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dogpark people are not at all knowledgeable about etiquette, let alone how to train their dogs....which is why so many dogs end up at the pound.
This is not true of all dogparks, and has no correlation with why dogs wind up at the pound. Most of the people AT dogparks GOT their dogs from the pound or rescues.
Last edited by clevergirl67; 11-16-2023 at 08:43 AM..
Check into the dog day cares in your area. They keep dogs separated by size and have employees that watch the dogs and intervene to resolve any problems.
At 4lbs, the little one could easily get seriously injuried. I would carry him into the park,and let the other dogs sniff him, and get acquinted with him, before putting him down....better still, just walk him, on a leash.
Watched their kids at the park the same stupid way. I have two English Shepherds. Took them only one time to the dog park. They sat right by us and didn't want anything to do with other dogs or other people. Now then if they were cows or sheep or chickens, would have been much more interested.
This is not true of all dogparks, and has no correlation with why dogs wind up at the pound. Most of the people AT dogparks GOT their dogs from the pound or rescues.
I used to take my dogs to a dog park and will not chance it any more plus the vet suggested I stop going because not all people worm and vaccinate their dogs, plus some dogs are more aggressive than others. I haven’t gone since then, plus had two friends and both their dogs got chewed up pretty bad. Nope, but you do you it’s simply my opinion and I stand by it. And yes a lot of dogs are rescues but if you don’t know how to train them and they bite, they will end up back at the pound because no one wants that kind of liability, plus insurance companies will not insure certain breeds
Her dog is little and it could even get an unintentional injury ,so roll your eyes all you want, me I wouldn’t chance it.
My aunt was a very well know Shepard trainer, breeder and shower back in PA, and she hated dog parks....for many reasons I just gave you....yes, some dog owners are responsible, others are not, and it only takes one time...
We bred and raised dobermans who were all sweet hearts, but I would never take them to a dog park again...and we had a black lab who was a sweet dog, and loved other dogs, but she had a huge tape worm problem and the moment we stopped going the problem went away.
Last edited by cremebrulee; 11-16-2023 at 06:30 PM..
Most public dogparks are like that. We only go to the one we have to pay a fee to enter, because they have referees that don't allow dogs to act aggressively, and they will boot owners that don't control their dogs.
It's almost as if the owners just set up their chairs and ignore their dogs while they can say they got their dog exercise.
you would be shocked at the amount of people in our dog parks surrounding our home that didn't pick up after their dogs....there is nothing more horrifying than a dog fight, on a little dog who just wanted to play.
I don’t go to dog parks b/c of all the owners who just chitchat & ignore their dog. To me, that’s like taking your human child to a playground & then ignore them & just yack with other parents, you just can’t do that!
Long ago, I volunteered to walk dogs at the local Humane Society. There was a dog park down the road. Volunteers weren’t allowed to take shelter dogs in there, but I wouldn’t have wanted to go in, anyway. I saw dogs going wild & groups of people chatting together, Starbucks in hand, ignoring the dog action.
We have a new foster dog who is very social and playful but our older female dog won’t have anything to do with him. The Rescue group is fine with me taking him to the dog park ….little dog side, he’s tiny…and so yesterday I did that. But when I got to the entrance of the little dog side, there were 4 dogs barking and very excited…throwing themselves at the entrance gate to get to the dog. They were small dogs…probably about 15 lbs. But my foster is only 4 lbs.
Their owners ignored them and continued to chat. I yelled out… “hey, I’m nervous with all this clammor..unsure about coming in with my dog.” Not one person came to control their dog so I could open the gate. So I didn’t go in and left.
My question: is that normal? If I was one of those owners, I would have controlled my dog so four excited dogs wouldn’t attack a new incoming dog. However, I’m not that knowledgeable about dogpark etiquette.
I've been to dog parks about a half a dozen times over the years with a friend and her dog.
Each time, the new comer was chased around by other dogs while everyone watched. They all seem to regard this as normal "getting to know each other" behavior.
Looks like a terrifying experience for a submissive dog.
Dog owners appear more attentive in areas where dogs must be on a leash. I'd recommend walks for socialization and exercise.
I don't currently have a dog, but I love to grab a lunch and sit and watch the dogs play in the dog parks when I walk there (about four different locations in the large city near me). I realize this sounds weird, lol, but I manage to observe a lot. I have yet to see ANY dog be "aggressive." They're very excited to be running free and socializing with others and are playing. Granted, a 4-pound dog could be injured even by friendly behavior. Most parks I've seen have divisions for small and large dogs; also, nearly EVERY dog is in the large-dog park - whether they're big or small - and they all get along and have a great time. Now and then you'll see a solitary dog and person in the small dog area, which is where they go if they don't want to mix with the others. The whole point of it is for the dog to be free; NOT to be leashed or tightly controlled so, yeah, they're going to run and jump and even wrestle like dogs do. Not sure what behavior you want to see there? As I say, I've done this for years now at multiple parks and have never witnessed an "incident." The owners know their dogs are socialized and well-behaved and so aren't monitoring them that closely. If you're worried yours will be injured by play behavior, you'll have to find a small-dog enclosure or not let him mix, but I don't see any fault with either other dogs or owners. So many dogs today are left alone at home all day or even crated/caged, which is a very unnatural life (they're pack animals), that it's a pleasure to see them just acting like dogs; it's pure joy and so fun to watch! I feel sorry for any who don't get this experience.
Last edited by otterhere; 11-17-2023 at 06:54 AM..
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