Puppy walking - where to go?

[londonhan]

Hi

Am sure this forum is full of knowledgeable dog owners, so thought I?d ask - we have a 10 week old puppy who, on Saturday will be able to hit the pavements and other areas that don?t have ponds or places where rats and mice might hang out (this is advice given to us by vets for pets, it?s news to me as I thought after the 2nd lot of jabs he would be good to go anywhere, but I guess vets know these things whereas I don?t) so I just wondered if people generally felt that Goose Green was a relatively safe place for puppies? I.e because it?s enclosed, and there?s no pond or stream.

Or do I ignore the vet and take him straight to the park and be done with it? The breeder told us we should let him off the lead straight away as he?s more likely to stay close to us anyway, so that?s something to take into consideration.

Anyway, dogs owners thoughts on Goose Green appreciated.

Thanks

[AlexandHelenC]

Hi there, we live near goose green and take our dog there sometimes for a run around. It's definitely a good idea to take him off the lead early for the reasons you've mentioned - we weren't aware of that and it's been challenging to help him develop his 'recall' skills now that he's a bit older.

Just one word of warning - some of the railings in goose green (on the North side) are spread wider than the rest so our miniature schnauzer once got through them. If you stick to the easterly end of the green (nearest the play park) you'll be well away from those gaps.

[Frankito]

I would definitely stick to an enclosed space until you are sure he will come back as the last thing you want is to be tearing across Peckham Rye after him! I?ve got an eight month Pointer and since getting her, my cardio has improved considerably!

[Rosetta]

Please don?t get a leptospirodis vaccination. They are useless and dangerous.

Get a very very long lead, like an equine lead, and let it trail on the ground so you can step on it if necesssry.

Goose Green is a high traffic dog area and near a very busy road. I would try Peckham Rye first, as most of it is fenced.

[siousxiesue]

Just for starters/training, there is a small enclosed dog area in Sainsbury's Dog Kennel Hill, and he can also socialise with other dogs.

I started my foster dog there.

[Rosetta]

siousxiesue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just for starters/training, there is a small

> enclosed dog area in Sainsbury's Dog Kennel Hill,

> and he can also socialise with other dogs.

>

> I started my foster dog there.

Lots of rats there.

[almost peckham]

We use the dog area in St Francis park most mornings and haven't seen a rat in the fenced area itself but have seen them on the road leading into sainsbury's, particularly in the short shrubby planting between the road and the pavement. About 1 a year. I know it sounds like I'm splitting hairs but maybe the smell of dogs deters the rats? The MOL behind the football ground, DKH woods and greendale path are good dog walking areas - no traffic danger and lots of regular walkers.

[Waffo]

I took my puppy to goose green a lot. Lots of lovely dog walkers there too.

I also go to Sydenham woods a lot too. Once you?re in it feels nice and enclosed and as someone else said, it?s likely your pup won?t venture too far from you anyway

[Robert Poste's Child]

The long training lead Rosetta mentioned is a really useful thing. I believe Battersea and the Mayhew use them.

[Froglander]

With Goose Green you need to make sure your dog cannot fit between the railings and make an escape. It's a very share space with lots of other users too, especially on nice weather days, and people have picnics on the grass so it isn't always a great idea to have a puppy/untrained/food crazy dog running loose there.

Please do not ever use one of those long extendable leads. They are dangerous for everyone, including the dog. You cannot control your dog properly with one of those. They can cause a lot of damage to skin if they get wrapped around legs or bodies. I wish they would be banned.

[civilservant]

i remember being quite anxious about taking our first dog out, but it all becomes more straightforward with every day that passes

Goose green is good, but do watch the railings and also the gates - make sure that they are properly shut

the rye is good too, but there are a few wooded or overgrown areas where you'll need to keep an eye on your pup

i would advise against an extendable lead - it frustrates the pup when other off-lead dogs are around, and some dogs can bully other dogs who are on-lead. it also gets in the way of learning recall. anyway, as you point out, your dog will stay closer off-lead than on, so an extendable lead is counter-productive in all sorts of ways

as for vaccinations - they are a good thing! there has been some forum chatter about the lepto vaccine, but given the amount of open water we have around ED, the balance of risk tilts towards vaccinating (and i have often wondered whether EDF anti-vaxxers would advise against the rabies vaccine as well)

[Rosetta]

civilservant Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> i remember being quite anxious about taking our

> first dog out, but it all becomes more

> straightforward with every day that passes

>

> Goose green is good, but do watch the railings and

> also the gates - make sure that they are properly

> shut

> the rye is good too, but there are a few wooded or

> overgrown areas where you'll need to keep an eye

> on your pup

>

> i would advise against an extendable lead - it

> frustrates the pup when other off-lead dogs are

> around, and some dogs can bully other dogs who are

> on-lead. it also gets in the way of learning

> recall. anyway, as you point out, your dog will

> stay closer off-lead than on, so an extendable

> lead is counter-productive in all sorts of ways

>

> as for vaccinations - they are a good thing!

> there has been some forum chatter about the lepto

> vaccine, but given the amount of open water we

> have around ED, the balance of risk tilts towards

> vaccinating (and i have often wondered whether EDF

> anti-vaxxers would advise against the rabies

> vaccine as well)

Are you saying all vaccinations are good, including Lepto and bordatella and yearly?boosters??

[londonhan]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm going to check with the local vets as to how many cases they have of the Lepto, before I make any decisions about vaccinating against it.

I have been going to the middle of the Rye and letting him off the lead, which goes very well until there is any other dog or seagull or crow around, when he totally ignores me and runs in their direction, making it all a rather stressful experience all round - I am now in the hunt for a good dog trainer as this problem will only get worse! recommendations welcome!

Thanks

[Froglander]

Go to the Novibac Lepto4 Our Experiences FB page and have a read. No Lepto vax is safe or necessary in this country.

[Bob Buzzard]

I take my dog either for a walk on the village green or the Village Hall field.