DA dogs and dog parks?

[Labra]

Here's what my DA dogs do: if a male dog comes close and starts the usual canine greeting rituals of sniffing and such, they tense. If the dog persists, my two get aggresive. It's not even every male dog...I'd say maybe 7 out of 10 gets that reaction. And they ONLY do it when not under my direct control. If I am there to intervene and tell them "no", they will not react. Or, at worse, will only be with a growl and a snap.

Other dogs will approach you at a dog park...fact. And not all of them will have perfect manners. If your dog "got aggressive" with mine, at an OFF LEASH dog park, you'd be the only person to blame.

The reality is that you probably wouldn't ever have a park to yourself. That doesn't happen in a public place. People use dog parks at all hours of the day and night, particularly if dog parks are limited in the area. I've been out as early as 5am in the summer and seen others at parks.

 

[ACooper]

Why would anyone take a dog aggressive dog to a dog park? why would anyone take a dog to a dog park and not expect other dogs to try and interact? Jesus. That is what dog parks are FOR. If you don't want your dog to interact with other dogs, don't take it to a freakin' DOG PARK. It ain't rocket science, people. I take my FRIENDLY dogs to interact with other FRIENDLY dogs. Dog parks are the only areas that people who have friendly dogs have left. Why should owners of friendly dogs have to make way for owners of aggressive dogs?

Here we go again.

Perhaps you didn't read her OP.........she is NOT expecting ANYONE or ANY DOG to make way for her. She wants to use it when it's EMPTY and leash/leave if someone else shows up.

NO........dog parks are NOT just to "interact" Many people do not have the luxury of having an open area to let their dogs run. Leash walking can only do so much.

Gemp, Orson does NOT care for males at all. I have taken him to the DP when it's empty and let him run.

Once some other people showed up and I leashed him and we left. The biggest problem with this method is the other people who showed up released their dogs at the gate (which is fine, they are allowed) and then they wanted to be all in Orson's face as we were leaving.

The only place I take him to run now is at the fenced area in front of our dog shelter. It's a lot smaller, no training toys.........but he can run. I can see ANYONE pull in from anywhere in the area (no one ever has because this DP is boring compared to the other ones, LOL)

 

[ACooper]

Also Gemp, talk to Sizzle when she's back around.........I know Ronin had male issues and she took him to the DP as long as it was empty (or had no males)

 

[Labra]

That is the point. You can't control the enviroment and you can't guarentee that a park will be empty, more so if it has multiple entrance points, which many parks do. Why risk it?

 

[ACooper]

That is the point. You can't control the enviroment and you can't guarentee that a park will be empty, more so if it has multiple entrance points, which many parks do. Why risk it?

To give the dog exercise? It's not that big of an issue if you know your dog and pay attention.

We get it Labra, we ALWAYS get the point from you. You have friendly, well trained, perfect labs.........they do no wrong and neither do you

 

[Labra]

dog parks are NOT just to "interact"

Yeah, they may not JUST be to interact with other dogs. But that is the main idea behind dog parks - your dog gets to run and play with other dogs. For most people, the dog park is the ONLY place that their friendly dog can get to interact with other friendly dogs. And to expect a public park to remain empty is unreasonable...unless you live in the sticks, have someone manning the entrance and have a 100% recall on your dog and exit the park immediately without coming into contact with the entering dog, that ain't gonna happen.

 

[Labra]

To give the dog exercise? It's not that big of an issue if you know your dog and pay attention.

It is an issue, because you cannot control the enviroment. If you have a dog with aggressive tendancies, its tough really. You have to deal with it. Part of that is not taking a dog with aggression issues to an OFF LEASH dog park.

 

[ACooper]

Yeah, they may not JUST be to interact with other dogs. But that is the main idea behind dog parks - your dog gets to run and play with other dogs. For most people, the dog park is the ONLY place that their friendly dog can get to interact with other friendly dogs. And to expect a public park to remain empty is unreasonable...unless you live in the sticks, have someone manning the entrance and have a 100% recall on your dog and exit the park immediately without coming into contact with the entering dog, that ain't gonna happen.

They are NOT just to interact, it's an off lead area where they can get exercise as well. ............interacting is where MOST of the problems come from. People who *think* their dog is friendly wants it to *play* with all the other doggies.

This is all fine until they AREN'T all that friendly, then you get a major fight and someone is saying "I don't know what happened.............they are always so nice with other dogs"

I know my dog, I know his limits.........I am honest and pay attention, that is more than most average idiots do at the DP. They pay more attention to their cell phones than what their dogs are doing.

So no, it's NOT that big of an issue IF YOU KNOW YOUR DOG AND ARE NOT IN DENIAL.

 

[Zoom]

Because DA dogs deserve exercise time as well. Not all DA dogs are the slavering monsters you keep picturing in your mind, the type that is just biding their time until something furry is scented in the distance. Many "DA" dogs are fine until some jerkass dog with no manners shows up and jumps them. In that situation, both of my dogs suddenly turn "dog aggressive" if you go by the number of people who have shot death glares at me and mine after their dog was soundly put in it's place.

For the dogs are just looking for opportune prey, no. Those dogs do not belong in an off-leash park. I've dealt with those dumbasses as well and luckily kharma is usually on our side and their dogs have their hides handed back to them and they leave, never to come back. But I don't think anyone here falls inot that category and those with severly DA dogs would not be asking this question. I'd categorize Zeus and Voodoo as "situational"...not every dog tolerates hind-end sniffing. I knew many dogs who wouldn't allow any dog to sniff their hindend, but were fine in every other respect.

If your dog is under your control, have fun.

 

[release the hounds]

hmmm, an uncontrolled dog gets hurt, and someone else is to blame. I love the mentality.

fat pigs and good boys??? what does that have to do with anything? I"m getting lost.

and who says my dog can't handle that stuff, and my dog was desensitized. That is why, as I said earlier, she tolerates those in your face dogs and looks to me for what's next or help.

Control your dogs and nobody has a problem, no matter what temperment they have. Your rights don't trump anybody elses, I'm growing tired of people thinking their's does. Like I said, common decency. Any place else you ask if your kids can play, you ask if your dogs can play. It's called respect. it's the mindset that dog parks should be a free for all because you want it to be that causes problems.

either way, you can think a dog park is for whatever reason you want it doesn't really matter. Rules is rules and your dog should be under control at all times.

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

Can tell you how we handle this situation with Marley. Marley is a 3 yr. old Aussie/Rottie mix foster who is DA with dogs but only ever indoors ... we have had him about a year and a half. He has never once shown DA toward dogs while outdoors. A little reactive when on leash, but not DA-type reactive ... instead it's a whiny, crying "Oh please, please, please let me go play with that other doggy over there!!!" He's not reactive or obnoxious when off-leash though.

But still ... we don't take Marley to the dog park very often and only non-peak times. (We prefer to use a remote off-leash-allowed area closer to our home.) When we do take him we briefly explain to the few other dog owners who might be there of Marley's indoor DA problem ... if those owners don't already know us and Marley. If they are OK with him interacting with their dogs then fine; if not then we either leave or walk elsewhere until they choose to leave. Most are fine with Marley with their dogs ... he has a few friends there, one's even a little Carin Terrier. A few are more cautious and don't want to take a chance ... that's perfectly fine with us.

Perhaps seems a bit overboard to some, but we have yet to meet a dog owner that didn't appreciate it. We strongly believe that anyone with a dog with known DA issues has complete responsibility, so we certainly want to practice what we preach.

Specifically because not everyone believes as we do, we never took our Golden Retriever to any dog park. She was NEVER DA by any stretch of the imagination, but was the type not to fight back in the event of an attack either. Our wolfdog Spike was a sometimes-visitor to the dog-park but no warnings needed because he had no DA issues at all, but would defend himself.

Honestly though, we are not dog park fans except for ones that are practically deserted ... never crowded ones and never peak times. It's precisely because too many people DO bring openly DA dogs there, while some bring intact females in heat and are oblivious that it was reactions to their dog that started whatever fight broke out.

 

[Labra]

Many "DA" dogs are fine until some jerkass dog with no manners shows up and jumps them. In that situation, both of my dogs suddenly turn "dog aggressive" if you go by the number of people who have shot death glares at me and mine after their dog was soundly put in it's place.

I don't have a problem with one dog telling off another. That to me is not aggression, but normal behaviour. I don't expect all dogs to tolerate being humped and jumped on. BUT that would not what the OP said. She said her dogs "turned aggressive" when another dog male greeted them. Big difference.

 

[Zoom]

Don't take your dog to a small park during crowded time. Common sense rule #1.

I wish more places had a park like mine. It's freaking huge. Even when it's moderately busy, I can walk around and not run into a single dog if I try hard enough...the parking lot is the only place I see anyone else many times.

And as busy as it can be, I have figured out exactly when to go and during what types of weather so I can have the ENTIRE park to myself if I want. It's not that hard.

 

[Squishy22]

Sounds a lot like Reggin, Gemp. Although he does try to pull over to the other dogs just to check them out. No aggression at first, but if the other dog puts their head over his back, stares at him, or persistently sniffs him, he gets tense and things get out of control. Its an issue of trust. He just does NOT trust other dogs, especially ones bigger than him.

I personally would not go, because you never know what the other dogs will do. A lot of times, as soon as the other dog sees a strange dog, they immediately run up and sniff. That could spell disaster for you. Just too risky.

I take Reggin into the woods for a good run. The only place I can take him off leash.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Yeah, they may not JUST be to interact with other dogs. But that is the main idea behind dog parks - your dog gets to run and play with other dogs. For most people, the dog park is the ONLY place that their friendly dog can get to interact with other friendly dogs. And to expect a public park to remain empty is unreasonable...unless you live in the sticks, have someone manning the entrance and have a 100% recall on your dog and exit the park immediately without coming into contact with the entering dog, that ain't gonna happen.

Uhm, no. I don't take my dog(s) to the dog park to interact with other dogs. If they want to, fine, but I take them so that they can run. Because it is one of the few areas that they can run off leash and be within a controlled environment because the baseball diamonds are not always available. I couldn't care less if they play with other dogs, especially since so many are so ill-mannered.

Our dog park has hours of the day in which it is always empty. We know these times and make use of them. My dogs have a 100% recall.They are always under my and/or my husbands voice control at all times. We constantly watch the gate so that we are aware of what is going on. You have a voice, many of us do, a simple, can you please wait so I can get my dog out before you enter will do.

Really. It's not that hard.

 

[Squishy22]

Here we go again.

Perhaps you didn't read her OP.........she is NOT expecting ANYONE or ANY DOG to make way for her. She wants to use it when it's EMPTY and leash/leave if someone else shows up.

NO........dog parks are NOT just to "interact" Many people do not have the luxury of having an open area to let their dogs run. Leash walking can only do so much.

Gemp, Orson does NOT care for males at all. I have taken him to the DP when it's empty and let him run.

Once some other people showed up and I leashed him and we left. The biggest problem with this method is the other people who showed up released their dogs at the gate (which is fine, they are allowed) and then they wanted to be all in Orson's face as we were leaving.

The only place I take him to run now is at the fenced area in front of our dog shelter. It's a lot smaller, no training toys.........but he can run. I can see ANYONE pull in from anywhere in the area (no one ever has because this DP is boring compared to the other ones, LOL)

I get where you are coming from, but its a given that as soon as someone enters, their dog WILL run up to her dogs. If her dog turns on them for whatever reason, it would be her fault. To go into a park knowing that something like that might happen, is irresponsible in my mind... she admited that her dogs ARE DA. You cannot predict what a DA dog will do or how much sniffing will take for them to flip out.

If I had a non DA dog that I took to a dog park and he was attacked for greeting another dog on leash, then I would be pissed, and they would be paying for my vet bills.

 

[bubbatd]

I personally see no harm in taking them one at a time . I think it would be hard to corral 2 if someone else arrives . Only you know your dog .

 

[Tankstar]

so owners with dogs that go around humping other dogs and getting pushy and stealing toys and being otherwise buttheads are fine. Seems to me if those dogs weren't there, there would be no problems.

Dont bring toys with you, or dont play with them while dogs are around. Top say becuase a dog stole a ball that was being thrown isnt under control is just dumb. Its a game, a ball is being thrown, a dog knows to chase it = other dogs getting the ball and probably stealing it.

Blaze wont play ball when other dogs are around. he will chase it, but leave it up to another dog to bring back. I always bring 2 balls with me, if I through a ball and another dog steals it, no problem if we cant get it back, oh well. Glad the dollar store sells them 3 for a buck.

and who says my dog can't handle that stuff, and my dog was desensitized. That is why, as I said earlier, she tolerates those in your face dogs and looks to me for what's next or help.

.

So if a dog snaps at a dog for being overly pushy, it shouldnt be there?

I guess Blaze shouldnt go any more. he will tolerate so much before he will show his teeth and snap in their direction. We always send puppies to him at the dog park. As he will gladly let a puppy chew on him ect and try and play, and when he has had enough he gently by snapping and barking tells the dog enough is enough. Alot of puppies over the last 4.5 years of us going there have learned from him. I know they have as I am still friends with these people and those puppies, which are now dogs. Blaze will only take so much like I said. I hate seeing a dog that wont tell another dog off, it only makes the annoying dog keep being so pushy and nopt learn any doggy manners.

Blaze is a good boy at the park, listens, does as I say, never wanders more the 20 feet or so (unless chasing down a ball) but if a dog starts to be to pushy, he will tell them off. If a dog does actually try and fight him, he will fight back. Dog parks are not filled with polite nice well mannered dogs. Lost are crazy pups who are excitied to meet and greet all kinds of dogs. no 4 month old puppy is going to be under complete control. So dog parks should only be for dogs of age to be udner voice control 100% before meeting new friends?

 

[MericoX]

Did I mention that when Kiba snarks Stryder comes to her rescue and they will gang up on the offending dog. Or that Stryder gets defensive when other dogs try to play with toys he's playing with? Do I let this happen? No.. but very rarely it happens.

Someone that can read their dogs, whether DA or DR.. they have every right to go to an offleash park then the fools that let their dogs do anything and everything when at the dogpark.

 

[Squishy22]

Because DA dogs deserve exercise time as well. Not all DA dogs are the slavering monsters you keep picturing in your mind, the type that is just biding their time until something furry is scented in the distance. Many "DA" dogs are fine until some jerkass dog with no manners shows up and jumps them. In that situation, both of my dogs suddenly turn "dog aggressive" if you go by the number of people who have shot death glares at me and mine after their dog was soundly put in it's place.

For the dogs are just looking for opportune prey, no. Those dogs do not belong in an off-leash park. I've dealt with those dumbasses as well and luckily kharma is usually on our side and their dogs have their hides handed back to them and they leave, never to come back. But I don't think anyone here falls inot that category and those with severly DA dogs would not be asking this question. I'd categorize Zeus and Voodoo as "situational"...not every dog tolerates hind-end sniffing. I knew many dogs who wouldn't allow any dog to sniff their hindend, but were fine in every other respect.

If your dog is under your control, have fun.

Reggin is exactly like what you describe and I wouldnt DARE take him to an off leash dog park, even if it was empty and I could simply leash him and leave if another dog entered. Not only for HIS safety, but for the safety of the other dogs. Half of the off leash dogs just dont have any manners. Its not worth risking serious injury. Nor would it be worth the risk of the already damaged APBTs image. I can already see it now "Unprovoked pit bull mauls golden retriever". And this is exactly why I take Reggin for night walks and take him into the woods. You miss out on certain things if your dog is DA. Its upsetting, but thats the way it is.