A day at the dog park

[Ninjasquirrel]

They called me back with the results. The urine was clean. The vet said that its "probably just a fluke" in her behavior and to keep an eye on it. I'm guessing the giving treats to go potty is working which is why it stopped.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

On another note, I feel that having her bark at you for food isn't the best idea, IMO. I think it's 'demanding', not something she should be doing towards you.
Something else to ask a behaviorist about!
Mary

Isn't barking for food the essence of the "speak" command? I see what you mean though. Its just a fun trick. She likes it actually. She likes to try and get extra scoops.

 

[Folly's place]

We can disagree on this one. It's a demand, and she does it to get more? Demanding!
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Isn't barking for food the essence of the "speak" command? I see what you mean though. Its just a fun trick. She likes it actually. She likes to try and get extra scoops.

You could try to get her to do different things for food. I work a little training into mealtimes since they're obviously very focused - sit, down, stay, wait, go to your bed, spin, stand up, shake paws, etc. I try to avoid having the dogs associate any one "trick" with food because then they become obnoxious about using it to beg.

 

[LizaKnepper]

I decided to take our new dog to the dog park for a little fun today. Shes been doing well with her training so I thought a little reward was in order. Plus it was a great opportunity to socialise her with other dogs. She's shown some aggression in the past weeks we've had her so I want to socialise her very slowly.

I went at 930 in the morning to our local park. Its an "off leash" park but I kept her on leash to be safe. There was only one dog there when we arrived (not on a leash). He was a 150 pound dog. Looked like a lab but very overweight. We walked parallel with him along the fence line before we walked in the park area. He then growled and bit her on the nose. The owner grabbed him and apologized saying "I didnt know we are just dog sitting". I'm sorry...but that is unacceptable. I understand if you dont know if your dog is aggressive but you should KEEP HIM ON A LEASH until you do! Either way I shrugged it off because he kept him leashed from then on.

Duchess was in her element! She wanted to sniff and pee on everything! She even continued to try and pee when nothing was coming out lol. I gave her a lot of water the whole time we were there. They have workout equipment for the dogs there (ramps, hoops and jump rails) and I was shocked that she knew how to use it all. She was excited about the other dog (even though he bit her) but I wouldnt let her near (especially since the owner was so irresponsible). She listened to all my commands though and was a very good girl.

But then...someone else showed up. A twenty something with a medium size mix...just a little smaller than our dog. Duchess was on it. She began whining and crying because she wanted to go see the dog. I held her tight as the owner approached. "Is she cool?" He said. "I'm not really sure but I have control of her". He immediately leashed his dog and the two of them sniffed for a bit at each other.

Grrr...Duchess growled and opened her mouth to attack. I immediately pulled back on the leash and corrected her with a strong "No! We don't do that!" I had her sit and she just sat and whined. "Looks like shes aggressive then." He said. I shrugged and said "I think she's just had a bad experience. I think the shelter lied to us though about a lot of things. Maybe if we walk parallel she will calm?" "Oh ok...sure"

We chit chatted a bit but not much as we walked them parallel to each other. Duchess kept watching his dog. The convo started changing from just two owners walking their dogs to one owner criticising anothers. My cutting point was this:
"Maybe you should go to a different dog park"
Maybe I too it a little too personal. Maybe he didnt mean how it sounded. But I was mortified. "Well we've been here a while now and I think she's getting tired so we will be leaving then. Nice meeting you."

I quickly brought her to the car and we went home. I don't know if we should go back. I liked the exercise equipment but the people...

Are all dog parks like that? I haven't had a dog in over 10 years because I lived in apartments. Now that we have a house we could finally have one. I was excited about being able to take her for a nice long walk that wasn't through the mosquito filled woods. Feel free to share your stories this was just our walk in the park.

I personally don't take my dogs to dog parks. I would rather find somewhere out in the country to walk them, or away from other animals. As much as we wish we could, I find that you cannot trust other owner, to know their dogs/ pets as well as they think they know their dogs. I cannot always predict what my dog will do and she is a certified service dog. But saying that at times I've noticed she also has her own mind. He is still an animal. And unpredictable.These are just my opinions and of course we all have opinions and our own experiences.and then again you cannot trust other owners to have their pets up to date on their shots you can only go with what you do with your pets. And I always fear that my pets will end up with something from another pet.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

You could try to get her to do different things for food. I work a little training into mealtimes since they're obviously very focused - sit, down, stay, wait, go to your bed, spin, stand up, shake paws, etc. I try to avoid having the dogs associate any one "trick" with food because then they become obnoxious about using it to beg.

Duchess is pretty good about meal time. If we are eating she leaves us alone. Its for this reason we have never given her treats while at the table. We don't want to encourage begging for OUR food. I let her in the kitchen if I'm cooking because IMO floor food is fair game. I know I dont want it. So she can be around if I drop something. And I do...I'm a messy cook. She gets a treat and my floor stays clean. Its a win win.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Duchess is pretty good about meal time. If we are eating she leaves us alone.

I was referring to your sit and bark 3x trick for doggie dinner. I should've specified. I have my dogs do a variety of tricks/tasks before they get to eat.

 

[aart]

I let her in the kitchen if I'm cooking because IMO floor food is fair game. I know I dont want it. So she can be around if I drop something. And I do...I'm a messy cook. She gets a treat and my floor stays clean. Its a win win.

I made my dogs stay out of the kitchen while I was cooking, they would sit right at the edge or doorway waiting until I sat down to eat and 'clean it up!' then they could go in, worked great. I have to clean my own kitchen floor no, Rascals pads are so dry and slick and his legs so wonky he won't go on a floor without carpet.
He still says 'please' with a bark when I ask, are you hungry for dog food'?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I made my dogs stay out of the kitchen while I was cooking, they would sit right at the edge or doorway waiting until I sat down to eat and 'clean it up!' then they could go in, worked great. I have to clean my own kitchen floor no, Rascals pads are so dry and slick and his legs so wonky he won't go on a floor without carpet.
He still says 'please' with a bark when I ask, are you hungry for dog food'?

Duchess' pads are really scratchy and she has NO traction on our kitchen hardwood floor. I should teach her "clean up" because our kitchen is very small and shes big. She will sit in front of the dishwasher until I have to get in there and open it. Then the fridge. Then back to the dishwasher. It can be kinda annoying. Especially since shes not paying attention and it spooks her. Ive tried asking her to move but she just sits there smiling "are you gonna drop something?"

 

[aart]

Ive tried asking her to move but she just sits there smiling

Move her to doorway, lie down-stay....will take time to change the habit.