Socialization / Dog Park at 15 Weeks

[rush123]

Dog parks are sketchy I dont take my son there anymore. We've gone a few times but each time some moron has a dog that is a loose cannon, no discipline, no obedience. These people rarely if ever work with their dogs, their idea of exercise is letting there crazy hyper dog run around at a dog park. I've had a couple of altercations with owners of rogue dogs. Bottomline you plan on taking your young dog to the dog park you have to protect him. No bullying allowed. Take some spray in case another dog gets to testy with your pup. My boy gets bullied I bust out the spray,if the owner of the thug dog dont like it, i'll bust the spray out on them. Needless to say thats why we dont go anymore. Treat your dog like your child, and make sure nobody messes with him!

[Diva Satanica]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

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.

Gina

On the other side of that, there are at least two members here who are Petsmart trainers who would disagree. Any training class is only as good as the instructor.......whether it be Petsmart or otherwise.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by Diva Satanica

On the other side of that, there are at least two members here who are Petsmart trainers who would disagree. Any training class is only as good as the instructor.......whether it be Petsmart or otherwise.

True, but the majority of Petsmart training classes are run by poor instructors. It's a paint-by-number approach to training, the trainer has to stay by the book in their training.

Petsmart training is better then no training, and probably fine for a Puppy Socialization class....but most people with a Rottweiler need more than Petsmart training classes.

I would also like to know what the two members that are Petsmart trainers have done with their own dogs...what level of obedience have they reached? what titles have they put on their own dogs?

Gina

[mamamia1]

OP Here... Kali is now 19 weeks and I have not brought her to a dog park. She only knows 3 dogs personally and they are all weird, with lack of socialization themselves. One, a border collie mix just avoids her completely and growls when she gets close, one beagle mix is playful but extremely vocal and growls constantly all the while chasing. The last one is an old blue tick/coonhound who doesn't want to get off his bed. The two dogs that she sees in class seem to be dog aggressive and spend most of the class barking and lunging at each other. Not exactly candidates for playmates.

As for the dog park idea, I've seen what can happen first hand when strange dogs come around and I'm now quite leery about bringing her into any situation like that. We had a much larger and older neighbourhood dog chase her around like a rabbit and yelped bloody murder although he never actually touched her.

I am worried that I have missed the critical stage for socialization and shes going to be unsure around all dogs. She is still very nice when she gets the chance to meet a new dog, but as of yet has not had the chance to have a good romp with a dog that is on her level so to speak. Any suggestions????

[brunie's mom]

MMMM??? This is not good.
What about a doggie daycare? You must have one around? It's worth having her there even for half a day once or twice a week. Explain to them that you want her socialized only with well behaved, nice tempered dogs.

Also you may find a small boarding place that does doggie daycare...that allows young dogs to play and socialize with other young dogs that are well behaved.

I have customer's that live in the country and bring me their puppies one day a week, just for socialization with other dogs. It works out well...the puppy learns to be away from owner's, and get's socialized with other good dogs.

Gina

[mamamia1]

No doggie dare care that I've found so far [I found one in Tecumseh 2 hours away], I will check with some of the boarding places. The place where I take her to class does have a kennel and she breeds keeshounds (sp?). She must have some that are well mannered.

Thanks Gina! Too bad you weren't closer.

[winnie22]

Stay away from the dog park and just have a playdate at your home. Invite the dog you know is trained/immunized and have fun. Many people use dogparks as a babyitter while they pay little or no attention to their dog who is humping everything in site

[MikeT66]

Ryker goes to the dog park a couple times a week and loves it. Dakota (RIP) went off and one for 10 years and loved it. Have never had any issues of fighting, diseases etc. It is a very small local dog park with a core group that bring their dogs and as long as I have been going have NEVER encountered any fights or aggressive issues at all. The dogs just run around playing and having a great time.

Taking your dog to a dog park is a personal preference if you are comfortable with the scene their why is there anything wrong with it. Everyones experiences are different in any given situation when it comes to their dogs so to be there is no right and wrong. Each experience is different and what is good for one person and their Rott may not be good for someone else.

DOG PARKS ALL THE WAY. THEY ARE A GREAT PLACE TO SOCIALIZE!!!!!!!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by MikeT66

DOG PARKS ALL THE WAY. THEY ARE A GREAT PLACE TO SOCIALIZE!!!!!!!

I hope for your dog's sake this isn't "the kiss of death", as so often happens in life with such displays of arrogance.

[moz205]

Originally Posted by Shelby427

Your dog is not matured yet. Yes, as a puppy, this may be fun for you guys, but once he matures, it may be a different story. It's not about how well mannered your dog is, it's about other dogs that don't have manners. How would you feel if something were to happen and your dog is to blame? If a fight breaks out, your rottie will be blamed unfortunately.

There are much better places to take your dog other than a risky dog park.

And here's my "not an expert" story...
A man around here met me when Buddy was about 6 mths old. He insisted Buddy meet his Rottie, a male, 3 yo. I said not a great idea as both are males. This guy tells me how his dog is great, grand and wonderful as he goes to the local dog park. Begged me to bring Buddy up there and I said not a chance. Well he went and got his dog and as I am keeping a real close eye on his dog who was sniffing around, I could see he was ready to lunge. Sure enough, if I hadn't gotten in between and pulled Buddy back, his face would have been gone. This is a dog who is "terrific" at the dog park and goes daily. Thankfully, I don't and this was in a controlled environment with both on leashes. The story doesn't end there though.
This idiot gets a female pup also. She was beautiful, and yes, I use "was" because Mr. Moron takes both to the dog park. A nottwieler attacks and killed the pup who was about 4 mths old. So much for dog parks huh? These are all local dogs who go there frequently. Tragedy waiting to happen.

[Nishasmom]

Moz205, that is such a sad story . That poor baby puppy!

[poohbearsmom]

Rottweiler Discussion Forums - Search Results

I just searched "dog parks" on the forums. It's been quite a popular subject for quite a long time. Happy reading.

[MikeT66]

I hit a nerve again. Moondog maybe arrogance is you jumping on everyone who doesnt agree with your opinion or experience which is just that YOUR OPINION AND EXPERIENCE. No maybe that is not arrogance maybe that is you just being as A--! I am sure many people have had bad experiences at dog parks or other similiar type situations but by me taking my Rottie to the park does not make me wrong. I have not had one single issue in over 10 yrs of going to the dog park so what should I do not go because of what some of you say will or can happen. I think that is unfair for Ryker who enjoys the dog park and has fun playing with the dogs that are their day in and day out. Get off the soap boxes and put away the halos above your heads and just once in a while answer a post for what is asked and quick trying to cram you opinions or experiences down everyones throat because you dont agree.

[JoJo]

MikeT66, yes you hit a nerve once again. You must be so proud of yourself. Congratulations on winning the Gong Award. This board is made up of many diversified people with many different experiences indeed. The point being is that the MAJORITY not the minority (your experiences) happen to prevail. Why? Because of just that, past experiences and vast range of knowledge. This is why you went to school correct? A learning institute is to GAIN KNOWLEDGE. This Board is designed to GAIN KNOWLEDGE. You are the fortunate one to have found a very quaint and small dog park where all get along. I will wait for just that "one moment in time" when all that bliss will blowup right in YOUR arrogant face. Moondog has given sound advise and it would be nice if you to keep your personal opinions to yourself for none of us really care what you think of people here. This forum is about THE BETTERMENT OF THE BREED not YOUR ARROGENT ILL AND DANGEROUS ADVISE.

To all the newbies, novices etc., please adhere to the sound and SAFE advice that the MAJORITY of owners are saying. Dog parks ARE NOT the safest and sound place to socialize your pup. Ask your veterinarian. Most likely he/she will tell you the same thing. They don't like dog parks either and all for the obvious reasons. Please continue to read and learn and yes, also voice your opinion, for we will listen but also scrutinize your opinions and will point out and offer better advice if warranted. We all are passionate about our chosen breed and would like to continue to own it in the future.

[SurfOnH20]

Gosh, thanks for your OPINION JoJo..Your so right on.