Bad day at the dog park :(

[Quercus]

Yes, you can use both. Once your dog understands the clicker, start pairing the click and the word together "click, yes" treat.

I always use a clicker when shaping/training a new behavior. But use the word "yes" or "good" when asking for behaviors that the dogs already know. The click is nice for teaching new behaviors becase it is so clear, and the timing is precise. In my case, my dogs know we are learning something new when the clicker comes out,so they are more attentive.

[lvoss]

My experience is pretty much the same as Andrea's. I use the clicker when training new behaviors or polishing a behavior. I use "good" when we are actually out and about and I ask for a behavior they already know.

[cleopatra]

Fantastic! We have class tomorrow night and I will get a clicker and start working with it. She is so smart and fun to train. Thanks

[luzmery928]

Great, thanks for the clicker advise. I think I will look For the clicker at the pet store this weekend. I'm thinking of using it also at agility class since this weekend while we waiting for our turn he was just EVERYWHERE. I should also take him for a long run beforehand to tire him out and get some focus out of him. The trainer uses treats to train but I like the idea of the clicker also for grabbing his attention.

[Barklessdog]

This is why I dont go_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3YihpHn4Wg

[Quercus]

@Barklessdog:

This is why I dont go_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3YihpHn4Wg

I agree…that little B is running those dogs all over the place. He is lucky they are all very tolerant dogs, because a more assertive dog would have fought him.

[Barklessdog]

Over the years I just learned not to put your dog in ANY potentially bad situation. You have to figure the worst will happen & hope for the best. Nothing can happen if you don't do foolish things.

You have to treat them like a tame wild animal, like a pet badger

You going to trust your badger how far?

[tanza]

OMG… that is too cute...

[Quercus]

<>
As I said very, very often at the zoo....wild animals in captivity
Love the pic!

[JazzysMom]

@Barklessdog:

Over the years I just learned not to put your dog in ANY potentially bad situation. You have to figure the worst will happen & hope for the best. Nothing can happen if you don't do foolish things.

My concern is not ME doing foolish things, but the OTHER GUY doing foolish things that will affect me and my dogs.

It is my lack of faith in other people/dogs that keeps me from taking my dog to the dog park.
{Well, and the fact that Jazzy is such a bitch. }

My vet is no advocate of off-leash dog parks, nor the fact that people take their dogs into PetSmart/PetCo. He says I'd be surprised to see how many dogs he deals with that come in with injuries from fights at all those places.
And it's usually because one of the dog owners was oblivious.

[dash]

I couldn't agree more. I do go to the parks often but we scope them out carefully first. My biggest issue is people allowing their dog to approach Dash on leash. I repeat-he's aggressive, he bites and they are just oblivious.

[jys1011]

I agree…especially the pet store :eek: With all the food around & doggy items there's no wonder there aren't more accidents at these stores.

I've got serious allergies to pet dander so it makes going shopping a real PIA! And don't get me started on off leash dog parks...I just don't trust a lot of owners.

[vstripe]

…The dog park has been great practice towards the dog beach! The past couple of times we have been to the dog beach have been amazing. My boy is now brave enough to get his feet wet all on his own!
Has anyone else experienced the dog beach?;-)

[Barklessdog]

Our tri loves to sit on the end of our kayak on a lake we go to (supervised with someone close if he falls in the shallow water). He used to sit on a raft in our kiddie pool. He goes in the water of our pond to a certain depth. We ended up not encouraging his tolerance of water because he would get water in his ears and get ear infections.

[jys1011]

Never been to a dog beach but we plan to next month…I'm hoping they'll like it as much as I DO

What's with the fear of going in the water?? Can B's not swim? I thought all dogs could swim??

[nomrbddgs]

All dog's cannot swim. I had a dog once who sunk like a stone.

[Barklessdog]

I think I read bulldogs can't swim. So pugs might be the same?

[nomrbddgs]

Maybe, but you have to remember bulldogs heads probably weigh quite a bit considering they're mostly bone.

[jys1011]

I guess I'll need to invest in a life vest just in case my little furkids' webbed feet don't work

[Mantis]

When Cairo was coming into his manhood which was around the later part of his 4th month he began to try to dominate every dog (male or female) at the dog part. We were in the smaller dog pen, so there were plenty of smaller dogs for him to dominate. I recognized the behavior (not full mounted, but the arm on the back) and we didnt go back until he was fixed. Major difference.

I would suggest going to a Petsmart and doing your normal commands there. It is so busy and loud there that you can practice getting his attention.

Having an intact dog at the dog park is a big challenge. You dont want to take treats into a dog park in case some one else's dog is food aggressive and you have to feel confident you can pull his attention away from his interest when you want.

I would think any kind of training that included socializing with other dogs would be a big help.