Ask the Dog Trainer - Bad Behavior in the Dog Park
gollygear June 1st, 2008
I live in Pensacola and have four dogs, 2 Boston Terriers, a mini-dachshund and a French Bulldog named Cricket. She is 11 months old.
The problem I have is that whenever we go to the dog park she tries to attack or bully dogs that are smaller than her or are puppies( never big dogs or small dogs that will stand up to her). She is a selective bully. After a battle of a couple of months of skirmishes at home with my Boston who was the alpha, Cricket is now the boss.
Cricket is close to being banned from the park. Do you have any advice or techniques to help me stop her from acting so ugly at the dog park?
Hope writes -
I am not a fan of dog parks and your dilemma is one of the reasons. Unlike most owners, however, you’ve recognized the problem and realize that something should be done to curtail the behavior.
The first rule of dog training is to have control. As soon as you let Cricket off-leash, you have none. And having Cricket on-leash when none of the other dogs are leashed is inviting trouble. I’ve even seen situations where the “pack” goes after a leashed dog, the owner picks up the dog and the “pack” starts jumping on the owner to get to the dog.
If your other dogs (and you) enjoy the dog park, have no trouble and are well-behaved, just leave Cricket home until you have completed (and passed - with flying colors) an obedience course with her. She must recognize that you are the boss. Unless and until you are absolutely certain that Cricket will break off whatever she’s doing and “come” when called - she’s not allowed back in the park.
Cricket also needs to respect your authority at home. Many people who have multiple dogs are concerned with “pack order” and who’s “dominant.”
The answer is simple - You are in charge at all times.
Dogs thrive under benevolent dictatorship - they have no clue what to do in a democracy.
Hope
