my puppy and I were walking in a park today. An off leash Boxer charged down the path at us and I picked up the pup in a flash. The boxer kept climbing up me to smell my puppy. Owner finally caught up and apologized. My puppy was quiet when in my arms. The owner of Boxer said he was very friendly, but agreed that he would have trample her to play rough. I asked if he was completely trustworthy if I bent down and let my puppy meet him while still holding her. She said of course. She was right. I let my pup meet nose to nose and then my pup growled at him after a few seconds so I stood back up. I thought this is a bad greeting for the puppy and left and drove to the off leash park and stayed outside of the fence. I wanted her to see that not all dogs charged and frightened her. As we walked along the fence she chose some dogs who were boisterous and ran to the fence and she snarled and growled at them. When I explained that she had just had a bad first impression at the park earlier one man said his old, gentle golden lab would never approach her aggressively or even bother to smell her. So we took my pup and his older dog to a small sectioned area and I let her meet this dog. My puppy was back to normal and greeted the gentle dog friendly. She showed no signs of growling. She had pleasure and was relaxed again. So I took her, thanked the man and we left on a good note.
I have known that often these off leash parks are not too good for some dogs for many health and aggression and injury reasons. Plus it can develop your dog's into ignoring you the owner because they would rather play with other dogs. But I went there to fix a problem that had happed beyond my control. At least we left with a good note.
Any advice on how to help my puppy not be aggressive to other dogs who may in the future come around off leash, or to not be aggressive to dogs she is supposed to be friends with. I have heard many thoughts on it before, but I want to hear what the usual working dog people have to say.
I have known that often these off leash parks are not too good for some dogs for many health and aggression and injury reasons. Plus it can develop your dog's into ignoring you the owner because they would rather play with other dogs. But I went there to fix a problem that had happed beyond my control. At least we left with a good note.
Any advice on how to help my puppy not be aggressive to other dogs who may in the future come around off leash, or to not be aggressive to dogs she is supposed to be friends with. I have heard many thoughts on it before, but I want to hear what the usual working dog people have to say.