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First Time Taking My Gr To A Park


jamesn184
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I took my 19week Golden Retriever to the local park and made use of the long leash that I made, she was enjoying her self until this staffy (i think) which was off leash came running up and scared my poor pup and she started to run away. Mean while the old lady (I could use other words) tried to recall her dog but had zero recall and as a result it kept running after my dog until I stood infront of my pup. The dog then backed off then went running back to its owner.

The old lady didn't seem to care what her dog was doing.. Mind you she had another dog that was on leash.

It didn't seem to effect Rosey to much as she still a sniff and play with couple of other dogs.

She's met and got along with alot of other breeds.. this was the first time she had seen a staffy and just started to run straight off the bat :S

If this type of incident happens again and said dog or other dog doesn't back away when I step infront what should/could I do to protect myself and Rosey?

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I often think about this, what will I do if a dog comes up that wants to have a go at my pup.. We have a lot of people walk their dogs off lead behind us, great walking track through the bush.. Interesting what other people do in this situation....

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Step 1, learn to spot the difference between over exuberance and aggression as they are not the same.

Ok well this is all well in good in theory.

BUT when Rosey saw the staffy running up she started to immediately RUN away from it... Rosey has never done this with any other dog and she has met quite a few different breeds.

And he/she only stopped running after Rosey when I stepped in as her owner had zero control over the dog

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If this type of incident happens again and said dog or other dog doesn't back away when I step infront what should/could I do to protect myself and Rosey?

If the other dog persists you do whatever it takes to get rid of it. It is your job to protect your puppy from the rude dogs. It is not the other dog’s right to terrorise yours, whether from over exuberance or aggression. It is interesting that your pup immediately retreated from this dog. The pup was obviously uncomfortable straight away with the other dogs approach.

It is not necessary for your dog’s development to love every dog it meets or even like them.

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Step 1, learn to spot the difference between over exuberance and aggression as they are not the same.

The OP never said it was aggression :confused:

Over exuberance to the point of scaring a puppy is not acceptable, nor is aggression.

over exuberance that scares another dog, or person, is not acceptable.

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You said it was the first time you had taken the pup to a park? Was it the first time it had encountered an off leash dog in a public place?? Hate to say it but you will have many more experiences like this, that's parks for you. Pups need to get out and about to meet all other breeds before 19 weeks

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You said it was the first time you had taken the pup to a park? Was it the first time it had encountered an off leash dog in a public place?? Hate to say it but you will have many more experiences like this, that's parks for you. Pups need to get out and about to meet all other breeds before 19 weeks

It was the first time she had encountered another dog that was offleash.. the other times the other dog has been on lead when walking along the beach/street etc.

She's had a play date with my friends 4yr old Jack Russel X and they had fun together and played well for a couple of hours.. my friend told me his dog usually doesn't get along that well with other dogs.

I was just glad it didn't scare her to the point that she wouldn't go near another dog, as I like the fact that she's got such a great friendly personality towards humans and other dog's

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I just checked the restrictions for that area of the park we were in, that owner should of had the dog on lead..

Next time this happens who do I call? as I intend on having her on the long leash until I get perfect long distance recall...

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Step 1, learn to spot the difference between over exuberance and aggression as they are not the same.

The OP never said it was aggression :confused:

Over exuberance to the point of scaring a puppy is not acceptable, nor is aggression.

Completely agree.

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Your dog did not run because it was a staffy - your dog ran because it had not encountered an off lead dog running towards it before.

I agree, goldies are usually not that fearful as well so you may want to look into getting help with that.

Did your dog attend puppy school??

Edited by Mason_Gibbs
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Your dog did not run because it was a staffy - your dog ran because it had not encountered an off lead dog running towards it before.

I agree, goldies are usually not that fearful as well so you may want to look into getting help with that.

I would think that it would be fairly normal for puppies to be scared by off leash dogs approaching them. My dogs are well socialised, but off leash dogs approaching them still often make them nervous.

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I just checked the restrictions for that area of the park we were in, that owner should of had the dog on lead..

Next time this happens who do I call? as I intend on having her on the long leash until I get perfect long distance recall...

Dogs are living things and therefor have their own minds and therefor no dog will ever have a perfect recall.

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Your dog did not run because it was a staffy - your dog ran because it had not encountered an off lead dog running towards it before.

I agree, goldies are usually not that fearful as well so you may want to look into getting help with that.

I would think that it would be fairly normal for puppies to be scared by off leash dogs approaching them. My dogs are well socialised, but off leash dogs approaching them still often make them nervous.

None of mine have ever had that problem.

ETA i could understand if it was a tiny puppy but its 19 weeks old... Offlead dogs will approach your dog so if you dont want your dog approached its better not to go places where there will be other dogs. Just my opinion.

Edited by Mason_Gibbs
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Hate to say it but you will have many more experiences like this, that's parks for you. Pups need to get out and about to meet all other breeds before 19 weeks

Agree with this, and not just with dogs. You may also encounter loose cats, all kinds of birds, council workers driving utes through the park, kids riding dirt bikes, people kicking footballs, etc. etc.

Socialising and training will get you most of the way there, knowing when to step in without creating a fearful pup is important too. The rest is just luck :(

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Your dog did not run because it was a staffy - your dog ran because it had not encountered an off lead dog running towards it before.

I agree, goldies are usually not that fearful as well so you may want to look into getting help with that.

I would think that it would be fairly normal for puppies to be scared by off leash dogs approaching them. My dogs are well socialised, but off leash dogs approaching them still often make them nervous.

particularly when being approached by an out of control dog.

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One of mine is well socialised, she is not timid, but she does not like being approached by rude dogs AT ALL. It's too unpredictable for her (and me, I hate it as well). Once she has had a proper introduction she is fine.

ETA: My rescue boy is a rude greeter and doesn't have great recall so he gets walked on leash. Unfortunately not everyone will do this, though, so I'm afraid to say this type of thing will happen many more times in your dog's life :(

Edited by wuffles
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Well firstly, there's very little you can do for your dog if they're not within reach (hence the other dog won't be in reach either). Very few dogs that you meet at an off-lead dog park will want to actually kill your dog. Many will be badly mannered, over-exuberant and their owners will have no control and this is certainly not acceptable, but the odds of a dog randomly killing or even hurting another dog well, it's not normal dog behaviour so hopefully that makes you feel a little more confident. If you're scared and panicked well your dog will either freak out and run away, or alternatively, try to protect the both of you and display aggression etc.

I have taught my dog to come near me when we meet these annoying dogs. He stands at my side, I can easily shoo off any disobedient and/or rude dogs. Don't let your dog run away from you and the other dog, most dogs will chase something running away from them (run away from your own dog and see what happens) so when on a lead, stop her running away from you and keep her close. Then any rude dog will have to confront you and the dog, and I have met maybe 2 dogs in 2 years visiting assorted dog parks across the country that have challenged me for telling them to bugger off, the rest just leave once they realise the human is involved.

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