[Bergenites]

My fiancé and I recently moved to the neighborhood and our very sweet but shy King Charles Spaniel is in need of some socializing! He is 2, neutered and gets along best with other dogs who are quiet (he never barks) but enjoy playing with toys, chasing, etc. We'd love to get him together with a few other dogs with similar "temperaments" so he can become a little more outgoing.

We love taking him to Prospect Park early on weekend mornings, but it is a bit far for us to go every day (we're on Bergen near 4th). Also, there are so many dogs there it can be overwhelming for him. I don't know if there are any parks closer to us or another place where dogs can get together.

If anyone has a sweet, calm doggie who wants to make a new friend, let us know!!!!!!

[magic1]

He's a beauty

Have you been to the dog run in the park on 4th Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts.? It's not a particular small-dog hangout but it's certainly closer than Prospect Park from where you are. Also a good way to meet fellow dog-owners, and maybe arrange play dates, is at the Coffee Barks that take place on the first Saturday of every month.

[snazzybangs]

hey there! we have a sweet but rambunctious (sp?) boston terrier who loves to play tug and chase. he never barks either, which is so so nice. and we're at baltic and 4th ave, so pretty close to you. if you want to set up a time for our pups to hang at our place or yours, that's cool with us! email me at snazzybangs@gmail.com.

[veets]

Sweetie I sent ya a pm.. hope you receive and acknowledge it.

[snazzybangs]

i didn't get it!

[Mpmav1]

I PM'ed you as well as I would love to join a small dog playgroup (in a month when my dog is finally back in town). email me with any info...

mpmav1@hotmail.com
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Did Someone Say Walk?

[veets]

Just a thought about the dog run off of 5th Ave.. I have two Maltese and I do not take them to this dog run. I have tried afew times but neither one of them will venture a foot away from me in this run.

They do off leash hrs in the Park and are very well socialized. Off leash hrs in Prospect Park the small dogs seem to gather together and play with each other. It is a huge field as opposed to a confined space.


The 5th ave run is floored with mulch.. This stuff is really nasty. Putting it mildly (which it isn't) it stinks. If I can get in to Boris and Freddy's head I suppose they are thinking...."Why did mommy take us here. It is filthy!! And there are these large dogs who are total strangers to us (both human owner and canine strangers) and if one of these beasts went after my 7 pound body, there is no space to run away from the monster (though I know I can out-run these devils on an open field ).What the hell was mommy thinking taking us here?? "

To me that interior dialogue once again proves that my dogs are smarter than I am.. so I don't take them to this run. I have further proof of canine intelligence.. Read on..

Every now and again I watch my son's Portugeese Water Dog. He weighs 50 pounds and is the gentlest creature in the world. He doesn't like the place either!!

There could be 4 other larger breed dogs in there and most of the time he won't play with them. This Portie is "a star" of off leash hrs in the park and in the last 3 years has made many friends he romps with in the park. Put it this way.. This dog is so well kown in the Slope that more than once when I have him walking on a leash in the Hood, a total stranger comes up to me and greets THE DOG by name and then asks me who the hell am I in a tone of voice that implies I have stolen the dog. Then I straighten it out and make it clear i am Ralphie"s Gramma!!


Anyway, the last time Gramma doggy-sat.. Ralphie wouldn't play with anyone in this run. Just like my Maltese, Ralphie stayed pasted to my side. The nice friendly people there said things like.. "Your dog is sure attached to you, lady." Well, Ralphie used the dog run opportunity to do his business real quick . I leaned down to give him a treat and he took his leash off my neck. I am not making this stuff up!! He was making it clear that he wanted outta there!! When we got home he ran to his water bowl and had a nice long drink and then walked in the bathroom and jumped in the bath tub.

At first I though he was over heated and was planning on lying down and cooling off against the cool material of the tub., He just sat there in the tub. I think he realized that he smelled bad from that nasty dog run and wanted to be bathed!! Frankly I was feeling the same way!! It is amazing how nasty odors will just cling to you on a hot summer day. .. Once again the dog proved that he was much smarter than his dumb caretaker who had taken him to this nasty dog run.

I hear that the run is slated to become a Garden adjoining the Old Stone House.


I would love it if as an out growth of this forum we could start a small dog group. If anyone is interested.. let me know but I am not suggesting we let the little ones free in this nasty dog run..

[Bergenites]

I've gotten quite a bit of response from people on this board interested in a small dog playgroup. I would be very happy to set it up, and think that a weekend afternoon/early evening is probably best for most people (and not until after Labor Day).

The problem is, finding a place to have it! The area dog runs (see above) are few and far between, and seem lacking in a number of areas. A few possibilities are the parks (Prospect or Ft. Greene), but neither are very close, and the dogs could only run around off-leash before 9am or after 9pm, which isn't ideal. I know there are a few small "community gardens" in the area - one between St. Mark's and Warren near 4th, another on Bergen & Nevins, and one up on Flatbush and Atlantic, but I don't belong to any and don't know if they allow dogs.

Any ideas? I think a backyard (we don't have one unfortunately) or small garden could be great for these small and quieter dogs who wouldn't trample all over flowerbeds... at least while the weather is good.

[chaplin'smom]

oooh count me in as well! i am the proud owner of chaplin (black and white 15 lb shih tzu) who loves small dogs but runs from the big ones. He's best on a one on one (or say 3) situation... i'm in the slope!
thanks!

[Jezzy]

Hey,

I recently adopted a 3 year old Dachshund. She is calm, and mellow...gets a bit excited when she sees other dogs (as in the tail starts going, and she is fearless in going right up to the other dog to say hi). But again, she is calm and mellow and def. needs doggy friends.

I am also a bit far from the park, 4th and president...

[Bergenites]

Well, the Saturday forecast isn't looking too promising, but here's hoping that will change!

I propose to have a "meet-up" for small/calmer dogs at Prospect Park, near Grand Army Plaza (near Union Street at the Northwest tip of the Long Meadow, near the underpass which I think is called Meadowpoint Arch, under the trees), this Saturday morning @9:30. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come mingle with other dogs and owners (there are always tons of dogs there).

I know this is after off-leash hours, but it is Saturday and I'm not sure how early everyone wants to get up! If anyone wants to have it earlier (during off-leash) I would be up for it, but honestly my dog has as much (or more) fun playing with other dogs when they're on leash. At least, at first (he's the *really* shy but sweet type). I know the off-leash hours can be overwhelming for small dogs.

This would be a good way for everyone to meet, and introduce the dogs in a neutral environment. I can bring some paper and collect everyone's contact info, and then start a more private messaging for future get-togethers.

So, reply on here or PM me if you want to meet up at 9:30 (or if you prefer earlier), and we look forward to seeing everyone at the park! (If the weather is really bad we can postpone a week...) And those of you who are new to PS, the Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza is worth the trek alone, and is always full of dogs with their owners!

[veets]

I can't make it this Sat but I hope this idea takes off.. I would love to participate.. I have 2 very social maltese dogs. I kind of disagree that the scene on off leash hours is overwhelming for little dogs.. It is a huge foeld.. Bring your dog and unleash them Away from whee the larger dogs are running and you will see... the little dogs and their people come to where you are.

[dlorspaws]

We are on Dean near Vanderbilt and also have a Cavalier king charles. She is a little over a year and also very shy. Her name is Scarlet. She has an adopted sister named Maya who can sometimes be a bit overwhelming for her because she has so much energy. We belong to a meetup group for Cavaliers and Scarlet loves to go to the events, but they are ususually in the city and we can't always get to them. She loves her breed! There is a small dog meetup in fort greene that we plan on attending, but not sure about the temperment of the other dogs.

I also just started a dog walking pet sitting business you can visit us at dlorspaws.com.
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[BrownStoneOwner]

I'm in. But be careful of people on this board, they don't view pup liberties as very important

[raw]

[pastoralia]

[quote="BrownStoneOwner"]I'm in. But be careful of people on this board, they don't view pup liberties as very important[/quote]

Maybe because some people don't want their small dogs getting mauled by an off-leash dog 10 times their size. I know if that happened to my dog I'd do everything and anything to get that big dog away.