Dog Parks & Aggresive Big Dogs! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

artie merlino · 08-31-2006, 05:38 AM

This happened last Sunday.........but I was soooo mad/upset I could'nt vent or write about the incident until now! I live next door to a very large Dog Park, here in Myrtle Beach, SC. Which is the whole reason I moved into this House. Both my male Artie & female Abigail whom is now pregnant and due in the next week, have been going there since they were puppies. Artie has always been protective of both me & Abigail maybe more so since she is pregnant? 1st incident @ the time I was trying to leave b/c a woman with her Shepard mix/large dog was stalking Abigail and she felt threatened so she nipped @ her, she was already saying my little 9 pound pregnant Abigail was "Aggressive", compared to her 60 pound Shepard that was just playing!
A different woman with a Lab/mix about 50 pounds, makes her Dog sit @ the front gate and gets her Dog more excited by screaming "No....you can't GO GET THE OTHER DOGS", "No.....Doggies etc. After 5 minutes what do you think her Dog does? That's right he starts chasing all the other dogs of course and the 3 times it came running @ full speed towards us, Artie felt threatened and was jumping up trying to snap @ it. The owner did nothing but run around chasing her dog, but she was reprimanding him in anyway!
She said nothing to me.......meanwhile I was already trying to put my 2 on their leashes to leave. Then the woman who owned the Shepard in the 1st incident was going around to all the other owners saying that I should leave b/c my 2, 9 pound Yorkies were "Aggressive". Now let me make this clear she wasn't speaking directly to me, she was talking about me in front of me like I couldn't hear what she was saying? Or I wasn't there? W/C I felt was even more outlandish & Rude @ least have some balls? Needless to say I spoke my mind, but I did not curse any profanities and I tried to remain as calm as I could for the moment? People w/Larger Dogs always say their Dog is "Friendly", but if their Dog does attack or kill mine....they wouldn't cover my Vet. bill for the damages or even worse replace my Yorkie's? I'ts not a matter of cost, it's a matter of principle! I'm not even going to repeat what I said I can't remember now, but that's not important. Usually I can prevent an attack or most of the time I say "NO" to wandering Dogs-Dogs w/owners there but on their cell phone or talking to other irresponsible Dog Owners!
I have the Luxury of going there anytime so I monitor who is there? But small Dogs have rights too! Thanks for reading......writing is part of my Therapy I guess?

Pipersmommy · 08-31-2006, 06:21 AM

I understand where your coming from. I'm afraid of larger dogs, I'm sure they can sense it to. Neighbor had 2 dogs that got out of their fenced yard running down the street for me. Thank God I made it into the house. They stood outside for a good 10min barking. I called animal control. If I would have had my 2 girls out with me, who knows if I could have gotten them in on time. I don't go to parks anymore because of my fear. I used to carry a walking stick, but I don't know if this would save my babies if a bigger dog attacked.
By the way hope your fine through Ernesto. See it is coming your way.

yorkieusa · 08-31-2006, 06:21 AM

Could you contact your city and ask them to separate the area into a small dog park and a large dog park? I feel sorry for you. I would have been scared to death.

artie merlino · 08-31-2006, 07:01 AM

That was the designated "Small Dog" area......what some Dog owners concept of a small dog is diffferent from anothers? I guess? That is one of my Pet Peeves! The Large Dogs go every where, even in the small dog area! But the small dogs are stuck in the smaller area and still bombarded by the larger dogs! How fair is that?

yorkieusa · 08-31-2006, 07:09 AM

Are the areas separately fenced?

If they are both fenced from each other, then the small dog area should be posted by weight, IMO. If not done, I would ask your city to do that and explain to them what happened to you. Don't just sit back and take it!

yorkieusa · 08-31-2006, 07:13 AM

Perhaps you need to present your city with a dog park design.

http://home.earthlink.net/~ejlmp/dpd.html

artie merlino · 08-31-2006, 08:10 AM

Both Sections are completely gated/seperated with huge signs posted on the entrance gates with all the so-called Rules and Instructions to call the "Police" and "Animal Control" for "Aggressive Dogs", that's what she was telling the other Dog Owner's to do......calling to put a complaint against me, even though my 2 are only 9 lbs. a piece, compared to their 60 lb. Dogs that were just playing with mine, when my 2 were just defending themselves? So mine were labled as the "Aggressive" ones? Part of my argument with her was I was already leaving, before she was telling everyone to "make" me leave!

chachi · 08-31-2006, 08:16 AM

I would have been POed if that would have happened to me and would have told her that her big dog is the one that should be leaving

artie merlino · 08-31-2006, 08:20 AM

I forgot to mention that one of my Neighbors (she lives in front/accross the street of the Dog Park) has already submitted plans to the City Park & Recreation Board, to section off an even smaller area specifically designated for smaller dogs under 25 lbs. But they feel that we (the pampered/spoiled population) are asking too much?

Emmsmom · 08-31-2006, 09:01 AM

I am just curious.. what exactly did the Shepherd do?

Michelle

Laur · 08-31-2006, 09:49 AM

I agree with the others and please be safe today and tomorrow...I just heard that Ernesto will make landfall close to Myrtle Beach, SC.

yorkieusa · 08-31-2006, 10:29 AM

If they were in the small dog area, then I would have reported them immediately.

Katys mom · 08-31-2006, 10:39 AM

Our Park Has signs "Small Dogs 30 lbs and under". We only go over there when we start to have trouble with some of the big dogs wants to mark Katy as theirs. Other wise she plays great with all of the big ones.

Lola Calhoun · 08-31-2006, 03:10 PM

you know what? I have had some problems there also. Lola is only 5 pounds at 6 months old and she's still a puppy, so she does tend to run around a lot, sniffing EVERYTHING, and one time while we were there, Lola was busy sniffing the edge of the fence and a larger dog came up and ran straight at her and tumbled her!!! It made me so angry, the first time it happened I let it go, but left immediately. and then I gave it another shot about a week ago, and the SAME dog was there, and did it again!! This time I approched the owner and told her what her dog had done. her reply? "They're just playing". I asked her how much her dog weighed, and she said 40 pounds!!! I informed her that my little girl was 5 pounds and didnt think it was a good idea that they be playmates considering the drastic weight difference; that Lola could easily get get hurt by this larger dog....and to simply watch her dog a bit closer, for the safety of both our pets. her response? "If you dont want other dogs playing with your dog, dont came to a dog park". Many of the dog owners that frequent the Bark Park dont follow all the rules, and it has made me not even WANT to go back!!! Myrtle Beach should DEFINATELY look into cracking down on the rules. I hope things get better for your two babies...maybe we should go on the same day and team up if someone messes with our babies!!

artie merlino · 09-01-2006, 04:38 AM

Most of the time you can tell that the other larger Dog is not "Friendly", the Shepard lowered her head, neck, body & tail and was walking towards Abigail as it was growling and showing it's teeth. Technically that is "Stalking" or "Hunting" mode. At that stage Abigail showed her teeth as a warning, and I was talking to the Shepard's owner to call her Dog off and that Abigail will snap, since she is pregnant and does not want to be bothered, among other comments, but I was not hostile, yelling or screaming. I was still calm @ that point. After her Dog charged to attack, my male jumped @ the Shepard w/c looked really funny since he is only 9 lbs., he looked like a flying mop on a 60 lb. Australian Shepard? And the Black Lab/mix was just a excited young Dog that didn't know any better according to it's Owner, who was very apologetic, but I did not have any problems with her!

08-31-2006, 05:38 AM	#1
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Dog Parks & Aggresive Big Dogs! This happened last Sunday.........but I was soooo mad/upset I could'nt vent or write about the incident until now! I live next door to a very large Dog Park, here in Myrtle Beach, SC. Which is the whole reason I moved into this House. Both my male Artie & female Abigail whom is now pregnant and due in the next week, have been going there since they were puppies. Artie has always been protective of both me & Abigail maybe more so since she is pregnant? 1st incident @ the time I was trying to leave b/c a woman with her Shepard mix/large dog was stalking Abigail and she felt threatened so she nipped @ her, she was already saying my little 9 pound pregnant Abigail was "Aggressive", compared to her 60 pound Shepard that was just playing! A different woman with a Lab/mix about 50 pounds, makes her Dog sit @ the front gate and gets her Dog more excited by screaming "No....you can't GO GET THE OTHER DOGS", "No.....Doggies etc. After 5 minutes what do you think her Dog does? That's right he starts chasing all the other dogs of course and the 3 times it came running @ full speed towards us, Artie felt threatened and was jumping up trying to snap @ it. The owner did nothing but run around chasing her dog, but she was reprimanding him in anyway! She said nothing to me.......meanwhile I was already trying to put my 2 on their leashes to leave. Then the woman who owned the Shepard in the 1st incident was going around to all the other owners saying that I should leave b/c my 2, 9 pound Yorkies were "Aggressive". Now let me make this clear she wasn't speaking directly to me, she was talking about me in front of me like I couldn't hear what she was saying? Or I wasn't there? W/C I felt was even more outlandish & Rude @ least have some balls? Needless to say I spoke my mind, but I did not curse any profanities and I tried to remain as calm as I could for the moment? People w/Larger Dogs always say their Dog is "Friendly", but if their Dog does attack or kill mine....they wouldn't cover my Vet. bill for the damages or even worse replace my Yorkie's? I'ts not a matter of cost, it's a matter of principle! I'm not even going to repeat what I said I can't remember now, but that's not important. Usually I can prevent an attack or most of the time I say "NO" to wandering Dogs-Dogs w/owners there but on their cell phone or talking to other irresponsible Dog Owners! I have the Luxury of going there anytime so I monitor who is there? But small Dogs have rights too! Thanks for reading......writing is part of my Therapy I guess?

08-31-2006, 06:21 AM	#3
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Could you contact your city and ask them to separate the area into a small dog park and a large dog park? I feel sorry for you. I would have been scared to death. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-31-2006, 07:01 AM	#4
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Small Dog Section That was the designated "Small Dog" area......what some Dog owners concept of a small dog is diffferent from anothers? I guess? That is one of my Pet Peeves! The Large Dogs go every where, even in the small dog area! But the small dogs are stuck in the smaller area and still bombarded by the larger dogs! How fair is that?

08-31-2006, 07:09 AM	#5
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Are the areas separately fenced? If they are both fenced from each other, then the small dog area should be posted by weight, IMO. If not done, I would ask your city to do that and explain to them what happened to you. Don't just sit back and take it! __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-31-2006, 07:13 AM	#6
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Perhaps you need to present your city with a dog park design. http://home.earthlink.net/~ejlmp/dpd.html __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-31-2006, 06:21 AM	#2
Pipersmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SW Fl Posts: 1,808	I understand where your coming from. I'm afraid of larger dogs, I'm sure they can sense it to. Neighbor had 2 dogs that got out of their fenced yard running down the street for me. Thank God I made it into the house. They stood outside for a good 10min barking. I called animal control. If I would have had my 2 girls out with me, who knows if I could have gotten them in on time. I don't go to parks anymore because of my fear. I used to carry a walking stick, but I don't know if this would save my babies if a bigger dog attacked. By the way hope your fine through Ernesto. See it is coming your way.

08-31-2006, 08:10 AM	#7
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Posted Signs every where! Both Sections are completely gated/seperated with huge signs posted on the entrance gates with all the so-called Rules and Instructions to call the "Police" and "Animal Control" for "Aggressive Dogs", that's what she was telling the other Dog Owner's to do......calling to put a complaint against me, even though my 2 are only 9 lbs. a piece, compared to their 60 lb. Dogs that were just playing with mine, when my 2 were just defending themselves? So mine were labled as the "Aggressive" ones? Part of my argument with her was I was already leaving, before she was telling everyone to "make" me leave!

08-31-2006, 08:16 AM	#8
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I would have been POed if that would have happened to me and would have told her that her big dog is the one that should be leaving __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-31-2006, 08:20 AM	#9
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Already have Plans! I forgot to mention that one of my Neighbors (she lives in front/accross the street of the Dog Park) has already submitted plans to the City Park & Recreation Board, to section off an even smaller area specifically designated for smaller dogs under 25 lbs. But they feel that we (the pampered/spoiled population) are asking too much?

08-31-2006, 09:01 AM	#10
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	I am just curious.. what exactly did the Shepherd do? Michelle

08-31-2006, 09:49 AM	#11
Laur Love my Diamond girl Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 822	I agree with the others and please be safe today and tomorrow...I just heard that Ernesto will make landfall close to Myrtle Beach, SC. __________________ Proud mommy of Diamond

08-31-2006, 10:29 AM	#12
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	If they were in the small dog area, then I would have reported them immediately. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-31-2006, 10:39 AM	#13
Katys mom I love yorkie kisses Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,751	Our Park Has signs "Small Dogs 30 lbs and under". We only go over there when we start to have trouble with some of the big dogs wants to mark Katy as theirs. Other wise she plays great with all of the big ones.

08-31-2006, 03:10 PM	#14
Lola Calhoun Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Posts: 153	you know what? I have had some problems there also. Lola is only 5 pounds at 6 months old and she's still a puppy, so she does tend to run around a lot, sniffing EVERYTHING, and one time while we were there, Lola was busy sniffing the edge of the fence and a larger dog came up and ran straight at her and tumbled her!!! It made me so angry, the first time it happened I let it go, but left immediately. and then I gave it another shot about a week ago, and the SAME dog was there, and did it again!! This time I approched the owner and told her what her dog had done. her reply? "They're just playing". I asked her how much her dog weighed, and she said 40 pounds!!! I informed her that my little girl was 5 pounds and didnt think it was a good idea that they be playmates considering the drastic weight difference; that Lola could easily get get hurt by this larger dog....and to simply watch her dog a bit closer, for the safety of both our pets. her response? "If you dont want other dogs playing with your dog, dont came to a dog park". Many of the dog owners that frequent the Bark Park dont follow all the rules, and it has made me not even WANT to go back!!! Myrtle Beach should DEFINATELY look into cracking down on the rules. I hope things get better for your two babies...maybe we should go on the same day and team up if someone messes with our babies!!

09-01-2006, 04:38 AM	#15
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Stalking & Charging Most of the time you can tell that the other larger Dog is not "Friendly", the Shepard lowered her head, neck, body & tail and was walking towards Abigail as it was growling and showing it's teeth. Technically that is "Stalking" or "Hunting" mode. At that stage Abigail showed her teeth as a warning, and I was talking to the Shepard's owner to call her Dog off and that Abigail will snap, since she is pregnant and does not want to be bothered, among other comments, but I was not hostile, yelling or screaming. I was still calm @ that point. After her Dog charged to attack, my male jumped @ the Shepard w/c looked really funny since he is only 9 lbs., he looked like a flying mop on a 60 lb. Australian Shepard? And the Black Lab/mix was just a excited young Dog that didn't know any better according to it's Owner, who was very apologetic, but I did not have any problems with her!