Puppy Advice
Filed Under (Hunter, Ideas, Issues) by Bobbi on 12-08-2008
This morning was my third attempt at getting Hunter to enjoy the dog park. This time, I chose another dog park that we had never been to. It’s a little bit of a drive, but I didn’t mind because I thought, “Hey, my dog will be getting lots of exercise and it’ll be fun for both of us!”
Not.
As soon as we got there and I unhooked Hunter’s leash, he started crying. He wouldn’t concentrate on getting the rope that I was throwing; instead he would run towards it and then past it (something he doesn’t do when we’re playing at home). I’d like to add that there was no one around us - no people, no dogs, no cars. There was absolutely nothing to be afraid of! I forced us to stay there for 20 minutes and coaxed Hunter from one end of the park to the other. I thought that maybe he’d calm down and enjoy it if he had enough time to adjust. After the 20 minutes though, there was no improvement, so I drove us home.
He’s much better on walks; not as afraid of cars (he still stops and stares when they go by, but nothing like it used to be). This behavior is only at the dog park and it gets worse if another dog is around (even though he has experience with other dogs now). I’m at my wits end because I want him to enjoy the dog park; as he gets older he’s going to NEED to go to the dog park because he’ll be too big to run around in the yard.
What do I do in this situation? Any dog training advice?
Well, honestly, something about his first trip to the dog park might have frightened him. Make it a good experience by bringing along his favorite treat (is he a food driven or toy driven dog?) Praise him the entire time you’re walking up to the park and once inside, praise like crazy again. I’d just do a few simple trips to a nearby dog park without even going inside (yet). Make the car ride super fun, (talk in your doggie voice and use the same command “We’re gonna go to the park?! We’re gonna go to the park!”) and when you get to the park, let him make the choice to get out of the car (don’t force him). Praise him when he gets out of the car. Let him make the initative to go inside and praise him when he does. Eventually, you’ll be able to take him out and right into the dogpark with no problem. He’ll equate the dog park to good things.
He probably wasn’t socialized a lot as a puppy, so you’re going to have to make up for it now. If he’s timid on walks, bring along his favorite treats and anytime you see someone walking past you, ask them if they’d give your dog a treat and hand it to them and let them give your dog a treat. This will let your dog know that strangers are exciting creatures who give him goodies!
And as far as socializing with other dogs - I’d recommend a puppy class. This will help him learn commands that will help you both communicate. And it will give him the experience of being around other dogs. Or maybe once a week (if you can afford it), take him to a doggy daycare. He will learn how to experiance other dogs and what the signals mean from other dogs in no time.
Good luck!
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