Dog park dilemma/ recommendation on actions

2146 Views 31 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Kris10, Nov 5, 2010

LunoLUV

Discussion Starter · Nov 2, 2010

Wondering if I am overreacting. I was at the dog park and everything was fine except there was a dog that got a little to rough with the other dogs. Well he went after my dog and he was mainly just growling and grabbing his neck. Well I got in between the two and decided to leave (the other owner was not interfering like usual). He kept going after Luno (whose is 60lbs and 6mo). Well I just calmly said be nice to the other dog multiple times as I got between them holding my dog by his collar. Then the dog was able to get past me and he bit Luno in the side hard enough for him to yelp which at that point I yelled at the dog and kept yelling till he backed up!!! I was so angry I wanted to hit the dog!!!!

The owner didnt make any kind of notion to stop and only after I yelled at her dog did she grab him!!!! And then let him go and he ran right back to us at the door!!! UGH I hate irresponsible owners.

Well anyway my BF says I should let him go because he need to learn to defend himself.... just in case I'm not their one time. But it should never have to come to that. Should I not grab my dog by the collar because he may think he doing something wrong? I don't wan tLuno to turn into a scared dog... He 98% around good dogs at the park and he always does great! Its just every once in awhile there are horrible owners there and I leave as soon as it gets to be a problem!!!

What do you guys do in this situation and what recommendations do you have?

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Mrs.K

· #2 · Nov 2, 2010

frankly, i don't go to dog parks anymore because of these kind of situations and irresponsible dog owners. If I want my dogs to socialize I do that with dogs I know.

I would not go back there.

codmaster

· #3 · Nov 2, 2010

Mrs.K said:
frankly, i don't go to dog parks anymore because of these kind of situations and irresponsible dog owners. If I want my dogs to socialize I do that with dogs I know. I would not go back there.

Absolutely DITTO!

You unfortunately ran into the common problem at dog parks! Bad owners with aggressive dogs.

Much better to meet with other responsible people with well manered dogs.

BTW, I would have hit any dog who actually bites or tries to bite my dog, esp. when he was a puppy!

APBTLove

· #4 · Nov 2, 2010

Umm.. "Learn to defend himself"? He is a dog. If it's a SERIOUS situation he will. But come on, 'defending himself' means a fight at the park and people looking at the german shepherd as the bad guy..
There is a very simple solution to this dilemma - stay out of dog parks. They are just not a good place to socialize your dog, and it's YOUR responsibility to keep your dog safe, and making him be around a dog who bullies him is not doing your job.

Set up play dates with some of the good owners at the park, outside of the park.. I've voiced my opinions on dog parks before.. many times. Disease, bad owners, possible fights, stressful situations and etc.

Syaoransbear

· #5 · Nov 2, 2010

I wouldn't listen to your boyfriend. Dogs don't need to learn how to defend themselves, the owners are the ones that need to do the defending.

I would avoid the dog park when that dog is around, or talk to the owner that you aren't comfortable with her dog playing that rough with your dog, and for her to call her dog back. If she can't call her dog back, she shouldn't be there.

GSDAlphaMom

· #6 · Nov 2, 2010

I no longer do them either. THey are full of idiot owners. It just takes one bad experience to imprint a pup.

sagelfn

· #7 · Nov 3, 2010

Was this a Boxer mix named "Dusty"? You can PM me if you'd like

I have stopped going to the main park in town because of this dog and a few others. I go to the upper one now or one just out of town.

LunoLUV

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 3, 2010

I PM'ed you about the dog issue, I am pretty sure that I am only going to the upper park as well and be very observant and see who is there!

Has anyone else gotten into arguments at the dog park? Or am I just crazy and overreacting? I didnt get into an argument today because I just left but why should I have to leave when my dog was being good? I guess I was just being the more responsible one and an adult..... or a coward for avoiding confrontation lol..

shadow mum

· #9 · Nov 3, 2010

This is exactly the reason that Shadow and I stopped going to dog parks. He was attacked, and I was trying to pull them apart. The other owner kept saying they were just playing. It's been a year and we are finally able to walk down the street without Shadow going nuts when we see another dog.

onyx'girl

· #10 · Nov 3, 2010

I can't believe that daily dog park fights don't happen(between dogs and owners) One day I am going to go by myself just for the entertainment.
You did the right thing in leaving. A 6 month old pup is vulnerable on imprinting, and it could take a long time if ever to get over a fight.

selzer

· #11 · Nov 3, 2010

I will not allow my dog to defend itself. That is too dangerous for my dog. If little snappy dog comes up and before I can respond, bites my dog, and my dog defends itself, I might have to pay for the other dogs vet bills, pay for the dog as it might be dead, might have to prove to some animal control or judge that my dog is not viscious and should not be destroyed, might have to do a delicate song and dance to my homeowners insurance policy if the people truly go after me.

I do not WANT my dog to defend itself. I do not want to have to grab my dog by the tail and pull him away from a bloody scene. If I can maintain control of my dog and yell down, or kick away the other dog, the owner may not realize how happy they should be, but it would definitely be best for all parties.

jakeandrenee

· #12 · Nov 3, 2010

No dog parks here....too much risk.

KZoppa

· #13 · Nov 3, 2010

base dog park. thats it and thats rare these days. People are responsible there but Riley is jumpy at any dog park now, especially if he see's a spaniel or a saint bernard. socializing for me constitutes a walk, pet store visits, ect. And luckily there are a few GSD owners who go to the base dog park so they're aware of what could go wrong. irresponsible owners generally get chased out and told not to come back until they can control their dog.

Chicagocanine

· #14 · Nov 3, 2010

LunoLUV said:
Wondering if I am overreacting. I was at the dog park and everything was fine except there was a dog that got a little to rough with the other dogs. Well he went after my dog and he was mainly just growling and grabbing his neck.

Was he aggressive or just playing rough? From the description it just sounds like a dog who likes to play in a mouthy way? My friend's dog Calvin always grabs at Bianca's neck (sometimes grabs/nips and pulls pretty hard) and growls when they are playing but it is all in a playful way, and Bianca just plays back.

codmaster

· #15 · Nov 3, 2010

Interesting topic about a dog defending himself. Kind of a tough question because of the possibilities.

I certainly wouldn't want my dog to get into a fight and he hasn't really so far, but OTOH I also don't want him running away if a dog challenges him so I guess the best thing is to keep him out of fight situations. And our current dog would not back down so far as I know him now so we just try hard to avoid putting him in such a position.

But I would be very reluctant to take a young puppy to a dog park because of the risk of there being aggrssive, bullying dogs there.

Although a confident dog should be able to rebound from such an encounter, why take the chance he might get hurt.

TitonsDad

· #16 · Nov 3, 2010

Your boyfriend needs a swift kick to the junk. Then see if he likes to defend himself afterwards. (Similar to a dog being bitten unexpectedly and then forced to defend himself).

codmaster

· #17 · Nov 3, 2010

TitonsDad said:
Your boyfriend needs a swift kick to the junk. Then see if he likes to defend himself afterwards. (Similar to a dog being bitten unexpectedly and then forced to defend himself).

Many folks would defend themselves very strongly in just that situation - as would a lot of dogs as well.

TitonsDad

· #18 · Nov 3, 2010

codmaster said:
Many folks would defend themselves very strongly in just that situation - as would a lot of dogs as well.

I won't fault you for not getting my point.

No dog should HAVE to defend themselves because of someone else's stupidity in handling their own dog.

Hence, the boyfriend wants the dog to go to the dog park to learn to defend himself.

codmaster

· #19 · Nov 3, 2010

TitonsDad said:
I won't fault you for not getting my point.

No dog should HAVE to defend themselves because of someone else's stupidity in handling their own dog.

Hence, the boyfriend wants the dog to go to the dog park to learn to defend himself.

What was your point that you seem to assume that I missed?

I thought you were implying that you wanted to see her boyfriend kicked in the privates and you seemed to think that no one would defend themselves in that case.

Sorry if I missed whatever point you tried to make.

BTW, if you really feel that way, I hope that you never get in a street fight, kick your opponent you know where and then turn away thinking that you won. Might get a real big surprise!

And hopefully you won't get involved in a dog fight with a dog who is no coward and gets bit first. Many dogs would simply be upset and made angry and come back to the fight with a great determination.

Have a nice day!

TitonsDad

· #20 · Nov 3, 2010 (Edited by Moderator)

*removed*

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