Submitted by mgafvert t3_yrn0ms in philadelphia
We just brought home a 5 month old shelter dog that loves other dogs but is way too terrified of cars to walk more than a block or two from our house in the city. Anyone have any suggestions for a spot she could explore and run around (leashed) without being near car noises? Not looking for a trail or something like that in Wiss or an off leash dog park, just something quiet and open.
But you can’t do that overnight. So getting your dog out for exercise and socialization in the mean time is a responsible thing to do.
A 5 month old puppy you may well be able to do that in an afternoon and certainly in a few days. Puppies at that age are extremely impressionable. Absolutely should not be avoiding something now that he won't be able to avoid for his whole life.
OP should be on his stoop with that dog right now watching cars go by and giving him treats.
Sitting on a stoop isn’t exercise. Those are two different activities. And exercising before training often can help the training exercises. I’m not sure why you seem to be against these folks exercising their dog in a quiet place WHILE they work on training.
Appreciate you! Yes, of course we are working on desensitizing, just wanted something new to see in the meantime.
I’ve had several shelter pets. You have no idea what happened before they found you or why they are afraid of the things they are. All you can do is love them and work to help them realize they are safe and loved and don’t need to freak out at random everyday things. My one dog was afraid of wine glasses. It took a bit but he got over it.
FDR (during the week especially) and Navy Yard (on the weekend especially) are pretty good spots. I agree with desensitizing though. I'm sure there are good instructions online but lots of training treats when you get anywhere near a car and keep doing it as your dog gets better and you keep getting closer and closer.
Pennypack, Wissahickon
Lemon Hill is pretty well removed from cars and always has a ton of dogs
The edgely softball fields in fairmount park might work.
Pastorius Park in Chestnut Hill was where we'd take our dog for a bit of an escape. Not officially a dog park but de facto yeah, it's a very popular dog park!
The navy yard!! Amazing, clean, open, & quiet for a pup
Blue Bell park in Wissahickon is a spot where a lot of people let their dogs run off leash.
You should also check out SniffSpot! People rent out their backyards (for cheap) so your pup can have a private dog park. It's pretty new so there's only a handful around the Philly area so far, but it's definitely expanding. My dog loves them!
Timber Creek in NJ is amazing if you don’t mind a 15 minute car drive over there. 9 acres of fenced-in dog park in the woods.
The backhalf of Glendinning Rock Garden off Kelly could work
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There’s a really large fenced in off-leash dog park in Jersey I went to last year but of course I can’t figure it out on maps rn. Nice walking trail while your dog disappears with the others. Really fun spot for them.
Freedom park is my guess
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There are lots of parks just outside the city limits with limited car traffic. I live in Haverford TWP (which is just outside of west Philly) and there are tons of parks that are away from streets and cars.
throwawaitnine t1_ivukpor wrote
If you live in the city and your dog is afraid of car noise you need to start desensitizing your dog to car noise.