We own a boxer, and we took him to different dog parks a couple of times, but every time we would see other dogs fighting or biting each other. Everyone says that it is good to socialize your dog with other dogs. It seems that people just bring their dogs to drain their energy and do not care what will happen if their dog bites another dog. You can see that they have no control over their dog nor did they train their dog, so why bring it to a dog park? Our boxer is playful around other dogs and likes to jump like all boxers do, but he would never attack another dog. After seeing what usually goes on at dog parks, we decided to stop taking our dog to such places.
What are your thoughts on dog parks?
- Thread starter Boxer100
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most people have NO idea that their dog isn't really minding them or that they don't understand canine body language.
I like dog parks, but i quickly assess whos who and whats what and make my decision to stay or leave.
also not all parks are created equal. I see many issues at one and almost none at another. Time of day is also a factor.
I like dog parks, but i quickly assess whos who and whats what and make my decision to stay or leave.
also not all parks are created equal. I see many issues at one and almost none at another. Time of day is also a factor.
I have gone in dog parks, and go quite often. I only bring the dogs of mine I know are good at the dog park. I don't go when it too crowded. I usually go to one near my house that doesn't usually have a lot of dogs there. Maybe a couple. It has a lot of space for a dog park, they tend to be pretty small (about 4-5 acres I think). And we just walk around the entire perimeter of it.
But usually I don't even bother, and we just go to the river and have fun there and avoid the dog park.
But usually I don't even bother, and we just go to the river and have fun there and avoid the dog park.
Parks are not for everyone.
I'm lucky in that I have a dog that does well at them and the park is big enough that I can avoid any problem dogs pretty easily. So I enjoy my visits, though I do make sure to go during off-peak times just to tip the scales in my favor a bit more.
I couldn't run enough to wear out my Aussie on-leash, so parks are a saving grace for me.
I'm lucky in that I have a dog that does well at them and the park is big enough that I can avoid any problem dogs pretty easily. So I enjoy my visits, though I do make sure to go during off-peak times just to tip the scales in my favor a bit more.
I couldn't run enough to wear out my Aussie on-leash, so parks are a saving grace for me.
The dog park I've went to in the past is not very big, but we've had fun. And I sometimes feel like I leave the park more often than I stay, but that's okay with me 
If I have any issues or worries about a certain dog, or (more likely) owner, I just leave. Its not worth any risks, to me.
But I continue to go back, because the good times outweigh the bad!
If I have any issues or worries about a certain dog, or (more likely) owner, I just leave. Its not worth any risks, to me.But I continue to go back, because the good times outweigh the bad!
I love dog parks. I bring my dogs to one. There are times when dogs have fights and the owners dont react and you are like wat the hell man take care of your dog. If the dog keeps fighting people here will tell the owner to take their dog out. It depends really what dogs go. If you know a certain dog that your dog and that dog dont get along just come back another day. Things happen and all you can do is watch out for your dog.
I don't care for them myself since lots of dog owners turn their dogs loose and have no control over them. Plus the fact that a dog could be harboring some disease that mine could pick up. Not enough control for me. I prefer taking them in backwoods trails where they can run free and know we won't be getting into any other dog's face.
I love the dog park I go to. I go at the same time every day, have for years. So I see the same people every day, know their dogs, and know the people very well (well enough that, we all have each others phone numbers, emails and even take each others dogs out if we cant make it out, and babysit each others dogs if ever needed)
the dog park I go to is massive, its a old gravel pit so its about 30 acres, then it backs on to 100's of acres of forest. so its very easy for me to leave a area I dont feel comfortable with if a new dog or a few new dogs come in and I dont know them, or like their body language, then I leave the area and go walk some where else.
I would never take Blaze to a dog park that was only a couple acres. to small of a area for a bunch of dogs that may not know each other well enough IMO.
the dog park I go to is massive, its a old gravel pit so its about 30 acres, then it backs on to 100's of acres of forest. so its very easy for me to leave a area I dont feel comfortable with if a new dog or a few new dogs come in and I dont know them, or like their body language, then I leave the area and go walk some where else.
I would never take Blaze to a dog park that was only a couple acres. to small of a area for a bunch of dogs that may not know each other well enough IMO.
There are two dog parks that are "close-ish" to me. They're not close enough for me to go any days other than weekends, and when I've cruised by they've always been PACKED! Which scares me... luckily, I live 2 minutes from some nice trails and I walk the dogs there. I have yet to ever see another person in there, which makes me happy. On weekends I take Keeda out for trail rides. I did just buy a book at borders about great places to take your dog. I keep leaving it at work, so I haven't gotten to look at it yet...
I haven't gone often, I just started going, and I only take Boomer. Tilly gets to nervous around unknown places and wouldn't enjoy it, and Kassie's way to small.
I keep Boomer in the small dog park section and he's mostly there by himself. There's usually lots of dogs on the big dog park and most of the time they seem to be enjoying themselves, but there are some scary moments with dog fights. It's interesting to see all the dogs run towards two dogs fighting, and scary at the same time. Boomer, on the other hand, who isn't even in the same fenced area, goes hiding behind trees when he hears the fights.
I keep Boomer in the small dog park section and he's mostly there by himself. There's usually lots of dogs on the big dog park and most of the time they seem to be enjoying themselves, but there are some scary moments with dog fights. It's interesting to see all the dogs run towards two dogs fighting, and scary at the same time. Boomer, on the other hand, who isn't even in the same fenced area, goes hiding behind trees when he hears the fights.
I love 'em, but its highly dependent on the park culture. My main park is pretty carefully controlled by the locals, at least at certain times. The other ones I go to are pretty civilized, also by the resident members, and also just because people with real problem dogs seem to have learned not to show up.
That said, both you and your dog need a high tolerance for the unexpected. You also need a dog that is just very social or very playful, or, in the alternative, very laid back. There are dog park dogs, there are dog park people, and there are good dog parks . . . but there are also dogs and people who should never go to the park, and parks you should never go to.
My aunt was asking me how violence is avoided, and I really can't answer that question. Fights do happen, on occasion, but they aren't serious, and they are responded to by most of the humans intervening before something bad happens. But I think that's a park culture thing . . . the dogs aren't crazy or rotten, the humans are responsible, and those who don't fit that description aren't welcome, and may result in a call to the cops, who will show up. So . . . its just . . . some parks are good, some bad . . . but whether you or your dog should go really is a thing with you and your dog.
That said, both you and your dog need a high tolerance for the unexpected. You also need a dog that is just very social or very playful, or, in the alternative, very laid back. There are dog park dogs, there are dog park people, and there are good dog parks . . . but there are also dogs and people who should never go to the park, and parks you should never go to.
My aunt was asking me how violence is avoided, and I really can't answer that question. Fights do happen, on occasion, but they aren't serious, and they are responded to by most of the humans intervening before something bad happens. But I think that's a park culture thing . . . the dogs aren't crazy or rotten, the humans are responsible, and those who don't fit that description aren't welcome, and may result in a call to the cops, who will show up. So . . . its just . . . some parks are good, some bad . . . but whether you or your dog should go really is a thing with you and your dog.
I used to love dog parks but most of the dog parks in my area are too often visited by idiots with DA dogs. I now go to an "unofficial" dog park which is actually a beautiful 30 acre cemetery where several of my friends take their dogs to run around. There are about 8 regular dog owners and only one brings his DA coonhound mix. It is a lot more controlled environment, I have no plans to go back to the regular dog parks. Sal biggest love in the world is playing with other dogs so I have to find him playmates but I won't expose him to dogs I don't know and owners I don't trust.