seem to be aggressive. Food is always a great distraction for dogs. And personally I have no problem with restraining someone else's dog if I feel they are threatening my dog.
 
I haven't had any problems with the dog parks in my neighborhood. I usually stick to the small dog pen because Bailey is a little scared of larger dogs.

Your dog sounds just like Bailey. She doesn't like to wrestle. She likes to play chase. She will bark at the other dogs until they chase her. Some of them get annoyed and walk away from her. Sometimes she's just not interested in other dogs.

In puppy classes, she will get the bigger dogs to chase her and then hide under the chairs, where they can't get her. Typical girl. She's such a tease.
 
I take mine to the dog park, a very large one, at least 3-4 times a week. They meet big dogs and little dogs. I've had no problems but once, when Chinook was 3 months old - he was picked up by a husky. No harm done and I made sure that we left the park on a good note so I went and looked for some other dogs that he can play with. Since then, I've had no issues. I've been taking my shelties to a off the leash park for over a decade now. This park is huge, there are trials in the woods and several large grass fields. I've been socializing my two since the day I got them. I have always made sure that they met at least one dog a day on our walks from 10 weeks of age. Now, my two are known by other sheltie owners as the 'social butterflies' - they love to meet all dogs, big and small alike. If I see that a dog is being too aggressive, I step in.
 
I wont take mine to the local dog parks. There are too many large dogs and supervision is sometimes lacking. If there was an area for small dogs (which they were meant to introduce) then I would probably use it.

I am lucky in that the local ovals around me are off-leash dog areas as well and a lot of locals take their dogs. Supervision of the dogs is much better, and at least half the dogs are small. The dogs, because they get to know each other tend to self-police behaviour so there aren't any problems.

Since Tully was attacked socialising her in a safe environment has been really important. I do think her spending time with lots of other friendly dogs has really helped overcome her fears. But this is also the reason I would never risk taking Tully to a large dog park - I don't want to risk another bad experience that could set her back again.
 
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