It's NO walk in the park!

[Taz_Zoee]

We live right next to the community park in our city. On the weekends Zoee knows I am going to take her for a walk and will whine, groan and sigh until I do. My problem with her is she gets SOOO excited when she see's another dog, she starts jumping around, whining and even barking.
We had her enrolled in puppy obedience when she was younger and she did great! So I believe the lack of working with her on it has caused us to go back to square one. I'd like to try to resolve this without enrolling in another class, because I think she'd do great in the class again, but out in the real world she will slack.
I usually take her for the walks by myself and she tends to listen to my boyfriend better than she listens to me. But anyway, yesterday morning we went for our walk and another dog came close enough to send Zoee into her freenzy. The other dogs owners got away from us as quickly as possible.
I know I need to socialize her more, but I can't do that when other owners are intimidated by her freaking out!!
We have met a few dogs at the park, and once she gets up to them and meets them she is totally fine. I keep taking her in hopes to meet dogs so she can get use to it, but her reaction scares the other owners and they don't want to come near her.
Does anyone have any suggestions, besides the obvious...enrolling in another class??
I will continue to take her for her walks, but I usually end up coming home in tears. :(

[applesmom]

Imagine how the owners of those other dogs must feel! ;)

Taking her back to classes will work wonders even if you go just for the socialization.

Also the instructor will be able to evaluate her behavior and demonstrate how best to control her with a visual hands on example. Better than trying to decipher the written word and work with long distance directions.

Another advantage of the classes is they are always in a controlled environment. Yep! taking her back to classes would be the easiest solution and it will be a relief to the owners of the other dogs in the park when they no longer see her as a possible threat to their own dogs....

Good luck!

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you for the reply applesmom. I want to look into a class that is held outside. I have actually seen some people in "my" park who look like they are holding a class.
I think that would be more beneficial to her instead of going to a class that is indoors. I would have seen them yesterday if I hadn't been so upset and just wanting to hurry up and get home.
I will search online too and see if I can find them there.
Thank you!:)

[applesmom]

You're welcome. I agree that outside classes would be best. There are more distractions that provide a more realistic environment for training.

Let us know what you find and how it goes!

[borzoimom]

I agree outdoor classes would be best. However if due to weather only a indoor class is held, at least get started. I have a older friend that tells the story of her taking her collie to classes that were always held at night at the high school. All ready to start showing in obedience, she was so excited about her first show with this boy. The show was held outdoors, and on the off lead heel, the dog started cruising the ring... lol.
Training outdoors, as stated, where the training needs to take place should help.