Dog parks

[DrewnRiley]

Hey everyone,

My boy Riley is now approaching 11 weeks! I can't believe it...time is going by so fast and he's growing like a weed! I've been finding all the recent topics posted in this forum and the training forum very helpful as I've had the typical issues of biting, crate whining, etc with Riley. So on to my question...

There's a nice dog park near where I live and I can't wait to take Riley there so he can meet some other pups, but I've heard conflicting stories about the appropriate age to take a puppy to a dog park due to diseases and the overwhelming nature of a dog park to a young pup. Any guidance as to when I can get him out to meet some fellow canines? He's already encountered a lot of the neighborhood dogs and seems to do well with them all as far as wanting to play with them and not being frightened. Actually, his abundance of energy seemed to frighten a dog 60 pounds larger than him...haha. Go figure.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Andrew and Riley

 

[Lisa Ann]

I think we took Kaia for the first time when she was around four months old; in my opinion 11 weeks is a little young. Definitely make sure that your pup has all it's shot/vaccinations before you do go. Unfortunately, you never know about the other dogs there...
Kaia was definitely one of the smaller dogs there her first time. It meant that a lot of dogs wanted to play with her because she wasn't as intimidating as some as the larger dogs. She came home pretty wiped out and slept for hours!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Personally I'm not a fan of dog parks since yeah you have no clue about the other dogs there. I know our dog park has started out breaks of Parvo and had to be closed down a few times, etc.

I think doggie socializing is very important, but I keep it to my foster dogs (with my puppy who is 11 months old I mean), my girl that I already have, walks, and dogs of people I know (friends). Our neighbor across the street had a Boxer so they play together sometimes, my friend has a Schnauzer/Poodle mix (16 pounds) that is the same age as my pup and they play together. I also pet sit and take dogs in my home that way, and foster and take dogs in my home that way, so he gets plenty of doggie socializing but I have proof of vaccinations, vet checks, etc.

I think 11 weeks is WAY too young. If you're going to take him I would say 6 months but at the very minimum 4 weeks after his last puppy vaccination as it can take 4 weeks after that last vaccination to become immune (and even then unfortunately it isn't a 100% guarantee).

 

[ELubas]

I would skip the dog park for now and enroll your pup in a puppy class. They are all about safe socialization and any decent class will require proof of shots. They will also supervise play so you can relax and enjoy your pup. I do not do dog parks for a number of reasons but if i was going to I would wait until they are little more mature and neutered. If you do puppy obedience for a few months he will make lots of friends and get some training in to boot. My boy is going on seven and we still hang with some folks we met way back when he was pup Now we have a dog walking group of about a dozen dogs and I do not have to worry about sick dogs or pups not getting along. Good luck

 

[EAO76]

I agree, find a puppy kindergarten class 1st. You can do the dog parks later.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

I avoid dog parks like the plague. More often than not you encounter unruley dogs and unattentive owners.

I think it is the fastest way to become the proud owner of a dog aggresive dog.

Get playdates with other peoples whos dogs you know.

To me dog parks are the lazy mans answer to spending time with your dog.

 

[crowe]

We also stopped going to dog parks because of an issue with another boxer that was there all the time. This dog was very aggressive towards Sadie, jumping on top of her and biting at her neck even though Sadie just wanted to get away and had not aggression towards this other dog. All three times, the owner was at least 100 yards away and made no move to come closer to get his dog.

Another time, she went to sniff/say hello to another dog(non boxer) and it bit almost all the way through her cheek. She was bleeding for hours.

We had great experiences before these but decided that it wasn't worth a high vet bill or losing Sadie because another dog went off. Now we just meet up with other dog owners we know to get interaction.

If you do go, I suggest staying close and keeping an eye on all dogs around, just scanning the whole park and making notes on the ones who seem to have issues with other dogs.

Puppy classes are a grand idea, we are picking up our second pup on Wednesday, and this one is already enrolled in a class to start in a few weeks.

 

[morrissey11]

I also avoid dog parks, you always seem to get some silly owner everytime who thinks their agressive dog is funny. Also, when we took our baby there a few times when he was younger, he got sick every time, our vet said he does have a low immune system but you just don't know if the dogs at the parks have all their shots etc.
We took Reilly to a puppy class, we left after 3 lessons as he was so disruptive and just wanted to play!! He'd bounce from puppy to puppy doing twirls, so funny now! but he loves other dogs so I think it is a good thing to go to. Also, as your pup gets older hopefully there will be other dogs in the neighborhood to play with, or maybe a friend has a dog?

Brooster and Morrissey, both age 11, with the angels x x x x
Reilly, 2 yrs, 4 months x x

 

[Lisa Ann]

Well, I certainly wouldn't say it's a lazy man's answer to spending time with your dog. We take Kaia there once every few weeks or about once per month because it is a great opportunity for her to get around other dogs and socialize. We spend lots of time with her going for walks, playing ball and going other places, but for us, so far so good. We have yet to encounter aggressive dogs there, nor do we feel Kaia comes home any different.

 

[ELubas]

Well, I certainly wouldn't say it's a lazy man's answer to spending time with your dog. We take Kaia there once every few weeks or about once per month because it is a great opportunity for her to get around other dogs and socialize. We spend lots of time with her going for walks, playing ball and going other places, but for us, so far so good. We have yet to encounter aggressive dogs there, nor do we feel Kaia comes home any different.

I think perhaps the poster meant that some dogs do not have the temperment for it and the owners do not seem to get that. I have a girl who can be aggressive with strange dogs so I would never take her to a dog park but my boy does fine. I just find the couple we have around here seem to have more than their share of unruly dogs so I avoid them rather than spend my time asking folks to control thier dogs. Sounds like you have found a nice one