DH and I took Katie & Titan for a 3 mile walk this afternoon, and then to the dog park. Things went great, they both behaved well, Katie did her usual stick to one dog and herd it thing, and Titan was Mr Happy meeting people and dogs, and found a new game called frisbee. We went back this afternoon because my in-laws wanted to see the park. There were 5-6 dogs there, a mastiff, cocker spaniel, husky, a lab and my two shepherds. Things were great. Then some guy shows up with his wife and dog and they are playing frisbee with their dog. Titan got interested of course and goes to play with the guy and his dog. While this happens, the guy has to go a few times and pick up the frisbee for Titan, who was scratching at it because he couldn't get it off the sandy ground. Titan goes for the frisbee and catches the guys hand, a little nip. I was maybe 20 feet away, the guy shakes his hand and continues to play with Titan and his dog. Then a lady shows up with a Doberman mix. She brings in her chuck-it and goes to the end of the park to play with her dog. Titan follows her once he sees the chuck it. I have played chuck-it with Katie, but all Titan does is want to bite the chuck it, its like he thinks thats the game. I don't play with it with him anymore, just because it got annoying. So the lady is playing, and Titan leaps to get the chuck-it. She pulls it up in the air, and goes on playing. I didn't see when he got her, but I guess he went for it again and nipped her in the arm. I see him leaping up at her, so I call him over and he starts coming. She screams "IS THIS YOUR DOG? HE JUST BIT ME!!" So I run over with DH behind me to see what happened. She's standing there with the chuck-it under her arm, so I say "Oh did he try to grab the chuck-it? He always tries to grab it from me" and she says "well geez, I'm the second person your dog has bitten, what are you doing here with him?" and I said "well, its never happened before and he was just going for the toys I assume, he's only a puppy, I appologize if he got you" and she says "Well about time you appologized, I don't want to hear excuses, your dog is dangerous and should leave, doens't matter if he's playing with the toys" and i tell her "well i've personally been nipped 4-5 times (no lie, its dogs playing what do you expect, twice broke the skin), and I know my husband even has a scar on his leg when he was bitten by two dogs rough-housing" and she tells me "Well he's DANGEROUS and shouldn't be here". I couldn't believe it. I called her a bitch and walked out with my two. I was furious. I understand no dog should bite, but a 7 month old puppy who's playing with toys? I don't know if I'm taking this the wrong way, but I was furious. This is a lady who I was told by DH last week that she said "he's a great dog, loves the ball" AND THIS LADY WAS PLAYING WITH HIM FOR 15 MINUTES?!?! Now all of a sudden he's "Dangerous?" DH and I decided thats the last of the dog park for us. I don't want to have some nut bag call the cops and have my dog put to sleep or something. But I know from my own experience that I've been nipped 4-5 times from dogs, grabbing a ball, or just in the wrong spot during a scuffle. I decided we will now do private doggie play dates. I just can't believe this lady thought Titan was biting her. Titan is well socialized, he goes everywhere with me, has been around tons of kids, dogs, people and places. What do you all think? I know people can be very defensive of their dogs, and I guess thats the issue at these places, the people not the dogs.
Nikkoli110
I've met Titan, he's the mellowest GSD puppy ever. Unless he's completely reversed his personality and turned into OTTO, that lady has issues.
LOL, nipped 4 or 5 times. Did you mean since you've had him or today
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? Its a good day if my puppah only nips me 4 or 5 times. Even better if he doesn't slap me in the face with his mighty paw when he's trying to be sweet and cuddle.
LOL, nipped 4 or 5 times. Did you mean since you've had him or today
Let me understand this. Your dog nips/bites you and your husband. You take your dogs to the doggie park and one of your dogs bites/nips one person and the second person that your dog bites/nips is upset and threatening and you're pissed? Maybe take some obedience classes with your dog before you get sued. Not trying to be funny but you have to take measures to get your dogs under control.
frank
frank
Bottom line - people don't go to dog parks to be annoyed by (and you said he even annoys you with the check it) - let alone bit by an out of control dog.
"Nipped" is such a nice word - teeth on skin is still a bite. Titan is a 7 month old GSD. That makes him big and strong. Add 'not controlled' to that and it can become dangerous.
Perhaps when Titan has a better recall and you can keep him with you instead of chasing after other dogs' toys, you will have a better time at the park or on his private play dates.
Calling the woman a name because she was unhappy at being bitten did not help matters. It is your responsibilty as the owner to have control of your dog, especially since you knew he had a history of biting/nipping you over toys.
As a trainer, I would suggest that you get the nipping under control and let him know you are in charge of all toys. Teach him a 'wait' and don't let him go after the balls or frisbees until he is released by you.
I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but you are playing a dangerous game allowing this unrestrained behavior.
"Nipped" is such a nice word - teeth on skin is still a bite. Titan is a 7 month old GSD. That makes him big and strong. Add 'not controlled' to that and it can become dangerous.
Perhaps when Titan has a better recall and you can keep him with you instead of chasing after other dogs' toys, you will have a better time at the park or on his private play dates.
Calling the woman a name because she was unhappy at being bitten did not help matters. It is your responsibilty as the owner to have control of your dog, especially since you knew he had a history of biting/nipping you over toys.
This is certainly true.
As a trainer, I would suggest that you get the nipping under control and let him know you are in charge of all toys. Teach him a 'wait' and don't let him go after the balls or frisbees until he is released by you.
I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but you are playing a dangerous game allowing this unrestrained behavior.
No you don't understand this, my dog doesn't nip ME 4-5, my dog hasn't nipped me or anyone else since he was maybe 3 months old, I have gotten bitten 4-5 times at the same dog park by other people's dogs. My husband has been bitten by other dogs there.
Nikki,
Sorry you had a bad experience. This woman sounds very annoying and like she was overreacting but you could also use this as an opportunity to help you identify more training you need to do with Titan. I have been bitten many times by dogs who mistook my hand, arm, etc. for a ball but I also understand how someone could be upset about it. Having suffered a very nasty puncture wound from an over-exuberant gsd foster I will say that it's also NOT a good thing to allow your dog to continue to do. I personally get very annoyed by dogs who jump on me or bite me while trying to get something or get to me and I also find it frightening because I have been bitten several times by fearful dogs.
My Rafi is very sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly but he does do this thing where he bounces around like Tigger with the ball in his mouth and growls. He is playing and I know he is playing but not everyone else knows that and he has really scared some kids by playing like that. I realized that it was my responsibility to teach him that he couldn't play like that all of the time. He is much better now and if I tell him to stop, he stops immediately.
I hate the negative associations people have with gsds and rotties so I over train my dogs to be sure that nothing they do will reinforce those associations. I think it's a good idea to skip the dog park until you can get Titan a little more under your control.
Sorry you had a bad experience. This woman sounds very annoying and like she was overreacting but you could also use this as an opportunity to help you identify more training you need to do with Titan. I have been bitten many times by dogs who mistook my hand, arm, etc. for a ball but I also understand how someone could be upset about it. Having suffered a very nasty puncture wound from an over-exuberant gsd foster I will say that it's also NOT a good thing to allow your dog to continue to do. I personally get very annoyed by dogs who jump on me or bite me while trying to get something or get to me and I also find it frightening because I have been bitten several times by fearful dogs.
My Rafi is very sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly but he does do this thing where he bounces around like Tigger with the ball in his mouth and growls. He is playing and I know he is playing but not everyone else knows that and he has really scared some kids by playing like that. I realized that it was my responsibility to teach him that he couldn't play like that all of the time. He is much better now and if I tell him to stop, he stops immediately.
I hate the negative associations people have with gsds and rotties so I over train my dogs to be sure that nothing they do will reinforce those associations. I think it's a good idea to skip the dog park until you can get Titan a little more under your control.
I totally understand Titan needs more training, DH and I have been working on his recall. His recall is fine when its him and I in my yard, but add a ball or another toy being flung around and he's gone.
I have also been bitten by dogs going to pick up a toy, and I consider myself a dog-savy person. I watch where the dog is, some dogs lunge at the ball and catch your hand, some don't, you kind of have to watch the dog and see what the dog does first.
Now when I am playing ball with Titan, its drop it, sit and stay until I pick it up, then he is allowed to go get it. If he lunges the ball stays put, he's back in a sit stay, and then we try again. Again, this is a 7 month old dog, and we're not professionals, we're working on it.
With the chuck-it, I just haven't played it with him because he goes for the chuck-it like nuts, so I just stopped and figured it'd be a thing to work on soon once we got the other things figured out. I didn't know this lady was going to come to the park and play chuck-it with her and my dog.
I have also been bitten by dogs going to pick up a toy, and I consider myself a dog-savy person. I watch where the dog is, some dogs lunge at the ball and catch your hand, some don't, you kind of have to watch the dog and see what the dog does first.
Now when I am playing ball with Titan, its drop it, sit and stay until I pick it up, then he is allowed to go get it. If he lunges the ball stays put, he's back in a sit stay, and then we try again. Again, this is a 7 month old dog, and we're not professionals, we're working on it.
With the chuck-it, I just haven't played it with him because he goes for the chuck-it like nuts, so I just stopped and figured it'd be a thing to work on soon once we got the other things figured out. I didn't know this lady was going to come to the park and play chuck-it with her and my dog.
It is what I want to hear, I came for advice, and thank you for it. I definatly need to work on his recall, he's been doing ok with it at home, but he's not even 50% when we are out there.
I have been working on the sit and stay while playing with toys, but its a park filled with dog balls and frisbees. I take him there to be socialized with other dogs, and it just so happened today people play with Titan and the toys. Most people are smart enough to say "No" or "Down" if he jumps, and he knows those commands. While we were there the first time he played ball and frisbee with two other men and was great, they told him to sit and stay. Its something that has never happened before, and he and Katie are at this dog park 2-4 times a week.
And I must have written it wrong, because he doens't have a history of biting me over toys. He tries to grab the chuck-it once I toss the ball with it, once and a while he'll try to grab a ball when I do, but he's never nipped me while doing it.
I think that things that often seem like a work-in-progress thing to me can be very different for other people. This is especially true when you have a gsd, even as a puppy. Like Rafi's play growling--that seemed cute to me until I realized he didn't understand that he couldn't play like that with everyone. Once I realized that I kept him on a leash around kids until I had him trained not to play like that all of the time.
I think that until you get Titan to a place where he isn't grabbing at people's body parts to get a toy you should not take him to dog parks. That will keep him under your control (you won't have to worry about someone else playing with him) and make training easier too.
I think that until you get Titan to a place where he isn't grabbing at people's body parts to get a toy you should not take him to dog parks. That will keep him under your control (you won't have to worry about someone else playing with him) and make training easier too.
I'm not a dogpark fan. If I took my dog to a dogpark to play and had someone else's dog bouncing around and at me like that, I'd get pretty offended. Some people get scared, especially with a GSD.
IMHO,
The lady overreacted and blew this out of proportion. He is a puppy still and "it" happens, especially with excited youngsters.
That being said, you made a couple mistakes. That lady brought her dog and "went to the end of the park" to play with him. Not play with your dog. You should not have let him follow that lady knowing he tries to bite the chuck-it. You should have gotten control over your dog when he tagged the guy with the frisbee by accident. You're setting yourself up for a lawsuit or a visit from AC.
Your one dog that picks out a dog and "herds" it around the whole time. It's bad manners and he's harrassing the other dogs. NONE of mine would put up with this and there would be a dogfight.
Why are you standing around while other people are playing with your dog? You should be playing with your dog.
IMHO,
The lady overreacted and blew this out of proportion. He is a puppy still and "it" happens, especially with excited youngsters.
That being said, you made a couple mistakes. That lady brought her dog and "went to the end of the park" to play with him. Not play with your dog. You should not have let him follow that lady knowing he tries to bite the chuck-it. You should have gotten control over your dog when he tagged the guy with the frisbee by accident. You're setting yourself up for a lawsuit or a visit from AC.
Your one dog that picks out a dog and "herds" it around the whole time. It's bad manners and he's harrassing the other dogs. NONE of mine would put up with this and there would be a dogfight.
Why are you standing around while other people are playing with your dog? You should be playing with your dog.
Well this is a dog park that is about 100x300 feet, its not one of those really large places. To me, if you want to play ball with your dog alone, choose one of the 3 empty fenced in baseball fields next to the dog park, or your backyard. My dogs go there to play with other dogs. This same lady has played ball with Titan before and never had a problem, and complimented him on the fact that he was a good dog, to DH.
I've never heard of it being bad manners before, she runs after and sticks to one dog. Usually the owners come over and thank Katie for wearing out their dog. She doesn't bite or even bark, but she sticks next to the dog like its her job. There have been many dogs who don't like it, they snap, she backs off and goes to another dog.
I play with my dogs at home, I don't take them to the park to play with me, I take them there to interact and socialize with strangers and dogs. If I wanted to take them to just play ball or work on obedience I take them to the ballfields nearby. I didn't know it was wrong for other people to play with my dog
I'm sorry, but I really think that you are in the wrong here. I read your entire post, word for word, so I understand what you were saying, I didn't just "skim" over it.
I don't think this woman was blowing the incident way out of proportion or has issues. Maybe last time she played with Titan he WAS a perfect puppy. Obviously this time he wasn't.
If I went to a dog park to play with my dogs and another dog not only intruded in our game, but jumped for the toy and nipped my arm, I think I would be quite upset too.
Not to mention he did it to someone else.
That stated, let me tell you my dogs are a year old and I could completely see them doing the same thing, maybe even being a bit rougher than Titan. That's why we don't take them around other dogs. Harley has tried to take something out of my hand several times, thinking it was a "toy". Mine don't nip so much as scratch.
I know you love your dogs and are defensive of them, we all are, but I think you need to realize you're playing with fire. There are a lot of sue-crazy nuts out there.
People much more knowledgeable about training have already put their two cents in, so I'm not going to go into something I'm not an expert in.
I know my dogs are still "puppies" at a year old, but if one of them were running at me, I'd be a bit concerned.
I'm looking at this as a lesson for myself also. We do take them down to a park in our sub a few houses down. They play off leash & we usually get them back on if we see someone approaching.
A few months ago we didn't see a teenage girl by the play area. The dogs ran up to her, just wanting to say "hi", DH & I are running after them yelling "they're just puppies". Harley was probably already 60-70 lbs. they were all excited & he jumped on her in greeting. We arrived & quickly put them on leashes, I couldn't apologize enough. Then I noticed she was on the ground searching for something, then she picked it up.
He had broken her necklace. OMG, I was mortified. She picked up the broken chain & I don't remember what kind of stone it was. Then she started to walk away, fast, I kept calling after her, please let us pay for it, she just waved us off, saying it wasn't worth much. Never saw her again.
I know this is a little off topic, but I consider that a close call & that's kind of what I thought reading your post.
And yes, believe me, I know my dogs need training. Am working on it, DH is the problem, our last GSD didn't have formal training & was a wonderful dog, so....he just assumes these two will be the same.
I don't think this woman was blowing the incident way out of proportion or has issues. Maybe last time she played with Titan he WAS a perfect puppy. Obviously this time he wasn't.
If I went to a dog park to play with my dogs and another dog not only intruded in our game, but jumped for the toy and nipped my arm, I think I would be quite upset too.
Not to mention he did it to someone else.
That stated, let me tell you my dogs are a year old and I could completely see them doing the same thing, maybe even being a bit rougher than Titan. That's why we don't take them around other dogs. Harley has tried to take something out of my hand several times, thinking it was a "toy". Mine don't nip so much as scratch.
I know you love your dogs and are defensive of them, we all are, but I think you need to realize you're playing with fire. There are a lot of sue-crazy nuts out there.
People much more knowledgeable about training have already put their two cents in, so I'm not going to go into something I'm not an expert in.
I know my dogs are still "puppies" at a year old, but if one of them were running at me, I'd be a bit concerned.
I'm looking at this as a lesson for myself also. We do take them down to a park in our sub a few houses down. They play off leash & we usually get them back on if we see someone approaching.
A few months ago we didn't see a teenage girl by the play area. The dogs ran up to her, just wanting to say "hi", DH & I are running after them yelling "they're just puppies". Harley was probably already 60-70 lbs. they were all excited & he jumped on her in greeting. We arrived & quickly put them on leashes, I couldn't apologize enough. Then I noticed she was on the ground searching for something, then she picked it up.
He had broken her necklace. OMG, I was mortified. She picked up the broken chain & I don't remember what kind of stone it was. Then she started to walk away, fast, I kept calling after her, please let us pay for it, she just waved us off, saying it wasn't worth much. Never saw her again.
I know this is a little off topic, but I consider that a close call & that's kind of what I thought reading your post.
And yes, believe me, I know my dogs need training. Am working on it, DH is the problem, our last GSD didn't have formal training & was a wonderful dog, so....he just assumes these two will be the same.
No offense, but I would have to side with the "chuck it" lady. After Titan nipped the first person, you should have either kept him near you (and played with him) or left the park. Misbehaviors like nipping need correction. If it means he can't play at the park, so be it.
Knowing Titan's history with a "chuck it," you should have kept him near you. The lady's response to the nipping is perfectly reasonable. Getting nipped is not pleasant. Telling her instances where you or your husband were bit/nipped does not make her discomfort dissipate. Calling her a name was wholly inappropriate, and if you see her at the park again, I'd hope you'd apologize.
Knowing Titan's history with a "chuck it," you should have kept him near you. The lady's response to the nipping is perfectly reasonable. Getting nipped is not pleasant. Telling her instances where you or your husband were bit/nipped does not make her discomfort dissipate. Calling her a name was wholly inappropriate, and if you see her at the park again, I'd hope you'd apologize.
Whups, sorry Nikki, I cut myself off there and wasn't done yet.
To finish up... I was going to say, don't worry about it too much and chalk it up to a learning experience. You've got an idea of what you need to work on with Titan but he needs some maturing time too. He IS a pup after all, no one got hurt and that lady's obviously got an "issue" somewhere. I'd not quit going there, but maybe avoid that particular woman as much as possible.
Just a warning about the "herding"...to some dogs, it is highly rude behavior. My dogs will not tolerate another dog trying that with them. And I have one that is a huge dog "herder" too. I have to watch her like a hawk.
To finish up... I was going to say, don't worry about it too much and chalk it up to a learning experience. You've got an idea of what you need to work on with Titan but he needs some maturing time too. He IS a pup after all, no one got hurt and that lady's obviously got an "issue" somewhere. I'd not quit going there, but maybe avoid that particular woman as much as possible.
Just a warning about the "herding"...to some dogs, it is highly rude behavior. My dogs will not tolerate another dog trying that with them. And I have one that is a huge dog "herder" too. I have to watch her like a hawk.
Dog parks must be different all over, but I have not heard of any that I would want to take my dogs to.
That said, the dog is seven months old, OF COURSE HE NEEDS SOME MORE TRAINING!!!!
It sounds like people at your park are accustomed to playing with other people's dogs. It sounds like the guy with the frisbee felt that the dog was a bit exhuberant and shook it off and was kool about it.
The only thing I think you did wrong was the episode with the woman. First you have to be 100% concious about your pup all the time, whoever he is with and whatever he is doing. So when she pulled out a chuck it, you should have pulled your dog away, knowing that the toy gets him more exhuberant than some others.
The thing is, people are totally unpredictable. People may laugh off a bite from a lab or cocker that breaks the skin and all, but will crucify a shepherd for much less. So even in dog-friendly environments, you need to be your dog's protector. If you think that he may get over-excited, step in and remove him from the possible problem.
Lastly, it is never a good idea to call a person a nasty name (so that they can hear you). The last time I did that was back in 1987 when I was a teenager and some yayhoo threw a cigarette butt down in a gastation, and I called him a slob. He acted like he was going to get out of his car and come after me. It was stupid, I know. But I was a bit more impulsive back then. Calling a person a bitch will never improve the situation at all. An appology could have been the end of your little situation; by infuriating the woman, she can probably get you banned from the park, a visit from animal control and possibly the police, and if she is crazy enough, it could be enough for her to start stalking you. You just cannot know about people these days. No good can come out of it, and if you want to continue to own a powerful and potentially dangerous (as all GSDs are) working/guarding/herding breed, than you need to learn how to get along with people without losing control of your mouth. GSD owners have enough troubles, caused by irrational fears, prejudice, breed profiling etc, that your pup does not need the added handicap of an owner that isn't civil. That's my opinion, sorry to be harsh.
I think your dog is fine, (but all puppies need more training). I think that it sounds not so much a bite but not being encouraged to be gentle when playing. That comes if you continue to play with him and the chuck it at home. I think that the woman did over-react, but that you should have noticed what was going on and intervened before it came to that.
That said, the dog is seven months old, OF COURSE HE NEEDS SOME MORE TRAINING!!!!
It sounds like people at your park are accustomed to playing with other people's dogs. It sounds like the guy with the frisbee felt that the dog was a bit exhuberant and shook it off and was kool about it.
The only thing I think you did wrong was the episode with the woman. First you have to be 100% concious about your pup all the time, whoever he is with and whatever he is doing. So when she pulled out a chuck it, you should have pulled your dog away, knowing that the toy gets him more exhuberant than some others.
The thing is, people are totally unpredictable. People may laugh off a bite from a lab or cocker that breaks the skin and all, but will crucify a shepherd for much less. So even in dog-friendly environments, you need to be your dog's protector. If you think that he may get over-excited, step in and remove him from the possible problem.
Lastly, it is never a good idea to call a person a nasty name (so that they can hear you). The last time I did that was back in 1987 when I was a teenager and some yayhoo threw a cigarette butt down in a gastation, and I called him a slob. He acted like he was going to get out of his car and come after me. It was stupid, I know. But I was a bit more impulsive back then. Calling a person a bitch will never improve the situation at all. An appology could have been the end of your little situation; by infuriating the woman, she can probably get you banned from the park, a visit from animal control and possibly the police, and if she is crazy enough, it could be enough for her to start stalking you. You just cannot know about people these days. No good can come out of it, and if you want to continue to own a powerful and potentially dangerous (as all GSDs are) working/guarding/herding breed, than you need to learn how to get along with people without losing control of your mouth. GSD owners have enough troubles, caused by irrational fears, prejudice, breed profiling etc, that your pup does not need the added handicap of an owner that isn't civil. That's my opinion, sorry to be harsh.
I think your dog is fine, (but all puppies need more training). I think that it sounds not so much a bite but not being encouraged to be gentle when playing. That comes if you continue to play with him and the chuck it at home. I think that the woman did over-react, but that you should have noticed what was going on and intervened before it came to that.
We don't have dog parks around us but we do have a dog beach. My personal feelings on it are....As much as I would love to take Baron to the dog beach theres no way I would. Other people don't have control of their animals and they just let them run off leash to do as they please. I don't know the animal, I don't know what their capable of. If a dog comes running up to you jumping and snapping for what he wants that can be real scary. You know that your pup is harmless just like I know my Baron is a big goofball, but that lady doesn't know that your pup wants the chuckit. On the other hand the lady was just a idiot about it. I mean a nick is not the end of the world. I never have let Baron go off leash outside a confined area. He listens and would come back but still why chance it. I would rather have him under control where I have control over what he does and what happens to him....to a degree of course. I have people in my neighborhood that will not walk on the same side of the street as our fence because they are scared of Baron. I have seen them walk to the other side of the street and once past the fence walk back over to the right side of the road. Case in point I know he's a big baby but if he ran up to that person just to lick scent of lunch off their fingers they would have a heart attack. I think its a smart move that your eliminating yourselves from this dangerous situation.
There are many reasons why its a bad idea to take a high drive toy oriented GSD to a dog park, of w/c two are: One, they will go after other dogs' toys w/c can result in a dog fight, or bullying of a submissive dog, or annoying or angering the owners of other dogs.
Two, they can end up putting their teeth on other people while going after the toys. The owner may find it acceptable but it is well within the right of anybody else using a dog park to find this totally unacceptable.
The lady you called a b**ch is truly the aggrieved party here and has the right to get you and your dogs banned from the dog park.
There are other ways of socialization that do not include dog parks, and some GSDs just have too much toy drive to be taken to a dog park. Its not a matter of training, I doubt if you will ever find a well trained SchH 3 GSD in a dog park. The owners simply know better.
Two, they can end up putting their teeth on other people while going after the toys. The owner may find it acceptable but it is well within the right of anybody else using a dog park to find this totally unacceptable.
The lady you called a b**ch is truly the aggrieved party here and has the right to get you and your dogs banned from the dog park.
There are other ways of socialization that do not include dog parks, and some GSDs just have too much toy drive to be taken to a dog park. Its not a matter of training, I doubt if you will ever find a well trained SchH 3 GSD in a dog park. The owners simply know better.
Aloha, I didn't read your original post thoroughly, and thought you said YOUR dogs bit you and your husband, sorry. But owning a GSD, MOST everybody are automatically afraid of them. Even other dog owners are I consider, wrongly paranoid of GSD's, and add to that frisky dogs and many owners at the dog park who don't have a clue on how to handle their dogs, that becomes a bad mix.
frank
frank
I'm so sorry you had a problem at the park today.
As others have said, and it sounds like you agree, Titan needs more obedience training. He especially needs more training before being allowed off lead at a dog park. And as Titan's owner, you need to be more watchful of your puppy and not allow him to harass other park visitors.
IMHO people have different reasons for going to dog parks. You want to socialize your dog and someone else wants to play chuck-it or Frisbee with their dogs. Every one should be able to use the park for their own reasons. They shouldn't have to stay in their backyards or go to a ballfield in order to accomodate an out of control puppy.
Regardless of the reasons you want to take Titan to the park, he shouldn't be allowed to harass other people or their dogs. Nipping/biting park patrons who are trying to play with their dogs is unacceptable, and no excuses should be made for this type of bad behavior.
Dog owners should be able to keep their dogs under control at all times, especially when strange dogs are running together. Allowing your dog to "herd" other dogs is an invitation to a fight. When she finds a friend who enjoys running with her, being "herded", that's great, but she needs an owner to intervene when she's being a pain and "herding" dogs who don't wish to be "herded".
No, it's not wrong for other people to play with your puppy. But it is wrong to allow your uninvited puppy to interfer in the private Frisbee/chuck-it games others are enjoying with their dogs.Originally Posted By: Nikkoli110
I play with my dogs at home, I don't take them to the park to play with me, I take them there to interact and socialize with strangers and dogs. If I wanted to take them to just play ball or work on obedience I take them to the ballfields nearby. I didn't know it was wrong for other people to play with my dog![Image]()
Good luck with Titan!!!
Having a Sch 1, 2 or 3 on a dog is not the only marker of good training. I have gone to and continue to go to both unofficial and official dog parks. Most of those parks have had responsible people and well trained and well socialized dogs. And many were self-policing so that if there was a dog there that people felt uncomfortable with, other people asked the owner to take their dog and to leave.
That said, if my own dogs or any of my fosters were acting in a way that felt inappropriate then we left the park. Rafi was bratty with other big dogs when I first adopted him so we did not do the group socialization thing until I had worked with him a lot in that area. And Basu liked to pack up with the other gsds at the dog park (and sometimes we'd have as many as 6 or 7 there at a time) so when that happened we split the gsds up and left the park, if necessary.
Dog parks are not inherently a bad thing just as german shepherds aren't inherently dangerous dogs. But they do really test your training and temperament!
That said, if my own dogs or any of my fosters were acting in a way that felt inappropriate then we left the park. Rafi was bratty with other big dogs when I first adopted him so we did not do the group socialization thing until I had worked with him a lot in that area. And Basu liked to pack up with the other gsds at the dog park (and sometimes we'd have as many as 6 or 7 there at a time) so when that happened we split the gsds up and left the park, if necessary.
Dog parks are not inherently a bad thing just as german shepherds aren't inherently dangerous dogs. But they do really test your training and temperament!
While I agree that your pup was just having fun, there also was an element of you not being involved enough in what he was doing - if YOU won't play with him with a chuck-it, why should someone else? They are allowed to go to the park to play with their dog, just as much as you are allowed to go there for your dogs to play with other dogs. Personally, you should have kept him away from her (knowing his over exhuberance with that particular toy) and if he wouldn't listen, call it a day.
As for dog parks, I've come to strongly dislike them. They are not the neutral territory us humans imagine they are, and there are FAR too many uneducated dog owners who go to dog parks. Far too many park goers have no understanding of dog body language, behaviors, or otherwise and it is way to easy to have people love you one day and hate you the next. Having any breed that tends towards a "bad rap" (GSD, bully breeds, Rotties, etc) only makes it worse - people LOOK for bad behavior from your dog, rather than ignoring it until it's really bad like they will for other types of dogs. Just the way it is unfortunately, and as GSD owners, it's something we just have to deal with.
I think your idea of private play dates is a MUCH better idea - you will know the dogs your dogs are getting together with, you will know the owners, and you can even discuss what training things you are working on with the other dog owners and work out a plan for your get togethers. Much more structured, and much more productive IMO.
As for dog parks, I've come to strongly dislike them. They are not the neutral territory us humans imagine they are, and there are FAR too many uneducated dog owners who go to dog parks. Far too many park goers have no understanding of dog body language, behaviors, or otherwise and it is way to easy to have people love you one day and hate you the next. Having any breed that tends towards a "bad rap" (GSD, bully breeds, Rotties, etc) only makes it worse - people LOOK for bad behavior from your dog, rather than ignoring it until it's really bad like they will for other types of dogs. Just the way it is unfortunately, and as GSD owners, it's something we just have to deal with.
I think your idea of private play dates is a MUCH better idea - you will know the dogs your dogs are getting together with, you will know the owners, and you can even discuss what training things you are working on with the other dog owners and work out a plan for your get togethers. Much more structured, and much more productive IMO.
Hey Nikki!
Ok first of all Brady is going on four and when my DH rough houses with him he'll nip him in fun so I understand that.
2nd I would stay away from dog parks I have only heard of horror stories even though I know Katie loves it. Or I would just take Katie until Titan is old enough.
If that lady didn't understand that Titan was a pup and wanted the toy just like the guy with the frisbee I would have called he a bitch too.
Titan seems to be a mellow boy just like my brady.
I would definately do more training but keep him away from the dog park. Usually there are idiots there with UNTRAINED dogs and you don't know what will happen. IMO
Hopefully we can see you on the 19th last time I saw Titan he was a little pupper
Shake it off and stay away for awhile
Ok first of all Brady is going on four and when my DH rough houses with him he'll nip him in fun so I understand that.
2nd I would stay away from dog parks I have only heard of horror stories even though I know Katie loves it. Or I would just take Katie until Titan is old enough.
If that lady didn't understand that Titan was a pup and wanted the toy just like the guy with the frisbee I would have called he a bitch too.
Titan seems to be a mellow boy just like my brady.
I would definately do more training but keep him away from the dog park. Usually there are idiots there with UNTRAINED dogs and you don't know what will happen. IMO
Hopefully we can see you on the 19th last time I saw Titan he was a little pupper
Shake it off and stay away for awhile
our dog park does not allow anyone to bring toys or balls in to it. I think this is a good idea. The dog's play with each other without competing for toys. I find though that theretends to be too much "dog park drama" that goes on with some of the owners so we tend to stay away.
i don't think it's a good idea to take toys to a dog park. where you in a fenced in dog park or some open area of the park?
before i would let my dog go and play
with some other dogs toys i would ask if it's ok?
when it comes to being nipped while playing with the
dog, it's going to happen. i try to keep my hand and fingers
out of the dogs mouth. when i'm playing with other peoples dogs
and i get nipped i figure i should have been more carefull.
i don't think it's ok for my dog run to over to someone
and just start to play. i don't allow my dog to approach
people without me saying it's ok. other people have the right and entitlement not to be bothered by my dog.
our dogs have to have manners and recall. if our dogs
don't know how to behave or they don't listen when in public
they should be on a leash.
before i would let my dog go and play
with some other dogs toys i would ask if it's ok?
when it comes to being nipped while playing with the
dog, it's going to happen. i try to keep my hand and fingers
out of the dogs mouth. when i'm playing with other peoples dogs
and i get nipped i figure i should have been more carefull.
i don't think it's ok for my dog run to over to someone
and just start to play. i don't allow my dog to approach
people without me saying it's ok. other people have the right and entitlement not to be bothered by my dog.
our dogs have to have manners and recall. if our dogs
don't know how to behave or they don't listen when in public
they should be on a leash.
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