Bullying at the dog park
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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I would skip dog parks. Franklin was often bullied and is a very submissive dog. He ended up getting his foot broken in an attack and now he is very scared of other big dogs. Id try to arrange a more controlled situation for play time otherwise your pup may start to become aggressive out of fear and self defense. You can't control the other dogs at the park and as such your pup will always be picked on and may end up seriously injured.
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Permalink Reply by Sandy Clarke on
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Well that is not encouraging. Thanks for sharing your story. We are considering finding those dogs that he does well with and suggesting play dates.
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Permalink Reply by Heather and Ella on
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Ella doesn't like groups of dogs, so I've not taken her any dog parks. She does the swat down/intense stare, and then bounces forward - expecting the other dog to play. Well sometimes this will scare other dogs. If other dogs are too hyper it will scare her. Her social skills were 0 when we got her.
I've been trying to introduce her to the neighborhood dogs, one or two at a time (always on leash). So she can feel safe but still learn to socialize. It doesn't have to be a big play date, maybe just a few sniffs and a few minutes of running around.
Small steps, I'm sure Cosmo will meet other dogs that he likes.
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That behavior sounds familiar. ;-) So far, he's gotten along great with a Bernese mountain dog, a sheltie, and a lab/dachsund mix, but those have been the exceptions. By far most dogs act agressively toward him. We are going to have to be much more careful.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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My previous corgi, Buffy, was very submissive towards other dogs all her life. Unfortunately, that behavior often brings out the worst in many other dogs so a submissive dog is the most likely target of bullying. I would skip dog parks unless you are very familiar with the dogs that are there and try some type of classes or agility work. Training in a controlled situation will help build Cosmo's confidence. Look for an Agility club by you.
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This rings true. The submissive dogs do seem to be targets. I really like the suggestion of the agility work. I think Cosmo would really take to it, and it would provide equal exercise and stimulation. Thanks for the advice.
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Permalink Reply by Donald Till on
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We've dabbled about dog parks but in general we just walk around the outside of them. As harmless as we know our dogs to be other people and other dogs have no idea. All 4 of our dogs are yapping nippers and I don't think they really like the dog park - seems to me that it stresses them and they always seem really happy when we leave. As far as our walks go it takes lots of time before we can socialize with other dog walkers and sometimes not at all. But that's ok with me too as my heartrate goes down when I'm standing around talking and the dogs much prefer the adventure of the walk than standing around yapping and sniffing or being sniffed by some other dog.
But we've got 4 Cardigans and my daughter visits often with 2 more plus an Austrialian Sheppard. All these dogs get along because they recognize the established order. However getting them out with other dogs is probably harder for us because of it.
I'm thinking it might be easier for you to get to know some other dogs and dog walkers where your dog can get some social interaction that way. But how important is social interaction with other dogs? Seems to me a dog could be perfectly happy being surrounded by busy active people in a family setting.
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Our problem is that we've had a taste of success with a few dogs, and Cosmo has had a ball playing, rolling, and running his bum off. The exercise is much more than he could ever get on our stop-and-start strolls. But from the stories I've read here, it's not all coming up roses at the dog parks for many dogs and owners. We will have to be more careful and try to schedule with compatible dogs.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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We have 4 dogs so the hard playing happens naturally around here for us. I'm not sure if they exert more energy minding business around the house and the yard or when playing amongst themselves. That being said I think the twice daily 30+ minute walks is more important to their health and well being than the work/play they get around the house.
For whatever it's worth submissive dogs aren't the only targets - some dogs will attack dogs that don't submit. There's a catch 22 here. I guess in your case the attacking dogs owner would probably apologize, in my case the attacking dogs owner would probably claim my dogs had it coming.
IMy daughters soon to be common law husband is a vet and he's always telling us horror stories about all kinds of dog on dog encounters.
And one more thing my daughters Cardigan, Lanie, was easily the most socially well adjusted of all our Corgi's and they loved taking her to dog parks. Well Lanie got attacked by a Border Collie for absolutely no known reason. They don't go to dog parks anymore either - it was an easy decision for them as their male Shelty, Kramer, was embarrassing to them as he developed a habit of peeing on other peoples dogs.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Monica, Orion, and Laika on
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Orion is pretty submissive and will be instantly on his back if a dog is getting aggressive with him as well which can cause problems. He usually does very well one-on-one with other dogs but when there's multiple dogs around him he gets a little panicky and is on the ground more often. I find particular dog parks are better for him. Here in Austin I take him to a place called Red Bud Isle that is essentially an island that is all a dog park. I'm not sure if its because the water helps wash sents away or because its more open but my dogs (and my brothers dog) behave differently there. They seem more comfortable and in their element and Orion isn't on his back as often. When I visit my parents in San Antonio, Orion does better at the dog park that has a partition between big and little dogs so he can stay with little dogs and not feel overwhelmed. So maybe look around at other dog parks in the area and see if there's one that Cosmo is more comfortable in or try to find a certain time of the day when the park isn't crowded and there is only one or two other dogs there (which is hard at some parks)
Another thing to do would be to find someone in your neighborhood with a dog Cosmo gets along with and set up some play dates so he can have stress-free interaction with another canine if the dog park is too much for him.
Good luck!
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We only have one dog park in our town, and it's relatively new. It does have two separate sides and entrances for big and small dogs, so that's a positive. We will try to get some play dates going with compatible dogs. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Don on
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Hi,
I've been on both ends of the rope on this one per say. I've owned both the bully and the submissive dog. Here are a few sugguestions.
Look online for meet up groups near you, these are often times small meetings and you can get to know the people. Also in a small controlled environment it will build confidence.
Encourage rough play, as odd as it sounds get in to a few good wrestling matches with your dog, remember as you being top dog you can control the agressivness of play. So wrestle around a bit, tug of war helps. Also mimic a play bow as your dog will learn this is the first step to invite of play. The reverse works for dogs that are too agressive as well, that is not playing tug of war and such will decrease the agressiveness of play. Please be sure to monitor the level of roughness as well, just as a side note you can push your dog to be too agressive doing this.
Reward, reward, reward...I can't stress this enough, reward for good playing from your dog, if she/he is actually playing well and doing all the right moves, reward him/her for it.
Spay/Neutuer...As some have found out an unfixed dog will attack an intact dog, I've had it happen with my Jazmin at Petsmart, for no reason this happy with everyone elses dog snapped at Jazmin. Come to find out thats a major factor in this issue.
That's about it for now, can't think of anything else but if I do, I'll post it straight away so you can try it. Please let me know how it pans out. I've got my fingers crossed for ya and I'm more then sure Jazmin would have her paws crossed that everything works out.
Oh, and just as my general rule of thumb " When in doubt, get out" which means if you don't know the temperment of the dogs, or you see agressive play from the other dogs in the park, don't hessitate to not visit. Vet bills are costly and due to its a park, the owner's usually not held accountable for the damage ( at least in Virigina that is true about dog parks).
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