Why I'm not a fan of dog parks
After a couple not-so-great experiences with poorly socialized dogs at our local dog park, we really never go there, choosing instead to let our dogs run around with a small group that meets in a quiet area of a regular park. However, both of ours like to wander off and eat rather than play, and the dogs meet in an unfenced area, so it's less-than-ideal.
I was happy to hear of a new dogpark opening in a neighboring suburb. We went a couple weeks ago and had a nice time. Great view, chairs for the people, a large grassy area and lots of tennis balls plus only a few dogs made for a nice time.
We returned this afternoon and I was reminded why I don't always like dog parks.
First, a stunning Harlequin Great Dane kept trying to mount Maddie. Maddie's a bigger Corgi at 28 pounds but still, a 120 pound Great Dane is a bit much for her to handle. She snarked him away a good half-dozen times in quick succession before I finally stepped in. What was the owner doing, you may ask? Why, just standing there of course! I know humping is normal dog behavior and normally I let the dogs sort it out themselves, but if Jack is going after a miniature poodle or something I generally haul him off to avoid injury. One would think an ounce of common sense would tell the owner that a 12-inch Corgi can't fend off a Great Dane who is ignoring her protests.
Then there was a dog that looked like maybe a cross between a Blue Heeler and a lab, though who knows what it was. He ran into and over everyone and every thing. He barreled into me twice, and ran over every dog in the place multiple times over, blissfully unaware that within five minutes, every dog would tuck its tail and flee when it saw him coming (except of course for one goofy lab who was oblivious to it all, in typical lab fashion).
Not only did he run over the top of everyone, he also stole every ball or frisbee anyone else had. He could have just ran for a ball and if you threw another one he would drop his, run over the top of the chaser and grab it. If he did not get there in time, he would steal it right from the other dog's mouth. The owner meekly said on one occasion that he wants anything anyone else has, and then sat quietly on the sidelines the rest of the time. All the dogs breathed a visible sigh of relief when he finally left.
Why can't people jus tell when their dogs are being awful?
I was happy to hear of a new dogpark opening in a neighboring suburb. We went a couple weeks ago and had a nice time. Great view, chairs for the people, a large grassy area and lots of tennis balls plus only a few dogs made for a nice time.
We returned this afternoon and I was reminded why I don't always like dog parks.
First, a stunning Harlequin Great Dane kept trying to mount Maddie. Maddie's a bigger Corgi at 28 pounds but still, a 120 pound Great Dane is a bit much for her to handle. She snarked him away a good half-dozen times in quick succession before I finally stepped in. What was the owner doing, you may ask? Why, just standing there of course! I know humping is normal dog behavior and normally I let the dogs sort it out themselves, but if Jack is going after a miniature poodle or something I generally haul him off to avoid injury. One would think an ounce of common sense would tell the owner that a 12-inch Corgi can't fend off a Great Dane who is ignoring her protests.
Then there was a dog that looked like maybe a cross between a Blue Heeler and a lab, though who knows what it was. He ran into and over everyone and every thing. He barreled into me twice, and ran over every dog in the place multiple times over, blissfully unaware that within five minutes, every dog would tuck its tail and flee when it saw him coming (except of course for one goofy lab who was oblivious to it all, in typical lab fashion).
Not only did he run over the top of everyone, he also stole every ball or frisbee anyone else had. He could have just ran for a ball and if you threw another one he would drop his, run over the top of the chaser and grab it. If he did not get there in time, he would steal it right from the other dog's mouth. The owner meekly said on one occasion that he wants anything anyone else has, and then sat quietly on the sidelines the rest of the time. All the dogs breathed a visible sigh of relief when he finally left.
Why can't people jus tell when their dogs are being awful?
Comment
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Comment by Tegan, Carol & John on November 10, 2010 at 3:25am
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After reading these horror stories, I feel positively blessed. I feel so bad for folks who don't have good dog parks for them and their furkids to enjoy!! I've been to three local dog parks dozens of times (one is small, the other two are very large), and have only had one negative incident with an owner not paying attention to or correcting their dog. And the other dog folks were all over her about controlling her dog before I had a chance to say anything (I had to pick up Tegan because her dog kept trying to roll and mount her). Everyone watches their dogs, corrects their dogs, cleans up, and plays with ALL of the dogs. People bring toys and balls, but everyone shares and of course the dogs pick up the others' toys, but that's because they're playing & all are having a great time (and there are tons of toys to go around). I've never seen any dogs have a serious fight. The dogs are obviously having a blast and the owners are all so great. Some of the big-dog owners love playing with Tegan and having their "small dog cuddle time." One older gentleman (who owns a really large, very sweet dog) made me laugh so hard this past weekend. He was playing ball with Tegan (while his dog was just hanging with some other folks) when he suddenly reached down and started to love on her and said "You are the cutest dog ever. I just want to hug you 'til you poop."
Everyone's comments here are so spot-on: It's all about responsible dog owners who take the time to train and socialize and really want to interact with their dogs while we're all at the park. It can happen; it just takes people who really care about their dogs & are committed to their training. I really hope everyone on here finds a good play area with compatible friends for their pupsters.
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Comment by Jane on November 8, 2010 at 9:09am
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The park we go to is generally pretty nice, but the small dog area is smaller than my back yard and usually empty so we always go in the "big dog" area. The only real issue we've had is with someone's great dane puppy (probably 7-8 months old and HUGE already) who just would not leave Henry alone. We asked around for the owners but no one knew who they were, so my boyfriend ended up correcting the dog himself. Turns out the owners were sitting on a bench probably a football field away and had no clue what was going on. When someone said something to them they replied with "oh he's just a puppy still, he doesn't know any better". COME ON people, how is he supposed to learn if you're not there to teach him?
Thankfully our park is set up with walking trails so you can avoid most of the dogs if you really want to. Usually the irresponsible people will sit on the picnic tables in the big grassy area in the middle of the park and let their dogs run around unchecked, so we just go around that area.
I do bring some treats when I go to the park though, because I like to work on long recalls with the boys and other basic obedience with distractions. I never give treats in close proximity to the other dogs though. And I would never bring a small child...I just cringe when I see little kids walk in.
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Comment by Lauren + Winston on November 7, 2010 at 7:25pm
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I work at a dog daycare so when a dog isn't acting properly, I correct them, even if they aren't my dog. I'm used to dealing with dogs in large groups so it doesn't bother me, but I know not everyone feels the same. If you feel comfortable correcting others dogs, then do so. If they tell you not to, tell them they are bothering your dog and they need to keep them under control. If there are any dog parks with small dog areas you should go there, it might be better!
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Comment by Beth on November 7, 2010 at 6:43pm
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Yes, I tend to avoid the small dog area because, frankly, mine are two big. I don't really want my 30-pound Corgis running and playing with a 10 pound Yorkie.
Part of the problem with dog parks is that my Corgis are in never-never land in terms of size. Too small for the big dogs, too big for the small dogs.
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Comment by Melissa and Franklin! on November 7, 2010 at 4:52pm
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Franklin got his foot broken at a dogpark by an obnoxious great dane mix while the owner just sat in the corner chatting. I couldn't get him up and out of the park because the dog was taller than me and no matter how high I held Franklin the dog could reach him by putting his legs on my shoulders etc. FInally some other dog owners came to help all while the ACTUAL owner just sat there. I try to only go to parks where small and large dogs are split but then the issue becomes Franklin in the small dog area. When he gets going into a FRAP session every person and dog (and fence and tree for that matter) better watch out because he starts running blind. He has run over his fair share of small dogs but also ran into legs, fences, tables, trees etc.
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Comment by Carla on November 7, 2010 at 1:57pm
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@Chole's Parent - I have to agree about bringing balls/chuckits/frisbees/toys/treats to the dogpark. You're kind of asking for trouble if you bring these things in. Dogs get possessive or else they drop/lose the ball and another one picks it up because it's just "lying around."
Casey will pick up ANY ball or toy that's lying around (she won't take one from another dog, but if they drop it she'll pick it up). Fortunately, if I put my hand out she'll bring it over to me, or just drop it if I tell her so, but it's kind of annoying for ME when people bring these items to the park and then expect every other dog to completely ignore them.
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Comment by Chloe's parent Liz on November 7, 2010 at 12:29pm
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I go to a dog park that has large and small separated. There are times when my girl does not behave so she is disciplined. I wish people would not bring treats or toys to the park though it would make the dogs less possessive
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Comment by Keri&Merlin(Judy&Alan's Pups) on November 7, 2010 at 11:24am
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we go to our local dog park,but go the the large unfenced hill area.we tried to take the corgis into the enclosed area,but the people who go in there,take lawn chairs,plunk their bums in the chairs,let the dog bully or roll over any other dog they want,without any control.more a time for them to socialize,not exercise their pups.
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Comment by Nicola Porter on November 7, 2010 at 9:05am
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ahhh but how can you disipline those cute bundles of fur.
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Comment by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on November 7, 2010 at 9:02am
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Oh my, we're headed to the dog park today! : )
Apparently, we've either been lucky so far..... or the group of people and dogs we always encounter have learned proper dog park ettiquette! It's a very clean park in Estero Fl. They have 2 sections one for larger dogs (like Great Danes, St Bernards, Shepherds.... etc) and one for the smaller dogs. Now occassionally I see people take their small dogs to the big dog side. But never have I seen a large dog in the small side.
Our furkids enjoy it and we meet up with a friend who has Griffyn's half brother Koda. And every once in awhile there will be one or two or more other corgis too. So far..... we've always had a good experience.
Now that being said..... the couple times we've been to the dog beach in Venice, Fl. I did notice some bad behavior. In both dog and human. Fortunately it didn't involve my two so I just shook my head and made sure I kept an eye on where the trouble makers were.
I guess..... no matter where we go, there's always going to be a risk of running into ill behaved adults, kids and dogs. There's no getting around IGNORANCE!! And I'm happy to be one among all of us here who believes discipline is the way to ultimately have the most fun with my furkids!
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