Socialization / Dog Park at 15 Weeks

[mamamia1]

OP Here: Thanks for all of you opinions and advice. I didn't realize this would be such a polarized debate. I'm thinking I will continue socializing her with the dogs I do know and maybe try to set up some play dates with a few of the people in class.

[Nishasmom]

Good idea! My dog only likes dogs she has know since puppy-hood. If new "friends" come along, she could care less about them.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by mamamia1

OP Here:

LOL, I bet you feel like you got lost in the debate!

Originally Posted by mamamia1

I'm thinking I will continue socializing her with the dogs I do know and maybe try to set up some play dates with a few of the people in class.

Wise choice. You will have much more insight and control over the kind of dog/dog socialization experiences your puppy has by doing it this way. Good for you.

[SurfOnH20]

Debate ? I thought it was just good o'l sharing of opinions. People come to this forum from many diverse backgrounds and experiences. I come here to learn and share my experiences as a four time Rotti owner. I don't necessary agree with everything discussed, but I am open minded enough to hear someone's thought. I am also a very passionate Rotti owner as well. I know and understand the boundary's I would never cross with MY DOG. For me, personally speaking, dog parks are a generally good experience. I find it a place where people can see what good ambassadors Rottis can be. I have the ability to properly handle my dog and at the same time being watchful for others. If you come to have a cup of joe and let your dog run off, then maybe a dog park is not a place you should visit. So if anyone lives locally in Orange County, Ca, I would be glad to have a play date with them at the dog park.

[crazyonehuh]

Once again we run into the issue that occurs so often... ones opinion is asked, it is given and everyone throws the EXPERT opinion. Every dog s is different. So is every dog owner. We all mustuse our common sense and do what is right to protect our babies. Don't think that for one minute your advise comes from someone smarter, wiser or more experienced. You are Human and to human is to ERR. Don't think that your way is the only way. Differentareas of the country offer different conditiones fordog parks. I personally can name ppl and there dogs that fr quent our parks here in Boise. We use them responsably and dont just "turn our dogs out"

[crazyonehuh]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Who said not to socialize a dog with humans and other dogs???
You don't need to take them to a dog park to socialize...that's the point. There are many other good, safe ways to socialize a dog...and it does not have to happen in a dog park with unknown dogs, and owners.

If you've read any threads here you will see that it's not recommended here to take a dog to Petsmart classes.
Please do some more reading and educate yourself about the members here.

Come back here in 12-15 months and let us know how the dog park is going...then we will talk.

Gina

I have been going to my local park for nearly 10 years thanks. I took my first Rott, Asic, my 2nd, Boscoe, and now my 3rd. In the course of a decade I personally have never had a bad experience. No bullying, No fights, nothing at all to complain about. Dont go on thinking what you read is true. It can be completely different at your local dog parks vs the ones here. Grantide, We only have 300k in our little city that everyone insists on moving to and the dog community is very active in our city. We have local vets that frequent the parks. One city can be completely different. It sounds like I wouldn't dare take my Dogs to a park in your neck of the woods.

[debbiej]

just skimming this thread again, I couldn't help but notice that most of the "pro park" responses are from novice or junior members. and people with pups.

dogs are not kids. they don't need to go to the park. they do need many, many controlled experiences. they need exercise and training, yes, but not wild abandon. I wouldn't take a working breed to a dog park, not for any reason. when I take my dog out, I take him to places where I have a reasonable hope that I will only have to deal with other dogs on lead and under control. we were at a dog beach (without our dogs, just watching) and a man arrived with a pack of small dogs, terriers I think. these dogs ran with one purpose over to a large gsd type dog and begin nipping and barking at him. I was appalled. the man was clueless and the dogs totally out of control. and you know what? if there had been a rottie there, and if it had snapped back, it would have been viewed as the one at fault.

[MikeT66]

[quote=debbiej;813900]just skimming this thread again, I couldn't help but notice that most of the "pro park" responses are from novice or junior members. and people with pups.

And being a junior member or novice means nothing except you found the website and joined and posted more than someone else. Has nothing to do with how long someone has owned a Rottie.

[JoJo]

We all mustuse our common sense and do what is right to protect our babies.

That statement alone tells me that you don't have an understanding of what a "working" breed is all about. That also leads me to think that you need a lot more education on "how" to socialize a pup. Common sense though is a good start and going to dog parks is not one of them. JMO mind you.

[crazyonehuh]

[quote=JoJo;813934]That statement alone tells me that you don't have an understanding of what a "working" breed is all about. That also leads me to think that you need a lot more education on "how" to socialize a pup.

I think I qualify as more than just a pup owner. Asic, now 10 Boscoe who is 4 and now Ezabell ,are all my babiaa. I love my dogs. Period. I guess the term "babies" come from being a father. As for the working dog...All three love to be pushed. They know whey I get home for the day, they get to get busy. Asic not so much as she is getting way to old to be out showing the younger dogs how to do things. She still has a strong mind. I still take her to the Park for early Am weekend visits where she can walk or lay.

[Marcino]

I've had a few experiences with dog parks and they really are not a great place.
Marcino is a very submissive dog which would lead to him being bullied all the time.
Many owners do not even watch their dogs to make sure that they are behaving. The best thing is to setup playdates with friends that own dogs or people in your neighbourhood that own dogs. At least this way your dog is playing in a controlled environment and with dogs that you know.

[MikeT66]

Ok, I am going to start it up again. Ryker is now 5 1/2 months old. Getting bigger and we are still taking him to the dog park a couple times a week and have still not had any issues at all or even come close to having an issue. He is the talk of the park on how well behaved and friendly he is. We have changed a lot of people opinions on Rotttweilier by letting them see how a well mannered one can be. So let me see if I can put this right. Took previous Rottie Dakota to the dog park off and on for 10yrs and never once had an incident and have now taken Ryker off and on for the past 2 months or so with the same results. So for those of you experts who bash those of us that go to the dog parks as just being lazy (which in my case isnt a fact. As I walk and train with him daily and we go to the dog park to just let him run and have fun being a dog) your experiences and opinions are just that. They are YOUR experiences and opinions and just because you have owned a Rottie since the day god made them doesnt make you right and doesnt make those of us who go to dog parks wrong.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by MikeT66

Ok, I am going to start it up again. ...just because you have owned a Rottie since the day god made them doesnt make you right and doesnt make those of us who go to dog parks wrong.

First of all, none of us here and still breathing have owned a Rottweiler since the day god made them......

Secondly, only a fool would DENY the risk.

We certainly can't make your decisions for you as we don't know you, or your dog, or....most importantly when discussing dog parks....the dogs and owners present when you partake in it. All we can do is hope you truly understand how little control you have in this scenario and hope you truly understand the risk. The rest is up to you.

[Nishasmom]

Your dog has not reached sexual maturity yet. Although my dog is fine at dog parks, I do not allow her to "romp" and play with other dogs. We see other dogs in passing, but mostly stick to ourselves and play ball. The only exception is if Nisha's 'cousin' happens to be at the park....they go all out .

I am not saying your dog will not like it when he gets older; I am just saying 5 1/2 months is still a baby.

[Maxxx]

We used to take Max to the dog park all the time when he was younger but once he hit puberty, we've stopped. Around 6 1/2 mos.

It's not that I don't trust him. He loves other dogs. We too have always been complimented on what a sweet boy he is and how obedient he is. But I don't trust the other dogs in the park. Namely, the owners of the dogs.

Just because you exercise your dog as well as bring him to the park, does not mean all owners do. Maybe it's just the park we've gone to, but I find the owners let a lot of rude behavior slide and once Max hit puberty, he doesn't like rude dogs. He's never attacked or been the aggressor, but he does stand up for himself.

Most dogs will get the idea, but it's that one that won't that will be a problem. And there's only so much you can do to keep that dog away from your dog. Especially if the other owner doesn't care, or worse, likes the fact their * insert breed here * is being dominant over the rottweiler. What they don't understand is, the behavior isn't dominant, it's rude.

Just remember, if something does happen, it's always the rottie's fault. No matter what the situation.