[NAGDU] Just out of curiosity

[Lisa Belville]

Hi, all.


I don't remember the exact advice they gave us at GDA when I got Paige, 
but I'm with those of you who stay away from dog parks. It's bad enough 
when a supposedly trained and leashed dog is running wild while its 
clueless owner does nothing.  Put same dog and clueless owner in a 
situation where the dog has no leash and it's a recipe for disaster, 
IMO.  The average dog user and those of us with working dogs have 
completely opposite interpretations of play.  <sigh>  Also, I wouldn't 
want to put any Guide Dog in a situation where they felt threatened,  
either in or out of harness.


Having said that, I let Paige play with my sister's adopted Boxer 
Mastiff Mix.  yes, he's huge. . . Think show quality Boxer body with a 
Mastiff Head photoshopped on the neck.  LOL   but like most big dogs he 
has no clue he's supposed to be threatening. He's very well mannered and 
obedient, and he and Paige usually have a few minutes of vigorous 
sniffing, nipping, and play bowing when they first meet, then they 
settle down and will occasionally groom each other during their 
remaining time together.


We let them meet each other under very controlled circumstances for the 
first few times before we felt comfortable letting them be off leash 
with each other.


I've found that Paige isn't as excited by other dogs if she has a chance 
to socialize occasionally with a doggie friend.  My previous dog was 
very dog driven, so having a dog who can work past a loose dog or a 
yappy fenced in dog without ripping my arm off to say hello is wonderful.


Lisa And Paige



Lisa Belville
missktlab1217 at frontier.com