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Hi there. My name is Brian and I have a miniature American Eskimo who is 4 years old now. He is your typical Eski with some behavior problems. My wife and I wished he would play with other dogs while at the off leash dog park here in Red Deer. He will do the usual sniff each other with them, and then pretty much walks away with us along the trails. If they try to initiate play with him, he snarls and chases them away with teeth barred. We don't understand why he doesn't play with dogs, yet trys to get our two cats to play with him, unsuccessfuly I might add. It just seems that he doesn't have any friends and we wished we could somehow interest him in playing with other dogs. We've watched Brad's show for years, been to the seminar in Edmonton, bought his book, but still nothing. Any idea's would be much appreciated.

Brian

My dog will do the same thing with puppies, and it seems to be more and more puppies going to the dog park lately, does he do this with older dogs too?

Emery is part Eskie, and I know what behaviour you speak of. She can be quite aloof with other dogs, and if they persist she will not hesitate to give them the business. But she can be playful too. From speaking with an Eskie breeder at the park, it would appear that the allofness and "snobbish" is common among the eskies, but when they make a friend they can get along famously. It may be a matter of finding a dog that just suits him. Emmy's best friend was a lab/dalmation cross (passed away at 2yrs old from leukemia) and these two were like peas in a pod. Frick and Frack. Pinky and the Brain. He was the only dog she would share food or a toy with, and both would play quite rough with eachother (covered in slobber!), then pass out on the floor together. I would keep going out, and you may find a dog that he likes to be with.

Thanks for all your info Andy & Emmydawg. Panzer (the Eskie) doesn\'t like puppies at all. I think it\'s because they\'re so playful and he wants none of it. Older dogs are fine unless they start getting too personal. He has gone after Dobermans & Rotweilers without hesitation. Dog size doesn\'t intimidate him at all. He did encounter a German Pincher, and I think he had suddenly found his best friend. We don\'t see the couple around the park anymore that had him. He does seem to have an instant appeal to other Eskies, but the owners are the snobs and don\'t really encourage their dogs to socialize with Panzer. We\'re even thinking of getting another dog, just to be able to provide a little bit more fun in his life. A dogs life is too short to have to be serious all the time. We just so badly want him to play with other dogs. Thanks again you guys.

Brian

Don't worry..Bayley's a snob too. She's got one or two dogs that she'll play with out of all the dogs we meet at the park. Her best bud is a huge shepherd, frankie. He outweighs her by about 20 lbs and they just have the greatest time together. I love watching them play. Most of the other dogs other than a few butts sniffs when they first come in, she ignores. I think if she gets to the park and Frankie's not there yet she kind of mopes and doesn't really bother with the other dogs. As soon as Frankie arrives well the fun starts!! No doubt your dog will find another friend, sometimes it just takes awhile