I have a 90lb 18 month old Weimeraner who is great. Now when we take him to the dog park he looks at the other dogs and is interested in them, but when they come around to him, he tucks his tail, wines and of course tries to snap at them. No amount of me saying "nice" and "no" or "eh eh" have helped this issue. I want him to be able to run and play with other dogs but not to be scared.

The first time we took him as a pup he was rushed by 2 or 3 dogs and was scared and started to run, they chased him, he fell into a hole, did a flip in said hole and then ran to find tall grass to hide in, until my husband tracked him down. It was very sad. I am afraid this issues is a deep seeded result from that but I'm not sure how to convey to him that it's ok... i only he could speak English!

Please Help!

His first experience with a dog park was not a pleasant one, so I am sure that he is thinking about it every time a dog approaches him. Try enrolling him in an obedience class, to get him familiar with other dogs. Or how about friends who have dogs, try slowly introducing him to others, one on one, and as he gets used to that, add another, and so on. Good luck, and hope he is able to overcome his fears.

Originally Posted by lovemyweim

I have a 90lb 18 month old Weimeraner who is great. Now when we take him to the dog park he looks at the other dogs and is interested in them, but when they come around to him, he tucks his tail, wines and of course tries to snap at them. No amount of me saying "nice" and "no" or "eh eh" have helped this issue. I want him to be able to run and play with other dogs but not to be scared.

The first time we took him as a pup he was rushed by 2 or 3 dogs and was scared and started to run, they chased him, he fell into a hole, did a flip in said hole and then ran to find tall grass to hide in, until my husband tracked him down. It was very sad. I am afraid this issues is a deep seeded result from that but I'm not sure how to convey to him that it's ok... i only he could speak English!

Please Help!

well I could see 2 potential problems....

Dogs process emotions just as we do....Most importantly as his pack leader, He picks up on your emotions very very well.....So at any point when you have brought him back to the dog park and were thinking and feeling scared???

While your with him at the dog park, are you nervous that it might happen again to him, do you try and protect him???

If the dogs pack leader is scared and fearful, then no doubt your dog is going to show the same emotions you are feeling....

So if your nervouse or scared that another dog is going to bully him again....So he is.

My suggestion is if you are not able to eliminate that fear....

To have someone else take him to the park, keep him on the leash and walk him around the other dogs....You need to act as though nothing ever happen...the longe ryou hold on to it..the longer he will....

Walk in through the pack of dogs, And if his tail goes between his legs...Lift it up!!! And if he snips at another dog, Correct his behavior by submission! Lay him on the ground, Allow him to know that you are the leader and that type of behavior is no accecpted by you...

I also recomend starting with smaller groups of dogs to begin....But you cant train a dog to not be fearful if you are fearful yourself....

Good luck!