dog parks?

[sakirby]

so, how does everyone feel about dog parks? do you take your frenchies there?

i started working with a new trainer who i really like. she said that dog parks aren't a good idea unless there is only like one or two other dogs there or if you can be sure you are putting your dog with an "evenly matched" dog to play with.

i have had mixed experiences at the dog park and i need some help. first of all, oscar loves it when there is a dog that will play with him. one time, a pug named mishu played with him at the park, and it was perfect. him tired, me happy. another time, we walked in to the park, and a small dog ran up to oscar and attacked him. oscar screamed, we left, he was not tired, and i was not happy. any suggestions on how to be sure the dog park is a fun experience?

one more thing...oscar also got a bit agressive (i thought, not too sure) with mishu at the end of their playing session. his barking changed and he was charging her a bit more. he is only almost 4 months old and i really don't want to him to be agressive with other dogs. so, when he started to bark differently and really charge mishu, i picked him up, said no, and held him until he was calm. put him back down, and they played nicely. any other suggestions on what to do in this situation? i just want oscar to have a good time, get tired, and not develop aggressive tendencies. it seems like a lot of work at the dog park. thanks!

[Borgan]

I'm with you on the dog park thing. Luna loves to steal toys (something we're working on) and run around teasing the other dogs. Once and awhile, she'll come accross another dog who is dominant and resistant to being robbed, and all hell breaks loose. It can be scary.

I think it has less to do with the dog park and more to do with your dog's behaviour. If you have 100% control over your dog, most situtations are manageable.

That said, some dogs just turn on a dime. One minute, they're all, "I'm playful and cute!" and the next, they're all, "I'm psycho and I'll tear your head off!". If you meet one like that, just leave. I guess it's the risk you run letting your dog off-leash in a public area.

[Borgan]

and oh ya - I keep it real by finding the one thing Luna is obsessed with (sticks) and focusing on play between her and I. If other dogs join in, it's all good, but at least I'M the one in control of the fun and games. Turning your dog loose and leaving them to their devices is when trouble occurs.

[franp]

Dogparks are not my favorite thing; but they are a necessity of life. And I will telll you that my dog can be a trouble maker.

Dari is a VERY dominant bitch; I am on her constantly. I watch her every move and know what kind of dogs will set her off.

Dogparks are like driving defensively; you must be on constant guard.Your dog may be the most docile dog in the world and someone will come in with a dog; not pay attention and the next thing you know; A FIGHT.

Dari has calmed down considerably as she has gotten older and realized I am dominant.

The dogpark can be a wonderful place when the right mix of dogs are there. This is usually during the week,when the same dogs come every day.The trouble erupts on the weekend, A new bunch comes in and there is essentially a new pack.

I love when we go and she knows the dogs. If I had a better way; I would take it.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that your dog will never start trouble. Dogs are like little kids. One day they like a dog; the next day they do not.Be vigilant. Be VERY careful of the person that says thier dog will never start...Watch your dog; do not sit and read a newspaper..

Above all: watch out for the little dogs; You know the ones that yip. The ones that nip. The ones that bring up our dogs prey drive..These are the ones that I NEVER let Dari loose around.
Frenchies have Terrier in thier background..Little dogs that run and skitter can resemble prey...

If you have a choice of a large or small dog run; go into the large dog run. Our dogs are NOT small dogs...

[franp]

[QUOTE=Borgan]I'm with you on the dog park thing. Luna loves to steal toys (something we're working on) and run around teasing the other dogs. Once and awhile, she'll come accross another dog who is dominant and resistant to being robbed, and all hell breaks loose. It can be scary

We discourage bringing toys into the dogpark. It most always starts a fight. Just about the only "toy" allowed are tennis balls.


]

[sakirby]

what do you guys do if things do happen to get aggressive? separate them and leave? i just want to know how to handle oscar...like, after he got attacked the other day, and after he becomes a bit aggressive.

you are right about the week fran. luckily, i can go in the week, so i look out for the same dogs that i know oscar likes. if they are not there, sometimes we just go do something else. and on the weekend, forget. way too many dogs in there, and way to many irresponsible dog owners.

[franp]

If there is aggression it just depends on what dog it is.. There are certain dogs that Dari will just ignore. Other times I can not allow her to be loose. There is no set answer..You are going to have to feel out every situation.

Let me give you an example.There is a Wheaton terrier named Emmet that attacked Dari (and most everybody else)during the week. I was not aware; she now has a dislike for adult wheatons..I gauge her reaction to a Wheaton as it comes in..

Dari can get jealous. If she is playing with a dog and another wants to play she does not like that.A minor fight will start..In this case I can stay.If a dog tries to be dominant ie humping her, I leave..

You need to play it by ear.There is no rule..Always leave your dog's collar/harness on to grab hold of.. If there is a fight;grab what ever dog is closest by the back legs to break things up..This gets the dog off balance..If you have a water bottle ; throw water to distract..I am always amazed that people just stand. Grab ANY dog out of the fray..

Dari is a joiner. If she is on the other side of the park and there is a fight that has NOTHING to do with her; she runs to join...

I truly believe our dogs feel our tension.So try to be calm.. As for the trainor saying pick even sizes; Nope.. Dari is much better with LARGER dogs..

[EmD, MD]

Penny and I go to the dog park every day with her best dog friend. It has become very boring for us humans but the dogs adore the routine. I think it's really good for her but I understand the risk I am taking. However, I see it as taking a bigger risk if I don't expose her to other dogs as much as possible, including problem dogs, because not only does she learn to play but she learns dog boundaries and dog rules.

I avoid certain parks where there seems to be a certain character of owner who refuses to get involved. The park we go to during the week is full of regulars who I know will not hesitate to call out another owner with an aggro dog or back me up if I have to. I would never guarantee anyone that my dog won't hurt someone, and I never get too comfortable with even well-known dogs. I think it's fairly easy to read the dogs' signals to see if play is getting too rough. So far Penny herself has never been aggressive and so far doesn't steal toys. If she did, the dog park would be over for the day.

One of the things I've seen people do is leash the dog until it calms down or until the "victim" dog leaves. Spraying water is one idea I never thought of and it sounds like a good one.

[evangelie]

We take our dogs to the doggie beach in Evanston near Northwestern University. It actually has doggie guards there patrolling for aggressive dogs and so far we have only seen one incident in the 4 years we have been taking our dogs there. Our dogs play fetch in the water as well as play with other dogs there. We don't let them out of our sight and stroll around anywhere they please, that is just asking for trouble. So our experiences have been good overall. ;)

[adora's mom]

We love the dog park! I think it has been instrumental in socializing both of my dogs and made them confident and tolerant of others (people and dogs).

Our dog park is separated into a small dog side & a big dog side. We usually go to the small dog side. The small dog side is usually Beagles, Pugs, Bostons, Corgis that both of my dogs get along with very well. Not many small yippy dogs. Most of the dogs at the park are regulars.

I have taken Adora to the big dog side a few times, but only when I know it's safe (there are 3-4 "problem" dogs/owners that I refuse to be on the big dog side with). Adora likes playing with the big dogs, but she gets overwhelmed by Great Danes and tries to jump in to my arms when they look at her. Silly girl :)

She is in the "big dog" room at doggie daycare though. She's too much of a wrestling machine for the little guys there (Chihuahuas, Poms, and the like).

I would say it all depends on your dogs' personality and the mix of dogs at the park on any given day. Some dogs just don't do well at dog parks and others thrive on the socialization. In any event, I think it's important to ALWAYS have a collar on your dog at the park so you can grab them if they get in a scuffle and make sure they are reliable on recall.