[seazr]

We took Dakota to a dog park for the first time yesterday and again today. He is surprisingly timid--I really, really didn't expect that--he totally harasses my step son's 80 pound rottie. A toy poodle knocked him over yesterday--he is 4 times the poodles size; and today a chihuahua mix was chasing him everywhere until he came to huddle under my legs. Is this the sign of a problem? Also, I so hate to judge breeds, but today a young pit bull was in the park and I was a bit nervous. I don't want to be a bad person, but I want the best environment for Dakota . . . are dog parks safe places and are pit bulls and other potentially aggressive breeds safe to socialize with?
Diane

 

[seazr]

Thanks Jac! The pit bull "Riley" seemed to be quite a sociable fellow. As I said, our son has a rottie which is also reputed to be aggressive and he puts up with a lot more of Dakota than I would! I'm afraid I'm being an over-protective mother and I'll do my best to shed that! Since Dakota is acting so timid, we're going to take every opportunity to take him to the park to socialize him . . . got get him ready for our doodle romp!!! :wink:
Diane

 

[seazr]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences and advice. I will be vigilant (I can be no other way!) but I will also try very hard not to be over-protective and full of phobias! And, with that, we're off to the park!
Diane (and Dakota)

 

[seazr]

All went well, although I should have heeded Wannadoodle's advice--there were too many dogs in the park. There were three pit bulls and they were just fine. However a labbie-mix (not as finely blended as ours!!) did chase Dakota and throw him which caused Dakota to yelp. It took everything in me, but I held on and waited for the "pack rules" to take hold. Within a minute, Dakota was socializing with some of the other dogs--tail high in the air!
Diane