dog behavior at dog parks?

okay, so. i've been taking my male and female mixes to the dog parks in my city a few times, and all of the dogs are always running around, playing with each other and exploring. while my female is at my hip the entire time. she's usually a velcro dog, but she's so cautious around unfamiliar people and dogs for some reason. she doesn't let any of the dog owners there pet her, she sniffs around a little bit, but cowers and runs from the other dogs, she seems just too unsure. and it's weird because, she always bosses my male around at home, and they play together all the time. anyway, my male on the other hand, loves everyone and everything. he has no problem with it. and i'm surprised she doesn't follow his lead like she usually does. i've socialized them exceptionally well, but she hasn't come around to any of it. is there a solution to her skittishness? i'm not exactly sure what to do. i've read online that its good to keep taking her, but i also saw somewhere that i shouldn't bring her anymore. help? opinions? thanks!

kps2013-05-20T19:14:30Z

Favorite Answer

I had two dogs, same breed, one highly social, the other could care less and just had one or two dog friends. It is an individual choice. I would respect each dog and not force them into anything they don't want to do.

hills2013-05-21T02:13:38Z

It'd probably be a lot easier in a controlled setting. Like group training. At dog parks you don't know the other dogs. One could rub your dog the wrong way and make it even worse.

Some people think socializing dogs is letting them meet everybody and a bunch of dogs. For some dogs, that's no good. Each dog is different and you need to take a different approach

WyrDachsie2013-05-21T02:12:49Z

She obviously doesn't enjoy it. I don't think there's anything you can do to make her enjoy it. Some dogs enjoy the company of other dogs and enjoy playing with their own kinds and others don't.

Since she's not getting into fights, there's no reason not to bring her, just don't be annoyed if she chooses to stay by you. Also, do not allow any dogs to bully her or run at her.