> My Han is now 9 months old and since I want to show him, intact. I feel > that he needs the chance to run more than he can in our small yard and soon > he won't be able to go to the dog parks.
Beverly, keeping an intact male can always be difficult, as is keeping intact female. You just never know what other intact dog is out there to fight with or inappropriately mate. You can train your dog to the very best but it is never easy! I know, I had my Sam full male in London 'til a year old. I used to take him off leash walks along the Regents Park Canal towpath which very few people used early morning but we still had a couple of skirmishes and met the odd owner walking his in-season bitch thinking no-one else would be around. And believe me, Sam was well trained! He would come when called but at times the bitch fancying my Boy or dog wanting to pick a fight would come too! Not easy! My choice at that time was to move here to Longlease on the Welsh Borders, UK, where I have my own woods where my dogs can run and exercise to their heart's content. However, I still believe in building up muscle with road work on the leash, keeps me very fit too! Today we did nine miles brisk walk, this with my eight year old spayed bitch, Sunny; four year old neutered, Barney; and my present three year old full male, Simmy! Still get the occasional problem as in the countryside you go past a farm and dogs are on the loose and come chasing you! Most of them I know and tell them to stay!!! No big problems as yet, touch wood and this eight years later. For you and Han, just nine months and no doubt cocking his leg now and sense of territory, I would take him several very brisk walks on the leash during the day! You mention dog park, do you know the other dogs and owners there, is it enclosed space? For sure take him there on very long leash and continue heavy duty training! However, if you are seriously considering showing him and I know a lot more people will reply on this too, keeping an intact male can be hard work. They need to be fully socialised but at the same time you don't want dog fights! The scruffiest unneutered mongrel off-leash in the dog park could ruin your boy's chances. You may finish up doing a lot of leg work to keep your boy fit! I look forward to more on this theme. All love, Jean, Sunny, Sim, Barney and the Gang XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/longlease/index.htm
