Zuko's first day at the dog park! Pic Heavy!

[JustinHakala]

I was walking zuko around the apts and we ran into this little terrier and he totally freaked out like "lets run what the #*$$ is that!" So that automatically tells you time for socialization lol. So since I was off and far from family on thanks giving (tear) I took "Zuzu to Bill Archer Dog park in Houston. I was a little nervous just cause how he reacted to that little terrier. I wanted to put him in the little dog section but the weight limit was 20lbs....no bueno. So we head over to the big dog section and walking in we run into another doberman..a tall doberdude rescue. Well i dont know what it is about dobermans and their people, but we are all attracted to each other automatically. These people turned right around and introduced themselves to me and Zuko and we did in return. We ended up walking around the dog park together and picked up four more dobermans (I remember two named karma and fate) and 2 more people along the way along with a big great dane named thor. We were kinda the dobergang of houston that day it was awesome....especially for a first visit for Zuko to be with others of his breed first thing. well he did great! When i let him off the lease to play his recall was great and he stuck with the pack...I was proud (cause i would have been pissed if he went in the mud pit and then got in my car lol). Everyone complimented him on how handsome and big he was (another proud moment). Great experience at the park and I can see the difference already with him when we run into other dogs and people.

 

[Nick]

He looks so happy!!

 

[Katja Henriksen]

What a great experience for him. Karma & Faith are members here as well, so how fun that your dogs got to play with each other. I think I remember that your dog park is a very nice one form pictures posted by Karma & Faith's mom.

It's a good idea to walk around while at the dog park as that makes it less tense for the dogs. When owners just stand around and let the dogs play tense situations arise and fights can break out. You did the right thing and it's great that you got to meet so many other Dobies. It's great for our dogs to play with dogs their own kind as well as many different breed. Look like you had lots of fun.

 

[Katja Henriksen]

Oh and btw, you should go to the introductions thread and tell us a bit about yourself and Zuko. That way everyone can bid you a gib welcome.

 

[hrd2gt]

Really Katja... after all these years.... my dogs name is FATE... lol! Faith is her lil sister that was my fav from the litter! I stole a STILL shot of this lil handsome guy, he was just the cutest thing, his feet are so big he would just swing his azz trying to pick them up, I was cracking up!! All I know is his daddy better hurry up and figure out what he wants to do with this lil guy, he is to smart to waste for sure

 

[JanS]

Oh I'm so jealous; first that you have other Dobe's around and second that you got to meet Karma and Fate in person! Fate is our girl Della's litter mate, and well hrd has been here since almost the birth of this board.

Great shots and it sounds like you had a good handle on things. Zuko is a gorgeous boy and like I said in one of your album photos, he has a face very similar to Albert's.

Thanks for the photos and I can't wait to watch this guy grow up!

 

[Marinegeekswife]

Welcome. Zuko is a handsome dude. Glad you got to meet Fate and Karma.

 

[My Mateese]

WOW he is a handsome one...glad everything went so well and
nice to meet ya. Al the pictures are just great...keep them coming.

 

[JustinHakala]

Thank you for the welcomes. definitely glad to be here and look at everyone's stories and pics, and share some in the process. Yea we had a blast at the park with Fate and Karma, even though they were encouraging him to jump in the pond lol.

 

[JustinHakala]

Oh I'm so jealous; first that you have other Dobe's around and second that you got to meet Karma and Fate in person! Fate is our girl Della's litter mate, and well hrd has been here since almost the birth of this board.

Great shots and it sounds like you had a good handle on things. Zuko is a gorgeous boy and like I said in one of your album photos, he has a face very similar to Albert's.

Thanks for the photos and I can't wait to watch this guy grow up!

yea it was lots of fun. thank you i almost cant wait for him to grow up to see what he looks like. do you have pics of albert?

 

[Katja Henriksen]

Really Katja... after all these years.... my dogs name is FATE... lol! Faith is her lil sister that was my fav from the litter!

Sorry. I'm very embarrassed and mortified.

 

[Nick]

Sorry. I'm very embarrassed and mortified.

nvm... hahah

 

[Ingrid H]

Zuko sure is a handsome little guy! And what a hoot that you got to meet Fate and Karma on your first trip out to the dog park Maybe you'll be able to meet up again for more socialization. Ann Marie has perfect control of her dogs, and you couldn't hope for a better bunch of dogs to meet up with at a dog park than hers. I don't generally trust strangers at dog parks. I'm pleased to welcome you to Doberman Chat!

 

[hrd2gt]

LOL KATJA!! you crack me up

Aww and thanks for the comments guys, I had no idea I was a rock star... LOL! yea, Justin and I are already trying to figure out when to get the dobes together, I think it would be great for Zuko to grow up with some dobes, let alone mine. The rescue was a nice boy, but lil rambuncious (htf you spell that???) not quite quite calm and balanced yet.

As for Justin, I will just see what I can drag him into to get that pup a job

(btw jan... the only reason why i wasnt here from the beginning was because you and von left me behind!!! i havent forgotten dammit!! but having a older member since date make me happy, lol)

 

[MyBuddy]

What fun pictures! And what a handsome little dude!!! Looks like they had a lot of fun together. So nice to see a group together like that.

 

[CindyBee]

Zuko is one handsome boy! He sure looks like he enjoyed himself.

I don't know anyone around here with dobes.. nor, is there any dog parks around here. The only other Dobe that Leia gets to see is her brother Luke, and that's every few weeks.. he lives more than an hour and 1/2 away. Leia gets most of her doggie socialization at TSC and petsmart.

 

[Lizzard]

I love it when board members get together.

 

[Marko1962]

Zuko has a great head on him, big and very Euro like, love it

Dog parks are great aren't they, just as long as you know the temperament of the other dogs and are sure there will be no nastiness that is. I take Ozzy nearly every week day to the local park where a handful of dog owners let their dogs play, one of his playmates is a litter mate which is cool, there is another female Dobe a year old plus two GSD's and a host of other dogs big and small. They all get on great and it makes for great socialisation.

When I first started to take him when he was 12 weeks or so he was naturally hesitant and easily scared, tail between his legs hackles up scared, but now he's fantastic and meeting other dogs or people doesn't phase him at all. The only thing I have to watch out for is that he doesn't get too rough playing with his litter mate or smaller dogs but even then there is a bonus in that as when he does get a little rough with the smaller dogs they will give a warning snarl resulting in Ozzy backing off, a lesson well taught and learned (I hope). I think these other older dogs know Ozzy's just a 20 week puppy even though he's 70Ib's and don't get too worked up about him.

As I said these dog park meets can be great fun for dog and master alike

 

[Dobelvr777]

I also love the dog park but, keep a good eye on the "vibe" of the other dogs. We walk the perimeter since when I stop the dogs tend to "pack up" and trouble starts! Sometimes, there are several dobies in the park and they always hang out together! I have also found that dogs of German descent often gravitate to each other, funny!