first time at the dog park

Ashelee

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#1
Well this morning was Beemer's first time at the dog park! At first I had him on his 30 foot lead because I am a little paranoid and think that he wont listen and wont come when I call him (even though he always does, he has never been in this big of a space with no leash). There were only 2 dogs there, one a doberman and the other a beagle. At first he went up to the dogs and his fur on his back was up (he was against the fence and the other dogs were sniffing him), so I just walked him away from them so that they were more out in the open. He didnt pay much attention to the dogs once he got away from them. Then I got brave and let him off the leash. At first he was just walking and staying right next to me, he wasnt too sure about everything. Once the dobie left thats when he really started to like it. He was runnin around and having a blast! He loved it sssooo much, so we are going to make it a weekly thing. I will take him probably once or twice during the week and then my boyfriend said he would like to go with us over the weekend. He is now sleeping peacefully right next to me (little does he know that he will be getting a bath in a little bit, sand and his wonderful slobber just dont mix haha)

I dont know how I will be if there are lots of other dogs around, lol. Anyone have any good things to tell me about your first experiences at the dog park with lots of dogs around? Especially for a slightly paranoid owner? hehe
 

skittledoo

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#2
Sounds like he had fun. Part of the reason his hackles went up and he was upset at first could be because you had him on a lead at the time. Sometimes that can make a dog feel threatened when he's on lead and all the dogs around him are unleashed.

Glad you had a great time. I can't take Bamm to the dog park unfortunatly. I wont risk it with his reactivity. Next time take pictures, lol.
 

PoodleMommy

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#3
I would def. suggest you letting him meet the dogs off lead next time.

When I took mine, I allowed them off the leash before we got inside the park... the one we went to is double fenced... so you can walk inside one fence shut the door and the walk inside the next one...this way no dogs get out when someone comes in...so anyway.. when we are inside the first fence I unhook them and then open the next door and let them go.

Unfortunatley, they LOVED it and I wont let them go anymore because one of mine got kennel cough from the park.:mad:
 

Ashelee

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#4
thank you guys for the information, next time I will def. take him off lead before letting him in, i didnt even think of that being the reason, hehe little bit protective of my little guy.

and next time I will def. take pics!
 

ihartgonzo

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#5
I'm glad your first experience was a positive one. : )

It's good that you're cautious... too many people are very careless about the dog park, and think it's perfectly fine to let their dog go wild. Hackles aren't necessarily a bad thing, especially when he's first entering the park. All that hackles can definitely signify is that the dog is stimulated. Hackles, growling, some posturing, etc, are all normal social dog behaviors. You shouldn't allow any of it to escalate, but it's all part of how dogs communicate.
 

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