Scared to make my first trip to a dog park

I adopted a new dog about three weeks ago, and I really want him to inter-act with other dogs.

I live close to a dog park and it would be wonderful to be able to take my dog to a dog park, but although he is not aggressive in any way, his energy level is very very high, and I'm just worried about how to introduce him to a dog park and maintain control without ruining the experience for him.

He is a black lab mix, about eighteen months old, maybe sixty pounds.

He is amazing, but he just is fascinated by everything and everyone. No aggression, just high energy curiosity.

What is the best way to introduce my dog to a dog park?

Keep him on leash, or let him go?

Should I really follow him closely and control his behaviors, or let him be.

Thanks for the advice.

This is really important to me, because I know he is the kind of dog that needs to relate to his own species.

Mike

before attempting such a visit.

Especially off leash.

For you, him and everyone else.

Most communities have groups that offer them on a regualar basis at a reasonable cost.

And he'll get a chance to interact there too.

The expectation at an off-leash park is that every dog should be under voice control. Lots of people don't bother, and that's not really good for anyone.

Your poochie friend should respond reliably to your commands before going off-leash. He must come or stay, for example, because his life might depend on it.

I'd avoid taking him to an off-leash park on a leash, too. That can create a dynamic between dogs in which an off-leash dog tends to be more dominant and the one on-leash might become more submissive (or even fearful). Keep walking him on leash until he's trained, but give him lots of opportunities to meet other dogs and have lots of experiences.

Have you trained a dog before? I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of Kilcommons' Good Owners, Great Dogs. Really great resource.

Good luck!

He's under voice control most of the time but not all of the time. If he gets fixated on something, he doesn't hear a word I say.

This is so frustrating though, because I can tell he is depressed from not being around his own kind.

if he's ready. Also, he's young. Lots of dogs turn that corner out of puppyhood around the age of 2.

Is there an on-leash park that you can visit, or at least a small, enclosed off-leash area where you'd have more control?

just to see how he reacts? Or will that just frustrate him more?

Is there a small, enclosed park that you can go to until you feel comfortable with him being off? (I don't have a clear idea of your park--some off-leash areas here are the size of a yard, others are acres and acres and acres.)

Do you have a public park where he can meet other dogs while on-leash?

Maybe one or 2 other dogs there. Take yours at that time. Leash him up and head for home as it gets busier.

I agree that basic obedience is a must but sometimes they just need to play. Our county parks now have 3 off-leash dog areas and our dogs look forward to going (we can't even spell p-a-r-k that they aren't wanting out the door and in the car) often. But, at first, we had to do it when it was less busy and keep the leashes very handy, sometimes just leashing them and making them take a 'time out' before letting them go again.

Ours respond much better after 45 minutes to an hour of chasing, running, swimming, sniffing...being dogs.

its not unusual for dogs to get into fights at dog parks. In addition, germs run amuck. My dog died of a tick borne illness from dog feces that he picked up in our local park and a person I know had his dog attacked and severely bitten in the face by a pit bull at a dog park.

My dog is high energy, too and as a dog shrink once told me "a good dog is a tired dog." He walks his dog 5 miles a day.

Great exercise for you and your pet.

harm is there in just letting him go in the park?

I would watch him constantly and would put him back on leash the moment there was a problem.

Does the park have chain-link or ranch fencing? Would the dog be out of your sight? Is this a park with a whole lot of dogs, or just a few? Are the people there generally responsible (that is, will there be untrained or unsocialized dogs around)? Has your dog had all of his shots?

If you feel safe and prepared, then you should do it. If you don't, you absolutely shouldn't.

I've gotten more good advice on feeding, taking care of and being a good dad to my sweet new dog here than you can ever possibly know.

beneficial for some dogs but not at all necessary ( although some people have to crate their dogs because they are destructive when left alone). I wouldn't take a young (meaning under 3 or 4 years) into a dog park because of the risk of parvo. It can live on the ground for months, up to a year. Not meaning to be alarmist, but with the dog being only a year and half old, why risk it.

My dog is in obedience class and a canine good citizen. But she still has a tendency to ignore me when there are interesting smells around (she's a beagle!). So, I arranged to go to the park at the same time as some of her dog friends from class--but at a not-too-busy time for the park (early afternoon on a weekday). She was with dogs she knew, though in a new place. It helped her to stay calm, get acclimated, and feel a bit familiar.

So, I would begin by agreeing with others who've suggested basic obedience. Like a dog park, it's a great way to socialize your dog. But in a more controlled setting.