1 step up 2 steps back have you other dog owners been here too?

I'm not looking for a behaviorist, we have been in training with a trainer. I just want to know I'm not alone and others have been here. By the way our poodle Zack is 1 years old



Ever since Zack was attacked at a dog park when he was 4 months old he has been scared and a bit agressive toward larger dogs especially ones that resemble the one that got him. (And when I saw agressive he barks like crazy but hides, so I don't think I would classify it as agression he stays far away from the dogs, more freaking out)



We got him to a point where he could see other large dogs and he would be cautious but friendly. and he has spent some time with my uncles golden retriever.



Well we recently moved and found this quiet little dog park right down the street. Its quiet and empty most of the time so the first day we went we went when it was empty so they both could get used to the idea (Sasha (our lab mix) has never been) But then this guy with a husky mix came and immediately started nipping Sasha so we knew it was time to leave.



So yesterday we went again and they played with two chiuahua mixes and played wonderfully. And after they left a pug mix came in and she hadn't really been socialized with any dogs other then the other family dog. And Zack and her became real good buddies (Sasha just laid under my husbands feet) and he played nicely with her for a long time.



At that point we felt we were making good progress.



Well then this guy brought in this large Shepard mix (he had the dobbie colors but I don't know what he was beautiful dog though. We thought Zack might be okay we a have a white German Shepard in our complex.) and his dog was pretty wild and as soon as he came near Sasha she freaked and Zack was already in my arms his nails clutched into my skin, screaming. (Which got Sasha upset and she got defensive with the thing. We left immediately. (No offense to anyone who has only had big dogs, but I've noticed at the dog park a lot of people who have big dogs have no idea how easily a small dog can be hurt by a big dog, not do a lot of them care and they tend to come off as big jerks. No offence to big dog owners I know not everyone is that way but I've met a few) Anyways I don't know what he was thinking bringing the dog in off leash. The rule is if there are other dogs already at play to keep your dog on the leash for the first several minutes. But whatever.



I will state its not all large dog owners just a few I've come in contact with in the past



Zack is okay I don't think he is scarred for life but it seems he only has a problem with dogs that have either similar features or builds of the dog that got him. And he freaks out.



But it concerns me, in a few years after we have a child (and the kid is older) and a house with a yard (instead of an apartment, we are at our pet limit) I want to get my siberian husky (I have wanted one my whole life but we haven't been in a position to get one yet.) and i don't know how Zack would handle that. Will he ever be able to handle larger dogs.



Honestly I'd soon stay away from large dogs I don't know (as well as most small) but I understand the dogs need socialization (so we go when the little dogs are there its easier to separate them if there is an altercation)



I hope we can but if we can't we won't get one. I don't want any problems for my Zack.



I'm not really asking any advice. I just want to know if anyone has felt with their dogs behavior and training if it seems that it is usually 1 step up and 2 steps back?





We have the tools and they are working but it seems we fall back every now and then and its so frustrating. But we will never give up on him.



I asked a similar question over the weekend but wanted to ask one last time after having time to reflect.



Thanks.1 step up 2 steps back have you other dog owners been here too?
Two steps forward, one step back is common as can be in dog training. Training has to be constantly reinforced.



Because of owners that bring dogs that are aggressive to dog parks, I have personally given up on them. See if you can arrange play times with dogs you know instead, or put together a meet-up group at the dog park at an appointed time when things are typically quiet so your dog can play with other trusted dogs. At this point, you want him to remain social with other dogs and bad incidents that you've had have made him a bit fear aggressive. He needs to have lots of good experiences right now to conteract the bad.



I suspect if you bring in a dog-friendly young husky or a puppy, things will go fine.1 step up 2 steps back have you other dog owners been here too?
Actually, the poodle should be fine with you getting a husky,especially is the husky comes in as a puppy and grows up with him.
i have 3 dogs and at one time i had 9 though many were droped off since at the time i had over 70 acres of land and dogs were always let out of their cars and they came to our home. we did have fights especilly with my bigger females dogs who were very protective of their home. i got these dog fixed and found them homes and i think like u people who don't know how to control there animals in a dog park shouldn't be there when there are many little dogs that get scared by the size of them.at my home the little dogs were naturally nervous when meeting mine and they usuerally subbmitted on their backs right away. ur pooch has that fear and it will take time for it to go away. a puppy will be ok since it will grow up in the company or ur poodle and it won't reach full size until its around 10 mths old and then the weight will increase at around 4yrs so zack and the pup should be best of buds.my husky is a real laid back guy and again a little stray was abondoned on the highway and 2 mths later she had 6 pups and my husky groomed and let them crawl all over him and tuck up with him for naps.he was 4 at the time and now even at 8 yrs old the first born pup still goes to him for attention and my little 1 yr old poochi plays and torments him and ';bear';just takes it in stride. he is a very loving and family oriented and puts up with any dog that comes here. i find huskys are pretty gentle and want to nuture all other dogs and pups, mine sure does. my border collie is another matter she is 4 now and very dominent with my little poochi and she has quite a jealous streak in her except with bear,he justs ignores her and eventually she will bug him to play and slowly he does.when i walk my dogs i always stop when i see another person comeing with their dog so i can control them and the other dog won't get scared of mine.of course there is userally barking from my bc and little poochi but bear just moans and groans wantting to go and check them out.i have raised many dogs over the years big and small and with lots of work and makeing sure they all get along is the best thing to do.love and play work in most cases with each one and by makeing sure they all recive the same amount of attention just like kids.i hope u get ur husky,i would recommend this breed to anyone since they are big hairly loveable beasts.good luck with all ur poochis.
one step foward %26amp; 2 steps back is the norm in training dogs. Do not give up. We all go thru it. I personally do not go to dog parks because of the reasons you stated here. I usually arrange play dates with friend's dogs that I know for socializing.

You should be OK with getting a huskie later on especially if you get a young one.