Which side of the fence are you on?

[SheltieChe]

Che started from small dog area at the pooch park and after few times he learned how to deal with large dogs as well... one of his buddies is 95 lbs 2 year old golden and they both play puppy like... just today in the pooch park we were commented how well Che is holding his own among large group of big dogs... you do have to be nearby and watch it carefully but overall dogs that are used to coming to play sessions usually know how to behave with pups...
pups do need to learn how to stand on their own even with big dogs, just take your time...

 

[mbfrench]

We went to a doggie free play last night for the first time. It's hosted by one of the local dog boarding facilities. You can bring your dog over and let him/her play with the other dogs for free for an hour.
They have a nice facility that is divided in two with each side having an indoor and an outdoor area. There is a fence between the two sides and all the big dogs go on one side and all the little dogs go on the other side.

The coordinator met each new dog as they showed up and assigned them to either the big dog side or the small dog side. when it came Deja's turn, the gal asked me which side I would prefer as Deja was a 'middle of the road' kind of dog. I chose small side because this was her first time doing this and I wanted her to have fun.

She was the biggest dog on the small side. There were a couple dogs that were almost as big as her, a beagle and a puggle. looking on te big side, there weren't any dogs close to her size. I think I'm going to keep her on the small side. What do you guys think? It's ok for her to be the biggest of the smalls, right??

gosh I would have a hard time deciding if it were Earnhardt,as I KNOW he would like the smaller dog side.Even though that would'nt sit well with small dog owners,having a 93# lab sitting & playing the big daddy of all the small dogs. I've seen Earnhardt at his best with even the smallest of chihuahuas.
~

 

[Caro]

Definately stick to small. Shelties are fairly fine boned in comparison to most other dogs - after all, they needed to be nimble over the rocky shetlands, unlike JRTs which needed to be sturdy enough to take on a big rat! Plus there is always a safety risk with the bigger dogs - firstly just because they could inadvertantly squash a small dog, but also one chomp from a big dog will do more damage than a small one. Unless you know the dogs I wouldnt put a sheltie in with them.

My dogs generally only play with large dogs they know, its safer that way and it helps build confidence. Initially when I was working on Tully's timidity I allowed her to be around big dogs I knew were not going to hurt her but were still boisterous. Turned out that was a mistake, it made her more fearful. At agility the dogs usually run in an enclosure together while we set up and take down.

Deska joined a new agility class with all big dogs and I did check with the owners if they would be ok with the dogs, Deska is a confident dog so I wasnt too concerned about him, altho I did watch. Turns out Deska found it overwhelming to have all these large dogs sniffing at him and following him. So he stays tied nearby now until the other dogs get used to him and leave him be.

 

[labgirl]

I've seen Earnhardt at his best with even the smallest of chihuahuas.

Maybe its a lab thing, because Cadbury is soooo gentle with little uns, but he is actually starting to show a dislike for the over rough games of boisterous, big dogs. Even his best playmate Hugo is a bit too much for him. He'd rather be running around with smaller dogs.

Funny, isn't it?

 

[k9kreationz]

Great question. Answer is that it depends on the dog. I definitely wouldn't put a Sheltie on one side or another just cuz of their breed or size.

I tried Koji in the smalls, um, he towers over them at almost 18". LOL. And he was playing pretty rough with them too. So, I told them and they agreed to put him in the bigs to see how he'd do. First day, he was SCARED!!! lol. Second day, my trainer (she also runs the daycare) went in with him and he did great. He LOVES LOVES LOVES running with the big dogs.

Now, when Miko was young and we'd go to the dog park, he'd "run" with the big dogs. Notice I said "run" and not "play". As we know, Shelties don't always know how to "play". Now days, Miko goes in with the small dogs because they won't run him over if he's trying to lay quietly or walk around.

I haven't seen/heard of Koji getting ran over, however, my daycare, seriously, is HUGE!!! Oh yeah, I also like the bigs because it's got so much room for Koji to run around! Not so much room to run in the smalls.

I say, whatever works for your dog.

ETA: Also, are there trained personnel in the rooms with the dogs? I'd like to say, because this isn't a regular daycare type thing, that maybe smalls is the safest place. I mean, my daycare staff knows my dog and most of the dogs in the room with them (and there are minimum 2 in there at a time). So, that's a little different than a "doggie night". Which btw, is pretty cool for socialization. Just be careful. Keep an eye on your dog if you can.

 

[Lovely]

I put both my boys in the little dog side. Of course, Duncan is usually outweighed by the other small dogs. It is more his personality than his size, though. There are some Boston terriers who belong on the big dog side even though their owners do not see their terrorizing other dogs as a bad thing. Our large dog side has German shepherds, Labs, Collies, Greyhounds... you get the point. Either of our boys wold be squashed when they decide to stampede!

 

[Strider]

I put both my boys in the little dog side. Of course, Duncan is usually outweighed by the other small dogs. It is more his personality than his size, though. There are some Boston terriers who belong on the big dog side even though their owners do not see their terrorizing other dogs as a bad thing. Our large dog side has German shepherds, Labs, Collies, Greyhounds... you get the point. Either of our boys wold be squashed when they decide to stampede!

OMG, Deja hates Boston Terriers. When both puppies were about 6 months, we ran in to a gal walking four of the little buggers. All the BTs surrounded Darby and were sniffing them. One of them growled at Darby and the gloves came off Deja. She put herself between Darby and the Boston Terrier hoard. In the end, there was no blood but fur did fly. Four black and white little buggers with their tails between their legs learned never to growl at Deja's sheep again. Ever since then, any time she sees a BT, she puts her guard up.

 

[Phebe*DD]

Since Phebe is 25/26 lbs, and 25 lbs is the posted limit for small dog areas here, she's a fence jumper.

It depends on what is happening in each area. For example, this morning, we started in the big dog area. She was doing OK there, playing with a small Pitt mix and a Lab puppy. Then she noticed a cute little Schnauzer/Poodle pup in the small dog area, and began to play with him through the fence. I let her into the small dog area and they had the best run. The Lab pup followed and joined in fun, too.

 

[Justicemom]

Maybe its a lab thing, because Cadbury is soooo gentle with little uns, but he is actually starting to show a dislike for the over rough games of boisterous, big dogs. Even his best playmate Hugo is a bit too much for him. He'd rather be running around with smaller dogs.

Funny, isn't it?

My lab would have stomped them into the dust. There was nothing gentle about her. She was a brute.

 

[Justicemom]

OMG, Deja hates Boston Terriers. When both puppies were about 6 months, we ran in to a gal walking four of the little buggers. All the BTs surrounded Darby and were sniffing them. One of them growled at Darby and the gloves came off Deja. She put herself between Darby and the Boston Terrier hoard. In the end, there was no blood but fur did fly. Four black and white little buggers with their tails between their legs learned never to growl at Deja's sheep again. Ever since then, any time she sees a BT, she puts her guard up.

Justice was attacked by a BT as a pup. He hates them to this day. He won't run over to attack them but he is on guard and watchful.