[Wolfie]

I take Yukon to an off leash dog park on a regular basis, he loves it, gets along with most of the dogs and all of the people.

There is a large 125lb Lab/Rotti mix that enjoys pushing dogs to the ground and then sort of lays down on top of them. Very strange.

He just recently began doing this to Yukon. Yukon will struggle, then start to whine and appear to be panicking, so I have the owner take his dog off of Yukon. Who then gets up, runs around and comes straight back to the dog with his ears flat and tail wagging. The whole thing then starts again.

My question is, why does Yukon keep running up to that dog when he knows what will happen and to me, does not seem to like it?

 

[dOg]

Good question.

But it sounds like you are the one who is uncomfortable.

Then why go in there again, if that slug is present?

 

[BlackGSD]

I don't know why Yukon keeps going back to the dog.
My question is, why do you continue to let him be bullied by other dogs?

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Or even go in to the park if the bully is there?

 

[3K9Mom]

What the others said.

My primary job as a dog owner, before feeding him and taking him to the vet, is to protect him from harm. This *could* become a harmful situation. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

You don't say how old Yukon is, or how savvy in social situations. Some dogs just "get it," and understand they need to stay clear of bullies. Some don't. For whatever reason, it appears that Yukon doesn't, bless his little friendly, innocent heart.

If he were my dog, I'd make the decision for him. There have to be better, safer options out there.

 

[Wolfie]

I'm usually in the park before this dog shows up. He use to be a great dog, only recently he has turned into a bully. Kinda sad, really.

You guys have confirmed on what my gut has been telling me, I will avoid this dog from now on.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[GSD07]

Originally Posted By: Wolfie so I have the owner take his dog off of Yukon. Who then gets up, runs around and comes straight back to the dog with his ears flat and tail wagging. The whole thing then starts again.

My question is, why does Yukon keep running up to that dog when he knows what will happen and to me, does not seem to like it?

How I see it but I'm not an expert. Yukon sees the other dog as a dominant one and is running to show his extreme submission and to ask for acceptance. He doesn't see you as a protector because you were not the one to remove the other dog or step in when Yukon was scared. He belives that the other dog is more dominant than you in the dog park situation.

I had literally exactly the same experience with my Yana and 10 months older female shepherd Spirit (KathyW knows this dog). Yana didn't care about me when Spirit was around even though she was bullied by that dog. Spirit's owner thought that it's Yana's problem because she's a fearful submissive dog and I was buying it for a while. But one time I had enough, stood in between the dogs, said firm 'NO' to Spirit and withdraw Yana to heel with me or whatever, I don't remember. Then we stopped seeing Spirit for a while (I almost killed my friendship with the owner when I explained why

) and worked on obedience with Yana. Now Yana is completely fine around this dog that used to bully her because she has more trust in me.
Hope it helps.

 

[3K9Mom]

Originally Posted By: GSD07

Originally Posted By: Wolfie so I have the owner take his dog off of Yukon. Who then gets up, runs around and comes straight back to the dog with his ears flat and tail wagging. The whole thing then starts again.

My question is, why does Yukon keep running up to that dog when he knows what will happen and to me, does not seem to like it?

How I see it but I'm not an expert. Yukon sees the other dog as a dominant one and is running to show his extreme submission and to ask for acceptance. He doesn't see you as a protector because you were not the one to remove the other dog or step in when Yukon was scared. He belives that the other dog is more dominant than you in the dog park situation.

I had literally exactly the same experience with my Yana and 10 months older female shepherd Spirit (KathyW knows this dog). Yana didn't care about me when Spirit was around even though she was bullied by that dog. Spirit's owner thought that it's Yana's problem because she's a fearful submissive dog and I was buying it for a while. But one time I had enough, stood in between the dogs, said firm 'NO' to Spirit and withdraw Yana to heel with me or whatever, I don't remember. Then we stopped seeing Spirit for a while (I almost killed my friendship with the owner when I explained why

) and worked on obedience with Yana. Now Yana is completely fine around this dog that used to bully her because she has more trust in me.
Hope it helps.

Good insight.

But I'd still avoid the situation.