[Riley's Mom]

Originally Posted By: WolfieI did have one incident recently where a young girl with a "Puggle" came in, this girl immediately ran to me wanting me to hold Yukon back while her dog had fun. I asked is there a specific reason, she replied with "Well I don't want any dog near mine, he doesn't like other dogs." A dog park is a perfect place to bring him then!

I got up to go get Yukon, he wasn't too far from me. All of sudden she starts threatening me with her vet bills, swearing and just making a big deal over something that she could have very easily avoided. Even after I had Yukon sitting next to me, she continued on with her rant, lucky for me her boyfriend came, picked up their dog and convinced her to leave.

I'm not going to get started on the very controversial topic of dog parks. This girl sounds unstable and like she forgot to stand in line when they were handing out brains & common sense. Good thing the boyfriend had enough sense.

 

[Timber1]

I tend to agree with the OP. And, your first paragraph is really strange, because the dog park we have is totally fenced and almost all dogs off leash. In short, why take a dog to a park if it is on leash.

With that said, I am not a fan of dog parks. My first GSD, might react in a defensive mode, if bitten by another dog. However, my recent rescue, whom I picked up on Friday is as gentle as any Shepherd I have had. But he might run, and will not poop on leash. So tommorow, if the light long line doesn't work we are going to the dog park.

 

[Chicagocanine]

The dog parks in my area are "official" and have rules. They have separate areas for small dogs/puppies. Pretty much every dog park anywhere near my area also requires a membership, dog tag and permit. The minimum for membership in the parks around here is the dog must have current rabies/distemper/parvo/parainfluenza/bordetella vaccinations and a vet exam and fecal within a year of applying for membership. Then you have to buy a permit and tag which must be with you at all times when in the park. (Other requirements are added on depending on which city runs the park.) The parks I've visited have people who come often and check to make sure everyone has their tags/permits and is following the rules.

 

[jsherry]

As a GSD owner, I would be nervous if another GSD came running at me. I would also be nervous that Panzer might go into protect mode and a fight might break out.

Nonetheless, we no longer go to dog parks because the "mean GSD" is always a dog that the other people there do not trust or are leary of. Panzer has never gone after another dog at the dog park on his own. He went after a dog that was biting his heels repeatedly for about 20 min. The other owner thanked us for Panzer teaching her dog a lesson...what? How about don't take your dog there if it needs to be taught a lesson.... That was the last day we went!

 

[Timber1]

The kicker is most acts of strong aggression I see at the dog parks are not instigated by German Shepherds.

 

[jsherry]

Originally Posted By: Timber1The kicker is most acts of strong aggression I see at the dog parks are not instigated by German Shepherds.

Isn't that the truth!

 

[Baby Byron]

We're not big into dog parks either, with or without membership. I had once a bad experience with Arrow (solid black long coat we had years back) when an unleashed rottie that was actually being trained on down-stay decided to break off the command and come running towards us. My dog was leashed but since the rot came on too hot and barking Arrow immediately armed his guard in attack mode. It wasn't pretty and I'm glad the Rot quickly assessed the sizeable trouble he was about to get himself into and backed off before both dogs physically met. And I had to hear from the Rot's owner that "you people and your vicious dogs should not be allowed on streets". Imagine that...

 

[sprzybyl]

Isn't it such a shame- the dog parks seem like such a good idea and something that can be such a good thing for communities... but people are just dumb, aren't they?

 

[rjvamp]

This is why I don't go to dog parks and with strangers I try to keep Angeles with me and not see them as a petting zoo. There could be misundertandings on their part which could lead to (1) the little dog could have tried to bite your dog - fight ensues!, (2) the lady that fell could claim she hurt herself and try and sue you for any health and or emotional claims and (3) your dog could bite if felt threatened by her kicking....then you have a whole can of worms to worry about there including have a perfectly good dog put down or deemed a vicious dog. Please be careful.

 

[Caledon]

I agree. I don't have any one who owns a dog so the only way my pup gets to socialize with other dogs in in an off leash park.

On Sunday we went to one and there were two beautiful recused greyhounds, both muzzled. I asked the owner why and her comment was that they were racing dogs and tended to nip at other dogs when they were running.

Would it make sense to have all dogs muzzled in a dog park? Of course they couldn't fetch. Just like a dog is leashed in public, put a muzzle on them when they are in a dog park.

 

[SharkB8]

Three of my good friends are DEATHLY afraid of German shepherds.

One, was a professor of mine. I was driving home for the holidays straight from taking a final exam and asked if he could watch Maxx for half an hour while I take the test. He said "You're a good kid, but I don't do German shepherds."

Another is a guy shoot wedding photos with. I talk about Maxx and assure him he's an angel pie from a cloud happiness made in Heaven. Uh-uh. No desire to meet him or give him the time of day.

My fiance and I shoot wedding videos and we had a wedding on Martha's Vineyard. We were on the ferry when we realized we'd forgotten the batteries for the camera (D'oH!) and asked a buddy to break into our house, get the battery and drive to the port and put it on a ferry.

He was MORE than happy to do this, but needed to know "Where is the German shepherd?" I get that an intruder is a bit different...but even at a lobster bake we had, where Maxx was wandering around, he has no use for him.

I know no one has to love our shepherds as much as we do, but I hope the fear people have for ALL shepherds dissipates!

 

[SharkB8]

Originally Posted By: Baby ByronWe're not big into dog parks either, with or without membership. I had once a bad experience with Arrow (solid black long coat we had years back) when an unleashed rottie that was actually being trained on down-stay decided to break off the command and come running towards us.

Arrow is an awesome name, BTW.

 

[cgarrity]

I'm someone who owns large dogs and one very small Miniature Pinscher and if any large unknown dog not under the control of the owner came trotting up to see my 6 lb. little guy I would be picking him up out of harm's way too. Although my little dog gets along and plays very courageously with his huge "brothers" at my home, I would not expect a strange dog to behave appropriately with a very small dog. You will never know what your dog will do with a strange dog. I would strongly suggest to keep your dog under a leash and under control. If a child is in the park and if your "friendly" dog accidently knocks a kid off of his feet and injures a child (or a small dog for that matter) you will be responsible to pay for damages. It's much safer to keep your dog on a leash and under control. I never take my dogs to a dog park. I like our private fenced yard that keeps them in and other dogs out. Dog parks can be very dangerous places for other dogs and for humans too.

 

[Baby Byron]

Thanks SharkB8. Arrow was named after the dog on Nilson's "The Point" from around the neighborhood of 1973. Ouch... I remember watching the animated movie on PBS and being fascinated with the loyalty and dedication of that dog to the wee li'l kid that was born without a pointed head in the Land of Point. The soundtrack includes the song "Me and my Arrow" which I used to sing to my Arrow when he was a wee puppy that couldn't understand where all his siblings had gone all of a sudden... His first couple of nights with us were... tough...