Questions about dog parks...?

Some dogs just aren't cut out for dog parks - your little girl might be one of them. I'd say bring her on a day when it doesn't seem too busy (you may need to drive by or visit the park a few times to see when the "non-busy" times are, or see which park is the least busy) so she can sort of "get her feet wet".

Most parks have one area for large dogs and a separate area for small dogs, so you should probably leave your Chihuahua at home so you can focus on your big kids.

Always be sure to pay attention to your dog, and to follow the dog through the park so you are never "too far away to intervene" if necessary. If you have someone else who can go with you, since you're bringing two dogs, then that might be a good idea.

Unlike the others, I would NOT suggest keeping her on a leash, because dogs on leashes react differently, not to mention if things start getting roughed up, a dog on a leash cannot get away as easily, and the leash can too easily tangle up around you, your dog, the other dogs, etc. and cause a HUGE problem.

Most dog parks have a separate Unleash area and specifically prohibit leashes in the park for this reason.

http://www.unleasheddogparks.com/pdfs/rulesExpecta... - some good guidelines and expectations for dog parks

I would take them each to the park individually for the first few times. Dogs are more confident and aggressive when they have their own pack to back them up. Then try to go when there aren't going to be a lot of other dogs there. Take a long leash to allow your dog to have some freedom while still being under your control and don't allow them out of an uncomfortable situation. Unless the strange dog is too rough or aggressive, then you shouldn't let your dog hide, Try to make it stay around the other dogs and it'll soon become more comfortable. Then you can start letting them off leash and if they do good with this then you can start bringing them together. I also wouldn't try to immediately call them back. They'll be excited by new surroundings and dogs and won't listen so don't waste your breath.

Keep the dogs on the lead for a while until they are calm and comfortable in the new surroundings. Allow them to greet and have small interactions with the other dogs on a lead before letting them go, this will give you control of the situation but also allow your dogs to feel secure. Go at times when the dog park is not so crowded so your dogs are not overwhelmed.

Mabey try and take them individually so you can focus on that dog. Then start taking mabey two together and work your way up so you can take all of them. With the skittish thing I would be carefull about taking her because at dog parks many people take there dogs out there to realse pent up energy. When dogs come in that are really hyper and boisterus they can turn into a large pack and focus on a scared dog. I would take that dog a socilize it more before you take her.

I would not go to a dog park if you paid me. You have no idea who those other people or dogs are and what they do or do not teach their dogs. Dog parks seem like a socialization place for singles to meet. Most of the time, people do not pay enough attention to their dogs and fights can happen in the blink of a eye. If anything happens, no one takes responsibility and people can really get nasty.

I would get a bunch of nice dogs and their owners together and have play dates at people's houses. I just do not trust dog parks. Too much bad can happen.

If your dogs have never been to a dog park before and you are not sure how they are going to react to new dogs, you need to take them at off peak times where there are only one or two other dogs there to see how they interact. You may also want to take someone else with you to help control your dogs should they get into a confrontation with another dog.

if you do decide to take your boxer to the park then i would keep her on a laeashe for the first couple times you go so she can get used to the idea, but if she shows signs of discomfort when you take her there are there arnt any improvements after a few weeks than you shoudnt take her, just the others

I have brought my dogs to dog parks, and they do great

but if you have any question in mind about taking one of your dogs, do not.

dogs are perfectly content with being just with their 'pack'

you can take the others.

but if there are any you question, do not take them. there is no point in a lawsuit

I would never take my dogs to a dog park, they are breeding grounds for diseases and fights.