A Dog Park Experience

We used to go to the dog park a lot, but lately, we've been a little down-trodden.

Why, you ask?

We've had some less-than-fortunate experiences while out at the city dog parks.  Everyone has good and bad experiences, I know, but we're going with the "3 Strikes" and we're out.  All the pictures from my post are from my first and second visits to the doggie park. :)

Experience #1:
I was a wee puppy (probably 4-5 months old), and we were SO excited to go to a dog park to get some socialization!  It was probably February or March when we went, so there was still snow on the ground, and it was a nice sunny day.  I was pretty submissive when all the big dogs met me at the gate, but within 5-10 minutes, I was pretty accustomed to the dogs there and had a pretty good time.  Bosses were pretty amused, and there were TONS of dogs there (probably 30-40).  All Bosses and dogs were pretty friendly.

Running with some of my new buddies last winter.  This guy was pretty nice!

Experience #2:
We told my friend, Willie, and his Bosses, that this place was pretty cool.  It had a nice open place to run, and agility equipment.  They came with us, and we had a blast!  I still was pretty submissive, but I learned to pick my playmates and have a pretty good time.  The verdict?  Success.  Dog Park was awesome.

Willie, one of my "besties" and I running like crazy puppies.  Oh wait, we ARE crazy puppies.

Experience #3:
This time, however, was not as great.  We were there on a weekend (pretty busy), probably 30-40 dogs again.  I like to go to all the humans and say hi by leaning into them and sniffing their dogs, and I did so!  I went over to a lady and her medium-sized dog, and she KICKED me.  Really, really hard.  Dad was infuriated.  And I'm not exaggerating.  Mom was in shock.  Why in the world would you KICK a 5-month-old dog?  Or any dog, for that matter?  So, Dad went over to the lady, and asked why she kicked me.  Her response?  "I don't want your dog interacting with my dog".  THEN WHY ARE YOU AT A DOG PARK?  Come on.  This has translated into my entire life: I now bark at strangers and raise my fur, because I'm a little scared of strangers at a distance.  So thank you, Lady with dog, for giving me mixed signals.

I still am a happy pup, even if we have "bad" days at the park.

Experience #4:
Another interesting experience.  We gave the dog park another try, on a less-busy day (a Tuesday around 3:30pm). We were there, and Mom met some new people, I met some new dogs, and we had a blast!  Another lady and her Australian Sheep Dog came into the park, and they were pretty nice!  We chatted, Mom and the lady chatted, and it was fun.  The lady walked over by the entrance of the park, and her dog was wandering around the open area, doing what us dogs do...play, run, etc.  10 minutes pass, and this dog bolted at Mom and BIT her leg- just about 3" up from the Achilles.  She was wearing rubber rainboots; he latched on and wouldn't let go!  She tried to get him off herself, knowing he was friendly, but he was stopping at nothing.  She realized he had herding behaviors, so she tried moving away, but he didn't let go.  He kept tightening his grip, puncturing through the rainboot and hitting her skin (she said it was hurting a lot).

Look at me, Ma!  I'm getting my zoomies out!

The people watching from the bench did NOTHING.  She was yelling "CAN ANYONE HELP ME?" and no one came to help.  Finally, after 30 seconds of yelling and struggling, someone came to help, trying to find the owner of the dog.  And there she was: facing the parking lot, texting or on the phone with someone.  We immediately left, stunned, and ticked off that Mom's adorable rainboots were not very water-proof anymore!

Experience #5:
This, was the third strike.  We went on a weekend, and it wasn't as busy in the morning.  There were maybe 15 dogs or so, and most seemed friendly.  All owners were attentive, and watching their dogs, so we figured we'd give it a try.  Now: since I've been kicked, I'm VERY submissive to other people and dogs.  Within 15 feet of entering the field, I rolled on my back and submissively peed all over the place.  Bosses were heart-broken, seeing a jubilant puppy turn into a hot mess.  Mom & Dad helped me get used to the dogs in the park, and everything was fun- met some new people, dogs, etc.  We were fetching tennis balls at the other end, getting some quality dog-chasing in, it was great!  We were about 20-30 minutes into our adventure, when a big black dog came over and wanted to play.  He looked a little more assertive than me, but he was being nice.  I started running, though, and he dashed to get me, making me run a little faster.  We both kept speeding up, and I was bolting away from the dog.  He was running so fast, and wanted me so bad, he grabbed my back leg with his mouth and cut my leg open.  Definite third strike.  Mom and Dad were livid.

I'm not so sure how I feel about this tunnel...but no worries, I learned that it was fun and skidded through it lots more!

And we have never gone to that dog park ever again.  The dog park is a pretty popular place, because it's right off a busy highway, and is visible to a lot of people.  Anyone can bring their dog there, as long as they are up-to-date on vaccines and "well-tempered".  The one thing is that it is never regulated.  It honestly never should have to be regulated, but after three times of horrible experiences, we're not going back.  After both a dog and a person get bit, that's it.  No tolerance of that, whatsoever.  We also learned that a small-breed dog died there last year, after being attacked by a bigger dog.  You can always call in an incident, but all the social stigmas of complaining and ratting out a dog in their group of friends/"regulars"?  We might as well never go back after that, anyways.

However, there IS hope- we found a different dog park that is a bit closer to our house, that is just short of being a dog sanctuary (it's so peaceful).  We'll have to write another post about that one- we've never had a bad experience.

Here I come, Ma!

What are your dog park experiences?

Chow!

What do you do at the dog park?  I run around with one of my bff's, Willie! :)

FitDog Friday: The LAST Last Roughhouse

Hey, Everyone!

Happy Friday!  I'm sooooo happy we're finally to the weekend- TGIF.

It's a big day around here- Kaiser's big "Gotcha Day"!  His family will be here in a few hours to pick him up.  The 2 big humans are coming over earlier than their 2 small mailmen think- they don't think they're getting a puppy until tonight.  Little do they know, our friend will be there by the time they get home from school!  Woo hoo!

I'm not really allowed to play very hard with my little chew toy (whoops, I meant Kaiser)- he just got neutered a few days ago.  But, I can't help myself- we got a little exercise today to make sure he'll be nice and tired for his big adoption day. :)  I have to teach him how to be fit, right?

Enjoy some pictures of our last moments together! :)  Until our next playdate (or so we hope), we love you SO much, Kaiser (or now Geno)!!!

We share so well- I have to teach him how to eat sticks.

Those eyes....so gorgeous.

Boss got me a new collar!

Look at how big my buddy has gotten! Me (53 lbs) vs. Kaiser/Geno (now 15.5 lbs)

Look at Boss' beautiful fall bush!

I will sure miss going on our strolls around the yard together. <3

FitDog Friday: Mental Stimulation

Hiya, Everyone!

Well, Boss has been up to lots of blog hops this week- I hope everyone has been thoroughly enjoying all of them thusfar!  A big thank you to everyone I've met so far this week- you are all so fantastic.  It's great to meet you all!

Today's thoughts are my first FitDog Friday!  Boss got her college degree in Human Performance/Exercise Science/Kinesiology and Health, so this is right up her alley, at least for the humans!

Run, run, run...as FAST as you can!

Boss has learned that raising a puppy is no chore.  Puppies need a LOT of exercise, especially as they grow.  Exercise keeps them physically healthy, happy, and mentally healthy.  After a dog stimulates their mind and body, they are much less likely to get into devious trouble- or at least that has what Boss has found with me so far.  Boss has fostered 1 other puppy, as well as raise me, and will be fostering a 13-week-old puppy in 2 weeks.  What has been similar with all of us?  Staying busy and happy.

My braided rope tug toy.  I love it!

Boss will be honest, she doesn't take me for a walk every single day.  She feels a bit guilty about this.  Sometimes, though, I get exercise in a different way.  We play fetch in the yard, or play a game of "Chase Boss", or we go to the dog park and get the hiking/running/socializing out.  During physical exercise, of course my mind and body are both busy!  It's great!  Some of those days, though, Bosses are tired from work or have commitments where they can't slip physical activity in, Bosses have to get clever.

I need to keep my mind busy, right?

So, what are some of the ideas Bosses have come up with so far to keep me busy (hint: Bosses really prefer I don't stay busy by ripping up the stairs anymore)?  Here are a few:

• Hiding treats around a room.  Well, let's be honest here- Bosses would hide treats around the house, but I am so easily distracted and don't get the whole determination thing yet, so we'd just have old treats hanging around the house.  One room is all we can handle right now.  My personal favorite is ice cubes!
• Treat-dispensing toys.  Bosses have bought me a few different types of treat dispensing things, and they seem to keep me busy.  Balls with holes in the center for smaller treats, a big treat dispenser with goodies, or even a fabric "maze" game with the stuffies taken out from the middle and stuffed with ice cubes.  I looooove ice cubes.
• Honestly, the kitties and I interact and keep each other...busy.  Allie usually stays out of it, since she is a pretty mellow gal, but Thor and I play chase.  He is usually the instigator, getting me all excited and then bolting off.  He gives me mixed signals, because then he growls at me when I actually get to him, but I like it anyway. ;-)
• Chewing toys.  I love to chew everything.  It's not over-exaggerating when I mention that, because I have probably chewed on almost everything.  Bosses like to take me to the local pet store (again, the outing keeps me busy), and I get to pick out something to chew on whenever I am out of food.  I usually pick one of those cow-hoof things, because not only does it take me forever to demolish, it smells SO good.  Boss thinks it smells like a horribly bad piece of bacon (she even likes bacon!), but I think it smells glorious.  Mmm mmm mmm!

Why did Bosses have to get so innovative?  Ha.  Let me tell you why! (Boss laughs just remembering the Cabin Fever we had last winter!!!)

Playing fetch when it was a balmy 20F out last winter.

Last year, I was a tiny little puppy during what was considered a horrible, never-ending winter up here in Minne"snow"ta.  Holy cow, it was brutal.  Temperatures were at -40F, and that barely counted the windchill.  Sometimes, we had windchill/temp readings up to -60F.  Needless to say, we ALL were cooped up.  Bosses and myself.  Boss had to come up with ways to keep me busy during those long, frigid days.  So this is where all the mental stimulation comes into fruition.  At least we're prepared in case it happens again!

I LOVE my floating bumper toy- I can't break it!!!

When it is too cold to play outside, Bosses and some volunteers/friends from RAGOM get together and plan playgroups for us as well.  I got invited to my foster sister's birthday party at an indoor doggy play area last winter.  It was sooooo much fun!  Here's a snapshot of my momma and I getting a picture together- I love when I get to see her!  The weekends are usually for wearing myself out with play and physical activity, and the weekdays are my chance to get my brain working and stay sharp.

Carrying sticks to my "nest" is also a personal hobby.

This weekend, I plan on completely wearing myself out- it's football weekend again, and that means more tailgating and play time with friends!  I cannot WAIT!

What are some ways you keep yourselves fit, mentally active and healthy?  Any fun plans for the weekend? Give me some ideas!

Chow!