I took Sabo to the more distant park, leashed, today and spoke to someone there who said they have given up on the dog parks here due to some dog fights and owners who do nothing to supervise their animals. He even saw a woman injured by a large dog and the owner and others did nothing to help her! It will be better for me to be walking him, but there is less socializing for Sabo. Too bad that a few bad ones spoil it for everyone else.
Dog Park--mini-rant
- Thread starter boxermom
- Start date
well, i have 2 chihuahuas at home, twin brothers. 1 of them is not exactly a social animal. he likes his own personal space. he has never bitten anyone or any dog but he hates it when other dogs come too near to him.
he is fine if the dogs are not close to him but there have been very friendly dogs like 10 times his size, come running to him ( the owners have let go of their lease), wanting to make friends. i always panicked when that happens cos he will bark at them. i usually hold him back.
because of this, i take them to distant parks where there are not many dogs around since he doesn't like socialising anyway and just like to play with his brother.
p/s we tried playdates with 3 female chihuahuas but my boys just ignore them too
he is fine if the dogs are not close to him but there have been very friendly dogs like 10 times his size, come running to him ( the owners have let go of their lease), wanting to make friends. i always panicked when that happens cos he will bark at them. i usually hold him back.
because of this, i take them to distant parks where there are not many dogs around since he doesn't like socialising anyway and just like to play with his brother.
p/s we tried playdates with 3 female chihuahuas but my boys just ignore them too
When it comes right down to it dog parks aren't the best idea for any dog. We basically are throwing our dogs in with a bunch of strange dogs and its just not natural. Its very intimidating. Dogs social structure can be complex and expecting them all to like and accept each other isn't realistic. Lately the only time I will go now is if it is very early in the morning and I already know the dogs that are there. Once more dogs arrive, we leave. Nothing is better though than having your dog develop friendships with dogs of friends, family or neighbors. Private playdates with familiar dogs are more peaceful and less stressful for the dog.
Dog parks are russian roulette. My past pet (a 5lb yorkie) was attacked three times at three separate parks. The first was a large dog, forgot what breed. They reached for the same toy at the same time.The second was a golden retriever that dropped its ball and mistook my dog for a rodent. The third dog was a boston terrier that was incredibly territorial. After each incident, I tried to help sooth him, sought out dog coaches etc. Nothing worked. I couldnt take him back to the same park after. I was reduced to finding new parks afterwards.
My exs dog (german shepard) actually gets sick from a day at doggie day care. Go figure.
My exs dog (german shepard) actually gets sick from a day at doggie day care. Go figure.
^^^the dog park I go to has two sides, one for big dogs and one for small dogs. It really still isn't enough but is better than mixing large and small breeds IMO. The smaller breeds can turn into "prey" for the larger breeds.
Gosh, I know exactly how you feel OP! Almost the exact same thing happened to my dog Tyson (pitbull) he was running around the park, hanging by the pond and this lady tossed a tennis ball to her dog(yellow lab) and it landed by my dog and he grabbed it to play and her dog totally turned around and attacked my dog! It was really scary and he took a chunk out of my dog's ear, blood was everywhere and she did nothing (not even pull her dog away... my husband had to yank her dog off of Tyson!). The worst of it was she didnt say sorry or anything and just let her dog continue to run around AND the dog had zero tags. DH was so angry he went up to her and told her that her dog is obviously not being social today so its probably a good idea to take him home and she pretended she didn't speak english even though we heard her talking to her friend in english!! So frustrating, everyone who saw what happened came up to us to make sure Tyson was ok and some of them are regulars there and said that this isn't the first incident with her lab attacking other dogs. After the incident I decided to just take him and my other dogs to play dates with friend's pets who he knows so he's still able to be social but is in comfortable surroundings or take him on days where it looks like its going to rain so i know the park will be empty. I really have a love hate relationship with dog parks as well because its so much room for them to run and play but then you get those bad apples of the bunch that ruin it for others.
thing is it isn't the dogs fault and he was not being anti-social. he was being a dog. its the owners fault for bringing a toy. I hope your doggie has recovered from his injuries and you are right to just have play dates with doggies you know now.
well, i have 2 chihuahuas at home, twin brothers. 1 of them is not exactly a social animal. he likes his own personal space. he has never bitten anyone or any dog but he hates it when other dogs come too near to him.
he is fine if the dogs are not close to him but there have been very friendly dogs like 10 times his size, come running to him ( the owners have let go of their lease), wanting to make friends. i always panicked when that happens cos he will bark at them. i usually hold him back.
because of this, i take them to distant parks where there are not many dogs around since he doesn't like socialising anyway and just like to play with his brother.
p/s we tried playdates with 3 female chihuahuas but my boys just ignore them too
You are being responsible by knowing how your dog is and acting accordingly. I wish more owners were like you.
With your experience with all types of animals, I really pay attention to your advice, shoo. You are right--why would I expect a bunch of stranger dogs to play nicely in all situations? Some are dominant, some aren't, some haven't been well-trained at home. And it frustrates me no end that I see owners socializing and not watching their dogs at all in the park. If I talk to someone, I also am watching my dog (for both interactions and poop patrol).
Thanks, everyone for all your input and experiences. I've learned a lot.
i have never taken my dog to a dog park. i have heard that just one bad experience can make a dog become fearful & take months to overcome. i also hear that people dont clean up after their dogs & poop is all over. i think the best thing is to find a friend & arrange for them to play.
Personal responsibility seems to have gone the way of good manners. I am more surprised when I see it now than not. Once again, the bad apples are allowed to ruin it for everyone. Sad thing is, I find that when I comment negatively on behaviors such as this it seems that I am the one who is being unreasonable. 
Personal responsibility seems to have gone the way of good manners. I am more surprised when I see it now than not. Once again, the bad apples are allowed to ruin it for everyone. Sad thing is, I find that when I comment negatively on behaviors such as this it seems that I am the one who is being unreasonable.
So true. Wish I had a nickel for every time I've cleaned up after a dog other than my own. A few years ago I thought I was going to be attacked by a large dog running at me--a guy came jogging after it and never apologized. I told him the dog needed to be leashed--his answer was that the dog was his brother's(so?), and I was all worked up over nothing. I refused to tell him *no problem* as he was clearly waiting to hear. I'm sure he thought I was an old grump.
you are so right!! why do we expect our dogs to be friendly to other dogs & vice versa?
You are being responsible by knowing how your dog is and acting accordingly. I wish more owners were like you.
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thanks! he is really a sweetie at heart. i think he is barking cos he sees other strange dogs as danger and want to protect us. at play dates, he doesn't bark but just ignore them.
he prefers humans' company to dogs
he puts up with all kinds of things my niece & nephew make him to do e.g read a book, play the piano
I was staying at the small dog side. The dog ran over faster than anyone could react.
just curious, which time? you said two large dogs at two different parks were running after the same toy?
I ask because the park I go to once in a while has double gates to the entrance of both small and large dog sides. a large dog cannot just run over to the small dog side without going through 4 gates that people would have to open for them. it sounded like the large dogs were on the same side as the small ones?