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Dog Park Rant...

The Menagerie
#1

We frequent the dog park pretty often, as it’s a great way to socialize Dixie (not that she needs it, but it’s fun to watch her play), a great way to help her get her energy out if we can’t get a run in that day, and I have fun talking with the other owners. I’ve met a lot of nice people in the process, and learned a thing or too as well.

I HATE it when other people ruin it for everybody else though.

Last Saturday it was so wonderful out, that going wasn’t even a question. As we were walking in I noticed a mother and her two kids walking up with a BEAUTIFUL blue-nosed pit. I heard them mention, however, “I don’t know whats going to happen, as Fido isn’t that great with other dogs.”

:eek::eek:

I kept my girl in the fenced off area reserved for smaller dogs, because she’s very much into running into the middle of wrestling matches and what-not. Normally it isn’t a worry, as they are just playing, but I wasn’t going to take a chance. I also noticed that the pit was still intact.

Sure enough, about 5 minutes into them being there (with the owner sitting on a bench reading her magazine and her kids running wild all over the agility equipment…) a curious puppy goes running up to the pit. Pit growls and puppy back off, but then the pit charges the puppy and goes into full on attack mode. Owner is still sitting on the bench. Her kids are trying to get to the pit, but she’s telling them “Leave it alone, they’ll figure it out.”

:eek::eek::no::no:

At this point the puppy is crying, pit has drawn blood, and the whole thing is turned into a big dog pile. Puppy’s owner is trying to get to them, and all the other owners are trying to re-gain control over their own dogs. I would have waded into the mess, but I was holding my daughter, and not risking her safety was more important.

Puppy’s owner FINALLY gets to her puppy, but the pit won’t let go. She finally kicks him right in the junk and scoops puppy up when pit tries to turn on her. The pit’s owner is STILL reading her magazine, ignoring the whole thing. Puppy is bleeding and crying. Looks like one of it’s legs are broken. People regain control of their dogs, and everybody kind of left as doggie tensions were high. As we were leaving the pit gets into it with a new comer.

SMH. I HATE it when people ruin things for everybody else. I mean really?! Who brings their intact pit to a dog park, knowing that they aren’t great with other dogs?!

:mad::mad::mad:

I just hope the puppy is okay!

Thanks for ‘listening’ I just had to vent! This park is my favorite and about 40 minutes away from my house, so when we go we usually stay about 2 hours visiting with everybody.

Anybody else have dog park horror stories?

#2

Who brings a puppy to a dog park knowing that stupid owners with dogs they cannot control will bring them and let them loose? Not me because you wouldn’t catch me bringing my dog to ANY dog park.

#3

Dog parks are the stupidest idea ever. I don’t understand why anyone would bring their dog to one.

Would anyone turn out 30 strange horses, including some stallions, out together and hope for the best? Absolutely not. So why is it ok to do for dogs?

:no:

#4

And that is exactly why I will never take my dogs to a dog park. All it takes is one douchebag and one poorly mannered/poorly socialized dog, and you have a massive problem.

Hell, I can’t even take my dogs to a regular park where dogs are supposed to be leashed without having problems with douchebags and their loose dogs, so mine socialize in my fenced yard with dogs I know are friendly and well-mannered.

I hope that puppy is OK … and I hope that dog’s owner is on the hook for the vet bills.

#5

Agreed. I would never in a million years bring my dog to a dog park! Idiot owners with untrained dogs in a park festering with germs & diseases. No thanks!

I can socialize them on my own with other dogs/owners who are responsible.

On a related note: In a local paper there was a photo of a guy sitting on a brand new bench paid for by someone that was placed in the new local dog park. You too can buy a bench for $1000 or half a bench for $500 (wow what a deal)…I said to myself “How many dogs are going to lift their leg on that fancy new bench and who is going to be sitting on it after???”. Haha…ewwww.

#6

I have taken my dogs to the dog park but I agree, you’re doing so on much hope and faith that other people are responsible. Unfortunately, I’ve found that a large number of dog owners are not. :frowning: So, instead, I pay to socialize my dogs at organized doggie day care sessions/social hours at a training facility. At least the training facility screens dogs for temperament, requires vaccine records and has trained staff on hand in the event that anything happens.

I feel bad for the puppy’s owners. Unfortunately the dog park is an “at risk” activity and I don’t know how much of a case they would have if they pursued things with the pit bulls owner. Did you offer any kind of statement about what you overheard when they came in?

#7

[QUOTE=Superminion;6317043]
We frequent the dog park pretty often, as it’s a great way to socialize Dixie (not that she needs it, but it’s fun to watch her play), a great way to help her get her energy out if we can’t get a run in that day, and I have fun talking with the other owners. I’ve met a lot of nice people in the process, and learned a thing or too as well.

Anybody else have dog park horror stories?[/QUOTE]

I’ve read more dog park horror stories than dog park positive stories which is why we never take our dogs to dog parks.

All it took was one time for an unruly Labradoodle with no training to almost break my nose trying to snatch a leash out of my hand for me to call it quits.

#8

[QUOTE=Snowflake;6317093]
I have taken my dogs to the dog park but I agree, you’re doing so on much hope and faith that other people are responsible. Unfortunately, I’ve found that a large number of dog owners are not. :frowning: So, instead, I pay to socialize my dogs at organized doggie day care sessions/social hours at a training facility. At least the training facility screens dogs for temperament, requires vaccine records and has trained staff on hand in the event that anything happens.

I feel bad for the puppy’s owners. Unfortunately the dog park is an “at risk” activity and I don’t know how much of a case they would have if they pursued things with the pit bulls owner. Did you offer any kind of statement about what you overheard when they came in?[/QUOTE]

How do you find when/where the social hours are? I’m seriously reconsidering ever bringing her again, after reading the comments, and after the event with the pit, but would still like her to be able to be social and interact.

It is a lot of fun watching her play, and a great way to get her energy out, but I’m starting to feel a bit irresponsible now that I’m thinking about it!

I’d love an alternative like you mentioned!

#9

Check with your local dog training clubs. They should be able to steer you in the right direction. Also talk to local doggie day cares and see if they have an open “social hour”. We have a place called “Canine & Company” here in Western NY that does it, but my guys to to Absolute Canine Experience.

#10

[QUOTE=Snowflake;6317111]
Check with your local dog training clubs. They should be able to steer you in the right direction. Also talk to local doggie day cares and see if they have an open “social hour”. We have a place called “Canine & Company” here in Western NY that does it, but my guys to to Absolute Canine Experience.[/QUOTE]

:yes::yes:

Thank you so much!

#11

I have been taking Riley to dog parks and dog beaches since he was old enough to go, he is 2 now.

I also made sure that he had a great recall no matter what was going on, and he does. He will turn on a dime if I whistle. I know that I am not the majority when it comes to dog obedience, especially at the dog park, but it is important to me.

We, on average will go to a park about once to twice a week, and I have never seen a full blown fight. I have seen tiffs and most owners are watching and are aware of what their dogs are doing.

I also will go when I know that there will not be a ton of people and dogs there, late mornings, dinner time and never on saturdays or sundays.

I am sorry to hear that the puppy got attacked but there are two people that were in the wrong here; the puppies owner, perhaps puppy should have been in the small dog area and the owner of the dog with the balls. Those kind of balls are no fun in the dog park.

Whether its a pit, jtr, a mutt, what ever, in my opinion they should not be in the park if they are not altered.

#12

I won’t take my dogs to a dog park either. And quite honestly, if I had heard the comment that the owner of the intact dog stated, I would have gotten up and left.
I own a pit bull. She is WELL socialized. But if a fight broke out and she was clear across the park from that fight, you can be sure she would be blamed because she is a pit bull.
I try to never put my dog into situations where she can get hurt or blamed. there are too many idiot dog owners out there.

If I had a nickel for every time I saw an intact dog have an idiot owner (breed not important), I’d be rich. Who takes an intact dog to a dog park? UGH! Stupid STUPID people.

#13

WORD!

#14

My dog loves to play with other dogs, but I won’t take her to dog parks for a myriad of reasons. First, because she is a pit bull, and I know she will get blamed first for ANYTHING that happens to fluffy, regardless of whether it’s her fault or not. Second, dog parks are FILTHY. A breeding ground for serious disease. And there’s just no way to know whether the other dogs are up to date on their vaccinations (particularly for things like HW).

I live in a building with a large, well lit underground parking garage and a lot of great neighbors with friendly, playful dogs. I’ve made friends with a lot of them, and as we’ve gotten to know each other, we’ve arranged a weekly playdate in the parking garage from 11:30pm-12:30am every Tuesday night. Everyone in the building knows the playdate happens at this time, so there’s no one coming in and out (no traffic). It’s not ideal, but it’s a group of 4-6 dogs that get along well. And a group of owners that see eye to eye about their dogs. We’re urban folks, and the dogs aren’t used to a ton of green space, so they’re fine with the garage.

In my city, there are a lot of ads on Craigslist for “controlled” dog playgroups placed by people looking to get out of the dog parks. If you have a good Craigslist, you might try checking a few of them out without your dog one weekend.

#15

My experience has been good at dog parks. I have not had any horror stories. I was leery at first, but after years of at least weekly trips, nothing yet. For me, it was at least enough time to tell that the benefits have outweighed the risks so far. The dogs get enough exercise, but I initially used the dog parks for socialization. Soon enough, realized nothing compared to the happiness that comes from going there! I’ve seen many different breeds, including pit bulls. None have seemed aggressive. The group of people also seem fairly responsible. If you go often enough- you are able to recognize the other dogs, which also helps.

#16

mostly I heard good stuff, but the one who does not get it ruins it.

You can bet your bottom dollar, this oblivious owner will be back…the good ones will leave.

#17

Same here…I have Dobes so I have to be extra careful. Not that my dogs are unfriendly, quite the opposite. However my bitch will be quite offended if another dog snaps in her face for no reason other than being a snappy little dog…she will react and of course be the one to blame. :frowning:

#18

[QUOTE=TBPNW;6317284]
My experience has been good at dog parks. I have not had any horror stories. I was leery at first, but after years of at least weekly trips, nothing yet. For me, it was at least enough time to tell that the benefits have outweighed the risks so far. The dogs get enough exercise, but I initially used the dog parks for socialization. Soon enough, realized nothing compared to the happiness that comes from going there! I’ve seen many different breeds, including pit bulls. None have seemed aggressive. The group of people also seem fairly responsible. If you go often enough- you are able to recognize the other dogs, which also helps.[/QUOTE]

Nothing has happened yet. You’ll be singing a different tune when your dog ends up like the mauled puppy with the broken leg in the OP. There’s NOTHING preventing that from happening to your dog, too.

#19

Sublimeequine, no there is not. I am fully aware of worst cases and risks. I am aware of regret in life, and this is not one of them.

#20

And is the issue really the breed of this dog or really intact male dog with owner of what appears to be very limited/poor judgement???

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