Luna's First Fight

[sparks19]

OK, just so you all are aware, Kady (and I, and most responsible pit bull owners) were taught NEVER to take our pit bulls to dog parks. We did not enter the dog world with breeds that are ok to take to dog parks.
We were taught from day one, dog parks are NO GOOD for pit bulls.

My dogs will NEVER see a dog park. EVER.
But do I care if other people take their non- pit bull dogs to dog parks?
NO.
Why?
Because I won't ever have to worry about my dogs running into a large number of random dogs that they are unfamiliar with at one time.

Right... i don't think anyone was questioning why others wouldn't take their dogs to the dog park... it was accusation that anyone who does is a menace and about to kill their dog because they are lazy and or stupid.

I could care less if anyone else wants to take their dogs to the dog park or not. I certainly don't think anyone is lazy or stupid for not doing it but I've done it so apparently I'm a sh!tty dog owner who is just too lazy to care. (I am lazy I'm not denying that LOL)

 

[Chewbecca]

Right... i don't think anyone was questioning why others wouldn't take their dogs to the dog park... it was accusation that anyone who does is a menace and about to kill their dog because they are lazy and or stupid.

I could care less if anyone else wants to take their dogs to the dog park or not. I certainly don't think anyone is lazy or stupid for not doing it but I've done it so apparently I'm a sh!tty dog owner who is just too lazy to care. (I am lazy I'm not denying that LOL)

Oh, I barely read past the first or second posts of the first 2-3 pages in this entire thread.

If people want to take their dogs to dog parks, what do I care?
I don't.
I won't have to worry about my dogs encountering their dogs because mine will never see a dog park. Ever.

 

[sparks19]

Oh, I barely read past the first or second posts of the first 2-3 pages in this entire thread.

If people want to take their dogs to dog parks, what do I care?
I don't.
I won't have to worry about my dogs encountering their dogs because mine will never see a dog park. Ever.

that's basically my thought process. My dogs MY choice. your dogs YOUR choice and as long as you aren't starving them or beating them I really couldn't care less what people do with their dogs.

 

[Linds]

My dogs MY choice.

Of course. But that still makes you LAZY

Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[AliciaD]

There is a dog park in the works here. In order to attend your dog must "pass" a meeting with another (hopefully bomb-proof) dog, a class on calming signals, signs that a fight is going to happen, and how to break up a fight effectively, and there's a bunch of other rules and the park is monitored by a staff member while it's open.

The dog park isn't finalized, and I'm wary of their requirements. I'm not sure who is teaching this class, their experience, and who these staff members are, but a lot of the anonymity and issues with public dog parks would be gone if they could do this.

Still there are risks involved with many owners decisions. This one kid used to bully me something awful on the school bus, but many kids ride the bus without any issues at all.

*Shrug*

PS: Reasons I love living in New Hampshire, US:

• No sales tax.
• Gay Marriage.
• No BSL (knock on wood, there was an anti-Rott bill, but it doesn't look like it will pass).
• Awesome slogan "Live Free or Die"... death is not the worst of evils.

 

[stafinois]

My AmStaf, APBT, and Malinois were all raised in an urban apartment. Somehow I managed to raise them all without ever stepping foot in a dog park. Their days were spent on walks, practicing competition obedience, French Ring training, tracking, etc. I would have put the energy level of Harry the Malinois up against any dog alive up to 20 minutes before he died.

There are certainly alternatives to the dog park even if you do live in a tiny place. My dogs didn't have a yard at all, but I made their lives full. I didn't feel that the risk was remotely worth it. As a tech, I got to assist in tons of laceration repairs from the dog park. There were outbreaks of parasites. Good for business, not so good for the dogs.

 

[Linds]

Somehow I managed to raise them all without ever stepping foot in a dog park.

There are certainly alternatives to the dog park even if you do live in a tiny place.

Of course there is, I don't think anyone said (or at least that I saw) that you couldn't exercise your dog without a dog park. Just that if all the stars align and you find for yourself and your dog that the dog park has more benefit than risk that it's a very very valuable resource.

I have alternatives that I use quite often as I've said: biking, hiking off leash illegally, swimming illegally and so on. But for me, the dog park I have in invaluable and I'm pretty sure the same can be said by a lot of people.

But I guess I don't get the point you're making. Yes you had a high energy dog that you managed to keep happy without the aid of a dog park. Good for you! I'm glad you were able to and all was well.

Some people rely on Doggie Daycares. I don't feel comfortable with them and don't use them but I don't talk down or look down to people who do. It's a resource they use that I choose not to. I am able to exercise my dog within my comfort level without a daycare and I and my dogs are good. But if they use it as another dimension for their dogs I'm happy for them.

 

[Doberluv]

Where I live, I doubt if anyone knows what a dog park is. :rofl1:

 

[sparks19]

Of course. But that still makes you LAZY

Sorry, couldn't help myself

LOl I already admitted that that wasn't totally incorrect LOL

 

[AliciaD]

For people who are looking for alternatives to dog parks there are these places, although they have risks that need to be evaluated too...

-Farmers' Markets (outdoors)
-Charity Walks
-Standing outside Walmart of a grocery store can allow your dog to see plenty of different people coming and going.
-Walking down Main Street
-Outdoor cafes
-Kayak launch points (around here they are not strict about dogs)

If I time my walk right, we meet/pass at least 5 people, and 2 dogs, but I know some people live in more rural areas. Anyways, if that gives anyone any new ideas, great! If not, oh well,

 

[sparks19]

My AmStaf, APBT, and Malinois were all raised in an urban apartment. Somehow I managed to raise them all without ever stepping foot in a dog park. Their days were spent on walks, practicing competition obedience, French Ring training, tracking, etc. I would have put the energy level of Harry the Malinois up against any dog alive up to 20 minutes before he died.

There are certainly alternatives to the dog park even if you do live in a tiny place. My dogs didn't have a yard at all, but I made their lives full. I didn't feel that the risk was remotely worth it. As a tech, I got to assist in tons of laceration repairs from the dog park. There were outbreaks of parasites. Good for business, not so good for the dogs.

sure there are alternatives. no one said everyone should go to the dog park.

For some people it's not worth it. For others it's worth it's weight in gold. Nothing wrong with that.

i don't think anyone needed any great ideas for alternatives to dog parks. Seems the people that use them are happy to continue using them and not because they can't think of anything else to do.