| Author | Message | ||
     Amateur Night Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1975 Registered: 5-2001  |
I was at the dog park yesterday with my new puppy (all 10 weeks/five pounds of her), enjoying the small dog enclosure. Suddenly a border terrier named Dodger (outing alert: that dog should not be in a dog park) came streaking across the enclosure out of nowhere and attacked my dog, who was about a fifth of his size. His owner came and got him after I snatched my pup away, and said "it must have been your dog's squeaky bark" (this was in the small dog enclosure, remember -- it sounded like the chorus of the La Scala castrati in there). I didn't say anything, but moved to another part of the enclosure. Five minutes later, it happened again -- the same dog came shooting across the enclsure and went after my dog, really viciously. The owner was nowhere to be found, but I managed (just avoiding a bite) to get her dog by the scruff of the neck and walk over with him. At that point I said, "You need to leash your dog or leave the enclosure." She replied, snottily, "You want me to hold my dog?" I said, "Those are the rules of the park. Aggressive dogs must be leashed or leave the park." I'm fairly imposing when I am really pissed, and she backed down and leashed her dog. Someone else commented as I walked away, "That dog's always a problem child." So here's the issue: Five minutes later, we had moved to another part of the enclosure when I saw she had unleashed her dog AGAIN. The dog hadn't noticed my puppy, yet, but it was clearly only a matter of time. I was with four kids, and my last nerve had been worked by that point, so we left the enclosure. But what would you have done as a next step? Clearly talking to the owner wouldn't help. I can't bodily remove her dog. Should I have gotten a policeman (if I could find one?) What other steps could I take? Final comment -- as we were playing wiht our dog outside the enclosure, Dodger came out with his owner on a leash -- and went after another leashed dog on the path. The owner pulled him away after a lot of squealing. What is wrong with this woman? Why would you conceivably bring such an aggressive dog to a dog park? Ok end of vent -- I'd really appreciate some advice here. And Dodger's owner, stand on notice: if I see your dog in that park again I am calling a cop before I even walk in the gate. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 8287 Registered: 5-2001 |
It's early days yet for the dog park. At some point, the regular attendees are going to have to band together to enforce the rules if no official is present to do this. From your own experience, it would appear that one-on-one confrontation isn't always going to work in such situations. Peer pressure from the group at large is needed and should come in time. Since the dog park is in the reserve rather than within town jurisdiction, I am not sure how much good calling the county police force is going to do or how willing the county is going to be to station someone there. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3169 Registered: 9-2003  |
It almost sounds like problems people have with bigger kids interfering with little kids at the playground. I wonder if there's a comparable way to designate? | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4520 Registered: 12-2004  |
Wow, that really sucks. Is there a "governing body" in charge of the dog park? Can't imagine the cops will do anything. I'm continually amazed at the amount of clueless, ignorant dog owners there are in the world. Can't tell you how many times we've been in a situation where a dog will go after mine and the owner seems utterly ignorant of the fact that their dog is a problem. And the best part: since my dog is a pit, he usually got the blame. If it were me, I would continue to let this woman know that her dog's presence is not appreciated or welcome at the dog park. Perhaps if you continue to speak out, others who feel the same way will speak out too. Otherwise, I'd give the dog a good swift kick in the head if it came anywhere near my dog. Or you could try physically intimidating the dog yourself, and it may just decide to steer clear of you and your puppy altogether! | ||
| S.L.K. 2.0 Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 2023 Registered: 10-2005  |
We use to have this problem back during our Prospect Park, Brooklyn days. Once my wife had to literally throw herself in between our silky terrier and a very aggressive dog (forgot the breed) that would of definitely snapped our pooch's neck. We were told the reason for this attack was because the male attacker was fixed while our male wasn't. Talk about insecurities! Whenever an aggressive dog rarely carried on and the owner ignored his/her troublemaker, I would politely state the truth to the owner very sternly. Something like, "Excuse me, your dog is troublesome for alot of other dogs/owners around here, either do something about it or we will..." Usually this did the trick since the owner coudn't determine how many made up "we" since there were literally hundreds of dogowners about... Just my two cents... -SLK | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 960 Registered: 6-2004 |
"Otherwise, I'd give the dog a good swift kick in the head if it came anywhere near my dog. Or you could try physically intimidating the dog yourself." says matb. nice move, take the owner's ineptitude out on the dog. i have an adult dog and a 9 month old puppy. if the pup finds herself in a little trouble i am right there and lift her out of harm's way. usually the other dog owner is right there, too, and will (if smart) curtail his dog. of course, it's unnerving to see one's puppy being "aggressively" played with... at which time, both the aggressor and puppy need a little time out. i find all it takes is a "look" to the other dog owner to understand what is going on. in the case of dodger's owner, she needs a good swift kick in the head. let her have it, is what i say and would do. period. unfortunately, fear or public reprisal always seems to help an unexperienced dog owner behave. | ||
| Amateur Night Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1981 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hey Oldstone, I certainly agree, this is all about Dodger's owner -- not Dodger himself. That said, and kicking her in the head not being a real option, what would you suggest? | ||
| S.L.K. 2.0 Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 2024 Registered: 10-2005 |
MATBs- Don't let Oldstone guilt you. A swift kick in the head is always a good plan B. Both the owner AND dog need to learn a thing or two... should of... would of.. -slk | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 962 Registered: 6-2004 |
do just what i said, amateur. if you want to bring your puppy to the run, you must hover...and i mean hover. there is no telling what can happen. and again, if you run into a moron she definitely needs to be treated like one. read her the riot act. she will deserve it...especially if she isn't watching her dog engage with a puppy. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 963 Registered: 6-2004 |
slk, i'm gonna remember that. | ||
| Letters Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 971 Registered: 5-2005  |
NOBODY. MESSES. WITH. MY. DOG.  | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 965 Registered: 6-2004 |
 psycho bitch ! | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4522 Registered: 12-2004 |
Gee whiz, Oldstone, Amateur Night didn't say his/her puppy was being aggressively played with, s/he said it was being attacked--BIG DIFFERENCE, IMHO! Amateur Night also did quite a bit more than give the owner a "look" and she clearly still didn't get it. And you can bet, if there is a real threat to my dog, and the owner shows no indication of doing anything about it, especially after repeated warnings on my part, I most definately will (and have in the past) administer a good swift kick to the head. It's the best possible solution to avoid potential danger to both my dog and myself. But hey, you go right ahead and put yourself in the middle of a potential dog fight and "lift her out of harms way." Sure hope you don't get your throat ripped out in the process. Many years ago, when I lived in Jersey City, there was a macho a-hole with a nasty, aggressive, uncontrolled, untrained, undisciplined pit that used to like to come to the park where all the dogs played off leash, and let his dog off leash too. Many, many people had encounters with the dog and the owner. One day, his dog had my dog cornered and I had had enough. I got in between my dog and the other dog, faced him squarely, looked him right in the eye and screamed "get the "f" away from him." And the dog backed down. In the years that I've gone to the reservation with my dog, we've had several encounters with an aggressive golden who always went after my dog (who, by the way is neutered) while he was on a leash, tied to my stroller. The idiot woman who owned him never seemed to get a clue, and every time we saw them, and every time he went after my dog, she was jogging with him off leash. Finally, I decided I'd had enough and when the damn dog got on mine, I gave it a good swift kick to the head and it let go! | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 969 Registered: 6-2004 |
amateur, will you define "attack" please? | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4523 Registered: 12-2004 |
Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, once I've made sure there is no longer a physical threat to my dog, I'll go over and kick the owner in the head too (it seems like the very least she deserves--but since she's not the one trying to rip my dog's throat out, she'll have to wait). Or, at the very least, I'll throw a banana! | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4524 Registered: 12-2004 |
Oldstone, you're kidding, right? at·tack v., -tacked, -tack·ing, -tacks. v.tr. To set upon with violent force. To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner. To start work on with purpose and vigor: attack a problem. To begin to affect harmfully: a disease that attacks the central nervous system. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 970 Registered: 6-2004 |
don't patronize me, matb. i would like to know how the "attack" manifested itself from amateur, not you. did dodger just get all up in the puppy's face? did dodger take the puppy by the neck and shake it like a rag doll? did the puppy go rolling over and over out of fear and submission while dodger was being vocal and pushing her around? your "just kick the dog upside his head" solution doesn't hold water yet as smart as you think it is. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4525 Registered: 12-2004 |
To each his own, Oldstone! I found nothing ambiguous about Amateur Night's description of what happened. Words like "attacked" and "viciously" pretty much say it all. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 971 Registered: 6-2004 |
amateur, i just thought about this...the puppy is 10 weeks old? that puppy should not be in the dog run. a puppy will not be immunized until the earliest 3.5 months. that puppy should be not be with other dogs. didn't your vet tell you this? | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4526 Registered: 12-2004 |
Let me ask you this? If there was an immediate threat to your child from a pedophile or such, would you want to know the reasons why this person was doing what they were doing, and give them leeway once they explained they had a horrible childhood? Don't think so. IMHO, I think you'd grab your kid, clean the guy's clock and ask questions later. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 973 Registered: 6-2004 |
LOL will you shut up. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4527 Registered: 12-2004 |
"Shut up?" Brilliant come-back. Mature and intelligent reponse. Way to engage in a debate. Speaking of LOL, at least I'm not asking idiotic questions like "define attack!" | ||
| zen Citizen Username: Zen Post Number: 51 Registered: 3-2002 |
Where in the reservation is the new Dog Park located? | ||
| something witty Citizen Username: Buckneja Post Number: 300 Registered: 1-2003  |
One place you could go with complaints is the South Mountain Conservacy... Check out the website: http://www.somocon.org/ I think the County is in "charge" of the Dog run, but the conservacy would def. make things happen if the conditions were unsuitable for visitors and potential members... | ||
| Barbara Citizen Username: Blh Post Number: 680 Registered: 5-2001  |
Wow, AN, we were there yesterday too -- glad we missed old Dodger. But boy, there were a multitude of small yorkies there! The owners there at the time were very much involved with each other, and the dogs. I think these relationships will help keep the rules observed. There were two funny jack russells there -- one would come over to sniff, and the other would come to scare the "sniffee" away. They were very territorial, but the owners kept a watch over them. Our Josie is still trying to figure these dog parks out -- she tends to wander by herself and stay away from anyone agressive or too young! | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater  Post Number: 2576 Registered: 10-2004 |
One bad apple most definitely can spoil the bunch. It isn't Dodgers fault. It's the owners fault. Having said that teaching the owner how to train their dog is way outside the scope of dog park visit. It also requires the owner of the unruly dog to be open to being educated. Since it seems apparent that this owner doesn't believe their is anything wrong...I'd say your in trouble. I usually don't want to confront wack-jobs at the dog park. MOST people are nice and I try to congregate around the nice ones. You can try to ask the owner to make their dog behave, you can repeat the request a few times, but eventually you will have to take matters into your own hands if the request isn't met. For me that means avoiding the owner and the unruly pet. I will keep my dog away from their pet as much as I can. If that can't be managed, then I will tell the owner that I am INTENTIONALLY AVOIDING their pet and that I would like them to make sure that their dog is staying away from mine, by all means necessary -- and I will do likewise if they can't do it themselves. If I have to I will leash my dog and walk my dog off to somewhere else. If the owner doesn't keep their dog away from mine as I asked, I will spray water from a sports water bottle right at their pet every time they come near me. I couldn't care less what the owner says. And actually this sort of flips the power dynamic. Because right now you think the owner of Dodger is a freak and should be avoided. After you squirt Dodger and the owner sees you, THEY will think YOU are the freak to be avoided. Mission Accomplished. If the owner is crazy, like certifiably (I've met a few crazies at dog parks), then I will ignore them, after I told them I was just defending my dog. After that I just won't speak to them anymore. And if things get too crazy, I will just leave the dog park and return at a different time. Alternately, have you considered taking your small dog into the big dog enclosure? That is always an option that big dogs don't have, since we aren't allowed to put our big dogs in the small dog enclosure. Anyway, if your dog is well behaved, it will have no problem in the big dog enclosure. Certainly worth a try, rather than going home. As for why Dodger is there at all...? If my dog wasn't great around other dogs I would INTENTIONALLY take my dog to a dog park so that he could be socialized around other dogs. It's the best way for them to learn how to be a dog. Now if my dog was unruly like Dodger, I would start him off on a leash in the dog park and I would check him with a quick snap of the leash and say NO every time he acted bad. For as long as it took. Returning day after day until Dodger could be trusted off leash. But since the problem is the owner not dealing with their dog than clearly this isn't why Dodger is there. But I just wanted you to see that there is valid reasons to bring a troubled dog to a dog park. You should also realize that puppies sometimes confuse or upset older dogs. It is possible (although maybe not likely in your example) that Dodger is fine with other dogs, and that it is your dogs behavior that is creating the problem. I can't say if that is true without seeing the scenario, however. But I don't think it is a horrible thing to put your angel on a leash even in the dog park every once in a while. Sure you shouldn't have to, but it really isn't so horrible. Your dog still gets to play and be around his own kind. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2577 Registered: 10-2004 |
Also, my dog is great with almost all dogs, which is why we go to the dog park so often. But my dog is NOT great with humans. Should we not bring him to dog park? Why would any sane person bring an aggressive dog to the dog park if he wasn't good with people, you might ask? Because my dog isn't dangerous, and he needs to learn how to tolerate people. My dog is home most days and doesn't meet total strangers all that often. And the few he sees are the postman, food delivery guy and the garbage guys who are invading his home turf. He wants to eat these people. But when we are at the dog park, he gets to learn that people aren't bad. Most ignore him, and a few would like to scritch him, and fewer still will even give him yummy treats. Over time it's working. While my dog is still better with dogs he thinks most humans are easy to ignore. I'd say that's progress. | ||
| Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 1177 Registered: 3-2006  |
Amateur Night, I am sorry you had such a bad experience. It is frightening, and maddening when you see your pet made vulnerable this way. This is why I am not a proponent of dog parks--too many people don't understand that a dog needs to be well socialized BEFORE he is let off leash in the company of other, unfamiliar dogs. You will always have irresponsible people , who, in other venues may be perfectly reasonable,but have a blind spot where their kids and compaanion animals are concerned. Just as a note of caution, and knowing my bias against dog parks to begin with, a 5 pound, 10 week old puppy does not have the skills to interact with all the loose cannons--human and canine-- who seem to show up at dog parks. I am not blaming the victim here, this was entirely the fault of Dodger's guardian , who I might add, was doing a very poor job of looking out for her charge. At 5 pounds, you puppy was probably regarded as "prey" by the Border Terrier. That dog will someday be on the receiving end, with possibly tragic results. If you want to seek out opportunities to allow your puppy to socialize with other dogs, you might consider the puppy classes at St. Hubert's. There she will have an opportunity to meet other puppies and they will all learn how to behave together. Even high prey drive puppies in a puppy class learn how to interact with other, smaller dogs. You might consider forming a play group in a fenced yard,and under strict supervision, with other puppies of similar age and size. And remember that play fighting is essential to dog social behavior. It can look scary, but they usually work it out in a few minutes, without any injury. If you know the town in which the dog was licensed, you might make a vicious dog complaint,but remember that there is a certain assumption of a risk when entering into a compound earmarked for unleashed dogs. There is probably a list of disclaimers posted along with the rules. And, oh, the kick in the head?? Good idea to defend your dog. Your legs are more powerful than your arms and it lessens the possibility of a nasty bite. If I were going to a dog park, I'd invest in a couple of break sticks and learn how to use them. Calli | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4528 Registered: 12-2004 |
I think most rational people understand that I'm not advocating a kick in the head as the first response. I would only resort to that as a last ditch effort, when all else failed and the owner continued to ignore the problem, if my dog was in serious danger of being injured. Calli, I'm interested to know about these break sticks. What are they? What are they used for? | ||
| Amateur Night Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1986 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks, all. I will definitely: a) avoid the dog park until my pup has the rest of her shots b) avoid it if Dodger and his wacko owner are present c) when she's a bit bigger, try the big dog enclosure if she wants to play. Saw a Westie in there yesterday having a great time. | ||
| S.L.K. 2.0 Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 2025 Registered: 10-2005 |
it seems like when it comes to the reservation, oldstone likes it agressive all way around, from pooches to gay cruisers....  -slk | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4530 Registered: 12-2004 |
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| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4531 Registered: 12-2004 |
Amatuer Night, definately do what Calli says and get to St. Hubert's in Madison for Puppy Kindergarten. We did it with our dog (plus two additional levels of training after that) when he was a pup, and it was the best thing we did, and lots of fun. | ||
| Crazy_quilter Citizen Username: Crazy_quilter Post Number: 420 Registered: 2-2005 |
My 8 year old was driving me crazy at the dog park, so i told her to go sit in the car and wait for me. | ||
| Crazy_quilter Citizen Username: Crazy_quilter Post Number: 421 Registered: 2-2005 |
on topic: i saw a one year old toy poodle get cornered by large dogs in the big dog area. The small dog was yelping and the owners were laughing! Luckily, the owners of the various large dogs were very quick to respond and everyone leashed their dogs right away and seperated them. Sometimes the pack mentality can take over with dogs. i told my friend this encounter and she said her german shepard killed her poodle within seconds in front of her when she was about 10 years old. i also highly recommend the puppy classes at St. Hubert's for socializing, but you still have to protect your puppy. In one class i was in, a few of the larger dogs cornered one puppy. I took subsequent classes with that puppy and they were never able to get her to really join in, she was always fearful. They said that the classes were the only place she acted like that. | ||
| slipknot (slippy) Citizen Username: Zotts Post Number: 291 Registered: 7-2004  |
Not to be a kill joy, but I do believe there is also a rule about home many children can be with a dog. I think four is too many. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6075 Registered: 1-2004  |
NO! NO! NO! Please do NOT kick the dog in the head! It's not Dodger's fault he has an idiot for a caretaker. I've only been to the dog park once. I thought for sure one of the 'rules' posted on the sign had to do with aggressive dogs. If the dog does this again, I would point this rule out the woman. Maybe you can get some of the other people in the dog park to back you up. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6076 Registered: 1-2004 |
Alley has a great idea! Use a squirt bottle to squirt the offending dog. I still would kick it in the head. Maybe swat it with a stick in the butt as a last option. I think Slip is right about the number of children with each adult. I think the number is two. I also seem to remember seeing child(ren) must be a certain age before being permitted in the dog park. | ||
| chickadee Citizen Username: Chickadee Post Number: 71 Registered: 6-2002 |
We took our dog to the dog park for the first time today! He loved it, but we only stayed a short while, since it was his first visit. The only downside I found with the dog park was the uncollected waste all over the place. Can someone please explain to me why dog owners cannot pick up after their dogs in a dog park when bags and refuse bins are available? I cleaned up one, then decided I couldn't/wouldn't clean up after everyone's dogs. Usually when I read about some homeowner who is complaining about dog waste on his/her lawn, I roll my eyes a bit, but today verified that there is indeed a problem -- some dogowners are not responsible. I say if someone doesn't clean up after his/her dog, he/she should be expelled/suspended from the dog park until proper dog care can be practiced. With that said, we will definitely go back. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6666 Registered: 5-2001  |
I like to take their little paws and break them over my knee - works everytime.  | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1988 Registered: 12-2003  |
Holy overreaction(s). | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2580 Registered: 10-2004 |
Why is there extra poo lying about...? Most people intend to clean up after their dogs, but don't notice it because they are distracted or in conversation. If you tell the owner of a dog that their dog just laid one, they almost always will thank you and run off to clean up after their pet. I usually do this. What works for me and I think could be a solutin for EVERYONE is when I pick up my own dogs feces, and the bag is still open, I will pick up a stray poop from another dog. My thinking is that there MOST CERTAINLY is going to be once or twice where I don't see my dog squirting one out, but the extra one or two that I picked up of some other dog most certtainly makes up for it. Well...that's how I can go to sleep at night, at least. | ||
| Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 1178 Registered: 3-2006 |
Meand, I PL'd you JTA, I would never advocate cruelty to animals ever---and I spend most of my spare time working to counteract animal cruelty. However,if anyone is in a situation in which the well being of an animal, child or adult is threatened by the aggressive behavior of an unrestrained dog--a physical reaction, like a kick in the head is called for in those circumstances ONLY. That is not cruel, it is expedient. A squirt from a water bottle is fine if the dogs are evenly matched, but this was a 10 week old puppy and a full grown dog---that was not play fighting, that was prey behavior. That is a very different situation from territorial, or rank in pack behavior. The object of prey behavior is to kill the prey. I have no doubt that if AN hadn't intervened, that is precisely what would have happened. The problem is when breaking up a dog fight, you need to know what you are doing (I admit I don't have that expertise)in order to avoid being bitten, by your own dog as well as the aggressor. It is always a goood idea NOT to put yourself in the middle of the fray. If you have to , then do it with your legs rather than your arms. I know Meandtheboys was not taking the position that anyone should EVER kick a dog in anything other than defensive circumstances. Calli | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 1725 Registered: 2-2006  |
You are perfectly right in being upset about Dogders behavior which is totally the owners fault. However you are putting your pup in incredible danger by bringing him to the park at 10 weeks old. Parvo will be your first worry as he is not fully vaccinated and kennel cough will be your next issue besides an adult dog can carry worms that he can deal with but a 5 pound 10 week old puppy would have serious issues with this. One of the dog park rules are that your puppy is supposed to be four months old and the reason for that rule is that your dog is fully vaccinated at that time. He/she might have had his second series of shots but that does not protect him from the illnesses that adult dogs can carry. You obviously have just had the puppy at best for a couple of weeks and I would focus to have the dog bond with you and your family first. Bonding takes a couple of months and the pup needs to know who he belongs with. A puppy class is the way to go as an intimidating experience as a pup can put a dog permanently off other dogs. Dogs are also greatly missunderstood when people assume that all dogs enjoy playing with other dogs. Dogs are pack animals but that means they are good with dogs they know and spend time with. No dog is 100 % good with all other dogs. Silly things can trigger an attack. Hormones are usually the main reason. An unfixed dog has no business in a dog park no matter how good he/she is with other dogs. All dogs are extremely sensitive to feramones and will act on them. You get the humpers, the male aggression and what can be much worse is female aggression. A fixed dominant female can become incredibly aggressive towards an unfixed female. Dogder has bigger problems then it appears as dogs rarely act seriously aggressive towards puppies that is if he recognized your pup as being a dog. When they do they generally do not recognize it as a dog yet and think of it as prey. Your puppy must be a small breed pup being 5 pounds at 10 weeks so he would easily be overwhelmed even by a 16 week old biosterous lab puppy. So do yourself and your pup a favor and take him to puppy classes when he/she has had all his/her shots (also a puppy class requirement). Your dog will be able to gain some confidence in a more controlled environment. To the other dogowners who take their kids to the run. So far there have not been real serious issues but kids under 12 really have no business in the enclosures. When the first serious dogfight breaks out, and it will, you are putting the little ones in real danger. Plus some dogs get so wound up that they don't really pay attention who they are barreling into when they are in full run and if two or three 50 pound dogs (and that's a medium sized dog) run into your child he/she will get hit with 150 pound solid muscle. The danger is really not apparent until it happens but it has happened many times in other dog runs. Also some dogs can be overwhelmed by the presence of all the other dogs and might react to your childs movements like the would react to another dog which can involve teeth even if it is not meant as aggression. Remember your dog in a dog run is not the same as in your house. The stimuli of other dogs, figuring out their social standing within this instant new pack, and possibly insecurity about the whole thing puts alot of pressure on them. Your dog can enjoy the dogrun 100 times and on the 101th time the situation is completly different. It all depends on the make up of the other dogs involved and they change constantly. One dog triggers a fight and 5 others will get involved. Also a dog should not be leashed while in the run as they generally feel restricted and will act defensively. Dogder should have been put in the "time out" cage to chill out and after the second incident should have left. However that is if the dog was truly aggressive. A dog will run over and make a stance to assert that he is the dominant one since dogs will never deal with each other as equals until it is determined that they truly are equal in position. There is always a push for the higher placement within the pack. Some dogs are naturally beta and will find an equal positioned dog to play with. Others will spend the entire time in the run to find out who is higher and lower. When your pup is ready for the park then start taking him/her on off hours when there are only a couple of other dogs around to give him time to adjust. Not every dog enjoys the company of other dogs and that's ok too. I was up there today to walk my dogs in the woods. It was a beautifull day so the dog park was packed. I personally feel there should be a cap to how many can be in the run at the same time. Today was definately too packed. Enjoy your new pet and understand that even though he/she is a dog he/she is still just a baby and is not able to stand up for him/herself which is a skill he/she will definately have to have to be in the dog park. You will not be able to be there every second especially if you have four children to watch. Good luck with your new cutie pie which I am sure he/she is cause they all are. | ||
| Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 1186 Registered: 3-2006 |
Bajou, Bravo! AN, I don't know if we really answered what you should do about the "Dodger" problem , as far as legal recourse, but you certainly got a lot of advice! I think you couldn't lose anything by calling the county police letting them know there was an unruly dog in the dogpark, and asking to whom you should report it. Calli | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 826 Registered: 11-2005  |
I know most of you guys won't agree with me but if a dog is "attacking" my pet/kid/whatever I'm not gonna waste time addressing the owner's "ineptitude". They'll be plenty of time for that afterward. First course of action would be to imagine the dog as a football and kick like I've got to make 40 yards against the wind to clinch the game. Sorry if that sounds cruel but a dog (whether through his/her own problems or the owners neglect) isn't gonna hurt my pet/kid/whatever and since I have no clue how to safely remove one dog from another(except with a garden hose but that's a different thread) I would have no choice but to do so. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4532 Registered: 12-2004 |
K_soze, you did read the entire thread, didn't you? A major portion of the debate has been about whether you should or should not kick an aggressive dog--in my terms "in the head." I made the exact argument you just did, but not nearly so clearly and succinctly. Thank you for getting straight to the point! | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 832 Registered: 11-2005 |
I have to admit, I'm often guilty of jumping in without reading every single post. Call me lazy but the way I see it is I'll most likely have the same opinion whether I read everyone else's or not so I'll take the chance. I'm just glad there are some people who feel the same way I do | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1989 Registered: 12-2003 |
I do recommend that if you plan on kicking a dog at the dog park, you wear good running shoes. Not exactly a dog-abuse-friendly locale. | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 835 Registered: 11-2005 |
It's not dog abuse, it's getting an attacking animals teeth off my dog. Anyone who knows me knows I would never harm an animal, some people make even fun of me cause I won't go fishing because I see no point in jabbing the poor thing through his lip then sending him back down to swim around wondering what the hell just happened. Still, I won't stand by while some dog takes bites out of my dog, no way brother. | ||
| Brookklyn54 Citizen Username: Brookklyn54 Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2006 |
I just must say that there should be some kind of order at the park. My dog was attacked also the first night I took her there. She is a lab so of course she was in the large dog area. The owner of the other dog just stood there as if it was normal as her dog was biting at mine. I took one quick look at her and left knowing that it could get very ugly for the two of us. Why must such people ruin it for others. I stopped going to Echo Lake because there was an idiot there with a pitbull everytime I went who would attack the other dogs. I guess thats why I have a park like backyard, so I dont have to deal with people like this. |
