We have a Dog Park!!!

[Ginger's Mom]

Sounds like fun. I love going to the dog parks near us. It always makes both of us feel so much better. I don't know about around your area, Kim, but when I have a dog I am not sure of around other dogs I take him/her to the dog park at about between 10:00-11:00 in the morning. The pen is very often empty at that time, so your dog can run and play without worrying about how he might react with other dogs.

[cyber-sibes]

That's very exciting! If you kep an eye on it, there are usually times wen few or no dogs are there, maybe Kenny would be more open to giving it a try then. once he gets used to it, he'l love it! Plus, it often takes "newcomer" a while to get used to all the sniffing & greeting they get, but after a while, they'll be right in there checking out the other "newcomers" It's such a good experience for them.

[ramanth]

I'm so happy for you!

Andy had to work Saturday morning, so I took the dogs to a dog park near his job. It was Chipper's first time there and he did great. He has a bit of a mounting issue, but the other dogs never told him no. Just me.

[kimlovescats]

Thanks everyone, I will definitely get pictures next time. We went on Saturday, so I'm sure it was at maximum capacity. I will try Kenny again on a week day when maybe there will be quite a bit fewer dogs there!

Freedom: AnnaBelle has never taken to other dogs, except her buddy Gretta. She is extra defensive now because of her handicap. I'm afraid she would get knocked over in a cart. Gretta might do ok at the park, but I'm not sure. I would hate to take her and leave AnnaBelle at home though ... they are so very bonded.

[shais_mom]

Keegan is apprehensive when she meets new dogs in a new surrounding too. She gets a bit touchy with other dogs b/c of her hips.
RE: Kenny's weight - have you had his thyroid checked recently? Also - is he free fed? If not, cut back on his food - to what he SHOULD weigh. If he is free fed - feed him twice a day cutting his food back - if he doesn't eat it within 10-15 minutes pick it up and save it for later. I feed Keegan raw and if she hasn't eaten with in 10-15 the food goes away until the next day. She gets fed once a day. Keegan has packed on some weight too so I need to follow my own advice!! It is very hard to free feed retrievers and it is even harder to keep most of them at their ideal weight b/c they are usually chow hounds!

[kimlovescats]

Keegan is apprehensive when she meets new dogs in a new surrounding too. She gets a bit touchy with other dogs b/c of her hips.
RE: Kenny's weight - have you had his thyroid checked recently? Also - is he free fed? If not, cut back on his food - to what he SHOULD weigh. If he is free fed - feed him twice a day cutting his food back - if he doesn't eat it within 10-15 minutes pick it up and save it for later. I feed Keegan raw and if she hasn't eaten with in 10-15 the food goes away until the next day. She gets fed once a day. Keegan has packed on some weight too so I need to follow my own advice!! It is very hard to free feed retrievers and it is even harder to keep most of them at their ideal weight b/c they are usually chow hounds!

No, Kenny has never been free fed. He gets fed twice per day and inhales it in 2 seconds flat! You would think that he is starving! Gosh, I'd hate to think he could only get it once per day! This is why I was really hoping he would enjoy the dog park, so he would get more exercise. We tried walking on a leash. Ummmm..... he loves to go, but I spend my whole time being tripped and slammed into by a very large boy! Also, he is TERRIFIED of cars! If one just starts down the street, he panics and starts pulling and running, which is not a good thing with a huge dog, and weakling on the other end of the lead!

[shais_mom]

No, Kenny has never been free fed. He gets fed twice per day and inhales it in 2 seconds flat! You would think that he is starving! Gosh, I'd hate to think he could only get it once per day! This is why I was really hoping he would enjoy the dog park, so he would get more exercise. We tried walking on a leash. Ummmm..... he loves to go, but I spend my whole time being tripped and slammed into by a very large boy! Also, he is TERRIFIED of cars! If one just starts down the street, he panics and starts pulling and running, which is not a good thing with a huge dog, and weakling on the other end of the lead!

ahhh
well
it was a good thought!!!

maybe just get his thyroid checked next time he's going to the Vet....
Keegan packed on the weight before I switched her to RAW so I know it isn't b/c of that.... She is going to the vet in a couple weeks - so they will run her thyroid test (yearly) again....