[BrittanyG]

Hi there. My mom in law has a dog (for some obscure reason) that she doesn't have time for. I feel bad for the dog, so I like to kidnap her and take her to the dog park. She gets a chance to run and play..otherwise, she's on her chain, or in the house.

Anyway, my question-she's been showing mild aggression to other dogs, constant barking that can escalate to nippiness. Also, she growls horribly at newcomers, sometimes scaring them off. It seems the gate causes some mental reaction. I didn't know what to do, so IU put her on a "time out", leashed her to the fence until she sat calmly, then let her play again. Do you all have any suggestions? Should I just stop bringing her? I really hate having to apologize for someone elses dog, but then again I'm her only source of escape from boredom..I'm not sure what to do.

 

[RonE]

Should I just stop bringing her?

I would say that's your answer.

You may be creating a huge liability, either to your MIL's dog or others at the park. Most people won't take that risk with their own dog, much less someone else's.

Some dogs are just not suited to dog parks, and that doesn't represent a failure on the part of either you or the dog.

Maybe on the part of your MIL, though.

 

[deege39]

I'm with RonE on this one.

It is possible to socialize a dog, slowly, basically reintroducing them to their world.

But sometimes that's just not possible, meaning that, no matter how hard you try to get your dog, your mom-inlaw's, acclimated to dog-parks it just might not happen.

If you've been taking her to the dog-park for awhile, and her behavior seems to be getting worse, I'd stop. There are other things you can do to help give her a break from her boring, monotonous life... Like, take her for a walk through the park, take her for a drive, (which doesn't release much energy, but it's fun!) or mentally stimulate her...

I'm not expert, but I have some experience in the matter. ; )

I do praise you on taking pity on the creature and trying to help. That's awesome, most people would care less... : )

 

[Lolas_Dad]

The proper way to socialize one dog to other dogs at a dog park would be to have your dog outside the dog park on a leash walking on the opposite side of the fence. You can read the dogs body language to see if the dog is getting more comfortable with it or is getting worse. In this way neither dog is going to get hurt. If you see the dog improving at a certain point then it should be ok to bring the dog inside. If however the dog is getting worse or no change at all then perhaps that dog should not be in a dog park. As others have said not every dog is suited for them.

Just tonight there was a guy who was going to bring his dog in the dog park and there was another dog inside the dog park that picked up on the fear of the guys dog. The dog was barking aggressively at the dog that the guy was bringing in the park. The dog being brought in should not have been there in the first place because he was fearful of the other dog. The guy did not bring his dog in but wanted the other guy to bring is dog out so that his dog could be in the dog park. The guy was leaving with the dog in the park when the guy who wanted to bring his dog in but the guy with the fearful dog started cursing at the other guy so the guy said that he was going to stay inside with his dog and he did. The guy with the fearful dog then flagged down a park ranger told him his side of the story then we told the park ranger our side and if there is one more incident with the guy with the fearful dog he will be banned from the park.

Some people just believe that there dog should be in the dog park when in fact some just are not sociable enough to be with other dogs in a group.

 

[BrittanyG]

Ok, thanks. I'll just have my son walk and run her.