nannyj
Active member
My Quincy is now 1 1/2 years old and is the love of my life! I couldn't have asked for a more well behaved dog. He's sweet and loving, and just a great companion!
Quincy has spent time with other dogs before, at the pet sitters house when we go on vacation, and it usually only takes him a few minutes to feel relaxed and play with the other dogs.
Last night I took him to the dog park for the first time. I really didn't know what to expect, but a friend had told me that this was a great park with lots of friendly dogs. It ended up being very traumatic for poor Quincy! There were about a dozen other dogs there, and almost all of them seemed aggressive, compared to my sweet little boy. They were jumping all over him, nipping at him, and humping him! It was like the kid who gets picked on by a bunch of bullies on the playground! He looked so scared, and either stayed by my feet, or would run over to another person and cower by their feet. The owners of the other dogs were trying to keep their dogs away from Quincy, but it was one dog after another, taking turns picking on him! I tried to give him a little time to adjust, but I could see he wanted nothing to do with the whole experience. I ended up taking him home and having to give him a bath, because he smelled terrible and was covered in drool and dirt from all the dogs jumping all over him.
So what now? I really wanted him to have fun with the other dogs and be able to run free, since I don't have a fenced in yard. Should I keep trying and just stay for a short amount of time? Is it normal to have to bathe your dog after going to the park?
Quincy has spent time with other dogs before, at the pet sitters house when we go on vacation, and it usually only takes him a few minutes to feel relaxed and play with the other dogs.
Last night I took him to the dog park for the first time. I really didn't know what to expect, but a friend had told me that this was a great park with lots of friendly dogs. It ended up being very traumatic for poor Quincy! There were about a dozen other dogs there, and almost all of them seemed aggressive, compared to my sweet little boy. They were jumping all over him, nipping at him, and humping him! It was like the kid who gets picked on by a bunch of bullies on the playground! He looked so scared, and either stayed by my feet, or would run over to another person and cower by their feet. The owners of the other dogs were trying to keep their dogs away from Quincy, but it was one dog after another, taking turns picking on him! I tried to give him a little time to adjust, but I could see he wanted nothing to do with the whole experience. I ended up taking him home and having to give him a bath, because he smelled terrible and was covered in drool and dirt from all the dogs jumping all over him.
So what now? I really wanted him to have fun with the other dogs and be able to run free, since I don't have a fenced in yard. Should I keep trying and just stay for a short amount of time? Is it normal to have to bathe your dog after going to the park?