| Many cities are becoming more dog friendly and | | | | dominant position (behaviors such as "humping", |
| adding dog parks and other opportunities for your | | | | draping his head over the other dog's neck or |
| four-legged kids to play with others. Pet resorts, | | | | head, standing or lying over the other dog or |
| too, often offer doggie daycare programs which | | | | otherwise trying to always maintain the "upper |
| provide the opportunity for your dogs to engage | | | | paw") this may not be a good dog for a social |
| in group play in a more controlled and supervised | | | | play setting. |
| setting. Not all dogs, however, are good | | | | Some dogs are intimidated by other dogs and |
| candidates for group play. Here are a few tips to | | | | even though they are not acting aggressively, |
| give you some guidance as to whether your | | | | you can read their body language to tell you that |
| fur-kid will "play well with the other kids"...and will | | | | they are very uncomfortable. Dogs that cower |
| enjoy the experience! | | | | low to the ground, tuck their tail as far as possible |
| Is your dog spayed or neutered? This is highly | | | | between their legs and/or roll over on their backs |
| recommended for social play situations, as it | | | | at the sight of another dog are being extremely |
| removes any potential for hormone-based | | | | submissive. In this situation, your dog is feeling |
| behavior problems, either from your dog or from | | | | very insecure and runs the risk of being bullied in |
| one who is attracted to him or her. Most doggie | | | | a group play setting. For his sake, don't force it! |
| daycare programs will require this; dog parks | | | | Like us, dogs have their individual personalities, |
| generally do not have this requirement but it is still | | | | backgrounds and attitudes and there isn't one |
| a good idea. If your female dog is in heat, please | | | | breed that makes a better social play dog than |
| keep her at home for the safety of everyone! | | | | another. As a general rule, more easy-going |
| How is your dog's basic obedience training? Does | | | | breeds such as labs, golden retrievers and |
| he respond to his name and come when called? | | | | "doodles" may have better inherent traits for |
| Does he know the "off" or "leave it" command? | | | | group play than very intense and focused working |
| All of these can be vitally important in a social play | | | | breeds such as shepherds or rottweilers. But, I |
| setting...whether you need to call him out of a | | | | have known labs that have failed temperament |
| potentially dangerous situation at the dog park or | | | | evaluations and shepherds and rottweilers that |
| a doggie daycare counselor needs to do the same | | | | have passed with flying colors! The breed that |
| at daycare. | | | | seems to fail more than any other is the Jack |
| Observe your dog when you are out on a walk | | | | Russell Terrier (or Jack Russell Terrorist, as fondly |
| and he spots another dog. How does he react? | | | | nicknamed). I love the breed for its personality, |
| Does he go directly towards the other dog with | | | | activity level and tenacity, but a lot of its traits |
| teeth bared and tail erect? Or does he approach | | | | are not suitable for playing well with others. It has |
| the dog more softly? Good doggie introduction | | | | a big dog personality in a small dog body, which |
| manners include behaviors such as your dog and | | | | can make it difficult to find a suitable size and |
| the dog he is meeting approaching each other in a | | | | temperament play group. |
| circular fashion rather than head on. You may | | | | There are many other body language signals that |
| notice a lot of tentative sniffing (generally rear | | | | your dog gives out to let you know whether or |
| end first, if they are being polite!), head turning | | | | not he is interested in (and has the appropriate |
| away from the other dog, sometimes even | | | | manners for) group play. There is a short book |
| turning their backs on each other. All of these are | | | | by Norwegian trainer Turid Rugaas called "On |
| good signs that your dog can introduce himself | | | | Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" that |
| nicely to a social group. Lunging at another dog | | | | offers some basic information on reading dog |
| with hackles raised, on the other hand, is a good | | | | body language...I highly recommend it! |
| indication that a group play situation may not be | | | | Dog parks can be wonderful places for you and |
| the best choice for your dog. | | | | your best friend to socialize with others. But, |
| The ultimate invitation to play is the "play bow." If | | | | because they are not controlled except by the |
| your dog puts his front legs down, hind legs in the | | | | participants, you need to be very careful of any |
| air, in a "bowing" position, he is definitely interested | | | | bullies (human or canine) that might cause both |
| in playing, and is probably a good candidate for | | | | physical and mental damage to your pet. If there |
| group play. Once he and another dog begin to | | | | is a "bully" at the park, and his owner is not |
| play, watch for fluid movement, with both dogs | | | | aware or taking any steps to remedy his dog's |
| changing position and moving around often. If, on | | | | behavior, leave the park and return at another |
| the other hand, one dog is repeatedly in the | | | | time. No one likes a bully! |