Looking for play date .. Dog park didn't go so well

[bigron452]

Hi All,

Just wanted to check to see if anyone was in the Hudson Valley, NY area and would be interested in a play date? I took Sugah to the local dog park, where there were a large number of dogs and she became afraid. Upon entering the park, they all run up to the gate and start sniffing. After a while she became comfortable and starting running around, but I guess she was a little too playful for some of the older dogs who began growling and snapping at her. Before I knew it, five or six dogs jumped on her and she quickly ran way and hid under a bench. Now she seems to be shy of other dogs, and I have to slowly work her back in. So I'm looking find a playmate. My plan is to hit the dog park during the week at mid-day while everyone is working to control the numbers. And keep her on leash and close until she's comfortable .. I'd love to hear other suggestions as well. If anyone is in the area and would be interested, please let me know ..

[Labradorks]

That's a pretty typical to a new, young dog at a dog park. You're wise to wait until there are fewer dogs and to look for one on one play dates. Even though it's typical people, should not let their dogs gang up like that.

[arentspowell]

Very typical for the regular dogs to swarm the newbies. Good idea to get go during off times but please DO NOT keep her on a leash. Leashes make it difficult for dogs to read each other body language. Your dog may feel trapped and it could create a leash reactive dog in the long run.

[bigron452]

Very typical for the regular dogs to swarm the newbies. Good idea to get go during off times but please DO NOT keep her on a leash. Leashes make it difficult for dogs to read each other body language. Your dog may feel trapped and it could create a leash reactive dog in the long run.

My my intent is to keep her on leash until comfortable then let her go .. I just want to take a little bit and view the dogs in the park. Fewer numbers I'm hoping will help .. Thank you, I do appreciate the advice..

[emma_Dad]

+1 on not keeping her on leash. Other dog don't tend to like when one dog is leash and the other is not. Also try and find dogs her same size and play style. It could also lead to the the dogs getting tied up which could end bad. If it gets caught around a pups neck and they get scared and snap.

[Halcyon]

To add to the above, what I did was go during off times in the morning. That way, I wouldn't need to deal with a whole pack of dogs and instead, limit the amount to a maximum of 2 others. The one I went to wasn't a popular park anyway so it wasn't too big of a deal. Most of the times we went, no one else was there. Keeping one dog on leash whilst the other is off leash is also not a great idea. I did it once after a rather "eventful" encounter with another dog, thinking I could control the situation if it got out of hand by quickly taking Bobby out. Nothing bad happened but it was a little difficult to unleash him with the amount of excitement Bobby had. It can also evolve into a dangerous situation as mentioned above. The dog could strangle itself, get caught, etc.

When I saw another dog enter that I wasn't confident about, I would take Bobby out of the off leash area and we would just walk around the park. I would be away from the fenced area but close enough to observe the personality of the dog, the attitude of the owner and their control of the dog. If I was confident that the owner had good control and were observant and paying attention and the dog was not aggressive, I let Bobby in again.

[ZRabbits]

Already got some good advise regarding the dog park. Hoping it goes well for you.

If you still having problems with the dog park, Have you a Lab Club in your area? Just curious as you can always call them to see if they have any "play dates" scheduled, or a group event? Meet a few Lab owners and go from there so your pup will enjoy the company of a breed that is as rough as he can be. Just a thought. Something that I've been mulling over for my pup.

KAZ

[Snowshoe]

My my intent is to keep her on leash until comfortable then let her go .. I just want to take a little bit and view the dogs in the park. Fewer numbers I'm hoping will help .. Thank you, I do appreciate the advice..

On leash before you enter the off leash section I hope? It really is not a good idea to have her leashed when all the others are off leash. Leashes impede not just body language but the leashed dog can be made to feel trapped and might then act defensive/aggressive or fearful. Then the off leash dogs, which seemingly don't see the leash, might react unpleasantly.

[BaconsMom]

Try going during off times. This is what we did when Bacon was smaller. Even if there is just one dog there, it is a great experience. Bacon can now hold his own, and LOVES the dog park. He starts howling and crying in anticipation when he sees the dog park bag.

[Tanya]

the leash must come off as soon as you arrive in the off leash area. right away. if you want her in leash to get used to the area stay outside the fence (or FAR away from off leash area if there is no fence). the leash makes things harder for your dog.

what you describe, is unfortunately totally normal. its hard to use parks to socialise a dog as they are overwhelming. start with controlled play dates to get her feet wet.