Dog Park Bonding Activities

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Enjoy Meeting New Friends--Canine and Human

If you've spent much time on All Things Dog Blog, you probably know I'm a big lover of the dog park. We know them all in our area and enjoy a variety of Meetup groups and friendly pups and their people at all the local hangouts. There's nothing like a good run to get you and your dog feeling in tune with one another.

If dog parks are a new adventure for you, here are a few tips to make sure you're safe and have an enjoyable first experience:

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Ready for Fetch ?

• Most importantly, do not take your dog to a dog park if he is not both dog and human friendly. Find another place to exercise and work at those skills when your dog is plentifully worked out.
• Even your well-socialized dog may have a bad day, so always go to the dog park with the mindset that you'll leave when and if things are not going well. And further, if you can determine this is not "your day" early, it's always better to leave before trouble breaks out. Your dog needs to view the dog park as a fun place if you're to have more positive experiences there in the future. Watch for troubling pups and behaviors and take your leave early.
• Newbies need to test the waters during slower times. By this I mean choose a time when most owners are not at the park. If your Fido has a calm first experience, he'll enter the park with a great attitude the next time you venture in.
• Watch your dog's back. Stay tuned in to his behavior, responses to other dogs, and the attitudes of those dogs toward yours. If you have an especially submissive or anxious dog, the dog park is probably not the best choice for him. He'll need a one-on-one socialization experience to build his confidence.
• If your pup is trained to play games such as Fetch or Frisbee or simply to HEEL alongside you, this is a great time to practice these skills when there are other distractions. Be prepared to lose a ball or a Frisbee, however. Some dogs may choose not to give it up, and you may opt not to argue with that Big Boy if he appears set on keeping your toy. Just sayin!
• Leave the treats at home, even if you're training. This is not the place to find out which dogs are food aggressive. It won't end well.
• Upon arrival and before you leave the dog park, make it a practice to work on your dog's "Come When Called" command. This one is all-important as it could easily save your dog's life one day. Don't leave that to chance. Practice often and praise vigorously!
• Try to end your visit on a high note, just after a particularly fun run or play session. When Fido has had his fill of exercise, friends and fun, call him to you, leash him up and praise him as he follows you out the gate. You'll enjoy some quiet time this afternoon, while he naps off his fun time with you. This is an awesome way to enjoy some Bowser Bonding.

We hope you enjoyed these tips for your Weekly Wag. Won't you share your own thoughts on dog park interactions and tips for great socialization of your dog. Have questions? Spill them here and I'll be happy to address those I am able to assist with. At the end of each quarter, a drawing occurs from the comments at our Weekly Wag posts. We hope you'll join in the conversation. Happy tails!

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Dogs and Invisible Fences: Ask the Dog Trainer with Michael Baugh

by Michael Baugh, CPDT-KSA, CDBC

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Dog Park Socialization Good for Most Dogs

Dear Michael:


My 1 year old lab seems to have a peculiarity that I wonder if you have information on. We have a wireless fence so he doesn't go outside the yard, however dogs will not come into the yard to play. They obviously avoid coming into the yard. The few that do come in pay no attention to my dog. Marco will go up to them and want to play but get No reaction from these other dogs. 


Sometimes Marco will not go near the dog, but rather act like he is afraid. He is very friendly to people and has only once become aggressive with a dog--a puppy that was a bit too rough; Marco was bit on the lip. At the bark park he does find a couple of dogs to play with and becomes the submissive dog. It's really not a big problem but I am curious to know what is going on. He is an AKC Lab.



In his fenceline he is eager to play with other dogs , but it's like he's timid and is hesitant in approaching other dogs. I've never seen such a submissive dog.

Thanks, Jim

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Dear Jim:

Wireless­­­­ electronic fences can be tricky business with some dogs.  Here’s the problem.  Dogs can come in, but your dog can’t chase them out.  Add to that, your dog can see other dogs and people passing by but can’t get to them.  This can create a very common dog behavior problem called barrier frustration, and it’s a common cause of aggression in dogs.

The good news is Marco isn’t at that point.  We hope he never gets there, of course.  But I think he might be at risk.  That’s because there are some other factors at play here.

A lot of dogs when they are younger may appear timid or even fearful in social situations.  This can show up when interacting with other dogs, or when interacting with people.  Why is Marco shy around some dogs?  We can’t know for sure. It could be related to the scuffle he had with that puppy.  It could be related to the fence.  It could also be his personality.  


Nevertheless, we want to take action now.  Shy dogs when they are younger can (and often do) choose more offensive behavior later in life.  This is why some people say their dogs “snap.”  The dog begins displaying aggressive behavior rather than defensive behavior.  The owner didn’t see it coming, probably because most of us aren’t looking for those kinds of problems.

I’m the guy people call when their dog bites someone or another dog.  So, I’m always looking.  I know, buzz kill.

Anyway, there is plenty of hope – and maybe even no need for worry.  It’s great that Marco has doggie playmates and interacts quite well with some dogs.  Keep encouraging that.  In fact, keep looking for more of that behavior.  I strongly suggest you supervise Marco closely, even when he is in your own yard.  If another dog wanders in, be Marco’s advocate and help shoo that dog away.  When Marco is interacting with his invited friends or at the bark park, be his cheerleader and shore up those developing play skills.  If the play gets rough, intervene and give Marco a break.  If it sounds a lot like parenting, it is.  Dog parenting.

Here are the tell tale signs of healthy dog play:
The dogs take turns. Marco may get chased; then he may chase the other dog. Marco may get tackled; then he may tackle the other dog. It's a back-and-forth thing. Some dogs prefer one role over the other. Just make sure Marco isn't getting overwhelmed or frightened.


The dogs take breaks. Play breaks may only be a second or two. You just want to make sure that one dog isn't over running the other one relentlessly.


The activity is loose and wiggly. One my mentors says play is wasted energy. It isn't efficient and tight like aggression. Play can get rough and noisy, but it's always joyful looking.


Michael

© used with permission from Robyn Arouty Photography

Enjoy Michael's Archives or check out his latest posts here:
Velcro Dog
Socializing After Learned Dog Aggression
Two  Steps for Housetraining

Houston Dog Trainer Michael Baugh owns Michael’s Dogs Training and Behavior. He specializes in canine behavior related to fear and aggression.Michael's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

Meet Jacque!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
'Cousin' Jacque Moves Nearby

Today is a very exciting day for Oliver and Tanner. Their 'cousin' Jacque, my mother's Papillon, is moving to our area. Jacque and Oliver are both Papillons, but not related. While both were adopted, Jacque is nearly a year younger than Oliver. The two pups are great chums and Jacque enjoys Tanner as well. I believe our future holds more frequent dog park visits, and that's just fine with my boys. 

A Dog's Eye View of a Dog Park Visit

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Beautiful Day at the Dog Park from Kelsey Wynns on Vimeo.

Yep; this pretty much sums it up. Get on out and give your dog a chance to socialize!

© C. Boyko
Tanner and Oliver
 Play Tag Game with a Black Lab

Dog Park Kit Giveaway: Get Out and Run for Fun!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko

Are you seeing double? Nope! Tanner was in the last post with a batch of toys to give away, and here he is still posing. He has a rock-solid stay. I think he acutally likes getting his picture taken!


This giveaway is for my active readers to get out and play with their dogs. With cooler weather here, this is the perfect time for us to visit the dog park with Tanner. The summer heat in Florida forces us to make our dog park visits only on early weekend mornings, as the heat is so oppressive.


This prize includes a Toki Poki hat and a flying disc from Izea, which will both go to one winner. With the sun out of your eyes and a disc to throw, you and Fido can have some fun and both get some exercise. Watch for a Weekly Wag on disc dogs coming soon to my Saturday series. Have you signed up to win prizes by commenting on your own experiences with the Weekly Wag? If not, visit the announcement post here. This giveaway will be open through midnight February 9, and the winner will be announced on Friday, February 10, 2012. Good luck!




Full disclaimer: The items in this giveaway are conference swag (free samples). There is no purchase required to enter and US and Canadian entries will be accepted, with the exception of Quebec, where this giveaway is forbidden. I have not been compensated to give theseitems away.

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