[rokmurphy]

Sorry, there were no pics from the actual dog park, I was not impressed as it was a giant dirt hole full of rocks. Felt as if it should have been more of mountain training than play. His first friend he met was a bull dog mix who was 4 months. She loved Zeus so much she trampled him and tried to snip at his back. Don't worry, I stayed right by his side and the bull's owner was very sorry. That was the only dog there too....Should have gone to the one in DC like I wanted. But here are some pics of his ride home from his miserable exp

 

[~LS~]

That's too bad Bryan.
I'm not a big fan of dog parks, too much drama.
The idea is great, but not everyone respects the rules, which causes problems.
We have a gorgeous park 30 minutes from home, but there are a few people that bring in aggressive/ill mannered dogs, so we just stay away.
Hubby does bring Rocky & Benji there sometimes so they could run, but super early in the morning when no one is there.

Zeus is a cutie though. How old is he?

 

[Kaila]

Zeus is so adorable! I'm sorry that your experience was a bad one. I find that I like taking Teddy on trails rather than to the dog park anyway. LS is right--dog parks can be just too much drama!

 

[rokmurphy]

I agree, so I was expecting to fend for him the whole time. I should throw dog parties.lol. The backyard at the house is decent sized, and fenced; I just don't know of anyone with small dogs

 

[Finn]

Finn used to attend a Small Dog Meetup until we started rescuing Chis. He enjoyed those meetups very much, although they were far to travel. But now he has his own pack and the dog park is my sunroom, so we don't have to travel for Finn to have play time with someone his own age. But my point is sometimes we are lucky enough to have playtime just for little dogs.

 

[JadensMimi]

Poor little guy! We have a dog park on the other side of town that is very large, and they have a big dog area and a little dog area separated by a fence. I thought that was great as long as people follow the rules. I worry when I take my doberman to dog parks that she'll hurt them by accident playing. She plays with the little dogs here and isn't the least bit aggressive (she doesn't have a mean bone in her body) but, playing with a little dog at a flat out run is much different than playing around the house. I saw an ad on Craig's List for a Doberman Day at the dog park in the next town over. We went and it was all Dobermans and had a great time. I wonder if maybe you could go that route to find other little dogs to play with in a public place of course. Or put up a notice at Petsmart or the vet's office or groomer.

 

[Brodysmom]

I don't do dog parks either. I know some people LOVE them, but I think they are an accident waiting to happen with our tiny dogs.

There are some chi meet up groups or toy dog play groups you could join! I'm sure there are some in your area. I found several here and they meet a couple times a month at a doggy day care (open just for them) and then everyone brings their chihuahua's. No big dogs to trample them and they have a blast!

 

[RavenclawPrefect]

I don't do dog parks. I know my dogs and how they will react to other dogs. I simply don't trust other owners to be watchful of their dogs or to know for sure if their "playful, friendly" dog is actually aggressive or fearful.

I don't usually take them into pet stores either.

 

[20887]

There is a little dog park here that has a separate area for small dogs. Last time I went, we were the only dogs there

There is also a small dog only park in the process of being built here, funded by someone whose small dog was attacked by a larger one at the park and killed.

 

[OzChi]

I'm lucky, i live literally across the road from a huge park with an off leash area. Because i'm in the city most of the dogs are small so Axel finds a friend to play with most evenings when we go on our walkies. Your little one travels so well in the car, what a good boy! Axel is always straining to get out of his harness and on to my lap

 

[KrystalLeigh]

He's so cute!! I've only taken Odie to a dog park once, with her small dog friend. The park that's close to my house has a regular dog park section and then part that's fenced off and only for dogs under a certain height and weight. We have no yard and she loves to run so it's nice to know it's there. It was totally empty when we were there though. I wish there were chihuahua meet-ups here!

 

[KittyD]

That's too bad Bryan.
I'm not a big fan of dog parks, too much drama.
The idea is great, but not everyone respects the rules, which causes problems.
We have a gorgeous park 30 minutes from home, but there are a few people that bring in aggressive/ill mannered dogs, so we just stay away.
Hubby does bring Rocky & Benji there sometimes so they could run, but super early in the morning when no one is there.

This! ^


I don't like dog parks either, because they are always loaded with ill mannered large breeds (in my area) and honestly? my dog is not even happy in a situation like that.. you might find that your dog only likes other Chihuahua's this has been my experience with my male Chihuahua, he has very selective taste about what sort of dogs he will happily mingle with, he will tolerate most dogs but let them know he's boss if they get too close

Sorry your little pup got trampled, it's just not safe a lot of those people with those larger breeds cannot even handle the dogs let alone control them in a situation like that! I see it all the time.. the dog walking the human.

Anyhow your best bet is to try and find a local group with small breeds for socialization.

 

[rokmurphy]

Zeus tries to play with the other dogs in the house. He spins in circles and stands up to smack them in the face, but they just don't have an interest in playing with him. Poor guy, he's just a small guy living in a doggie dog world trying to make it.lol. A friend of mine brought her chi over so they could play, he is 5, but in the end her chi just would always end trying to hump Zeus. I want to sign up for dog class soon at petsmart, so maybe he will make some good friends there.
Missy r, that is so sad to hear about someone having their small dog killed by going to a dog park. Makes me sick. Wish people would have a plan about their dog and not just get it cause it's cute as a puppy.

 

[AllaboutEve]

We don't have dog parks here in the uk. I used to think it was a shame but I'm starting to think it's a good thing. Trouble is there is not always too much open space & countryside so a lot of dogs only get road walks. We r lucky that we live only a couple if mins walk from some lovely fields. There are a number of dogs who walk there but it's usually thd same ones which is nice. We send poppy to doggie day care once a week. It's not a business it's a lovely couple who run it out of their home in the country. They have max 10 dogs a day & all are vetted before acceptance to check they fit in with the pack. There are all sorts big & small (poppy is the smallest though & gets extra attention!) so she gets to play with all kinds. She has been going for about 2 months & she loves it. I think it's a great way to socialise her & I've really noticed her confidence on our walks. They go for two 1 1/2 hour walks a day & she always comes back pooped but happy! They put Facebook pics on throughout the day so u can see what u'd baby is up to. Does mean I have a HUGE collection of photos tho!! If there is a cute one I just cant resist saving it!!! I think I have about 400 from just the daycare!!
Here are some if my favs to share so someone other than me can get some joy out of it!!

 

[rokmurphy]

HAHAHAHAHA!Poppy looks too funny next to all the other dogs. I bet Poppy is the bravest of the bunch too. I have been told about a daycare by the house, but I rather be with Zeus. I dont know what I would do all day without him too

 

[AllaboutEve]

She certainly is a tough cookie! She hates to be left out of anything too so whatever the big dogs do then she has to do too
I would LOVE to be at home with pops, I certainly envy you there! But I'm normally at work on a Friday so she goes whilst we are at work. Lady Friday tho we were at home doing DIY & we sent her to daycare as normal, thinking it would be easier to get on with the work. But the house was so empty, it's the first time since we got her nearly 2 years ago that we have been in the house without her! It was so odd!