Hi, I have a situation and am trying to figure out what is the best thing to do. I have 2 dogs, one who loves everyone, and one who does not like children. The problem is when I take them to the dog park. Right now I let the little one off on her own, the older one I keep on a leash if I see kids. However, I don't think this is working because sometimes I don't see a kid in time and he gets near them (lucky for me things have been ok, but I am afraid of what could happen). So ... I haven't taken them to the park lately because I am trying to work this out.

Is it better to keep my older dog on a leash at all times in the dogpark? I know he will cry at first. I am not sure if he would be happy there on a leash. My other option I came up with is a muzzle. If I got one of those metal cage-type muzzles would that be better for him than staying on a leash?

I am trying to figure out what he would be happiest with - a muzzle or a leash?

Thank you for any ideas.

Hi Guest

One way may be to take your dogs seperately then you can concentrate on the one who needs more attention in getting him used to children.

Keep him on his lead but give the children, (with their parents permission first) a tasty treat to give your dog and praise him well every time he behaves favourably around kids. If he learns that nice things happen when children are around he may get to like them and not react badly.

If he is really aggressive and it would be unsafe for children to approach your dog then maybe a muzzle is the answer but it may still be possible to get your dog used to children by treating him to a tidbit yourself everytime he behaves weel around kids.