Dog Park Fiasco

[Britster]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

People do tend to be very cliquish at dog parks- very weird. Many of the people tend to go every day. The dog parks around here are both about 30 minutes away- so I only get there a few times a month- so I always feel like an outsider. I try to go with someone else- my parents have two toy poodles, so usually I will convince them to go with me and we will just kind of hang out ourselves with our dogs. I haven't been in a long time, seems like a lot of uneducated dog owners frequent them which always leads to issues.

LoL, I have noticed this. People can get a bit crazy. I have been lucky to meet a lot of really nice folks but you also come across some wackos! I have no issue standing by myself but I tend to always make convo with someone.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by Britster

Not trying to say you were wrong... but picking up a dog will usually cause all the other dogs to be curious and want them down... I don't think the other dogs are at fault for that. Jackson does not like to be picked up when another dog is jumping at him, it also makes him feel very vulernable and he will growl. Obviously if they are truly in harms way, that is a different story... I will pick Jackson up if I have to protect him. But it's a very normal behavior for all the dogs to go up and check out the new dog and you have to just the new guy 'integrate' into the 'pack'. I do not stop Jackson from going up when the door is opening and a new dog is coming in... it's just what the dogs do.

I agree.. but Remy has dh wrapped around her paw and you know men with their daughters I was not upset about the dogs coming over. Geezzee if you don't want to meet new dogs don't go to a dog park... right? But if my dogs were to keep jumping onto someone I would step in.. maybe I am wrong.

I also think I am not so skilled with dogs, so I am uncomfortable with dogs I don't know. That doesn't help.

[kjc]

Maybe someone could do a sticky on dog park etiquette... what to expect, how to enter, etc. unless there is one...hehe I didn't look....

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

I hear you about the dog park. I love taking mine there, and generally it is a very positive experience and they really enjoy it.

Regardless of what I've said above, I will continue to visit the park because my dogs LOVE it. And, I have met some really nice people and some great dogs there. I won't let the 1% of the crap keep them from enjoying the other fun 99%, I will just keep a close eye on my dogs so that I can protect them from that 1%.

You hit the nail on the head with this list. It seems though the vibe changes from dog park to dog park, area to area. In Irvine, a college community. It's full of people that are educated, open minded, and well.... actually have a love for their pets. When Kaji and I use to go to that dog park it was so good for him. Kaji LOVES dog parks. He romps, he plays, it is the only place his true personality comes out. Most people there take responsibility of their pets behaviors and pick up after them.

BUT, there was this click that just didn't get it. Kaji was cornered once by a lady and picked up against his will. I ran over and asked if she could please put the dog down. He was scratching her face trying to get away. She looked at me and rudely said, "What do you care? This isn't your dog." I was so mad! I looked at Kaji and said, "Kaji baby, do you wanna go home with momma?" Which of course made him wiggle and squirm even more. He almost fell right out of her arms. I scooped him up, kissed him and we went home.

I've had worse experiences in other dog parks. Kaji and I were both attacked by two small dogs. It's been my experience that you have to feel a dog park out and try different times. Like Gemy said, try during the less busy times. I'm going to take her advice when Kaji and I go to the dog beach in the next few days. I might wait until next week so we can go mid week.

[LaviniaHyacynth]

Thanks for all the responses.....I think the most shocking part of the experience was how rude the dog owner was. I have always thought dog people the very best humanity has to offer....I have been a bit spoiled by YT

I understand the issue of having a dog on a leash....but I had only just walked in and wasn't about to let my puppy go until I had summed up the dogs in the run. The Chi made a b-line to Bear...this all went down in the first 2 minutes of arriving

The dog still attacked after I had let him run free. And the owner had assured me he wouldn't.

Oh well, I agree that at a different time, it will be different dogs and people.
I have read many books on dog behavior...guess I need one on dog park etiquette.

It is hard to be cool and let dogs be dogs when you are dealing with a small puppy and much larger small dogs....it never occurred to me that the problem dog would be smaller than Bear

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

I agree.. but Remy has dh wrapped around her paw and you know men with their daughters I was not upset about the dogs coming over. Geezzee if you don't want to meet new dogs don't go to a dog park... right? But if my dogs were to keep jumping onto someone I would step in.. maybe I am wrong.

I also think I am not so skilled with dogs, so I am uncomfortable with dogs I don't know. That doesn't help.

Oh I totally get it!!! My friends hubbys are the same with their dogs, and my dad is kind of like that too with his dogs, LoL.

[Ringo1]

WELL. I have some thoughts on this subject because I took Lucy for the second time - just this evening!

We were never able to take Ringo because he got too 'iffy' around other dogs.

I took Lucy on Sunday and again this evening - it was PACKED.

Lucy was terrified and spent most of her time running aroud the perimeter trying to see if she could catch a glimpse of Ringo ~ my son was walking him on the trail. She refused to chase her ball. She was shaking. There was one little chi that spent his ENTIRE TIME trying to hump all the other dogs. There were waaay too many big dogs in the 'small dog' area. Way too many. The last big dog that came in - is when we walked out.

OTOH, I met a really nice lady with a cute little Westie - only 4 months old. She advised me to come about an hour earlier - we were there at 7 and she said that was the busiest time. She said she has seen lots of little ones start out scared - but become more comfortable as they gain a little confidence. I met some nice folks at the other park too, on Sunday.

I just can't decide. This was our second time - we only stayed about 15 minutes each time but Lucy did not appear to be having fun. She only wanted OUT. Maybe because she could see Ringo; I don't know. We may try one final time and leave Ringo at home. But I don't want to keep putting her in a position where she seems so frightened.

So I have mixed feelings. Some of the dogs really seemed to be having fun. But there were only one or two that were really small. Most were Ringo's size or a lot larger.

[DvlshAngel985]

Yeah, the bigger dogs in the little dog section is really inappropriate. The only dogs I'm ok with in the little dog section is the elderly dogs. Sometimes they get overwhelmed by the younger ones.