DA dogs and dog parks?

[Buddy'sParents]

Nope, its not fair, but park rules dont state that nice dogs that have bad manners are not allowed in the park. It does state that aggressive dogs are not allowed. At least at my park. Another reason why I dont care for dog parks.

That's why there are other rules such as "your dog must be under voice control at all times". You see your dog nagging or humping another dog, CALL it off. It's simple really. And if your dog does not stop what it is doing when you command it to then it is not under your voice control and should leave the premises.

Anyways, my point is more that idiot owners that think its funny that their dog humps and wants to nag Fluffy are the ones that actually ruin dog park experiences for responsible people. It's a shame, really, and why we want to buy acreage somewhere up north so we can avoid idiots like that and still have an opportunity to let our dogs run free.

 

[Squishy22]

Why is it a given? Why isn't it a given, since all dogs are to be under control at all times that she a person couldn't enter and ask if her dogs can play with another dog? I can do that, why can't the same common courtesy be extended to everyone. I an uncontrolled dog gets up in anothers face or gets pushy or acts like a butthead, why is it the other persons fault? I don't get it??


why not, its a park to play with your dog offleash and under control. I can play with mine, they've never stolen another's toy. Why can't I play with my dogs because somebody else can't control their's???

?

That certainly isn't what i'm saying. In fact I think if a dog is being overly pushy it derserves to be put in its place and fast without any repercussions to the other dog. But some are saying that if your dog doesn't put up with it, it doesn't belong there, not my sentiment at all.

Its a given because I used to go to dog parks every week with my last dog. Dogs would sniff each other, check each other out, some would hump, packs of dogs would run together, some dogs would chase other dogs, etc. Dogs are dogs and they like to play and investigate. If you go to a dog park with the assumption that al dogs are going to be separate without interacting, then you are in for a rude awakening. Simply does not happen, and most do not have control over their dogs or even care to watch their dogs in the park. THAT is what I hate about dog parks. Its nuts.

I will tell you right now, that I would not feel sorry if reggin sank his fangs into a dog that was rude and pushy. I would have the attitude of "thats what you get". But in the eyes of the law, that isnt so, especially at dog parks. Its not like walking your dog in town and having an off leash dog rush up. Thats a different story, because letting your dog loose is illegal. Park rules are park rules and you have to abide. not all rules are fair.

Like I said before, the reason why I would not want to take reggin to a dog park is because I dont want to endanger his health or life. And I do not know 100% sure that he would not snap if a dog approached him in an acceptable manner. He is DA and I dont know exactly how much it would take to push him over the edge.

 

[Squishy22]

That's why there are other rules such as "your dog must be under voice control at all times". You see your dog nagging or humping another dog, CALL it off. It's simple really. And if your dog does not stop what it is doing when you command it to then it is not under your voice control and should leave the premises.

Anyways, my point is more that idiot owners that think its funny that their dog humps and wants to nag Fluffy are the ones that actually ruin dog park experiences for responsible people. It's a shame, really, and why we want to buy acreage somewhere up north so we can avoid idiots like that and still have an opportunity to let our dogs run free.

Oh yes, but nobody ever abides to those rules. They see their dog humping, attempt at calling them off and their dog doesn't listen... oh well... its just play. Owners have had my blood boiling before for not controlling their dogs, and thats why I quit going. Even dogs that run around snapping at other dogs and trying to force them into submission.

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

I will tell you right now, that I would not feel sorry if reggin sank his fangs into a dog that was rude and pushy. I would have the attitude of "thats what you get". But in the eyes of the law, that isnt so, especially at dog parks. Its not like walking your dog in town and having an off leash dog rush up. Thats a different story, because letting your dog loose is illegal. Park rules are park rules and you have to abide. not all rules are fair.

Oh yes, but nobody ever abides to those rules. They see their dog humping, attempt at calling them off and their dog doesn't listen... oh well... its just play. Owners have had my blood boiling before for not controlling their dogs, and thats why I quit going. Even dogs that run around snapping at other dogs and trying to force them into submission.

Thought those two items from Reggin bear a second read ... both too true.

These discussions, whether online or off, seem to go in the same direction.
They end up as discussions of "What ought to be" vs. "What actually is"

Unfortunately in many instances "Ought" frequently bears little if any resemblence to "Is"

 

[Boemy]

Taking a DA/DR dog to a dog park is setting it up for failure IMO. The fact is some dog owners are going to assume that any dog in the dog park is friendly, on the assumption that if it weren't . . . the owner wouldn't take it there.

It would be nice if every dog owner had the ability to control their dog's tiniest move, it would be even nicer if every owner trained their dog, and if no dog was ever rude.

Meanwhile, in the real world, these are problems that are going to crop up in the dog park from time to time. No amount of "should" or "ought to" is going to magically erase them and leave the dog park the perfect place for every dog.

Is the best way to minimize dog aggression to expose an already DA dog to off-leash dogs running up? Some of which may be rude and in his face? I think not. It might be possible to only use "off peak" hours, but it would only take one bad incident to make the DA even worse, not to mention the risk of injuries.

 

[sillysally]

NO, in your mind dog parks are places for dogs to run and all play together. They are places in which to exercise your dog offleash and under control when you don't have other places (especially in cities) to exercise your dog adequately, not a giant romper session with no control.

If your dogs are out of sight, they aren't in your control, how is that my problem. If your dog is out of control and messing with dogs that don't want him around, why is that my problem? My dogs are under control, the DA ones and the non DA ones. My DA dog sat quietly, (well whining a little) while another pushy dog tried climbing on top and I was trying to body block it. My DA dog will retrieve and come right back to me even when other dogs are nipping and jumping on her. My Da dog will play intently with me, while my non DA dogs play together or with other dogs.

She wasn't always this way, she has the scars under her eye, the scars on her head, and leg, and the couple of dogs in her wake from earlier years (one that her canines punctured the foreleg bone). None of these happened after I got her, but the signs were there and we went to work on them.

I stopped going because of the position other owners and their dogs put us in, not for any fear of her hurting someone or some dog. Too many others weren't fair to MY dogs so I choose not go anymore. Too many others think the rules only apply to others not to themselves.

IMHO, dog parks are not places for exercise, they are places for socialization.

I have one dog that is not dog park material and one dog that is--so I just don't bring the one that is not good at them. DH does something else with her--a long hike or jog or something.

Honestly, nothing irritates me more than someone who insists on having a dog among other dogs when that dog obviously does not do well in that situation. My dog park dog *is* under control, *does* have a good recall, and does not play rough at all--for the most part he just wants to run with and hang out with the other dogs. If snarked at he does not even return fire, he just finds something else to do.

However, I don't think it is fair for either him or I to have to walk on egg shells because someone decided to bring a dog aggressive dog in the park. it risks physical and mental injury to him, and makes the entire experience less than pleasant.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Honestly, Gemp... YOU obviously know your boys well, and I think YOU are the best judge as to whether or not you would feel comfortable bringing them to the dog park at off-hours.

I never bring Gonzo to a dog park with dogs that I don't know present. I go during off-hours (and, YES, every park that I've ever been to does indeed have "off-hours"... usually in the mid-day on weekdays or sunset/when it gets dark; weekends are pretty much always busy), stay in the furthest part of the park from the gate, and watch the parking lot like a hawk. It's also really, really handy that our dog park has a seperate area for "shy/unsocialized" dogs, in which you cannot enter if some one and their dog is already in there, unless they give you permission. I usually go in there with Gonzo and play with him alone and do some clicker training if there are dogs in the other 2 areas, or if I see some one coming in. I go to the dog park with my friends and their dogs, who I know Gonzo is safe playing with, and I do not see a problem with that - as long as you are cautious and quick to take your two out, the dog park will be a really fun experience for both of them, even without playing with other dogs.

To me, you bringing your dogs in when no one is present and being conscientious about watching for others is MUCH safer than how 99% of dog park goers act. Seriouslyyy.

 

[Angelina]

Humping is RUDE. Jumping face first onto a dog who is minding it's own business is RUDE. Rudeness is a form of aggression.

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

 

[ihartgonzo]

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

Weeelll.... dogs have "dog manners" and etiquette just as much as we have "human manners". A dog who is well socialized from an early age is going to quickly learn that humping ANY other dog (besides one who is in heat) is a very obnoxious/threatening gesture that will be met with a correction from the humpee.

Fozzie is not a humper, but unfortunately, he will not correct another dog for humping him. He does give off very uncomfortable body language, and tries to get away. Once, at the dog park, a 100 lb German Shepherd literally would NOT stop humping Fozzie, who is a short little 40 lb guy... and the GSD was humping him voraciously. While his owners laughed. BOTH of them deserve a nice, hard nip in the @ZZ for their rudeness, as far as I'm concerned. Not only is it stressful to the humpee and just asking to trigger a fight, it can cause an injury in and of itself, especially when such a massive dog is doing the humping. D:<

 

[Chewbecca]

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

Because dogs speak their OWN language, and it's NOT the one of humans. But dogs are imperfect as well, and they will push the limits with other dogs.
But things like humping can cause a poor reaction from an animal, and if the human allows their dog to hump other dogs, well, then that human shouldn't be surprised when another dog gets snarky with the humper.

And if you don't think dogs know what is rude in the dog world, HA!
Dogs don't greet face-to-face unless they already KNOW EACH OTHER. Otherwise, it's considered rude in doggy language/communication standards.
Some dogs just might have a higher tolerance for rude behavior from other dogs. Some don't. Mine doesn't. But don't kid yourself, dogs know how to communicate with each other. And there ARE rules in their world with each other.

 

[jess2416]

Because dogs speak their OWN language, and it's NOT the one of humans. But dogs are imperfect as well, and they will push the limits with other dogs.
But things like humping can cause a poor reaction from an animal, and if the human allows their dog to hump other dogs, well, then that human shouldn't be surprised when another dog gets snarky with the humper.

And if you don't think dogs know what is rude in the dog world, HA!
Dogs don't greet face-to-face unless they already KNOW EACH OTHER. Otherwise, it's considered rude in doggy language/communication standards.
Some dogs just might have a higher tolerance for rude behavior from other dogs. Some don't. Mine doesn't. But don't kid yourself, dogs know how to communicate with each other. And there ARE rules in their world with each other.

Agreed!!

 

[Psyfalcon]

The park here is really small. With a really DA dog, I would go while it is raining and no one is there. Then I would park myself at the gate where I could intercept anyone coming in. I think most people will give you a few minutes to round up your dog and leave.

Buster is just terrible on leash, so I can take him as long as I can reach the double gate In a park this size though, it is about group play. If you throw a ball, more than one dog will chase it. The dogs will interact...

 

[smkie]

A dog would have to catch Victor to hump him. Not a prob unless we are in Grammy's back yard. He doesn't put up with that for a milisecond. But he doesn't start a fight either and that is the point. He runs away, he snarks and finds something else to do, with someone else.They do speak their own language and we have never had a problem with humping at the park. EVen Pepper could handle herself. IT has never been a big issue. DOgs that cannot play without getting aggressive has however. I have seen that way to often. THat is when you need to be able to call your dog in and redirect. DOgs are not perfect and that is why you have to teach yours how to handle those situations without getting upset.

 

[Zoom]

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

No, humping is not just "something that happens". Some dogs would never DREAM of humping, others are basically serial rapists and do nothing except try to find a dog to hump, regardless of whether or not the victim will stand still.

Humping does cause huge issues. If the humper goes after the "wrong" dog, one who isn't going to tolerate it, then a fight breaks out. I spent literally thousands of hours doing nothing but watching dogs interact, dogs that knew each other, dogs that had just met, dogs that were having to learn how to speak "group language". You'd be amazed at the rules, logic and systems dogs have when it comes to defining what is acceptable and what will get your face bitten off.

 

[Tankstar]

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

Because most of the time humpig is considered rude in doggy language. Not all times, I few dogs will "play" hump each other, then bow and play after, just having fun. Blaze will tolerate a dog humping him, but if they continue he will growl, snarl and snap at them. He has dog friends at the dog park that do this to him, they know him very well, when they do this to him its different, he will whine, then play bow to them, then the race is off,. But a dog that has just met a new dog and just humps him is rude, and s asking for a issue IMO

 

[elegy]

i think humping *can* be play between dogs who know each other well, but the scenario that i find more common is that there is a humper and a stressed humpee who either snarks at the humper or tries to get away. there is no back-and-forth about it like there would be if there were play. there is often stress on the part of the "victim".

mushroom is a humper. he tries it every chance he gets. and every time he does it, he gets timed out. it's rude and the dogs he plays with don't like it, and even though he takes corrections with a belly-up or a flat on the ground "sorry sorry sorry" he's being a jerk and i know it.

 

[bubbatd]

Ollie is a humper ...but seems only in play with dogs he knows . I still feel that taking only one dog in the first time is the way to go . If you are uncomfortable , your dog will pick up you anxiety . " The other end of the leash ".

 

[Squishy22]

How do dogs know what is rude???

Humping is just something that happens with dogs. Most owners will stop it if they can more for their own embarrassment than anything else I think! Dogs can be dogs I say, as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or causing any problems.

Humping is a sign of domination. It IS rude in the dog world. Thats the problem, owners do not pick up on signs that their dog is causing trouble because they just do not know dog body language.

 

[dr2little]

I have to chime in here, there is absolutely no proof that humping has anything at all to do with dominance. As a matter of fact, the most recent studies show that it's done in play, periods of anxiety, over excitement and just because it feels good....or so the studies show.

I absolutely do agree thought that it has to be stopped immediately by the responsible owner. Allowing dogs to 'work things out' is just not smart and usually ends up with someone's dog either injured physically or 'changed' in other ways. Every moment that a dogs eyes are open they're learning.
If they learn that humping is rewarding in some way, they'll likely add humping to their dog park interaction repertoire. If a dog feels threatened by a dog who's rudely 'wiggling away", while the owners stand by and do nothing, well, that dog is going to have to change the way that they respond to rudeness.

Any way you slice it, humping is rude and not often tolerated by other dogs, however it's intended by the dog doing the humping.

As for the question about should any DA dogs go to a dog park, I really don't see any circumstance where this would be safe for either the DA dogs or any other unsuspecting dog who they just might 'accidently' meet.

I happen to adore the OP's dogs, have never touched them or talked to them but feel a genuine affection for both of them. I'd hate for them to be blamed for an incident that was not their fault simply because they're at the wrong place at the wrong time and someone elses dog starts something.

DA, mildly DA or just not tolerant of other dogs...not the right fit for a dog park with so many uncontrollable variables and one of the many reasons that you'll never see one of my dogs at an off leash park.

JMO of course...

 

[Squishy22]

I have to chime in here, there is absolutely no proof that humping has anything at all to do with dominance. As a matter of fact, the most recent studies show that it's done in play, periods of anxiety, over excitement and just because it feels good....or so the studies show.

I absolutely do agree thought that it has to be stopped immediately by the responsible owner. Allowing dogs to 'work things out' is just not smart and usually ends up with someone's dog either injured physically or 'changed' in other ways. Every moment that a dogs eyes are open they're learning.
If they learn that humping is rewarding in some way, they'll likely add humping to their dog park interaction repertoire. If a dog feels threatened by a dog who's rudely 'wiggling away", while the owners stand by and do nothing, well, that dog is going to have to change the way that they respond to rudeness.

Any way you slice it, humping is rude and not often tolerated by other dogs, however it's intended by the dog doing the humping.

As for the question about should any DA dogs go to a dog park, I really don't see any circumstance where this would be safe for either the DA dogs or any other unsuspecting dog who they just might 'accidently' meet.

I happen to adore the OP's dogs, have never touched them or talked to them but feel a genuine affection for both of them. I'd hate for them to be blamed for an incident that was not their fault simply because they're at the wrong place at the wrong time and someone elses dog starts something.

DA, mildly DA or just not tolerant of other dogs...not the right fit for a dog park with so many uncontrollable variables and one of the many reasons that you'll never see one of my dogs at an off leash park.

JMO of course...

Dogs do humping for more than one reason. Sexual tension, play, and dominance. The dog on the receiving end might interpret it as dominance and will react. Some don't mind it and some will outright attack depending on their personality. Speaking of dominance, even putting his/her head over another dog is considered dominance and has caused fights in itself.