Socialization with other dogs

[onyx'girl]

Originally Posted by Niya

A dog park is a good idea. I go to the dog park every single day for at least 2 hours. I have a 7 month old female german shepherd who used to be very fearful because she wasn't socialized very well when I got her. I started taking her there when she was 4 months. Some dogs might bully yours or play rough but don't freak the out like those other dog owners do at the dog park. My dog was bullied too but she learned her lesson there. Let your dog learn his lesson and know his place, by the time he gets bigger he'll be the bully (lol jk). My gsd is now VERY WELL socialized with other dogs because of the dog park. Also, I made so many friends that go there everyday like me which made it better. Just look out for your dog and know what is playing rough and fighting. Don't listen to the other people that's saying your gsd is way too young. 4 months is the perfect age to socialize your dog more. I would know all of this because I experienced it. I hope all the best for you!

Your dog is still a puppy. The dynamics may change as she matures....keep your eyes wide open. If you see it coming, you may want to re-think the dog park. Very few GSD's are good candidates for dog parks once they've matured. If yours stays that way, all will be well!

[Dakotasmom23]

Is there a dog daycare in your area that you could visit? Where I board my older dog, they also have daycare which is supervised by trainers and other dog savvy people. Its a much better alternative vs a dog park. The daycare here does a screening process to see if the dog would be good for daycare or not, and then will match up based on play styles and size. I'm sure not all dog daycares are equal, I just trust ours 1000%. But I agree, just getting your dog to pass by others without reacting and focusing on you is really fantastic. Dog parks are a recipe for disaster; you have to trust that Joe Public has a trained, well-socialized dog. If not, a fight could screw up your dog forever. Not a risk I'd ever take.

[lorihd@comcast.net]

well my pup is 7 mos, i do take her to the dog park early in the morning, when no other dogs are there ( we play fetch) i take her to just about everywhere. and she is reactive to dogs as well. i did take her to the regular park today and there was another large labadoodle the woman asked me could we take the dogs to the tennis court and let them play together. i told her my dog hasnt played with another dog before, so we let them run, my dog was super, very social, right play bow etc. her dog was a sweetheart, but way too much for lexie,(he was 100 lbs and lexie is 50) so after a couple of minutes she left (she was a very nice woman). i wouldnt take lexie to a dog park with lots of dogs in it, too many thing can go wrong. i really dont feel bad about this, my breeder sent a video home with me, (leerberg) or something where he goes into dog parks, he really didnt recommend it and most of the people on this forum dont either. although some people do and love it. i think its a personal choice.