[Jeremy S]

Hey dog gurus - i need some advice pls! My 4yr neutered Vizsla has started to react to 'some' dogs since lockdown. I've done intensive obedience training for 2 months and it's stopped him pulling on the lead etc and his attention is with me and great on normal walks. I don't let him off the leash around other dogs, but I've been taking him to walk alongside a fenced dog park. As the variety of dogs come along to the railings, both dogs sniff and with some he's fine, some he sniffs and then out of nowhere, he barks 2-3 times aggressively at..... I've been trying to expose him to more dogs safely in this way but I'm struggling to work out how to improve this as it's not all dogs. I'm scared to let him off his leash inside the fenced off area with other dogs due to this reaction while he's outside the area..... any ideas most welcome? Thanks Jeremy

 

[Lillith]

Most dogs are dog selective to some degree. Also, some dogs have barrier reactivity, meaning they get frustrated when a leash or fence prevents them from normally greeting other dogs. Hard to tell which it is.

A dog park doesn't sound like the best place for your particular dog. Dogs don't need to play with other dogs, but if you do I would suggest only letting him play with dogs he has been properly introduced to and plays well with.

 

[Jeremy S]

Most dogs are dog selective to some degree. Also, some dogs have barrier reactivity, meaning they get frustrated when a leash or fence prevents them from normally greeting other dogs. Hard to tell which it is.

A dog park doesn't sound like the best place for your particular dog. Dogs don't need to play with other dogs, but if you do I would suggest only letting him play with dogs he has been properly introduced to and plays well with.

Thanks Lilleth - yes a few seconds after the barking he's fine again. Difficult to know if it would happen 'inside' the fenced off area but I'll take your advice of letting him play with friends dogs as a first stage.

 

[DaySleepers]

Dog parks are often chaotic, unpredictable, and stressful environments that encourage rude, over-the-top behavior. Many, many dogs aren't suited for them, and that's okay! I definitely prefer to focus on my dogs being neutral around other dogs on-leash, and they only have off-leash playdates with friends' or family's dogs that we know they get along with. We'll stop in the dog park if it's empty for some running and sniffing, but I've seen how much dog park 'play' made my older dog insecure, stressed, and defensive around other dogs over time. Not going to risk putting my younger dog through the same experience.