First day at the dog park!


  • So I took Nani (9 weeks now!) to the dog park today. She did pretty well, but was very skidish with the other dogs at first (they were all much bigger than her, all were >40lbs) but got used to them quickly. She played chase a little but she ended up getting run over by the other dogs and she stopped playing chase then. She was around the other dogs but wasn't really playing with them, just sniffing them and kind of doing her on thing.

    There was one dog in particular though, a 4mnth old blank and tan hound dog who was kind of rough. He was very territorial and the owners weren't very good at getting him to stop doing something. Well, this dog initially was harassing Nani a little, as in he would kinda swing his front right leg at her like he's trying to punch her and chase her. Nani would just try to walk away but the hound would keep after her. Nani wasn't yelping but it definitely looked like she was really annoyed/aggravated with it. The owners would step in and grab him though, and eventually he did stop paying attention to her.

    My question is, did I introduce her to the dog park too early? And, in the hound case, should I have intervened or just the other owner?

    Also, I noticed that she was pretty good when I recalled her and she would come back to be (each time I did and she came back, she got a treat). I did notice though, after she got about 20+yards away, she wouldn't recall really unless I got closer, is this because she can't hear me or, she's still just a puppy…


  • IMO, 9 wks is too early for a dog park… she needs to have all her shots first.. you have no idea if the other dogs at the park are up to date on their shots, if any are sick, etc... she could pick up anything... That said, I don't ever do dog parks
    You need to watch out for your own dog, period... not expect others to do the right thing... but this means, if your pup is being picked on you take her out of the situation.
    Unless she has a hearing disorder, she hears you but is not paying attention to you. When you call her, do her ears flick towards your voice?


  • Agree, too early for the dog park. And with Basenjis, the recall response you get from an insecure pup is likely a lot better than you will get later from a self confident adult!! I think you are taking things a bit fast for such a young dog. Patience, training at home with no distractions, lots of attention from you. The rest can come later.


  • thanks guys!

    I wasn't paying attention to her ears so I can't say how they were when I was calling her. As for the park…no parks for now until shes had all of her shots...should've asked before taking her as now I'm a little paranoid if she has contracted anything...if she has...when would symptoms show? Do they show fairly quickly, a couple days?


  • @k1ng87:

    thanks guys!

    no parks for now until shes had all of her shots…should've asked before taking her as now I'm a little paranoid if she has contracted anything...if she has...when would symptoms show? Do they show fairly quickly, a couple days?

    That would of course depend on what she picked up. You are likely fine, I wouldn't stress about it. Just pay attention if her appetite is off or if you notice anything unusual in her behaviour, e.g. if she seems less lively than usual.

Suggested Topics

  • How to introduce a 2 year old to a dog park

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    3k Views
    elbrantE
    @giza1 said in How to introduce a 2 year old to a dog park: A dog park sounds great, but in reality... I think this largely depends on (both) the owners and dogs that are there. Many people are responsible and just want their dogs to have fun. Plenty of people aren't. Get to know who goes there and you can avoid many of the problems that give "dog parks" a bad name. The first time I took doodle, she started shaking -- too many dogs and she was the "new" one. So we left. I took her back when it was empty and allowed her to roam the area, smell, and get a feel for it. Then she understood. Lots of different dog smells. This wasn't anyone's yard or territory -- it clicked. The next time we went there were just a couple of dogs and her reaction was totally different. She loved it! And still does! Are there "bad dogs" there? Some, but in general this has been a very positive socializing treat for doodle. We don't go every day, but 3-4 trips a month seems like a good balance (to keep it fun and not let her think she's in charge there). I always try to make sure doodle gets to do something special. A (really long) walk, off-leash time in the woods, the dog park, or down to the water (we live near the ocean)... something random so she never really knows what's going to happen, even if it's a day when we just chill.
  • 0 Votes
    24 Posts
    20k Views
    mixieM
    Yup, nothing fun happens until everybody's peed. Today she saw the old man go out on HER walk hour and was DISPLEASED. I agreed with her that it sure would be fun to go for a romp! I'm glad we're not the only dweebs who sing to our dogs. We've taken to improvising a life soundtrack to the tune of "Springtime for Hitler" that usually starts "____-time for Basenjis, ______". The past couple days it's been "Pottytime for basenjis, come on, go pee!" :D
  • Are coursing dogs different than confirmation dogs?

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    Thanks everyone for your comments. I feel assured what the breeder said was sound-That the dog can do both lure and show providing they want to. So since I really want to lure how soon should I start with the pup?
  • First Major

    Basenji Training
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    10k Views
    tanzaT
    @Chealsie508: Thanks Pat and Lisa, I'll look into that. Another question though- there is a novice rally event happening on the 6th in MA near us, would that be something I could take Oakley to?? Thanks for your thoughts Rally events are AKC events… The club premium will usually note that any dogs that are not entered should not be on the show grounds. That said, many of us take puppies and young dogs for socialization. If this event is outdoors, that makes it much easier, since there is usually lots of room. Indoors, not so much because it is a smaller area and during OB or Rally the "crowd" and other dogs should/need to be quiet as to not disturb the dog that is working. If Oakley does well around other dogs/people (being quiet..ggg) then I would say go for it! Maybe not if indoors until you know how he might react.
  • What to put my dog into???

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    lisastewartL
    Google Gazehounds in TX. They do straight and oval racing in the Mckinney, TX area. We come down occasionally for their NOTRA meets. They are having an oval race this weekend if you would like to atttend and watch I can send you directions. We will not be there this time as I'm having surgery Monday and need to take a couple weeks off. Where in TX is Pearland? We do lure coursing in Hutto, Waller and Cat Springs, but the season is at and end now. Will pick up again at the end of Sept which would be a good time for your girl to try some practice runs. There are lots of nice non basenji people in the clubs who will help you train her. Get a good recall on her now, puppy training classes would help for that.
  • A great day at the dog park!

    Basenji Training
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    JannekeJ
    What a great story and great pics! It's nice to have a place where your dog(s) can run and play freely!