Dog Owner Chat V. 5

[liv :)]

She’s mastered the side-eye



Anyway, I’m taking her to a dog park very soon to meet up with my friend and her dogs. I’m a little nervous, to be honest. I’m afraid that with so many distractions she won’t respond off-leash, which is likely exactly what will happen. I know I’m going to bring some of her favourite toys, treats, and a leash... once I get there I’ll decide if it’s safe to let her off. I really hope it won’t be too busy, I’d like her to have some time to run and meet other dogs.

[.Middy.]

Please do not take treats or toys into the dog park. That can cause a huge fight to break out. Especially treats. Dog parks in general are a bad idea imo, but especially if you take high value items in.

[liv :)]

Please do not take treats or toys into the dog park. That can cause a huge fight to break out. Especially treats. Dog parks in general are a bad idea imo, but especially if you take high value items in.

Thanks for your advice. I won’t bring any toys in. Personally, though, I don’t see a problem with bringing her treats in. The “treats” aren’t high value, it’s just her regular kibble. It’s not like I’m going to be feeding it to her in front of other dogs or throwing it around, either. I’ll just be using it as an incentive to come when called. It’ll be hidden in a pocket. I don’t see a fight breaking out if I keep the treats minimal and out of sight. In addition to this, playing with other dogs is of higher value to her than the kibble so I’m sure that I will get little to no opportunities to feed her. Maybe if I were feeding her AND other dogs while handing them out nonchalantly, something would happen. Thanks for your concern, though. I’ll be cautious with them.

[tea!]

Please do not take treats or toys into the dog park. That can cause a huge fight to break out. Especially treats. Dog parks in general are a bad idea imo, but especially if you take high value items in.

Thanks for your advice. I won’t bring any toys in. Personally, though, I don’t see a problem with bringing her treats in. The “treats” aren’t high value, it’s just her regular kibble. It’s not like I’m going to be feeding it to her in front of other dogs or throwing it around, either. I’ll just be using it as an incentive to come when called. It’ll be hidden in a pocket. I don’t see a fight breaking out if I keep the treats minimal and out of sight. In addition to this, playing with other dogs is of higher value to her than the kibble so I’m sure that I will get little to no opportunities to feed her. Maybe if I were feeding her AND other dogs while handing them out nonchalantly, something would happen. Thanks for your concern, though. I’ll be cautious with them.

I've brought simple treats with me to the dog park with Chance and every dog knew it.
They instantly ran up to the bag they were in and started biting at it and following me. huge mistake !!!
This was probably like two years ago and I'll never bring food to the dog park ever again. Thankfully none
of the dogs were food aggressive.

[.Middy.]

Exactly. Kibble might be low value with your dog, but for other dogs it might be high value. And dogs can smell a lot better than you can, so even if it’s in your pocket, they will know and might start a fight

[liv :)]

The kibble was kept inside a bag that was inside a zipped up pocket... needless to say the only other dog that figured out that it was there was one of my friend’s dogs, and only after I pulled them out to practice some tricks with Blue once we left. The other dogs at the park were definitely more interested in each other than me and Blue when I rewarded her for responding to a recall. Blue herself was hardly interested in the kibble when she was given the choice of playing with the others. Again, I appreciate all of you guys being so concerned, but I really dislike being lectured about something that was clearly not an issue. I was very careful with the kibble and made sure none of the dogs there were aware of it (if any were, they didn’t show it whatsoever).

Anyway, the dog park was a blast! She had lots of fun playing with the other dogs, and it was good to have some older dogs teach her how to behave. She seems like the type of dog that annoys the others, and I think receiving some quick corrections from the adult dogs at the park was very educational for her. Her recall is also better than I expected! Not bad at all, just takes a few tries when she’s particularly distracted... definitely need to work on it. The dog park was also CRAZY muddy and it took a long time to clean all the muck out of her fur. I can’t imagine what it was like for all the dog owners with long haired dogs! Definitely will be going back once all the snow melts and it dries up.

[cornspurrd.]

Sweet Deacon, He's very focused on me aha

[294015]

Sweet Deacon, He's very focused on me aha

What a cute boy!! Is he a pittie mix? I have a pittie mix too ^_^

[cornspurrd.]

^^ Bully breed mix of some sort, Not 100% sure on his breed <3

[drift.]

My eyes are horrible and at first glance I thought Deacon was holding the stick in his raised paw. Lord help me -_-