Dog parks?

owen.richards · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 06:40 AM

What is your opinion on them?

Heres mine
I understand that dogs need to be associated with other dogs, but at what cost? I personally hate the dog park, and stay away from it. I have 2 dogs with 2 very different personalities, and every dog there is different. How do you know who all has their shots, who is healthy, who is friendly? My one dog, Carlo, will play, and have fun with other dogs (I used to take him in the past) but will not take crap from other dogs. If a dog bites him out of agression, or establishing dominance, he will do what dogs do, and try to assert his dominance.

That is one thing that I also hate at the dog park. All the different opinions of other dog owners. You have the crew that thinks that dogs never have dissagreements, and if your dog growls, or makes any move that can be mistaken as agression, then they will label your dog, agressive.

Then you have the people like me. In my mind, dogs have spent thousands of years of evolution using a system of dominance. A dominant dog wont like it, when another dog, tries to assert dominance over him. This is where you get "Dog talk" as I call it. At a park, with tons of different dogs, there will always be a few that try to be dominant. And they are usually labeled as aggressive. I have watched Carlo "Dog talk" and it is alot different to fighting. For instance, he seems to use more muscle, and less teeth. He will push the other dog down. The dog talk only lasts a few seconds, and then its done. The 2 dogs have sorted their beef out, and get along from then on. An agressive dog will not get along.

People see dog talk, and break it up, and call your dog agressive, and you irresponsible. When they break it up, the dogs dont finish it, and they will try again at their first opportunity.

When I introduced Carlo to Donna, they had "dog talk" for a good 15 seconds, and have not bothered each other since. They are great friends, and are practically attached at the hip.

Donna on the other hand is the main reason I havent taken them to the park. She is not just dominant, she is agressive to other dogs. I have been working with her to calm her down, but when another dog is around me outside of my property, she goes berzerck. Shes getting better though.

So what is your thoughts on dog parks? Do you take your dog? or do you exercise your dogs "as a pack"? I take my dogs for runs, and bike rides, and they are perfectly happy walking right past the park.

Icicle · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:06 AM

If it was my dogs I would let them fight it out.
As far as the other dimwitted owners know them flat on the vent and be done with it.
Thank goodness I don't own a dog anymore. But would like to have another someday.

vacamoo25 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 03:10 PM

I never take my dogs to dog parks. When I bought my home I made sure it had plenty of property for my dogs to run off leash. Plus I have four dogs so they can wrestle with each other and receive the benefits of a dog park play session (with out the stress) all day long. I don't trust other peoples dogs off leash. Especially if their dogs receive the same amount of time and training as their children.

And if I want to keep my dogs well socialized with unknown dogs a walk or a trip to any pet store does the trick just fine. All parties dogs are leashed so it is safer.

Basically

to dog parks.

PhL0aTeR · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 03:25 PM

i love dog parks.... but just like your local pub, it depends on the neighborhood of the dog park. I wont go to the one near the center of town because right next to it is a popular hangout for the "wrong crowd" so to speak, so half the dogs there are pitts with idiot owners that dress them up in railroad chains and whatnot and thinks its a great time if their killer dog is jerking off their arm to bark at another dog. the one on the west side is much better... rarely have i ever seen a male dog there that wasnt fixed, and ive never seen a female dog in heat. (both fall into categories which are suggested not to be brought to the dog park) as far as someone mouthing off cuz my dogs are aggressive.... #1 i have greyhounds, which are only aggressive if you are a fake rabbit traveling at an extreme pace.... #2 i stand 6'4" and about 300 lbs.... theres not too many people who will actually follow through with mouthing off

X-Factor · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 03:29 PM

Good post, though even though your term for female dog is proper, it gets picked up by the swear filter so go ahead and edit that and use a different adjective.

Jem_Scout · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 04:23 PM

I feel the same way you do Owen! Besides, I don't/can't trust another dog owner to take care of their dogs as well as I do mine. Most people don't even worm their dogs much less use any flea protection! It's just not worth MY dogs' health to go to a dog park.

John_White · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 04:37 PM

I've found my local dog park in general has great people and good dogs.

sixth_sense · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Every time I go to the dog park, it's just another vet bill. Can't count on other dog owners to keep their dogs updated on shots, worming etc. My dogs have gotten giardia multiple times. One had to get rushed to the emergency vet to have his face stitched up after another dog ran up and grabbed him by the face. Mine are happy to go ride around in the car and they are allowed in our local Lowes store now so they are thrilled to go in there.

sixth_sense · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:40 PM

This is part of the aftermath.

Icicle · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 11:38 PM

Aww poor puppy.

Jem_Scout · #11 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 02:45 AM

Sorry, but that's what I'm talking about Sixth!
Some people shouldn't even own dogs.

Future Snake Guy · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:32 AM

i love my local dog park! the owners around here are on the ball and have there dogs pretty well trained except for the puppys ofcourse =P

i really have no choice tho since i had to move into a house with little yard (poor parker moved from a 2 acre yard where he could run around without the leash to this... ;( )

but there are exceptions like the owner of this pittbull that was agressive.. i know "dogtalk" and this dog was agressive with parker. now parker stood up to this pittbull which was a puppy to, but i wasnt letting parker fight with a lockjaw capeable pit sorry thats stupid and irresponasble. well the owner thought it was funny and i didnt like it. so i approached the owner and asked him to control his dog please. he decided to laugh in my face to say the least.. now with 5 other owners there i was annoyed and the situation only declined from there to a little scrap between me and the owner.

he is fourtanatly the exception most of the dogs are really well trained and behaved now if i could just get parker leash and car trained we'd be set!.. :headbang:

RayRay · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:40 AM

I don't like them, for the same reasons you do, Owen.

I simply cannot trust my dog to get along with others that aren't in her household. I can also exercise my dog in other ways that are more productive to her and my health!

RayRay · #14 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Snake Guy

i love my local dog park! the owners around here are on the ball and have there dogs pretty well trained except for the puppys ofcourse =P
i really have no choice tho since i had to move into a house with little yard (poor parker moved from a 2 acre yard where he could run around without the leash to this... ;( )
but there are exceptions like the owner of this pittbull that was agressive.. i know "dogtalk" and this dog was agressive with parker. now parker stood up to this pittbull which was a puppy to, but i wasnt letting parker fight with a lockjaw capeable pit sorry thats stupid and irresponasble. well the owner thought it was funny and i didnt like it. so i approached the owner and asked him to control his dog please. he decided to laugh in my face to say the least.. now with 5 other owners there i was annoyed and the situation only declined from there to a little scrap between me and the owner.
he is fourtanatly the exception most of the dogs are really well trained and behaved now if i could just get parker leash and car trained we'd be set!.. :headbang:

I love pit bulls and they are a breed (actually, any "bully breed") that should NEVER be taken to dog parks. I don't feel a need to type it all out, but here's what the experts have to say.

http://www.badrap.org/rescue/dogpark.cfm

PS:
And pit bulls do not have lock jaw. They are just bred to bite and hold. They are the original "bull dogs" long before they were pitted against other dogs! I've worked with them for quite a while. Most of them are great dogs, but don't get along with other animals. I was also bitten by one (one that had a very hard life and was put down) pretty badly, but I'm not going to call foul on a whole breed of dog.

Sorry to get defensive on them. I've worked hard to protect them from unfair legislation not unlike the stuff that imposes on us reptile keepers.

louise · #15 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:59 AM

i have to show my daughter this thread. she is torn in taking her puppy to a park or not. her dog is wierd. i can take the dog outside and around any dogs or people and she is fine. when devin s with her it is a whole new ball game. bella's fur goes up and she growls and barks. i can have people over and bella is fine. if devin is here alone and someone comes over the dogs fur stands up and she barks and growls.
devin stubbed her toe on the vacuum and devin screamed, now the dog hates the vacuum. devin wants to put her in obedience school cause she likes her to be protective but not to that extent. she is only 4 months old and i am hoping as she matures she will know better, like when she has to be protective and when she dont.

owen.richards · #16 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:02 AM

sounds like Devin has a dog that will protect her for the course of its life. Make sure she takes care of that, because if it gets out of control, it could get very bad. But if controlled propperly, that dog could one day save her life!

louise · #17 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen.richards

sounds like Devin has a dog that will protect her for the course of its life. Make sure she takes care of that, because if it gets out of control, it could get very bad. But if controlled propperly, that dog could one day save her life!

that is why she wants to send her to some kind of training. i told devin to join this site and talk to you. she does belong to some german shepard site.

RayRay · #18 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

i have to show my daughter this thread. she is torn in taking her puppy to a park or not. her dog is wierd. i can take the dog outside and around any dogs or people and she is fine. when devin s with her it is a whole new ball game. bella's fur goes up and she growls and barks. i can have people over and bella is fine. if devin is here alone and someone comes over the dogs fur stands up and she barks and growls.
devin stubbed her toe on the vacuum and devin screamed, now the dog hates the vacuum. devin wants to put her in obedience school cause she likes her to be protective but not to that extent. she is only 4 months old and i am hoping as she matures she will know better, like when she has to be protective and when she dont.

OT:

Sounds like I would get her straight into obedience and stay out of the dog park.
With obedience class, you have several dogs in a controlled environment. They all learn how to behave around one another and mind the person, not the other dogs!

Sometimes dogs feel more comfortable in one person's presence than in another. A lot of times when a dog gets comfortable with one person, it gets overconfident and acts up. She needs to get that mindset out of the dog's head while its still young, or she may have serious problems down the road. Some dogs grow out of it, some don't. Better be safe than sorry!

Rachel SS · #19 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:09 AM

Agreed with Rachel. Obedience class is a controlled environment and a great way to socialize the dogs. It's important to socialize dogs at a young age, but some breeds are prone to dog aggression. That's what they were bred for....

You never know who/what's going to show up at the dog park, and if that dog has been given the necessary vaccines.

louise · #20 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:14 AM

the dog is so smart. it is toally potty trained, sits and stays, lays, shakes hands, devin can get her a new raw hide bone and tell her to stay and she can put it right on the dogs nose and the dog wont move till devin says okay. devin has also taught her many commands in german! devin watches all the training shows and always teaches bella that devin is the pack leader. devin has called some class for bella and is waiting for the return call. devin also cannot even go to the bathroom withjout bella crying and freaking out. devin cannot leave the room wwithout bella following and bella will even put herself in her kennel if devin goes to bed. bella will gladly stay in her kennel/cage while devin sleeps.
but as for a dog park...bella will not be going till she controls her protective behavior of devin.

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