Dog aggression at the dog park

[PaddyD]

My son's dog was dog-aggressive and neutering him didn't change him one bit.
He remained that way for all 14 years.

[ayoitzrimz]

I hear you gsdraven - this whole neutering thing has been blasted with propaganda by vets and +R trainers worldwide (not that I'm opposed to +R training - I used that almost exclusively for the Sch obedience - I'm simply opposed to wishy washy trainers who oppose anything other +R). The same vets who say nothing when an owner comes in with a pet shop puppy but will make you believe neutering is the cure all for your dog.

The dog has strong focus when we are working. I've been working at proofing the watch command around other dogs but he's highly excitable and reactive and it's a work in progress.

Maybe going early is a solid solution. Seems like people have been coming up with clever ideas (I know it's not rocket science but these are all great suggestions that I just didn't think of) for their issues.

The thing that kills me is this - I'm 70% sure that it's the tension of the owners that starts a chain reaction that sets Einstein off. His favorite play mate is an unfixed male golden retriever. When we walk to the dog park, however, you can almost hear everyone holding their breaths. You immediately see the owners tensing up (because he's just a big bad scary GSD lol) and the dogs react immediately - mouths closing, eyes widening, etc. I really do think that if the owners just relaxed a little bit Einstein wouldn't feel like he's walking into a war zone or something. Anyway, this has nothing to do with the topic - I'm just venting a little bit...

gsdraven - my trainer just said not to take him to the park anymore, which is what he's been telling me all along. I know I really shouldn't - I know dog parks are terrible idea (especially being so small here) but like I said before, the options get rather limited during the summer months

[gsdraven]

You may be totally right about the owners setting everything off but we can't train other owners

I would think that in NYC there aren't many options available to you but your trainer is right. Most adult shepherds do not do well in a dog park setting. My own dog loved it as a puppy but started hating the dog park around a year old. She was getting mature and was more selective of who she deemed worthy of her attention. Unfortunately, you get a lot of pushy dogs in dog parks whose owners think it is ok for them to get in everyone's face. You can't control the environment so it's risky.

Try going early if you can. Are there any local fenced in school fields you can use? I take mine to the local middle school that has a fenced in football field.

[ayoitzrimz]

Thanks everyone for all the comments. I managed to find the off leash hours rules in NYC and any park that does not have a dog run has off leash hours from 9pm to 9am. We'll find ways to work around that schedule and just up the training in the summer months. Looks like Einstein's little cash & prizes are safe

[doggiedad]

i haven't the dog parks i go to all that bad. i did a lot
of training and socializing at the dog parks. i think there's more of a chance of a fight breaking out than getting some disease or worms.
the idea of a dog park is to have a place for the dogs to run free
and intermingle so why would you have your dog leashed at a dog park?

Originally Posted by wolfstraum

Sorry - dog parks are a big no no in my world! Besides the obvious of dog fighting being high risk, so are diseases and worms!!! If you need to take him to one to exercise, keep a long line on him and do not let him interact wtih other dogs! If by some chance he does meet a strange dog - YOU take charge and reprimand him for any behavior that is not acceptable...but better not to let him interact at all...

Lee

[Metalsmith]

I know around here the summer months bring a lot more people to the dog park. It gets way busier. Going early, like gsdraven suggested may help. I've found that going really late helps too, but I don't know if that's an option for you.

Have you considered training him to jog along side your bike? There is a bike attachment available: Springer - Biking your Dog Healthy that is safer than just having the leash in your hand as you bike.

Also, and this is kind of "out there" as a suggestion, it is possible to train a dog to use a treadmill. I imagine that might seem like a really attractive option if it's snowy and bitterly cold outside!

Good luck!

[ayoitzrimz]

Originally Posted by Metalsmith

I know around here the summer months bring a lot more people to the dog park. It gets way busier. Going early, like gsdraven suggested may help. I've found that going really late helps too, but I don't know if that's an option for you.

Have you considered training him to jog along side your bike? There is a bike attachment available: Springer - Biking your Dog Healthy that is safer than just having the leash in your hand as you bike.

Also, and this is kind of "out there" as a suggestion, it is possible to train a dog to use a treadmill. I imagine that might seem like a really attractive option if it's snowy and bitterly cold outside!

Good luck!

I do run regularly and I can't wait until he's 2 years old when I can start to accustom him to "forced" exercise. Before then, I'd rather be safe than sorry and let his growth plates seal properly. That is a great suggestion for other owners of adult dogs with no health problems though...