Hot Dogs in the City

Nikki our dog is a American Bulldog, German Sheperd, Blood hound mix who is as high energy and intelligent as it gets.

She is a rescue and came to us with extreme separation anxiety and a lot of fun little quirks to work on. She has been my inspiration to research dogs and get more involved in their rescue and rehabilitation.

So today we were at one of Chicago's lovely dog parks with Nikki and the Westie, it was late in the evening and there were not many dogs just a Rott, and a Sheperd mix pup. We have seen this Rott before, and I sighed  going into to the park and seeing Nikki's limited and disheveled amount of playmates. You see Nik is a wrestler, she likes to tustle and she can be a little intense sometimes....but NOT aggressive. This Rott has snapped on Nik before without reason, and seems to be not too bright.

Last time we saw this dog at the park she spent the whole time following Nik around barking at her, (Which is request behavior) as if she was yelling "Play with me, PLAY with me. PLAY WITH ME!!! And like a champ and like she was told Nik ignored her. Meanwhile the owner, who is a little off to say the least ignored her dog's bad manners to flirt with a fellow dog owner...sigh

Anyway today they seemed to be fine doing some nice greeting, and all of a sudden the owner starts following the dog standing as its side as Nik is trying to say a hello, giving instructions to her dog, that her dog is oblivious to. Being ignored the owner gives up and sits down. The park is boring at this point so my husband takes out a ball to play with Nik. The Rott perks up again, and steals Nik's ball repeatedly which Nik allows. (This is something we have worked on, Nik is not the resource guarder she used to be, she has learned the value of sharing. Hooray). Seeing the dogs interact the ball is taken away so that it does not get in the way of potential playing.

Then after ten or so quiet unremarkable minutes....

Out of no where the Rott and Nik are in a Semi-Aggressive tustle. Nik is usually easy to call off but is slow on this one, which was disappointing, but can you blame her for not disengaging with a Rott attached to her neck? Yes and No. Anyways as I am taking a moment to soak in what is going on and deciding whether I need to get further involved to interrupt the disagreement. The owner (a little off you remember?) steps in and grabs her dog ( A BIG NONO ) and her dog knocks her to the ground. At which point Nik walks away towards us and is instructed to lay down, (so that she can calm herself) which she does without issue.

The strange lady puts her dog on a leash and stays in the park a little longer not interacting or speaking to us... Or letting her dog try again, essentially learning nothing from the experience. Nik goes back to normal and is tail wagging and happy but of course not allowed near Dumbo the Rott because the owner is in a panic.

I heard today that 80% of the pitts that people try to fight refuse entirely. Dogs are not vicious everyone, a dog dispute looks nasty but is usually nothing. There was no blood or injury, although the jury's out on whether the Rott bit her owner out of redirected aggression.

Nikki however needs to learn to walk away from altercations, she is not one to back down but I want that tool in her tool box, because it seems like all types bring their dogs to the park, and the people can be more out of control then the pups. So Nik is on super wrestle lock down, I am gonna be more attentive to the signals from other dogs to help her out a little. Its sad to see under socialized dogs be inhibited and reinforced by their owners...but we can't help them all.

Ps: During this the Westie just sniffed around, ignoring the disagreement that was treated like a basement pit fight. The Westie was happy to sniff Nik and the Rott before and after the fight. The dogs were over it once it was over, but the people weren't. Now Nik and the Westie are doing some wrestling, nice to see them in their happy place unaffected by the emotions and insanity of bad dog owners.

Hello World

Hello all,

I am a dog enthusiast, hope to be trainer/behaviorist. Trying to survive the city with my dog Nikki and the many friends we bring into our home. So far we have had one foster (Pit/Chocolate Lab mix), that has been adopted, and we are currently watching a dog (West Highland Terrier) for a family friend.

I am a volunteer at several different rescue organizations as well as CACC but more on that later.

As much as this is a tool for myself, to keep track of my pup experiences. I wouldn't mind a fan or too to join my on my adventures in city dog fun and rescue dog action.... that being said let's get the cameras rolling....