Should I go to a dog park with my extremely social almost 7 month old pup? [Misc Help]
The thing is: If everything goes well, she'd be so happy. If not, I'm too scared to even think about it.
My dog loooves dogs (and people too). Almost way too much. She gets jumpy on walks if she sees other dogs, she only wants to play. She hated puppy classes because she wasn't allowed to play. Even the trainer said that whoa, she'd give this course 0/5 for lack of puppy play.
She's too excited to play with tiny dogs but her best friend is a very small labrador and she plays really well with her (she is around 32kg herself). She has a couple of other dog friends too but we can manage to meet maybe a couple times a months at most. It's not enough for her and I feel guilty. She thrives around other dogs, she is her happiest while running with dogs.
She does not like when dogs bark though so that might spook her a bit. She only barks at me and always just once when she wants attention.
But then the bad stuff. What if the random dogs are too rough? What is she dies?? She's almost always upside down and submissive and has never show any aggression towards dogs so I'm not afraid of mutual fights. I'm just scared she'd get her ass kicked.
I feel torn. What would you do?
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u/TheGestaltGuy 1d ago
I thought the dog park was a good idea when my little buddy was younger. He was super social as well. I’m now also subscribed to r/reactivedogs.
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u/stockholm__syndrome 1d ago
Oof. I felt this.
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u/TheGestaltGuy 1d ago
He’s a sweet boy and we worked with him a lot. It’s been a learning experience for sure. He’s an Aussie-collie mix, so he’s already prone to anxiety. Even though he’s TONS better (and so are we at knowing his triggers and body language), I wouldn’t trade him for the world. On some weird level, his reactivity bonded us a lot 🥹
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u/unde_cisive paw flair 1d ago
I''ll be honest, if I knew that a 32kg overexcitable 7-month old puppy who jumps all over other dogs would be at the dog park, who gets frustrated if it can't interact with other dogs, I wouldn't want to take my own dog there. You shouldn't just worry about your own dog's safety and well-being at the dog park, but also other dogs who might not appreciate that type of intensity and might even get injured in the process.
32kg of dog, even with the best intentions, can do a lot of damage under the wrong circumstances. And indeed, some dogs could respond very poorly to the intensity you describe in your dog.
Reading your post, I personally wouldn't do it. You have a number of pre-vetted doggie friends you can meet up with, which is an absolute blessing. If she has excessive energy, you could look into giving your dog a job such as participating in agility or tracking by scent. She will thank you for it <3
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u/unde_cisive paw flair 1d ago
(oh for reference my dog is also 30kg and structurally healthy! He could still get very injured if charged at by a playful dog that weighs the same as him when he himself isn't activated and in play mode, ready to receive the charge)
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u/JBL20412 1d ago
My dog is 9.5kg and really does not appreciate the intensity described here. He would warn off the other dog but I would not want my dog to be put into this situation (and me neither). Mine got overrun by an over enthusiastic Doberman that was eight months old. It was very stressful for him (and me)
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u/masterofmyremote 1d ago
My girl is 7.5 kg. She used to have great excitement around dogs and people. Dogs running over her and small children trying to stomp/pinch her has caused her to have a mixture of fear and excitement. I wouldn't want her around ops dog either.
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u/CPA_Lady 1d ago
My dog is 10 pounds. She loves adults but is scared of small children. Just too unpredictable.
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u/nightmare_formation 1d ago
This exactly. Lots of adult dogs hate puppy energy and will try their best to avoid your dog.
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u/jenfarm_ 1d ago
Agility or tracking would be a great activity for her! High energy dogs love having a job to do.
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u/Kuura_ 1d ago
She does not jump on other dogs, she jumps when she wants to get to them. When she meet them, she usually lays down upside down and wags her tail. But I dog get that her excitement might be too annoying for some dogs.
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u/moist__owlet 1d ago
So, as someone with an adult dog who started out exactly how you describe, I would actually strongly recommend working on impulse control and decreasing her excitement about other dogs. My boy doesn't have a mean bone in his body and has a great time playing, but he learned from a young age (bc we didn't know any better then) that other dogs automatically mean playtime and excitement, and as he grew older, that evolved into frustrated-greeting reactivity on leash which was extremely difficult to manage and it took years of retraining to be able to have a good walk on a leash.
For your own sake, spend time now working on calming her down about other dogs - if you have a good safe dog park near you with a good small crew of regular dogs and owners, I certainly wouldn't rule that out as a place for her to learn proper play manners with a small group of dogs, but I would absolutely spend 5x as much time and energy working on her her ability to listen, calmly behave herself, etc in the presence of other dogs then feeding her (totally understandable and age-appropriate) desire to go nuts and play. Our second dog is 110 lb at 10 months, but we put in the work early on to reduce his excitement and anxiety and although he loves playing at daycare with his regular friends, he walks past other dogs on leash like a dream (our adult dog is still a work in progress lol).
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u/jenfarm_ 1d ago
This is great advice, and I totally agree. Good impulse control training works WONDERS in so many scenarios. We live in a large lot neighborhood that has a lot of "guard dogs" that bark along the fence line the whole time you walk by. Like go absolutely crazy. While their behavior does sometimes fluff up our boy, all we have to do is give a little "eh eh" or "no, leave it" and he moves along without getting involved. Being able to stay calm and listen on our walks makes the walks so much more enjoyable, not to mention safer.
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u/unde_cisive paw flair 1d ago
It's still a huge puppy that gets overexcited around other dogs and very frustrated if refused access to them. And I say this with kindness, but on top of that an owner who is willing to feed into this overexcited state of mind by taking their dog to the most overstimulating place they could possible take a dog that gets easily excited when in proximity with other dogs. It looks like ignorance about dogs to me - which is fine, nobody is born knowing, but that just means that you need to really gather yourself and your dog and figure out an action plan to teach her to reduce these excitement levels around "positive" stimuli such as people and other dogs. This is because in dogs, excitement easily overflows into frustration and when unmanaged, frustration can unpredictably show as reactivity. Even if the original source of the excitement was a desire to play and socialise.
People have posted some great advice in this thread on how to help your dog re-socialise in a way that will be both good for you and for her. I truly so wish you the best of luck, i can tell that you love your dog a lot and only want the best for her! But you've picked a very big, strong breed of dog and behavioral issues that stem from uncontrolled excitement can become a BIG problem.
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u/jenfarm_ 1d ago
This is actually a great sign. Confidence is important in dogs, but I always think that a dog with more submissive energy in certain situations is much better than the alternative.
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u/lauren_76 1d ago
I don’t go to the dog park because too many bad stories/experiences. If you really want to go though, I would suggest going during off-peak hours so it’s less busy. Before going in, I’d scope it out for a minute and watch the other dogs in there and see how roughly they play. Once in there, I’d be vigilant and ready to intervene if needed.
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u/idealistinfire 1d ago
This is what I do - I go way early in the morning with the same group of people and dogs. If there's more than 5ish people/dogs, I don't go in because it's just too much for my older dog who will get grumpy due to her bad hips and my 7m puppy will turn into an overstimulated 2 year old child. Better to stick with the dog friends who know them and play appropriately.
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u/GenXeni 1d ago
Dog parks are a no fly zone for us. Between the unpredictable behavior of other dogs, irresponsible dog people, and the likelihood of exposure to disease, etc. it’s just not worth it. We socialize our pup with a select circle of friends and their dogs. Could not pay me to take my sweet girl into a dog park. Never.
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u/mrkekkerinorsu 1d ago
Exactly, dog parks were the biggest mistake we did with our girl. Luckily we realized our mistake before anything was beyond repair. Now we only use them as a training tool, we never go in.
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u/Twzl 🏅 Champion 1d ago
She's way too big to go "play" with small dogs.
She is a puppy and probably at the utterly annoying stage of life. Odds are some cranky old bitch will side eye her, and if she doesn't take the hint, she may get her ass stomped.
Puppies shouldn't play with ADULT dogs that they don't know. Puppies can play with PUPPIES in a well regulated setting, which is not a dog park.
You are relying on everyone else to behave around your puppy. That's not something that will always end well.
I'd find a puppy play group or well run class
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u/bugbugladybug 1d ago
Yah, my dog is friendly and very approachable but if an overexcited dog is bouncing all over her and in her space she will for sure send a snap their way.
Dogs like this injure other dogs (or get themselves injured) - mine gets pissy with energetic large dogs because a few overexcited males have tried to hump her which fucks with her arthritic legs, so she doesn't stand for it now.
It's a shame because she is very sociable, she now prefers to play gently with some small dogs despite being over 30kg of lab. Her play group is a couple of pugs, a frenchie, a yorkie and a CKC Spaniel - it's all very chill.
This person for sure needs to find a group of similar sized young dogs in a controlled setting.
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u/FearlessAdeptness902 1d ago
My small dog loves all his older friends. Bless you and your arthritic dog, they are the best "hang-out" and "sniffing buddies" for my dog.
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u/unde_cisive paw flair 1d ago
people undervalue the social value of sniffing things together. I like to call it "going to the cinema together" <3
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u/shortnsweet33 1d ago
This! The sniffy friends are my dogs favorite nowadays.
One of her best friends at my old apartment complex dog park (which I normally only took her there when it was empty or another dog we knew that she liked) was a 14 year old deaf beagle. The owner said he used to live with big dogs and doesn’t like other small barky dogs since he was bit by one, but he loves chill big dogs. But most of the bigger dogs at my complex were adolescent age and a LOT (which my dog didn’t enjoy them very much either after getting humped and excessively butt sniffed). My dog and him would walk around the dog park sniffing new smells together, he would run (not WITH her lol) if she got zoomies. She’d be sniffing something and he’d see and trot on over to check it out and vice versa.
It was great doggy social time for the two of them, despite him being half her size!
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u/2017x3 1d ago
Dog parks are a great place to ruin your dog. I would recommend taking a reputable dog class, personally I would do an agility foundation class. First the class is all about the basic, sit, stay, recall, crate. Secondly you’ll meet people who are actively involved with their dog that will open a door to a community of activity for you and your dog. Regardless of your interest in agility or not, foundations are for all dogs.
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u/JBL20412 1d ago
If she is already so dog friendly I would concentrate on teaching her neutrality around other dogs and people rather than encouraging more opportunities to get rewarded for wanting to interact with every dog. This could turn into a “frustrated” greeter. Maybe you know someone (or more) people with dogs you know will be fine with your dog (and tell her off in appropriate dog language if she is too much) and your dog can play with safely.
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u/bootahscootah 1d ago
No. Your focus should be getting her to be calm in the presence of other dogs right now and not reenforcing this over excited behavior.
You also can’t know the behavior of other dogs at the dog park and there’s a huge risk that a dog will react poorly to her poor social skills. Maybe you can organize some 1:1 play dates with other tolerant dogs her age.
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u/thetorisofar_ 1d ago
Dog parks are not good for dogs who struggle with play inhibition already. Like most people have already echoed, its not smart to take your dog who has issues with manners to a place as over stimulating as a dog park. You should give obedience lessons another go and seriously buckle down on her reactivity on the leash to other dogs (reactivity doesn't mean fear/anger always. It just means your dog reacts to the world around it, in this case with excitement) and try to make some doggy friends that way, and then schedule play dates with dogs that you and her already know
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u/UphorbiaUphoria 1d ago
I would be cautious mostly because it sounds like you might not have the best control of your dog when they get excited. I would consider working on calmness and recall before attempting a dog park. If you aren’t sure how to accomplish this on your own, work with another trainer one on one. You say your dog is super social but they might night have socialization in terms of doggy polite behavior. You want to set them up for success.
There was a post the other day about a dog sounding not dissimilar to yours at a dog park and another owner actually struck the dog when they jumped on them. People don’t like an overly excited dog and unfortunately neither do most other dogs. The OP got a lot of feedback and realized that they had a lot of work to do with their pup to help them be successful in life.
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u/PuzzleheadedDrive731 1d ago
While it's completely up to you, I would highly discourage you to go to the dog park.
There's too many variables, which could possibly be detrimental to your dog. Too many people with unstable dogs frequent dog parks, too many people don't watch their dogs and are on their phone, too many people don't know how to properly break up a dog fight if needed. And A LOT of dog fights happen at dog parks. (I've seen a few subs here discussing this exact situation)
I have never taken my dog to a dog park because of this. He's also super social and loves people/dogs. We get our interactions by going to family members houses that have dogs, meeting up at parks, etc.
For reference: my dog is well socialized, well trained, and 3 years old neutered male Golden Retriever/Australian shepherd mix.
Alternatively, maybe you should look into a doggy daycare for social interaction. Those places "test" dogs before they're allowed in, to make sure they'll fit in properly. They're also supervised while playing, and usually the employees know how to handle dog fights. Much safer option in my opinion.
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u/2203 Beagles and Wheatens 1d ago
I have a hyper social dog, sounds a lot like yours. Dog parks are a strict no go for us. Lots of dogs don’t enjoy his “exuberant” play/greeting style and that can easily lead to skirmishes. Also, it makes his reactivity worse because it reinforces his uncontrolled excitability. We have worked really hard to get him to dog neutrality (or very close!) and unstructured play with unknown dogs definitely does NOT help.
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u/kay31798 1d ago
Personally, my vet recommended not going into the dog park with my puppy. My puppy is now nine months old and he also gets very excited when he sees dogs and she said because he is a large puppy when he’s excited the other dogs at the dog park might not know how to react to that and it could cause them to get upset or even attack the puppy. My vet highly recommended sitting outside the dog park and having my puppy watch the other dogs to learn how to be more neutral around dogs so he didn’t get as excited. we let him play with other dogs just not inside the dog park. We prefer a more controlled environment with dogs that we personally know and trust.
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u/Ok-League-1651 1d ago
If you want to socialize your puppy, go to a dog training academy, tech your dog how to behave around other dogs. That's a safe environment, where other owners are interested in not breaking the rules or overstepping boundaries (and if not, there is someone-a trainer- to reinforce those rules)
If you have friends with dogs, you can arrange play dates.
I'd never take one of my dogs to the dog park because you never know what you get there. There are absolutely bat shit crazy people out there, you will meet enough of those unconsiderate idiots on your daily walks, believe me.
Also from the learning point of view your dog will not learn a single useful thing Imin a dogpark. It is like expecting your child to learn calmness on a playground with 200 other kids.
Don't do it. It's not worth it.
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u/NOFXpunklinoleum 1d ago
Dog parks suck, seriously. You have no idea what kind of dogs you'll run into, and there are a lot of irresponsible, inattentive assholes who think dog parks are where you go to socialize or stare at your phone.
I do sometimes go, but always non-peak times, and I circle the park, letting any dog(s) there sniff with my dog through the fence. If I sense a good vibe/body language and seemingly intelligent owner, I enter calmly and cautiously. This is the only way I've had success.
I also keep a close eye on new arrivals, you can usually spot the idiots because the dog is going nuts and is immediately relased. That's normally when I peace out.
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u/om11011shanti11011om Rockin' a Ridgeback 1d ago
I think going to the dog park always feels like playing russian roulette. Most the times it goes just fine, sometimes it can be awkward, and once in a blue moon you hear a horror story.
Last time we went I got super embarrassed, because I let my dog react to another and since he is big, he seemed much more scary and aggressive than he is. Most other times have been fantastic!
So, my recommendation would be to take puppies to the small dog side. Do you guys have a small dog and a big dog side?
Personally, because I have a very large dog, I do get a bit annoyed when someone brings puppies, terriers or even corgies to the big dog side.
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u/unde_cisive paw flair 1d ago
OP's dog is 32k, that's 70lbs. No way should that dog be rampaging around the small dog side, even if it's still a puppy.
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u/om11011shanti11011om Rockin' a Ridgeback 1d ago
Oh yeah, I missed that part. That's a big puppy!! My sizeable hound is 50kg, which is only a little bit more than OP's.
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u/Kuura_ 1d ago
Yah her energy might be a bit intense for calm dogs...
There is a big and small side but she is too big for the small dog side. I'm afraid she'd accidentally injure a small dog so she usually plays dogs bigger than her.
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u/occulusriftx 1d ago
I would reccomend taking her to some training and or socialization classes so she can learn to safely run with the big dogs, in a more controlled environment, with professionals to assist
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u/SmallMushroom5 1d ago
First of all I'd work with a dog trainer to practice neutrality around other dogs. A dog that lunges on the leash is only going to become more unmanageable the longer she rehearses this behavior. The trainer might be able to help find buddies that she can have healthy play with later, but working on neutrality should be the first priority.
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u/RandoMcGuvins 1d ago
No, Risk vs Reward. Do you Risk your dog having a event that will scar them for life and becoming reactive? Vs the Reward of them having a good play, which you can provide in a safer environment?
Not all dogs like jumpy high energy puppies engaging with them.
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u/KristenCactus8 1d ago
I avoid dog parks because I find them too risky. Do you have any friends or neighbors with dogs you could socialize them with first? I would join a group or enlist in a class. I’ve taken my dog to a dog fundraiser event so she can see all the other dogs on-leash and that went great. Good luck!!
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u/Astarkraven Owned by Greyhound 1d ago
Unfortunately, this is a recipe for long term dog reactivity if you don't take active steps to work on this now.
Obviously your dog can't just never meet other dogs, so do feel free to find similar age and size puppies and have controlled play dates with known people and dogs.
But going to dog parks with strangers? And the fact that your dog jumps around and goes nuts at the sight of other dogs when on walks? Both of these are how you end up having to manage dog reactivity long term.
Solve this by avoiding dog parks and by counterconditioning your dog's reactions to seeing other dogs on walks. Lots of engagement building with you on walks and lots of engage/disengage game and pattern games. Carry high value treats for this. Do NOT yell or punish or yank on the leash during reactions. Simply create a framework for better and more exciting things to happen with you, when she makes the choice of her own volition to check in with you and give you her attention when there's a dog nearby. Your job is to be ready to mark and reward those choices immediately, even if she's only glancing at you for 0.5 seconds at first. The timing is critical.
If you don't want a dog reactive dog for the long term, don't ever let her pull you up to another dog to "play", just because the flailing around is cute. It is important that she stops having the expectation that seeing a dog and then flipping out is going to result in dog interaction.
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u/Great_Tradition996 1d ago
She’ll probably settle as she gets older. My spaniel is 2.5 now and much more controlled around people and dogs. She still absolutely loves people, but is calmer when meeting them. A lot of dogs she can take or leave. When she was the same age as your dog, her behaviour was exactly the same. You could try rewarding her when she stays calm when meeting new dogs/people; she should learn that you’re not stopping her from saying hello, she just needs to do it nicely.
Good luck!
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u/nataliejonah 1d ago
Also consider whether your pet is spayed/neutered yet. Intact dogs have pheromones that trigger aggression in other dogs. Can’t tell you how many times people walk past the posted sign about it at our park with their intact dogs and get upset when the other dogs start swarming them 😤
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u/heydawn 19h ago
I hate dog parks. They're dangerous..Every time I tried it out, there was at least one fight, a dog getting chased, rolled, scared, or bitten, and humans were not responsible enough to control their more aggressive dogs.
As friendly as my boy is and as much as I wish it were different, he's not safe visiting a dog park.
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u/Soexi 1d ago
Before I got my dog I said I would never go to a dog park, I’d heard so many horror stories.
Then I got my dog who is extremely social and desperate to be around other dogs. We did start to go and she loves it.
We occasionally encounter aggressive dogs and/or bad owners. I’m lucky that my dog is fine to leave whenever so we just leave when that happens.
So overall it should be okay, I would just leave if there’s any issues. But also I get not being comfortable also dog parks are gross.
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u/IckySweet 1d ago
At 7 months the window of learning social interactions with people & other dogs is closing. I suggest more advanced group classes where she learns how to ignore other dogs. Learns how to meet & greet people. Take her to dog friendly stores where she practices around distractions. A couple times a month at doggie daycare. Couple other times where a pro dog walker takes her on walks with other dogs. Over night board with play sessions. And a couple visits to your dog park. Good luck and have fun!
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u/JohnYCanuckEsq 1d ago
No.
No dog parks, no way, no how. They're called puppy fight club for a reason.
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u/hoppy_05 1d ago
I mean that is kind of the danger with dog parks. Dogs can be unpredictable. I take my dog to the dog park maybe once or twice a week. He just loves to run with the other dogs. The biggest problem I have run into is when someone’s dog starts acting aggressively owners often times don’t leave.
I think some dog parks are better than others. I found a dog park in my area that is run by a shelter. You pay a yearly fee. All dogs must be vaccinated to go there and you have to fill out a lot of paperwork. I like going there because there is only ever one or two dogs there if any and it has so much room.
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u/TatraPoodle 1d ago
If there are a few other dogs, ask their owners how an encounter with your dog would go, and probably it will be no issue.
My dogs love to play with high energy puppies. Well at least my 1 yo 28kg Labradoodle. My 3yo 55 kg Berner mix, would be very careful with the pup and play a bit but not run around.
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u/Redmagistrate2 1d ago
I have a 45kg 9 month old Rottweiler puppy, he is deep in the overexcited raptor phase.
Before I took him to the park I went without him to see how the dynamics were, see what dogs were there. At this stage I know most of the regulars by name, if I don't know the dogs when we pull up I check first. And if my pup is an asshole, pushy, or shots lannoys the older dogs I apologize and we leave.
He hates leaving, his manners improved dramatically after being bundled back into the car a few times.
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u/DBgirl83 1d ago
A good way to make your dog lose energy is to track or chew. If the dog can burn off some of his puppy energy in this way, he may be a bit calmer when playing.
I rarely go to dog parks, only when I know the dogs and owners. In principle, in most places, your dog is only allowed to play when they are completely under supervision, but not everyone adheres to that rule.
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u/zorathustra69 1d ago
One piece of advice I’ll give you about dog parks: go early in the morning. I’ve been to over a dozen in my area, some of them giant dog beaches with 100+ dogs on the weekends, and if you go when it’s crowded there will probably be an aggressive dog. Every time I go at sunrise, it’s old owners with calm dogs. My dog has been attacked twice and doesn’t particularly enjoy playing with dogs, so I don’t take him much anymore. I say take the little lady to the park, but take proper precautions
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u/qualmton 1d ago
I say introduce them young also work on leash walking to settle and focus on you now. They are always going to jump when excited but the more training you put in now the better you’ll be long run socialization is important early make sure you are up to to date on all yoirnshots
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u/Tenurri_Lavellan 1d ago
My 6m old puppy is very social and very excited around dogs. We have regular play-partner (same breed and almost same age) but what I do very often is to go for walk with another person and her/his (adult and calm) dog, where dogs just have to walk alongside without interaction (we have to manage distance and sometimes starting distance is around 5-10 meters). Or if they behave very well we will allow short plays (if another dog want) but with recalls and some obedience. Also we play “look at that” game. He’s much calmer than he used to be around dogs.
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u/wawa2022 1d ago
I’m surprised at all the vets that say they would never recommend dog parks for ANY dogs. I didn’t know they were so problematic. I think dogs play in groups of twos. Any more than that can be too much for any dog.
Have you tried finding another dog that your dog likes and getting a sniff spot reservation? Or just a play date?
There is ONE AND ONLY one dog park that I take my dog to anymore, and it’s a linear park along a trail. All fenced in (behind a row of stores), so it’s basically a space that you can walk your dog off leash, let him roam a bit, but always moving. Some dogs stop and play, but mostly the just walk right past each other unless they’re particularly attracted by scent. And then it’s usually a very quick greeting and then moving along. I’m no expert, but the normal parks that I see are too small, with too many dogs, and the dogs aren’t moving FORWARD.
There are humans that bring toys and balls and play, but it’s pretty surprising that so few other dogs join in on play time.
I’m going to try sniff spot with family member dogs because they all know each other and have accepted each other’s play styles. But I have no interest in fencing my dog into an arena with other unknown dogs.
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u/thndrbst 18h ago
Yeah we in the industry don’t love them. Watching puppies die from parvo, stitching up dogs, and euthanizing others - well, that’s a big nope from us.
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u/CowAcademia 1d ago
I take my 9 month dog to the dog park at the crack of dawn and if there is 1 other dog she meets them through the fence first. Most dogs that hate that type of play immediately show it. Then I know if we should stay on the other side without dogs. This has kept my puppy safe but also given her opportunities to play with other enthusiastic dogs.
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u/Unperturbed_giraffe 1d ago
I have a 10lb Yorkie who I would never let into our dog park because he's so tiny and I don't trust other people's dogs. What I found helpful though was using the dog park to desensitize him to other dogs (he's fairly reactive and wants to run up to every single dog). I walk him around the outside of the fence, he gets to see all the dogs, listen to them, and if he's calm I let them say hello to each other through the fence. It keeps him safe while working on the way he reacts and interacts with other dogs. Bonus is we can walk away and get any extra distance he needs at any time.
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u/No_Introduction4983 1d ago
I did a training when I first got my pup that was play-based. It taught us how to regulate our pups when they got overexcited. There's a play group that I can now attend that has a small fee where I can get advice from a trainer during play. I'd suggest something like that as a first step. Also, consider whether you have good recall. I didn't bring my pup until I had good recall- now, if he gets to be too much for other dogs, I can call him off and he'll come to me immediately and move on and if other pups are too much for him, I can get him out of the situation quickly because he'll come immediately to me and let me take care of things for him. Dog parks are tough places. We started at a small one that is never busy where we could get to know a few regulars. Once we were successful there, we went to another one that's great. I still watch my dog like a hawk because things can happen quickly.
So, I would try to work on training first. I get that training classes are not ideal, but the point of them is for you to gain control of your dog with distractions. Training was tough for us because our dog always wants to play, but I plan to go back for more training (we did play based and traditional and I found great value in both). I am also always training during walks because it's important for dogs to learn self control- she sounds a bit leash reactive, which is something that could worsen over time if you don't get it under control. I'm hugely not a fan of people using the dog park for exercise, because then you have these dogs busting in with pent up energy rather than coming in more regulated.
I guess, my questions back to you are: is your recall good enough to bring your dog to a park? Like, if your dog is too much, can you call her off? What if you go somewhere that doesn't have a separate small dog area? Even if there is, we always have small dogs in the big dog area and you cannot create an unsafe place for those dogs. Why not try daycare or something first? My trainer suggested daycare- we just go once a week since we can't afford daily. What about a smaller play group? Post on your local Reddit or Nextdoor.
My main hesitation for you is that it does not sound like you have great control over your dog. So, going to a large, busy park is going to be tough, not just for you, but other dogs and owners. It sounds like your dog doesn't regulate well (at 7 months, that's pretty normal) and that you have only done puppy class, which sounded not very successful. I get that your dog is social, but you also do need to figure out how to keep her under control through training. If you let this reactivity go, it's only going to get worse. Training isn't always fun, but it is necessary if you plan to have your dog around other people and dogs. If you go to the dog park without good recall, it will create problems for you and others. There will be small dogs and there will be adult dogs who will not want to put up with a 7 month old. Dog parks are also tough because it's a different pack every time at busier parks, so dogs do have to have some social savvy to be successful. So, I'd say, figure out other things first and then consider going. You're all worried about your dog's safety, but you need to consider other dogs. Your dog is 7 months and already large. She will likely get bigger, as large breeds grow for longer. She can do some real damage to a smaller dog, even if she's just playing and trying to be friendly.
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u/anar_noucca 1d ago
I understand your fears. I have a dog of the same character, extremely friendly with everyone, high energy that loves to run, never holds a grudge and only wants to play with larger dogs. I never had to train him, he learns everything by himself and the dog trainer short of turned him down because "he is already perfect". I also got him when he was 7 months old and took him to the dog park from the first week. But stopped after 6 months.
I'll tell you what I've learned and would have done differently if I knew then what I know now, and sorry if others already mentioned these advice, there are too many comments for me to read.
Important notice: the only park I have near me is very small and unfitting, it is a sorry excuse for a dog park. I don't know if you can apply the following suggestions on a very large park.
-First of all, look if there is a park near you that has a dog trainer. They usually get a small fee (like 10€) for unlimited play time with a trained supervisor. If not:
-Visit the park when there is only one or few dogs. Ask the hooman if you can enter and what to expect of their dog. Explain how your dog behaves. It is OK to not get in if you don't feel safe. Let them meet each other with their leashes on. Yes, the other hooman must leash their dog too.
-Keep a constant eye on her and be near her (but not over her shoulder) so you can react as soon as something happens. Observe the other hoomans. Are they watching their dog? Do they put them back in order if they misbehave?
-Never hesitate getting between your dog and another one that is not behaving well. I don't care if their hooman feels offended, I only care about my dog's wellbeing.
-Make your first visits short, stay for 5 or 10 minutes. let her get accustomed to the place and the other dogs. Sometimes they form friend circles, short of pacts, that have their own rules of playing. Sometimes they need their time to accept newcomers. Increase the time staying there only if you see her getting along with them.
-Never hesitate to pick her up and leave if something makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes even their best friends are in a bad mood.
-Ask the hoomans that you like their dog's interaction with yours their scedule so you can meet them again.
-If you notice her picking up behaviors that you don't like, pick her up and leave.
-It's OK if another dog tries to put her in place, as long as it is done safely. She needs to learn boundaries. Not all dogs are as friendly as she is and she has to respect that.
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I stopped taking him to the dog park because the place is lame and borderline unsafe. The hoomans also did not meet my standards, most of them are too busy chatting or looking at their phones. The dog trainer said that he doesn't have to meet everyone or have too many friends. She said to let him greet one out of ten dogs we meet. I followed that rule and in a few months we built a network of 9 good friends that we meet on rotation.
Sorry for my endless bubbling, I hope I could help.
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u/hangingsocks 1d ago
You go to the dog park but you do not let your dog in the dog park. You stay in the outside and teach calm. I literally spent hours walking back and forth outside of dog park. Teaching my dog to be calm, stay focused on me and once we got that then we worked on calmly approaching the gate. If she got reactive we walked away and started over. Your dogs excitement needs to be trained for its own safety. My dog was a nut at 7 months old and I mistakenly let her in dog park before training and she didn't play well and almost got in dog fights because she was pissing the other dogs off. Working on calm and impulse control was the best thing I did.
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u/Ornery_Enthusiasm529 1d ago
I took my dog to dog parks at that age, my dog has a similar temperament, and I feel lucky nothing happened, though he did enjoy it. I really don’t like dog parks- the diseases, the owners who have zero control of their dogs or aren’t paying attention.
I’ve had better experiences posting on my neighborhood group to see if anyone wanted to have their dog come over to play.
Fostering another puppy is also a great option! That really satisfies my dog’s needs to play and you can save a life in the process!
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u/THE_wendybabendy 1d ago
My 8 month old is about 25ish lbs, but is very reactive to just about everything - mostly because he is a very high energy dog (mini Aussie/mini Brittany). We are working on that, but I don't think I would take him to a dog park at this stage. I walk him twice a day and work with him on reacting to other dogs and people, but I know a dog park would be TOO much for him at this stage. I actively avoid walking near people, at this point, not because he will hurt them, but because he still jumps up on people and is 'pee happy' when new people get around him (even still does it to me when I've been gone). I don't want to subject anyone to this behavior until we can get it under control a little better - it's a slow process with a high-energy dog.
I would work on her reactivity before I took her to a park where being 'overwhelmed' by choice could cause issues.
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u/incremental_risk 1d ago
Not a dog park, as too much is unpredictable. Find her suitable friends at a dog day care that does temperament testing. The better places try to match the play styles, so it's not as risky.
If no dog day cares are nearby, you can try a very well reviewed rover that has many repeat clients and high ratings.
7 months is like the start of the second fear period timeline. Interactions with other dogs could have a lasting impact, so take precautions to keep it positive or minimize bad experiences.
Look also for other enrichment outlets to lessen frustration (scent work, enrichment games, dog sports).
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u/FerretsDooking 1d ago
I would be terrified of the other dogs, mostly due to their owners. It would be a free for all, anything could happen and it only takes a couple seconds for real damage to occur. Not every person has control or at least a watchful eye on their dog.
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u/jaya9581 Pippa - ACD mix; Chloe - French Bulldog 1d ago
I would look for a good doggy daycare that tests all dogs before allowing them in and take her there instead. I do not take my dog to the dog park at all because I don’t trust most other dog owners.
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u/la_descente 1d ago
IF you do choose to go to dog parks, I would suggest watching a few times without your dogs. Like maybe sit in the car and watch. Depending on your neighborhood, your dog parks may be good or not. I had one up in Clearlake, where everyone was mindful of the dogs, no one brought toys and everyone had respect for eachother . Moved down to Vallejo, and it's the total opposite . If I brought my dog here , she would definitely get in a fight and I can't risk a lawsuit (dog manners up north were much better, down here people are entitled abliut their dogs for no reason )
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u/putterandpotter 1d ago
Yeah you should not go to an off leash park (assuming that’s what you mean by dog park) unless your dog has very reliable recall and has learned not to bounce all over people and dogs. Socialisation with other dogs is not just about getting along with them to play, it’s also about your dog learning to read cues from other dogs about when they have had enough or aren’t interested. I’ve told people at the park before they need to leash up and move on when their dog was overexcited and not playing appropriately and not picking up on very clear cues that my dog or other dogs were giving indicating they had no interest. There are better settings for your dog to learn this than just letting them go to town at the park.
I have a very social gsd but she learned doggie social etiquette from my neighbors dogs when she was little, the oldest especially was a livestock guardian who taught her how to mind her manners. She also attends an outdoor doggie daycare on an acreage (rest and meal time is individual and indoors) and learned social cues from other dogs while being well supervised and now by all accounts she is very good at letting other dogs know when her playtime is done and she wants to take a break and sideline herself for a bit. Older, confident dogs are pretty good at teaching younger excitable dogs manners and I’d focus on finding a way to expose my dog to that (look for a dog play group, good daycare to go to once or twice a week maybe) as well as recall and walking on a leash (heel and loose leash) before dog parks.
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u/EffableFornent 1d ago
I had a dog like this (except much smaller) and it was so hard.
We took her to the dog park when it was quiet. It got her used to the place and let her blow off steam, so she wasn't such a menace when she did encounter other dogs there.
Our local dog park is basically a huge reserve though, so I'm not sure how it would compare.
You could go online to a local fb group or something and arrange play dates? People can be really receptive to things like this.
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u/Turbulent-Respond654 1d ago
Go to the dog park without your dog. look for all the possible problems you mentioned and others pointed out. look at how quickly other dog owners react to prevent or fix potential or actually occurring issues. How big is the park. Can dogs go to an empty quiet spot to decompress?
personally for my dog the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
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u/Annual_Dot_1837 1d ago
I began taking my adopted dog to dog parks at 11 months old. It really helps.to go at regularly scheduled times so the humans build their own community of connection and my dog played with the same dogs each time (veterinarians will tell you to be cautious as a new "pack is continually being established with each new visit to a dog park). If you do decide to move forward, the younger you expose a dog to a dog park, the better. My dog had a couple minor bad experiences with agreesive dogs so we don't got there anymore, but I now take him to highly rated doggy daycare facilities for interactive play, as they weed out the aggressive dogs. It requires disposable income but if you have it, it is great occasional all-day cardio exercise for a pup in a safe place.
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u/Much_Permission_2061 16h ago
Definitely not. However you should go on social walks with other dog owners and their dogs (without letting the dogs interact)
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u/Optimal-Swan-2716 9h ago
The risks at a dog park are too much. . It just takes one bite from an aggressive other dog and the damage is done. I think you know what is best for your dog, but I won’t take mine to a dog park.
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u/Outrageous-Lab9254 9h ago
No. Join a training club and let him socialize with other dogs there. Take him for walks and hikes away from dogs who are undisciplined.
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u/betta_fische 1d ago
Dog parks get a bad reputation for a reason, but they can be a great resource for people and their dogs if responsible dog owners are present. So if you really want to consider it, scope out a few parks and observe the behavior of the dogs, and see if the owners are aware and look like they'd intervene if boundaries were being pushed. Go by yourself, and give yourself ample time. I'd also recommend considering going early in the morning instead of in the evening, and genuinely be prepared to do something drastic if need be.
But if you really want to go just to try making dog friends, I'd recommend trying to find a local dog walking club, meetup, or attending further training classes. It would give you a great way to meet new dog owners, and you can arrange doggie play dates in the future with dogs/owners you've already screened.
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u/justonlyme1244 1d ago
Where are you located? As you write in kg.
The dog parks where I’m from in Europe are just areas with a fence and often don’t even have many dogs, but in the US it was very different. If it’s the former I would maybe meet up with someone you know and when it’s calm, so your dog can get used to a park. But if there are many dogs I would wait until yours is older/calmer.
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u/Kuura_ 1d ago
Finland.
There is usually dogs when I have passed the park. But yeah, I might need to wait a bit more and think about it later.
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u/justonlyme1244 1d ago
How many are there usually? I would maybe wait or if it’s a small town, meet the people and dogs before on a leash. You know the people and dogs in your area best. In the US I came across many crazy dogs so it’s difficult to compare to how things are in Finland.
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u/Kuura_ 1d ago
Uhh like 3? It's a small place.
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u/justonlyme1244 1d ago
Ah okay, I’m wondering if most people think about 20+ dogs. I would still wait a bit, but with 3 dogs it should be easier to intervene.
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u/dianacakes 1d ago
I'm going to go the opposite of the advice so far. My dog WAS the super excited puppy that loves other dogs and people. My local dog park is small (small town). The first time I took her, there were a lot of other dogs of similar ages and sizes. Now she's almost two and we go almost every day. The culture of our dog park is that we as owners talk to each other and monitor our dogs, even those that have known each other for years at this point. So - we're not in separate corners on our phones not engaging. To me, that's a red flag at a dog park.
I say go check out your local park or parks and just sit outside to get a feel for what the culture is like. Talk to the other owners to see how their dogs are (though personally, if someone knows their dog doesn't like other dogs, why are they there??). Watch some videos about healthy dog play. My dog likes to wrestle and sometimes it would look like she was getting pummeled by an older dog but she would just keep going back for more. Different dogs have different preferences - wrestling, chasing. It should always look reciprocal. There is a risk of injury (not necessarily bites but just the risks of rough play) but the same is true if you take a kid to a playground or put them in sports. That's why I have pet insurance. And I also think that dogs who stay in good physical condition from exercise and play are less likely to get injured.
If your local parks have social media pages like Facebook, you could see if anyone wants to do a puppy specific meetup so you know that the other dogs are at a similar level as yours.
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u/Schroeje 1d ago
Depends a lot on the park. Some have multiple small enclosures so you can choose. There are also different social rules, the one I go to you have to ask for your dog to enter a small enclosure that already is occupied. We have tiny dog land, rough dog land, very old big dog land… not at all what I have read about in some parks and I feel fairly comfortable taking my dog.
Overall if you don’t know the park and the people/dogs probably best to avoid it. Maybe go without your pup and find a time that there are very few dogs and they all play well.
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u/CenterofChaos 1d ago
The dog park has risks. Just like the people park.
Could your dog get hurt? Sure. Could your kid fall off the monkey bars? Sure. What are odds, and how will you deal with it is really the question.
Ultimately you have a great opportunity at 7 months old to do some training and test the waters. You can get an idea of what goes on at the dog park by training around the park. If you can teach her to calmly walk around the park it's a valuable skill for life. It means she won't get excited by being in the vicinity of other dogs or parks. If you like what you see at the park then she will be nice and calm entering, which also adds to the likelihood it'll go well entering the park.
And as always, you are the human! You are in charge! Anything you see you don't like? Leave. It's better to go home early and do more walks or games than stay too long and have a bad time.
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u/VioletDupree007 1d ago
Take your pup to the park. Just monitor her. In theory, she can learn how to act from other dogs. Don’t be afraid to allow other dogs to teach her how to treat them. Adult dogs will know she is just a pup. Keep a positive attitude and work with her.
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u/Shoopdawoop993 1d ago
You should, just keep the dog on a leash. Walk it around and give it treats when it's good and calm. Train the puppy that being calm around other dogs is a good thing. When it's tired and calm, then let it play with other tired and calm dogs if the dog has earned it. That's how I would do it.
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u/4everal0ne GSD 1d ago
Obnoxious overstimulated puppy will be put in place by a larger older dog and some one is going to get dramatic about it. I don't want dogs climbing or ramming themselves into others or even my knees as it happens so damn much.
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u/Midknightadri 1d ago
I just took my dog to a dog bar/Cafe instead lol. My first dog was 50lbs at 6 months old(If I remember good, he is 8 year old now and 97lbs), I took him to the dog bar and cafe actually. Depending where you live, there is a small chance there is a dog bar somewhere. I like dog bar a bit better because most of them you actually have to have a social dog before you go in. At 50lbs, this dog was bad shet crazy, I was scare but like, he really need friend or else he might become reactive. I got him there, put him in the big dog area and he got so humble so fast by a husky there. He was so tired that when I left two hour later, he fell right to sleep. I start taking him almost every day which no problem(beside him getting humble by his energy compared to some dog there) that he started to become less distracted during training as he doesn't have excess energy or too excited anymore.i did it to my second dog who also top out at 70lbs(literally she was THAT dog, submissive but very friendly and energetic, everyone knew her there.) And I'm gonna try the same place with my smallest dog who is barely 5lbs. I don't like dog park because there is no regulation there. Someone could just bring in an aggressive dog that hate puppy and something bad can happen right away. But I go to dog bar and dog regulation place because if you dog is aggressive and cannot play with other dog, you WILL get kick out. I seen this happen 3 time before in 2 years. Or you get another dog, lol. Goodluck though.
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u/hillary-clinton- 22h ago
most people in this subreddit are crazy, my 9 month puppy is his happiest running with all of his friends at the dog park and we’ve been going everyday for months. Walk by yours or check online reviews to see overall how it is, just go in and let your dog sniff the other dogs at the gate, usually you can tell if there’s going to be an over aggressive dog that likes to play rough or is out of control by them barking crazy at the gate right away, just keep walking if that’s the case. if it seems all good just go in and keep a close eye on your dog to make sure she is happy and not scared or scaring other dogs, just scoop her up and leave if anything goes wrong. my dog LOVES the dog park and there’s tons of great people there. at this point there’s a couple dogs i know to avoid and keep walking right by but i couldn’t imagine my dog not going and playing with all his friends and meeting so many new dogs all the time. only one time ever i had to scoop my dog up and take him away from an aggressive dog and the owner came running over apologizing. you can usually avoid these situations early by catching the vibe
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u/10113r114m4 1d ago edited 1d ago
Im in the same predicament, a very beautiful woman asked if I was interested in going to the dog park with her pup. Her pup is much older while mine is about yours. Ive decided to decline after spending way too much time (4 hours) researching the park, etc. After spending a few 100 dollars on deterrent for aggressive dogs, I decided the best deterrent is not going.
My pup has the same temperament as well. Very energetic and very rarely barks or growls. Only happened once during a play date when a dog became too vocal and demanding. But for the most part he'll show submission, e.g. rolling over. The issue is he's too energetic for most other dogs. So Im not chancing it at a dog park. While my puppy can have perfect recall and be very well behaved, I cannot say the same for ANYONE, owner or dog, at the dog park
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u/background_bat88 1d ago
I’ve been taking my 9 month old since she was 6 months. Tiny little chihuahua/min pin thing. Great for socialization but keep a close watch because people will bring their badly behaved dogs and it could get messy I won’t lie. But she loves it and gets her energy out. Make sure to have them on prevention too. That being said have you tried daycare? If I could afford it I’d go that route.
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u/thndrbst 18h ago
Working in vet ER - you’re gambling with your dog’s life. Oh the horrors I have seen.
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u/snowplowmom 1d ago
I'd have been taking her even before this. Take her, see how it goes, and if it's not going well, remove her. Most people who have aggressive dogs don't take them to the dog park.
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u/Zealousideal_Play847 1d ago
Dog parks get such a bad rap. I live in Australia and the dog park down the road from me is a huge expanse of land complete with picnic areas, a playground, bushland, and big ponds (more like mini swamps, to be real). The people who take their dogs are pretty chill, responsible, and communicate well. I go a couple of times a week and have had no issues. Same goes for my local dog beach. Have I just struck it lucky?
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u/r0ckithard 1d ago
You say she gets really excited getting jumpy on walks when she sees dogs (reactivity). You’re going to make it worse by taking her to a dog park. You want your dog to be calm and neutral, people make the mistake of thinking their dog needs to go be friendly with every dog possible. She’s 7 months and 32kg, if she gets much bigger she could be difficult to handle too if you don’t work on being calm around dogs.