We can't go to the Dog Park

kbsorensen · 09-22-2011, 01:10 AM

I have a two year old GSD that has been spayed. She is extremely attached to me. Wherever I go she follows. I live alone and don't have any friends with other dogs to expose her to. Recently we found a dog park to go to; however, she exhibits unusual behavior and I don't know how to correct it. When we first get there, she is excited and pulling very hard to reach the entrance. Once inside, if any dogs approach her, she sniffs and soon starts to snarl and acts like she is going to bite but to date hasn't clamped down. Her hair is up on her back and she appears very nervous and does a lot of pacing. Some dogs don't put up with it and bark, growl and bite back. When they do, she runs to me, yipping looking for protection. If any dogs come close to me, she begins this behavior all over again. She won't leave my side for more than 10 to 15 feet and tries to keep other dogs out of this range. How can I correct this behavior? I want her to enjoy the company of other dogs and to run and play.

Verivus · 09-22-2011, 01:14 AM

She sounds like she's scared and afraid. I wouldn't take her to the dog park. You could try socializing her with a calmer dog of similar size, but I don't know if it will help given her age.

ETA: you could try and walk her around the perimeter of the dog park so she can get used to being around a ton of dogs or go during a time with less dog traffic and see if it helps.

Lucy Dog · 09-22-2011, 01:19 AM

A dog park is not the right place for your dog. It's not fair for her or the other dogs there. Eventually she will act on all that growling and a fights going to break out. It will happen sooner or later.

Can you get in any kind of reactive dog classes near you? Do you have any training facilities in your area? That would probably do wonders for her with the right trainer.

CarrieJ · 09-22-2011, 03:04 AM

Hackles don't necessarily mean what many people think they do. If the hackles are all the way down the back it could mean uncertainty or fear. Unfortunately the more fearful your dog is the more it will draw dogs to her. (for lack of better term make her an omega) I'd be concerned with her keeping dogs away from you at a 10-15 foot range though, that sounds a bit resouce guardy with no confidence.

I wouldn't do dog parks especially at peak times with her. GSDs tend to do fight when presented with "fight or flight mode"

Personally, I would look to someplace like Lucy Dog suggested a "reactive class" or even a facility that will re-hab. Something like bring out one dog at a time, usually dogs a little younger or smaller than her at first to build her confidence.
You get the right trainer though, and two years old is not ancient. GSDs really aren't what you'd expect for dog park type dogs. They usually care about their owners and a ball/frisbee and nothing else.

RichardMorris · 09-22-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarrieJ

. GSDs really aren't what you'd expect for dog park type dogs. They usually care about their owners and a ball/frisbee and nothing else.

Great point. Our 23 mo old Raven is happy to play with her 3 "very select canine friends" during the week, and other than that spends her time around us, playing ball, or learning something new. She couldn't care less about other dogs, except when she is walking with me, and then it is a cursory glance at best.

Richard

BlackPuppy · 09-22-2011, 09:27 AM

I had a behaviorist come over to access my new dog who also has confidence/fear issues.

He suggested go to parks with walking trails where people take their dogs for walks. We have one that circles a lake and there are always people walking dogs.

The behaviorist suggested I take my dog to the where the path starts and let him see the dogs and then give the "watch" command to have him look at me. Then treat. Eventually we were able to move closer and closer until my dog had enough confidence to go for a walk on the trail.

My dog still will not tolerate dogs who stare at him, and his aggressive display will scare the pants off of people. Oddly, he's pretty good in dog parks. It's being on a leash that is his issue.

Now my female is another matter. She does NOT like other dogs and is also OCD. So I just love her the way she is.

Duke-2009 · 09-28-2011, 04:23 AM

Dog parks and GSD's generally don't mix. GSD's really don't care about other dogs or strange people. They prefer to hang with the family and people they know. Other breeds can't wait to play.

We have another dog and they are best of friends. We also do doggy day care at a very controlled facility. Just the right amount of dogs unlike a dog park where it is a free for all with little supervision.

Find a few friends with dogs to have play dates with at neutral spots. This will help socialize her to other dogs and build trust.

Caledon · 09-29-2011, 09:50 AM

The OP said she does not have firends with dogs. I'm in the same situation.

Dakota did develope some dog issues and what I did was go to a behaviouist. One exercise that I really like, and am going to do again, is to visit a dog park. I have an SUV, which is perfect for this exercise. I parked near the fence, but not near the entrance as some dogs enter off leash, by backing in my SUV. Have a bunch of treats. The first time I just drove up, parked and drove off. The next time I opened the back of the SUV, made sure she saw the dogs playing, safely behind the fence and feed. The next time I removed her from the car, treated, and worked on the "home base" command - which is in the back of the SUV. Gradually increase the distance from the car to the fence line. Work on the watch me command, and treat, treat, treat.

This really bosted her confidence. She never actually got to meet a dog, or sniff a dog, or go into the park. This was not the purpose of the exercise. I'm sure people thought I was weird, but I don't care.

I didn't go at the same time every day so I saw lots of different dogs. if I went the same time everyday I'm sure I would have meet someone who would be willing to help me work on this by walking their dog around her, on leash, while I worked on this. Of course you would need a really calm dog. Hey, you may be lucky and meet someone with a dog that would be a perfect match to yours and then have a play buddy.

Good luck.

BlackPuppy · 09-29-2011, 12:40 PM

Yeah, I know a lot of dog people, but not many nearby. It's always hard to find people who have the time to help out.

CarrieJ · 09-29-2011, 12:49 PM

My problem is finding people with dogs Alice's size. We went on our "pack walk" with four dogs and it included:
1 pug
1 sm. terrier X
1 Zoey the weasel

Fun, but being restrained around the littles is hard work for big ampy dog.
I need to adjust my schedule to get into a training club or something.

09-22-2011, 01:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
kbsorensen New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 1	We can't go to the Dog Park I have a two year old GSD that has been spayed. She is extremely attached to me. Wherever I go she follows. I live alone and don't have any friends with other dogs to expose her to. Recently we found a dog park to go to; however, she exhibits unusual behavior and I don't know how to correct it. When we first get there, she is excited and pulling very hard to reach the entrance. Once inside, if any dogs approach her, she sniffs and soon starts to snarl and acts like she is going to bite but to date hasn't clamped down. Her hair is up on her back and she appears very nervous and does a lot of pacing. Some dogs don't put up with it and bark, growl and bite back. When they do, she runs to me, yipping looking for protection. If any dogs come close to me, she begins this behavior all over again. She won't leave my side for more than 10 to 15 feet and tries to keep other dogs out of this range. How can I correct this behavior? I want her to enjoy the company of other dogs and to run and play.

09-22-2011, 01:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Verivus Master Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 701	She sounds like she's scared and afraid. I wouldn't take her to the dog park. You could try socializing her with a calmer dog of similar size, but I don't know if it will help given her age. ETA: you could try and walk her around the perimeter of the dog park so she can get used to being around a ton of dogs or go during a time with less dog traffic and see if it helps. __________________ Chrissy Pookie the Papillon 4/17/09 "Kaiser" aka Exodus z Jirkova Dvora 4/14/11 Last edited by Verivus; 09-22-2011 at 01:16 AM.

09-22-2011, 01:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,177	A dog park is not the right place for your dog. It's not fair for her or the other dogs there. Eventually she will act on all that growling and a fights going to break out. It will happen sooner or later. Can you get in any kind of reactive dog classes near you? Do you have any training facilities in your area? That would probably do wonders for her with the right trainer. __________________ Paul

09-22-2011, 03:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
CarrieJ Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,427	Hackles don't necessarily mean what many people think they do. If the hackles are all the way down the back it could mean uncertainty or fear. Unfortunately the more fearful your dog is the more it will draw dogs to her. (for lack of better term make her an omega) I'd be concerned with her keeping dogs away from you at a 10-15 foot range though, that sounds a bit resouce guardy with no confidence. I wouldn't do dog parks especially at peak times with her. GSDs tend to do fight when presented with "fight or flight mode" Personally, I would look to someplace like Lucy Dog suggested a "reactive class" or even a facility that will re-hab. Something like bring out one dog at a time, usually dogs a little younger or smaller than her at first to build her confidence. You get the right trainer though, and two years old is not ancient. GSDs really aren't what you'd expect for dog park type dogs. They usually care about their owners and a ball/frisbee and nothing else.

09-22-2011, 09:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	I had a behaviorist come over to access my new dog who also has confidence/fear issues. He suggested go to parks with walking trails where people take their dogs for walks. We have one that circles a lake and there are always people walking dogs. The behaviorist suggested I take my dog to the where the path starts and let him see the dogs and then give the "watch" command to have him look at me. Then treat. Eventually we were able to move closer and closer until my dog had enough confidence to go for a walk on the trail. My dog still will not tolerate dogs who stare at him, and his aggressive display will scare the pants off of people. Oddly, he's pretty good in dog parks. It's being on a leash that is his issue. Now my female is another matter. She does NOT like other dogs and is also OCD. So I just love her the way she is.

09-28-2011, 04:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Duke-2009 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 139	Dog parks and GSD's generally don't mix. GSD's really don't care about other dogs or strange people. They prefer to hang with the family and people they know. Other breeds can't wait to play. We have another dog and they are best of friends. We also do doggy day care at a very controlled facility. Just the right amount of dogs unlike a dog park where it is a free for all with little supervision. Find a few friends with dogs to have play dates with at neutral spots. This will help socialize her to other dogs and build trust.

09-29-2011, 09:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Caledon Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,786	The OP said she does not have firends with dogs. I'm in the same situation. Dakota did develope some dog issues and what I did was go to a behaviouist. One exercise that I really like, and am going to do again, is to visit a dog park. I have an SUV, which is perfect for this exercise. I parked near the fence, but not near the entrance as some dogs enter off leash, by backing in my SUV. Have a bunch of treats. The first time I just drove up, parked and drove off. The next time I opened the back of the SUV, made sure she saw the dogs playing, safely behind the fence and feed. The next time I removed her from the car, treated, and worked on the "home base" command - which is in the back of the SUV. Gradually increase the distance from the car to the fence line. Work on the watch me command, and treat, treat, treat. This really bosted her confidence. She never actually got to meet a dog, or sniff a dog, or go into the park. This was not the purpose of the exercise. I'm sure people thought I was weird, but I don't care. I didn't go at the same time every day so I saw lots of different dogs. if I went the same time everyday I'm sure I would have meet someone who would be willing to help me work on this by walking their dog around her, on leash, while I worked on this. Of course you would need a really calm dog. Hey, you may be lucky and meet someone with a dog that would be a perfect match to yours and then have a play buddy. Good luck.

09-29-2011, 12:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Yeah, I know a lot of dog people, but not many nearby. It's always hard to find people who have the time to help out.

09-29-2011, 12:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
CarrieJ Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,427	My problem is finding people with dogs Alice's size. We went on our "pack walk" with four dogs and it included: 1 pug 1 sm. terrier X 1 Zoey the weasel Fun, but being restrained around the littles is hard work for big ampy dog. I need to adjust my schedule to get into a training club or something.

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