Introduction and Question

[shromani]

Hello I am new to this board but have lurked here for some time now. Great community, excellent service to all.

I am privileged to have a 12 mos old rotti\lab cross. Got him at 5 mos from the SPCA and he’s been wonderful. He wasn’t turned over rather we think he got out and had an adventure until picked up. The previous owner didn’t check the SPCA within 72 hours so I scooped him. His behavior since day one has been just wonderful.
Please post photos in the gallery.

We live literally across the street from a 10acre dog park and he’s been daily socialized since the day we got him. He always plays with exuberance around other dogs and when he was smaller occasionally a larger dogs would have to remind him of manners by pining him to firmly tell him “That’s enough” And he’d submit instantly.

He is now 60lbs and although meekish around people he has had to take a stand for himself on two occasions when a dog park dog went from play to being mean. Those scuffles were only a few seconds long but enough for me to see that he’s got a backbone; won’t take guff from an aggressive dog.

My concern…Since he's discovered his courage I feel that his manner of play is getting a bit to aggressive. When bigger dogs try to put him in line, he’ll resist now causing them to either get more aggressive with him, or just leave it be and not play no more. On one occasion with a larger dog of 12 mos, while chasing this one having the stick, he actually bit and ripped a chunk of fur of the hindquarter of the other dog. The other dog turn and gave him “what for” but this is really not appropriate behavior when playing. They made up and touched noses and off they were playing again.

How do I go about teaching my dog to play with other dogs more gently? He’s got just to much vigor in him while at the park. What I am doing now is calling him back and having him lie at my side on leash while the others play; then let him go, but not sure if this will work.

TIA


Ken

[Delminico]

No that's not gonna work out well. He needs to be given socialization with other dogs more limited basis. Not in a free wheeling dog park. I love parks with my dogs. But we go on walks on trails instead. If we meet new dogs we sometimes go past without meetings. Other times we allow meetings only with dogs of same size. My dogs don't do well with small dogs; too much desire to dominate. Exercise your dog on walks alone with him not allowing all this rough playing. It will make your dog less obedient too as it's stimulating and gets him all worked up. Better to run with him yourself or go on swims or something where he can run safely with you only. Not other dogs. Arrange play time with onlyl dogs who don't tussle with your dog on private yards with fences and overseeing by owners. Too many dogs in dog parks aren't trained and most owners don't know signs of coming fighting.

[StephanieandToby]

This is the problem that happens when dog parks are used incorrectly. I don't believe dogs should be allowed to stop and "play" with each other...it just creates problems.
If you need to use the park to give your dog a run, keep moving and make the dog see you as being more interesting than other dogs.They can stop and meet...but no horsing around!
Rottweilers are not really the breed of dog to bring to a dog park anyways. They love to boss around other dogs and control everything. (generally) I used to take my Rottweiler to off-leash parks, but he was not the sort to get into other dogs' business...so he was fine.
IF he had ever gotten growly or bit the fur off another dog I would have stopped bringing him to the park.
You really have to be careful!
Not trying to scare you....but if your dog keeps building confidence like that, you could be in for a serious fight one day. That's not fair to anybody

Welcome to RDN!.

[shromani]

Sounds like good advice for me. I should do more one on one rather than allow the other dogs to socialize him for me. Being new I naively thought that all dog play was good for him, except for the fighting of course.

I have noticed his obedience a waning a bit. He has always been awesome coming to my whistle immediately; even when in with a bunch of dogs he'd turn and run to me. Lately though he's been responding about as well as my 12yo daughter - can't begin to express how frustrating it is to have neither of them listen to me.



thanks

[RottiMomCT]

Have you attended classes with the dog? How long ago?

My suggestion? Sign up for a refresher obedience course, and no more dog parks.

Walks in the park are fine, as others suggested, and controlled real short greetings as you pass dogs on your walks.

If you meet up with someone and your dogs get along, possibly make arrangements for a private play date - just the two of them, so their behavior is not influenced by other dogs, and you can more carefully supervise the play.

Maybe have your 12 year old daughter come to classes with you - the two of them can learn from each other.