Gotta Brag on Woolf

Twyla · 10-23-2011, 11:18 PM

We took Woolf to the dog park today. The park is actually broke up into different sections. The fenced in areas for off leash is at the bottom of the hill behind a line of trees. At the top is a huge open field, trail around it, picnic areas for senior citizens, any dogs in the area are on leash. The set up is perfect for what we want to do. We always set up in the middle of the field. Gave him distance and us to move if we had to get him out of the situation.

Always before, Woolf never relaxed, always wanted to do the bark, growl, lunge dance at dogs there, no matter how far away they were. Then he would start with the walkers and joggers, and it would progressively go down hill. We would never be able to get to a point where we could leave the park on a good note, with him having the memory of it being a success.

We had hit a wall big time with him.

Today started out about the same, same behaviors etc. We even had bits of steak left over from last night for treats. Didn't matter. Then it was like a light bulb turned on. Before the day was over, a Great Dane had walked around the field, a beagle, a pair of labs, a couple of joggers and a group of walkers. We had worked him about half way to the trail with still no reaction, he was alert but not reacting. We'd even stop every so often and practice some obedience commands. We left at that point, on a successful note, Woolf relaxed and a good experience.

We made a dent in that wall today

Long story on today but I had to brag

smileydog · 10-25-2011, 01:38 PM

Thats great! How old is Woofie? I'm having the same issues with Magnum at the dog park and he is 20 months. I don't live in the city, but when visiting my parents I would bring him to dog park, since he was 4 months old he had fun. He now is afraid of the big dogs and goes in barking and in defence mode even when all the dogs are calm. He calms down after a while but looks unsure of himself, its hard to build confidence in him with strange dogs because he is not around them alot, but is great and sweet with his buddies and girlfriends. I'm hoping he will get better and that maybe its just a stage and will grow out of it. Good luck with Woolfie, keep it up looks like you're getting progress!!

Julie

Daisy&Lucky's Mom · 10-25-2011, 01:49 PM

Congratulations.Sounds like your patience and consistency is paying off! More Steak for Woofl!You should treat yourself to!

Twyla · 10-25-2011, 03:56 PM

@Smileydog - Woolf is 13 months old. The only time we do use the dog park is for the huge field and trails around it in sight. As far as the off leash area, we don't use it for either of our dogs. Woolf, because that would be a disaster, Shadow (our lab) because I don't want to put her in the middle of what appears to be chaos. To many of the owners look like they don't have any control on their dogs. Maybe with Magnum try for fewer dogs then in the dog park? Play the LAT game and keep him below his threshold.

@ Daisy&Lucky's Mom - he had what was left of the steak from the night before

but the steak didn't matter. What we finally ended up doing was playing ball with him. One was holding his leash, the other tossing the ball. It would save on the cost of treats if that worked every time!!

Thanks to both - one step at a time as they say.

10-23-2011, 11:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Twyla Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 487	Gotta Brag on Woolf We took Woolf to the dog park today. The park is actually broke up into different sections. The fenced in areas for off leash is at the bottom of the hill behind a line of trees. At the top is a huge open field, trail around it, picnic areas for senior citizens, any dogs in the area are on leash. The set up is perfect for what we want to do. We always set up in the middle of the field. Gave him distance and us to move if we had to get him out of the situation. Always before, Woolf never relaxed, always wanted to do the bark, growl, lunge dance at dogs there, no matter how far away they were. Then he would start with the walkers and joggers, and it would progressively go down hill. We would never be able to get to a point where we could leave the park on a good note, with him having the memory of it being a success. We had hit a wall big time with him. Today started out about the same, same behaviors etc. We even had bits of steak left over from last night for treats. Didn't matter. Then it was like a light bulb turned on. Before the day was over, a Great Dane had walked around the field, a beagle, a pair of labs, a couple of joggers and a group of walkers. We had worked him about half way to the trail with still no reaction, he was alert but not reacting. We'd even stop every so often and practice some obedience commands. We left at that point, on a successful note, Woolf relaxed and a good experience. We made a dent in that wall today Long story on today but I had to brag

10-25-2011, 01:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
smileydog New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 18	Thats great! How old is Woofie? I'm having the same issues with Magnum at the dog park and he is 20 months. I don't live in the city, but when visiting my parents I would bring him to dog park, since he was 4 months old he had fun. He now is afraid of the big dogs and goes in barking and in defence mode even when all the dogs are calm. He calms down after a while but looks unsure of himself, its hard to build confidence in him with strange dogs because he is not around them alot, but is great and sweet with his buddies and girlfriends. I'm hoping he will get better and that maybe its just a stage and will grow out of it. Good luck with Woolfie, keep it up looks like you're getting progress!! Julie

10-25-2011, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Daisy&Lucky's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,433	Congratulations.Sounds like your patience and consistency is paying off! More Steak for Woofl!You should treat yourself to!

10-25-2011, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Twyla Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 487	@Smileydog - Woolf is 13 months old. The only time we do use the dog park is for the huge field and trails around it in sight. As far as the off leash area, we don't use it for either of our dogs. Woolf, because that would be a disaster, Shadow (our lab) because I don't want to put her in the middle of what appears to be chaos. To many of the owners look like they don't have any control on their dogs. Maybe with Magnum try for fewer dogs then in the dog park? Play the LAT game and keep him below his threshold. @ Daisy&Lucky's Mom - he had what was left of the steak from the night before but the steak didn't matter. What we finally ended up doing was playing ball with him. One was holding his leash, the other tossing the ball. It would save on the cost of treats if that worked every time!! Thanks to both - one step at a time as they say.

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