Dog Park Woes

[Incantation]

I wouldn’t be going back to that dog park ever. OP said she would pay for a puncture wound. If the dog was treated for a puncture wound, then she should probably pay. If it was something else, I wouldn’t. I would want to see the vet report before paying anything.

There is a dog park near a walking trail near me. It has two enclosures, neither overly large, maybe 150’ long. One side for large dogs and one for small. We have let my girl play there on occasion. We watch the dogs that are in there already playing, looking for red flags before we go in. We haven’t seen any truly aggressive dogs, but several times we have not gone in due to the play style of a particular dog or two.

Only once have we left early, when a woman brought a dog in that really shouldn’t have been there. We called her the “fun police”. The dog wanted to control all the other dogs and tried to scold other dogs that were playing together nicely. The lady had her there for “socialization” although the dog clearly did not want to participate in play with anyone.

Thankfully my current girl has excellent social skills with other dogs and doesn’t react or escalate when another dog exhibits bad behavior. She has dog friends that come to the farm to play, but at times, we go through a dry spell when no one has time for a visit. Those times it is nice to have the option of the dog park, although we have only gone a handful of times. Oh, and she picked up fleas there the last time she went.

[Sunsets]

If it were me, I’d pay up and never go back there. Sucks for you and your dogs, as it seems you all enjoyed it.

Based on your description of his breeds, I’m guessing that Wilbur looks “pittie” and therefore is suspect in all things, according to some people. Not fair, but it happens, and you won’t have any fun with those dog owners.

[S1969]

@Sswor

Yah but–it doesn’t much matter if owners are attentive or not. Dogs pack up and two dogs get into it and everyone else jumps in. It’s instinctive and no amount of owner yelling is going to stop it.

And the whole “dogs need to run” thing. No, dogs need structured exercise and a clear hierarchy. They do not need (or benefit from) a constant, rotating introduction of strange dogs in an uncontrolled environment. This is stressful and incredibly risky.

I agree with everything here. When I lived in a city we had a dog-friendly public park (not technically a ‘dog park’). We went at 6:00am and 5:30pm every single day, but we did not hang out in the big field with other dog owners and deliberately avoided the times that they were busy. We walked and kept the dogs moving forward, and did not allow chasing, wrestling or dogs “packing up” - although it was never an issue because the other owners we walked with felt the same way - and so did their dogs. Many dogs would rather not run in packs either because it IS stressful.

It was much easier to do in a larger park than it would be in a 4 acre enclosed area, but you could come up with dog games useful for exercise - send and recalls, throwing frisbees/bumpers/balls, etc. It wouldn’t be as fun for the dogs as a real roaming run - but it could still be useful.

I am spoiled because I have 20 acres that backs up to vacant fields on all sides. My dogs “need to run” but they are running and hunting, not chasing each other. But there are ways to use smaller spaces if you aren’t so lucky.

[GoodTimes]

@S1969

I agree with everything here. When I lived in a city we had a dog-friendly public park (not technically a ‘dog park’). We went at 6:00am and 5:30pm every single day, but we did not hang out in the big field with other dog owners and deliberately avoided the times that they were busy. We walked and kept the dogs moving forward, and did not allow chasing, wrestling or dogs “packing up” - although it was never an issue because the other owners we walked with felt the same way - and so did their dogs. Many dogs would rather not run in packs either because it IS stressful.

It was much easier to do in a larger park than it would be in a 4 acre enclosed area, but you could come up with dog games useful for exercise - send and recalls, throwing frisbees/bumpers/balls, etc. It wouldn’t be as fun for the dogs as a real roaming run - but it could still be useful.

I’m going to assume this suggestion is for someone to do in their own backyard or if they’re the only ones at the dog park. But just in case, this is an awful idea in a dog park if there are other dogs around. Toys and food are pretty much the biggest reason why dogs snap at each other, etc.

I do agree with you that the only dog parks that work are the ones that are set up as long walking trails, and are big enough that they never seem congested. That’s why the ones in Edmonton worked so well, along with the fact that since they weren’t fenced and many were close to the street the only dogs off leash were the ones who actually listened and the owners would actually watch their dogs.

[Foxtrot_s]

Yes - toys, tennis ball throwers - just an excuse to start a rumble.

We have a large park that is fenced,but it is forested, trails, bushes and winds here and there…owners can amble along, dogs sniff and wander, but it is not the open field free for all and I like that - the dogs keep an eye open for their owners and show up every few minutes before off again…works really well.

I never go at busy times, we usually see the same people and the dogs get to know each other. The worst time is five o’clock when people come home from work, grab their dogs and go to the park with dogs that are pent up and excited after being home alone all day.

Overall, there is no way to guarantee that safe dogs and responsible owners will be at the park. My own view is that they are a double edged sword.

[Blinky]

Sounds like its time to have a small dog section and a big dog section. I have big dogs and it is always the little types that try to stir the pot.

[Minxitbabe]

Dog parks are a terrible but awesome place at the same time. Great for dogs with small yards to get a good strech but some people just don’t know when to not take their dog to one. OP I wouldn’t pay the bill if it was for treatment for anything other than a puncture wound. Running around and colliding is normal play in my book. The idea that someone would take a dog that is already at a physical disadvantage to a dog park proves the owner is an idiot. My three are a rough, tumble and run bunch and while I know many tri pod dogs can hold their own i wouldn’t want to see what would happen if they were all going full speed and had a collision. My female is my smallest dog and she rolls both my males on a regular basis. My dogs play well with all sizes and ages of dogs but if there is a dog with an ego there will be problems until someone loses that chip on their shoulder. I would wash my hands of the snobs and count myself lucky to have left before my brain rotted from their prattle. We have a park like that in the area and I would never consider joining. Instead we go to an awesome 12 acre rural park that there are few people who frequent it but there was an incident the last time we went that someone with two pitty mixes walked in and turned their brand new dogs lose… Yeah my one boy wasn’t thrilled with their attitude and we left rather than dealing with their dogs who didn’t know any manners.

[ElisLove]

I do not go to dog parks. Not risking my dogs, or my wallet if someone thinks my dog did something to their dog.
I go to a utility corridor that I can generally time so there are no other dogs (sometimes I have to wait a couple mins, or it’s big enough if there is one other person we can stay on opposite sides without issue), we also have 2-3 ‘dog parks’ that are either one dog/family at a time (which means sometimes you do have to wait for your turn but it’s free), or there are parks you can ‘book’ and so show up and have the park all to yourself but it does cost 10-15ish dollars a time. I do off leash runs 4-6 days a week.

[S1969]

@GoodTimes

I’m going to assume this suggestion is for someone to do in their own backyard or if they’re the only ones at the dog park. But just in case, this is an awful idea in a dog park if there are other dogs around. Toys and food are pretty much the biggest reason why dogs snap at each other, etc.

Well, yes, or potentially if they are large enough to move to an empty area. The OP said the park was 4 acres, which I realize isn’t huge but maybe large enough to move to one side if it wasn’t crowded.

If it was crowded and 4 acres, I would never go there. What a nightmare.

[S1969]

@Minxitbabe

Running around and colliding is normal play in my book. The idea that someone would take a dog that is already at a physical disadvantage to a dog park proves the owner is an idiot.

And this is the problem.

I don’t let my dogs run around and collide at home. That’s not playing.

[Minxitbabe]

@S1969

And this is the problem.

I don’t let my dogs run around and collide at home. That’s not playing.

Wow sounds like loads of fun at your place… I fail to see how running around and rough housing isn’t playing. My dogs have always done it and all the dogs I ever cared for house sitting do it both with the dogs they lived with and mine if I was able to bring them. Yes a pack of 5 big dogs all playing chase is like a run away truck sometimes but gosh do they love it!

[S1969]

@Minxitbabe

Wow sounds like loads of fun at your place… I fail to see how running around and rough housing isn’t playing. My dogs have always done it and all the dogs I ever cared for house sitting do it both with the dogs they lived with and mine if I was able to bring them. Yes a pack of 5 big dogs all playing chase is like a run away truck sometimes but gosh do they love it!

Ok, fine, some dogs can run, wrestle, and collide and have a great time and be “playing”. At a dog park? No way would I assume that this would be acceptable play for any and all dogs.

I have two unneutered males that get along very well - they run, hunt, and sleep together eveyr day. If they were outside running and colliding - they would definitely NOT be playing - that would be a dog fight. None of my dogs play like this - they will occasionally chase each other for a toy, or a quick/accidental bump here and there - but regularly colliding? No. They would consider that unacceptably aggressive and it would probably escalate.

Then again, they have other ways of entertaining themselves, but none of them have ever “enjoyed” the type of play that involved rough housing or colliding. Maybe these are simply breed type differences, but for that reason I would not assume that it should be acceptable for all dogs or owners at a dog park.

[fordtraktor]

Rough housing is playing but, like with kids, someone is likely to get hurt. It is all fun and games until it goes too far and then it isn’t fun at all. I don’t allow my dogs to roughhouse. My boys…they do if they both want to but someone usually ends up in tears. I don’t expect my dogs to have to learn to self-regulate like boys should! I just shut it down before one is uncomfortable.

with kids too, roughhousing is much more Ok when it is with friends and siblings. When with a stranger, it is called fighting. I would be pretty horrified if some stranger kid tackled my boys, or vice versa. Same with dogs.

[Gestalt]

Dogs parks are not like playgrounds, dogs can turn on one another in the blink of an eye. I agree with the poster that termed them Thunderdome.

And it isn’t that dogs have become horrible things, it’s because there are more of them in tighter quarters. The number 1 complaint my small town has is dealing with dogs. They have been trying to find funding for a part time dog control officer. For crissakes, this is a town of 1100 people and we have a dog problem :grief: Dogs barking/howling constantly, dogs pooping in neighbors yards, dogs menacing walkers, etc.

Yeah, I’m ready for dogs and their owners to be banished. It isn’t the dogs’ fault, but they are the product the rest of us have to deal with and it’s unpleasant.

[Gestalt]

@fordtraktor

Rough housing is playing but, like with kids, someone is likely to get hurt. It is all fun and games until it goes too far and then it isn’t fun at all. I don’t allow my dogs to roughhouse. My boys…they do if they both want to but someone usually ends up in tears. I don’t expect my dogs to have to learn to self-regulate like boys should! I just shut it down before one is uncomfortable.

with kids too, roughhousing is much more Ok when it is with friends and siblings. When with a stranger, it is called fighting. I would be pretty horrified if some stranger kid tackled my boys, or vice versa. Same with dogs.

Exactly

[S1969]

@fordtraktor

with kids too, roughhousing is much more Ok when it is with friends and siblings. When with a stranger, it is called fighting. I would be pretty horrified if some stranger kid tackled my boys, or vice versa. Same with dogs.

Great analogy.

[maybedog]

So I decided to go ahead and pay the vet bill only because I originally offered to and the woman has been very cordial. I won’t go back to the park even though the board is rethinking their decision. Several members who know me and my dogs are not happy and have approached board members in our defense, rather loudly from what I hear. The guy who does all of the maintenance told them to find someone else. I only let my my dogs play with dogs we know. We can get together other places than a dog park it’s just that certain times of the year they aren’t really allowed off leash. That’s what made the park nice. One door closes another will open. Thanks for all of the input.

[yellowbritches]

I think you made the right decision, both on paying the bill and on not going back. I hate dog parks, especially after my mother witnessed her friend’s dog get pretty brutally attacked at their neighborhood park (and by witness I mean she and her little terrier dog came close to ending up in it. My mom’s dog weighs 25lbs on a fat day, and my mom is 100lbs, soaking wet. Terrifying thought). My girls ARE lucky that they have lots of private property to be off leash on, though they are both more than happy to get their exercise on leash when needed. And they have great dog friends that we hang out with regularly…but they don’t even rough house and play and prefer to spend their time together hiking or walking around town. My girls aren’t big rough housers (The older one would in her younger years, and will still play bitey face with a couple of trusted friends, but not most of her dog interaction is just exploring and hanging out now).

My only exception to dog parks is the great dog beach about 30 minutes from my mom’s house. It is a huge dog friendly, but unfenced beach. So, dogs there are typically either well behaved or leashed, and there is room to spread out and get away. While I still find that I have to be vigilant there, it is much more relaxing than your average CF of a dog park.

[jetsmom]

@Blinky

Sounds like its time to have a small dog section and a big dog section. I have big dogs and it is always the little types that try to stir the pot.

This…I take my brothers 2 small dogs to the dog park, but they have a small dog side and large dog side. I’d never mix small and large dogs. Too easy to trigger prey drive in some larger breeds.
We’ve had 2 incidents where idiot owners that don’t have a clue about prey drive brought their Chihuahua into large dog side and were killed by a husky, and other brought a yorkie that got killed by a German shepherd.

[Foxtrot_s]

What scares me is the families who bring their babies in strollers into the park with all the dogs roaring around - Heck, I’m afraid of getting knee-capaped and usually stand close to a picnic table or tree.

Also, the biggest cause is throw toys, frisbees and tennis-ball throwers. Some dogs just get obsessive.

I don’t go at five o’clock, either, because the dogs that are in all day while their owners work come home and head straight to the park - those dogs can get pretty ramped up.

Parks are great, but I observe first to see who is there and usually there is not too much to worry about.

My daughters French Bulldog is fearless…when there is a rumble, she dives right in, so she is not really that good in a park…kept on a long leash to walk with friends, but can be hauled under control if she starts to zoom off to a fight.
She’s so little, she’d be mashed by bigger dogs.