Some dogs just hate the dog park, right?

[Deleted]

I feel stupid for asking this, but this is my first dog and I'd like other opinions.

I took my dog to the park today, and ended our long walk at the dog park enclosure. My dog HATED it. She got scared when some of the bigger dogs started sniffing her, and spent the whole time we were there barking and running away from any dog who approached her (to the point where four dogs were chasing her). We left maybe 2 minutes after we got there.

Now I'm wondering if I'm coddling her and not getting her to socialize, or if she's just not cut out for that environment.

FWIW, we take her to hang out with the IL's dogs, walk her with our friends and their dogs, and take her to training classes without a problem. This means she's socialized (at least somewhat) but hates the dog park environment, right?

[redheadbaker]

Dog parks can be stressful places. Some dogs just aren't able to handle them well.

Some dogs are okay with them at off-peak hours, when there aren't as many dogs around, but would become stressed out during peak hours.

[frauschmindy]

My dog loves the dog park, but she prefers to stand next to or behind me and watch the other dogs. She likes observing, not participating. Basically she's a damn weirdo.

[salimoo]

Yeah, mine does great when there are 2-3 other dogs there, but many more than that would have her a wreck. No shame.

[redheadbaker]

My Aussie shepherd will never be a dog-park dog. She plays with one dog at a time, period, and she is particular about other dogs that she likes.

[dearprudence]

It could be too overwhelming at first with that many dogs too. If you're really interested in bringing your dog to dogpark I'd suggest going at off hours where there's one or two dogs. Once she's used to the environment, and comfortable with the way it works, she might be more comfortable with larger groups. But she could just always be better in smaller groups.

[osulori]

Some dogs just aren't dog park dogs. My beagle mix loves it-she gets to run around, sniff everything, pee/poop a few times, and THEN play...but I know my pit mix would get overwhelmed in a heartbeat and be a punk (b/c that's what he does when he's stressed) so we don't even bother.

[calico]

Some dogs love it and some dogs hate it. It sounds like your girl prefers smaller group play settings and there is nothing wrong with that. My girl loves the park b/c it's her only chance to run around and chase other dogs. You sound really in tune with your pup, which is awesome. My biggest pet peeve is an owner who brings their dog to the park and doesn't pay attention or care that the dog is stressed out and doesn't want to be there. At our park 3 weeks ago, this one dog got overwhelmed and freaked out and kept snarling and getting into fights with other dogs, but the owner just wasn't getting the message that the dog didn't want to be there.

[kellbell191]

It is a lot of dogs all at once and can be very stressful, apparently if the dog is new to you and in a new situation generally. I would go during off peak times and let her check out the space, meet afew dogs, then start going more regularly. My dog is on the smaller side so he sometimes gets picked on when its all big dogs. We just leave and try again another day

[kellbell191]

Sorry I misread and thought she was new to you. I would just ease her into going and if she still doesn't like it, that's fine!

[mortomo]

My dog lives for going to the dog park (he whines on the way there he's so excited). The one we go to has a small dog side (< 25 lbs) and a big dog side (> 25 lbs). I think that helps so the dog doesn't get overwhelmed.

Our puppy is a bully on the small dog side, so sometimes we bring him over to the big dog side after we observe it to see if the dogs that day are calm. He prefers big dogs even though he is only 18 lbs.

We see dogs there that follow their owner around and won't play with other dogs. Some dogs sit on their owner's lap the whole time. I don't see anything wrong with that. Your dog will still be exposed to other dogs and even if she isn't directly interacting with them, she's still being socialized.

[stephiehun]

My dog hates the dog park. We tried a few times, but she would drool and get all stressed out. I also realized that she was socializing with all the owners and I was playing with the dogs.

[curtains]

Jun 28, 2012 20:41:00 GMT -5 stephiehun said:

. I also realized that she was socializing with all the owners and I was playing with the dogs.

This is exactly what happens with my dog and me. We enjoy it though. He gets all kinds of new human love and I get all kinds of new fur love.... It's kinda like being unfaithful but we leave together so it's ok. ;D