Dog enrichment
Posted by National-Net-6553@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 10 comments
My dog is pretty leash reactive after an attack at a dog park a year or so ago. I’d love to take him somewhere to explore/walk/hike without worrying so much about other dogs. Taking him to the dog park at the crack of dawn before others arrive only works about 50% of the time. Any ideas?
Temporary_Height_586@reddit
I’ve seen someone suggest cemeteries before for a good place to walk a dog with little to no distractions!
frenchezz@reddit
Wonder why that is... Dogs need to be able to relieve themselves on walks. Having your dog piss and shit on a grave, even if you pick up like a real dog owner should, you're still letting them soil what is considered hallowed ground.
Snobolski@reddit
There's a daycare/boarding place called Cosmic Canine that includes reactivity training as part of their daycare. We're trying them with a mildly reactive pupper.
We gave up on dog parks long long ago.
If you can find some dogs your dog does get along with, arrange play dates with them! We did that with a reactive dog who did have a few "buddies" and it worked out well.
Aggressive_Deer_7072@reddit
Honestly a lot of reactive dogs do way better once people stop forcing dog park interactions altogether.
Sniffspots/private field rentals helped a friend of mine a ton because the dog could finally decompress without constantly scanning for other dogs. early morning industrial areas, empty school fields on weekends, quiet trails etc can work too. sometimes enrichment for reactive dogs is honestly just “finally feeling safe enough to relax outside.”
National-Net-6553@reddit (OP)
Empty school fields is genius! Thank you!!
4ofheartz@reddit
Lots of school property bans dogs because people let dogs poop everywhere & don’t pick it up. Just FYI.
Mahannap@reddit
What area are you looking at? I take my reactive boy to the McInnish sports complex in Carrollton. It's often empty and sprawling enough that I can avoid other dogs and people easily. I'm not sure you'd be able to take him off-leash though
National-Net-6553@reddit (OP)
Thanks for this! Honestly, I love my dog so much I’ll drive pretty much anywhere in the metroplex lol.
Mahannap@reddit
There are many different fields and areas to explore. I enjoy walking behind some of the fields to a creek area. There are ticks there though, so I don't let my boy into the tall grasses
itseightbysix@reddit
Oak Cliff nature preserve