I have an odd situation that I am hoping that people can give me advice on.

I have been taking Trink back out to a dog park once a week to burn off excess energy. (I have recently moved and don't have a yard right now, which is where I used to let her do this.) She is fine on the trip to the park, but to get to the actual dog park, we need to walk past two playing fields. And during that part of the walk, you would swear that I was dragging her off to a fate worse than death She stops, her tail's tucked down between her legs, she will actually lean against me trembling. But when we get into the dog park, she does ok. She'll hang back at first, and doesn't really "play" with the other dogs, but she will eventually start wandering around greeting the other dogs and getting pets. Her tail will be back at normal position, ears up, and she will hang out with other dogs, either following them around or sometimes leading them. She just doesn't understand the swirling-around type of play that dogs do, and doesn't chase balls, so when the other dogs do that she wanders off to say hello to other dogs. And she will eventually go for a run, where last night she even had a few of the younger large dogs trying to keep up with her. And she is not at all keen to leave!

So... do I believe the initial impression that she hates going there, or how she acts when she is actually there? And is there any way of making the walk to the park entrance less of an ordeal?

The one thing I am thinking is that getting to the park, the way I go, involves shortcutting across a wide bed of wood chips. And that she may not like being on those. And that there is a lot of activity going on in the multi-use fields, which may be upsetting her. So... thoughts?

starbuck8

That sounds cool Froggy!! I hope she loves the soccer ball!! I didn't realise she just stopped, but didn't put up a fight. Sounds like you have it under control then!

Her pic is small, but she looks like a cutie!! But then, gotta luv em all, even with all of their quirky behaviours!

EDIT: I don't know much about Greyhounds. What is a Greyhound Lure?...if you don't mind telling me. I think I get the general idea, but I'm curious!?!

bushg

Oh , froggy poor Trink she must be such a good girl to see a soccer ball out in the field and not go after it. I hope she loves it when you get her one. It makes me sad that she doesn't play with toys. But at least she has the enjoyment of her kong. Keep us posted and let us know how she likes the ball.

froggy7

Greyhounds were originally bred to hunt rabbit, gazelle, coyote, that sort of game. Now, they use lures instead. The ones I've seen at "fun runs" tend to be grocery bags tied to a string that is pulled along the ground by a series of pulleys. It has a very distinct whirring sound to it. The interesting thing is that Trink is absolutely lure-obsessed. But the plastic bag is not exciting at all unless it's moving. And I think that the soccer ball is the opposite problem.. it's moving, but not making the right sound. So she doesn't quite know what to do.

starbuck8

Ahhhh, yes I see. Hence the dog races. I understand what you mean now. Since I live in a city where they don't have dog tracks, I forgot that some people race them, and use lures like that. Thank God they don't race them anywhere near where I live, and I wish they didn't race them anywhere!! I've seen too many horrific pics of what they do to the losers, and the ones who get too old to race. I'm glad Trink has you, and I hope she enjoys her soccer ball!!

froggy7

I'm of two minds about the dog races, myself. If it weren't for them, there wouldn't be anywhere near the number of greyhounds that there are now. Last numbers I saw put the number of AKC greyhounds born in the US per year at under 200, versus the tens of thousands born to race. And greyhounds love to run, the same way border collies love to herd. And they are absolutely gorgeous to watch when they run. On the other hand, racing greyhounds are livestock, not pets, and that part I don't like. Nor the fact that so many of them are killed if they can't run. But being livestock means that they aren't pampered, and thus the breed is kept relatively healthy. So it's not easy to come down on one side of the fence, especially since I am, in a way, benefitting from the sport.

starbuck8

I see what you mean. It's just so heartbreaking to see the pics of the ones that they treat as livestock, and as someone's meal ticket. They just let them suffer, or kill them when they are no longer a winner.

My parents live in FL., and there were many tracks around there. I was visiting one yr., and another friend came to visit, and wanted to go to the tracks. At the time I really didn't understand what it was all about, so I went along. I was absolutely appalled at what I saw going on. I remember reading in the paper shortly afterwards, that there were a bunch of people arrested, and the track was shut down.

I know it is in their blood to run, and they are beautiful dogs! They should do what they love to do. But when greed outweighs humanity, they really need to keep a close eye on the owners of these tracks.