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Canine Behavior/Dog park etiquette

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Expert: - 10/29/2008


Question
I have a 5yo female Husky and a 6yo male Malamute.
My Husky is the most friendly dog on the planet (other dogs etc.)
The Malamute is not so great with other dogs.
We've worked a lot with him and he is now able to pass other dogs and even
an occasional sniff (with a heavy hand on the halti)
There is a new dog park up the street and my husky would find that the
greatest gift ever, but I'm worried about the malamute. I think it would be
good for him but I would feel better for everyone if I muzzled him just in
case. (he's never gone for blood but he dose get nippy)
Is that bad form? Should I even attempt it or just avoid it?

Answer
The dog park would be a wonderful event for your Husky.  There's no need for your Malamute to accompany you on this expedition.  Even if you were to muzzle the Malamute, he would immediately acknowledge the restriction; it might exacerbate his fear or dominance response to other dogs, and his observation of your Husky interacting with others might precipitate a dominance reaction between the two.  Take the Husky to the dog park; leave the Malamute home.

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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