Getting Comfortable at the Dog Park
I took Ofelia to the dog park for the first time today. It's a small dog park in my apartment community. There were about ten other dogs there. When I brought her in and took her leash off, they all went for her, and she jumped right through an opening between the fence post and the storage building. So I had to get her back, and bring her back in. I didn't want to overexpose her, but I knew from watching them that these were all stable dogs, so we tried again. And after about 20 minutes she finally relaxed and played a little bit. By the time we left, she wasn't entirely comfortable. I'm hoping to take her every day. I think everyone gathers there after work on the weekdays. I'm very proud of her for doing so well. She didn't show any agression - except just a little lip curling. No growling other than play growls. I wonder how long it will take for her to become entirely comfortable. What are you guys' experiences?
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Comment by Mariana on October 11, 2008 at 2:54pm
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I'll definitely look into it, thanks.
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I've actually been studying dogs all of my life. I'm quite the nerd in my family circle. I haven't heard of Brenda Aloff, though. Does she have books or a show? I used to watch Cesar when I had cable, but have been unable to lately. Yeah, next time I'm taking her at a less peak time. Less dogs will definitely help.
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I do trust my dog. I know her quite well. She lives with me, after all. And I know that keeping her away from other dogs isn't going to help her socialize. I can't coddle her when she's in distress; otherwise she'll think that being in distress around other dogs is okay. If I let her run away and showed her that doing so was acceptable, then that would be her reaction from then on every time. I kept her in the park and gave her time to get to know the other dogs. Some dogs are entirely comfortable the first time; others aren't. She hasn't had enough socialization and it's about time she gets to know her neighbors. After a few more visits, she'll be best buddies with them all.
Also, I know how to read the body language of dogs, and they were all playing peacefully with each other. There was no untoward agression, and the owners were all exhibiting pack-leader behavior. Every one in there was being responsible. And the dogs were behaving beautifully. What better conditions to introduce Ofelia to a group of fellow canines?
Anyway, I don't think her experience was a bad one at all. She made a few friends while she was there.
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