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Dog Park Advice

2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Muay Thai Kick BOXER 
#1 ·
Hello everyone

I hope I can get some guidance from the boxer-lovers on here!

Roxy is 9 months old, and she is a typical, hyper, PLAYFUL boxer. We try to bring her to the DP as much as possible, but in the last few weeks, we've been avoiding it because we're not sure what to do about this issue.

Roxy loves the usual boxer playing style: running, jumping, roughhousing, all of it. She has no problems with dogs equal in size or bigger. I personally get nervous, but I know she's fine and loving every minute of it. We are never more than a few feet away from her at any given time. We are very actively involved at the DP, unlike alot of other owners. But whatever, that's not my issue today. lol

Roxy's problem is the smaller dogs. She is always drawn to the small dogs. So she'll go straight for them and begin the butt sniffing routine which is fine. But then very quickly the situation turns to one of two scenerios.

Scenerio # 1: the small dog will act in a way to show Roxy that she should back off by either barking or something like that. And Roxy will back off, but may or may not chase playfully if the small dog decides to run. But everyone is fine, and Roxy will move on eventually to other dogs.

Scenerio # 2 is that the small dog will not tell Roxy to back off, and Roxy will start to "play" with the small dog which scares the dog and usually results in the small dog being on her back crying in fear, and Roxy on top growling (or making mean sounding noises, which she does when she's playing). This transition happens in a matter of seconds. At this point we have to pull her off, leash her and walk away. Usually, no matter how much time passes, if we let Roxy off her leash, she will go right back to that dog. So either they have to leave, or we have to leave. Usually we leave.

At this point, I am so worried about the situation that we are avoiding the DP, but I feel bad because Roxy needs to burn off some energy and socialize. The DP that we go to is close to home, and it does not have a seperate area for small dogs. The DP that has a seperate area is 1.5 hours away, so that's just not feasible more than once or twice a month.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks!

PS - I should mention that we are still walking Roxy! We walk her everyday, and that the DP is just in addition to a walk. Thanks!
 
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#2 ·
Thanks for posting this Roxydog!

I was thinking the exact same thing. When I'm at work, Ryder is at daycare so it's not very often I get to see him interact with other dogs. The daycare, however, puts on a free 1 hour puppy social time on Sundays and I've been the last 2 weeks. The first time, he was ok. But this past Sunday he seemed to be more rambunctious than normal. Doing the usual boxer play, the jumping, the running, the pouncing, but now he's added the growling. And I would also have to pull him aside numerous times and calm him down before releasing him again. I don't want to keep doing that because I am still working on his recall and I don't want him to think that I am taking him away from play.

The thing is, I understand that Ryder is playing in his Boxer ways, but it's the other dog's parents that might not.

So, yes advice please. Is this something he will grow out of or learn to play "nice"? Or do I just accept that it is what it is and just monitor more closely during playtime?
 
#3 ·
At 9 months, she is stil learning. For me personally, when we have small dogs around I have to watch Bosley like a hawk because he has a very high prey drive. Sometimes those little yorkies look like nothing more than a very large squirrel. He can play nice when he's been introduced properly and told to be 'gentle'; otherwise we tend to avoid the little dogs.

Most dog parks will have two areas, one for large/medium dogs and one for the smal dogs. Just stay away from them. If she does inteact well, thats fine however if she does not, take her out of the situation before it escalates to what you've described. You can easily judge when a boxer is ready to play so when she does start work on your recall and call her back to you. She can inadvertently hurt the little dog by being her normal boxer self.
 
#4 ·
Kona does the same. He will bow and if little dog doesn't respond he take a paw and " wap" .....give the little dog a punch..lol
Everyone else with their labs and pugs are giving me the stink eye. One lady said my dog was aggressive!
He is not in the least. People just don't understand how boxers play. Guess that doesn't answer your question...
I try giving Kona time outs....he just doesn't get why the little dog won't play
 
#5 ·
Flash does the same thing. He gets fixated on small dogs that show fear.

We sense his mood now and keep his dog park visits short if that behaviour starts to generate. Leash up and we leave, ensuring everyone had a positive experience.

He's had hour long plays, and he's had 5 minute plays. Depends on the mix of dogs.
 
#6 ·
I find my self constantly having to explain that the throwing of paws and chewbacca sounds are a normal play for a boxer. I just tell Lexi 'eeeeasy' and she'll tone it down .. a bit.

She's always been around small dogs and puppies, so fixating on smaller dogs hasn't been our issue. She is drawn to the biggest dogs when we are with a group.
 
#8 ·
A "Boxer Only" dog park would be a great idea!! But then it wouldn't take long for people with their trendy little toy dogs taking over and accusing the Boxers of "aggression" because they don't understand that's how they play. :doh:

Lol.

PS: Not that there is anything wrong with toy dogs....hahaha.
 
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