Rambunctious Spoo

Question
Hi there,
I have an 18-month-old red standard poodle who is getting to be a little overenthusiastic at the dog park. The problem is timid dogs. If they show any interest in him at all, he makes a play-bow and within 5 seconds the other dog is yelping and squealing and I'm pouncing on Charlie and dragging him away, while the other dog's owner is giving me the evil eye or a tongue-lashing. He doesn't actually bite, but he mouths and pounces around and barks at the poor thing until it's scared out of its wits. I know that he's playing, but that doesn't make it any less scary for the other dog or its owner. He's really not aggressive at all. If he's challenged by other dogs, he immediately flips over or gets the heck out of the way - but he just doesn't seem to get that the squealing and yelping means stop. And worse yet, in these situations, he acts like he can't hear me so I have to tackle him. Any ideas on how to stop my dog from being a bully?  Or at least get him to come to me when he's "distracted/possessed?" He's not food motivated - so that doesn't work. I've tried running away, making silly sounds, using other squeaky toys...but there's just nothing more interesting to him than an animal that's afraid. I've met other dogs from his litter and they're the complete opposite of him: terrified of other dogs/people, cling to their masters. Obviously, I'm doing something wrong.

Answer
Hello Melissa,
Sounds like Charlie would be a good candiate for Obedience training.  It would help him to be more managable at the dog park, and would give you more control over him.  
Poodles usually do great at Obedience because they love to please and by giving him something to do, you give him an Out for all his excess energy.
You might also try to ware him out a bit before he goes to the dog park.  I know that you probably take him TO the dog park to ware him out, but if he is tired before he goes to the park then maybe he won't want to pounce on the other dogs.  
What you need to do is when he jumps on those other dogs and tries to play rough, you need to step in and make him submit to those other dogs.  Lay him down on his side, and see if the other dogs will come up to him and sniff him.  Make him stay on his side and submit to them and also to you.  Only let him up when he has relaxed and will stay on his side for a short time.  
If you need to, attach a long line to him and let him drag it around so that he is easier to catch when he is in "Play Mode".  

Give this a try and let me know how it works out for you.  If you have other questions about this, just let me know.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim