How To Complain To Other Owner Nicely

[sallyandtex]

Hi,

We have two, 5 month pups.

We have finally braved the "dog club" that congregates in the middle of our leash-free park. Until now we steered clear.

it was great the first 2 times, as I could un-hook the pups and let them play with other dogs instead of each other!

Unfortunately, there are 2 owners who have no control, and yesterday they bullied my 2, who , after I intervened, scampered on top of some picnic tables.

The owner were oblivious, and continued in their chatting.

I said loudly that I would put mine back on lead, and take them. then the owners came and put their dogs on so we could leave in peace!

Anyone know of some way to gently tell these owners that they need to watch/control their dogs, especially around pups? It was great having my pups socialize, and I fear i will have to avoid that park area, but that's NOT FAIR! We should be able to use it safely too.

Thanks ;)

[poodlefan]

What's fair and what you'll achieve are different things.

You could ask them to keep their dogs away from yours but there's no guarantee they'll comply.

Or, you could simply try to avoid using the park at times they are there. It's unlikely to be the last negative experience you have at a dog park. Personally I think your pups are a bit young to be there at a busy time.

I'd be switching to a quieter time if possible.

[sas]

Just say it

[sallyandtex]

Just say it

Well said!

I just feel like a new kid at a new school, and thought some people might have some same experiences they could share.

We are locals, and had been coming to the park with our (now deceased) 17 yr old dog, well before the dog group formed. Just wanting to socialise the pups and "get along" with the others.

Other ideas welcome please!

[dee lee]

Ugh, I hate dog park "gangs". In my area they are tediously snooty and notoriously filled with badly behaved young dogs.

After having my last dog's DA escalate from too much clique-sanctioned roughhousing ("dont worry, bullbreeds play like that!" ), I always vowed that with any future dog I would avoid the standing around socialising while the dogs "played" and instead walk through the park. That way the dog gets a bit of socialising but still learns to stay with you or it will get let behind.

My next dog ended up not being a puppy and really doesnt care about other dogs, but I still maintain that this is the best way to go and I avoid any loitering.

Judging by the annoying dogs owned by the clique in my park I am doing the right thing. ;)

Its not a popularity competition and its probably better that your pups don't learn bad playing habits from those dogs anyway.

[Swiss Girl]

I made myself quite unpopular at our park for a while by telling one owner to turn around and keep an eye on her dog, something along the lines off - you can't just bring your dog here and ignore it you know, turn around and keep an eye on it. The blasted thing took one look at my pup and just hated it, would never leave her alone, in the end if she was there I kept walking, not worth the stress or bother.

You can't force people to care. If you want to be polite, just ask casually, Why does you dog attack mine like that? They may get the hint.

[Kavik]

I would avoid the dog park at the times these people are there. I would also be careful at dog parks for this very reason. I am sure they were a contributing factor to Zoe developing aggression towards other dogs, and yours are still at a vulnerable age.

EFS

Edited March 15, 2010 by Kavik

[sas]

I've asked someone with an aggressive off lead dog at an off lead dog park to leave before.

You have the right to nicely or firmly ask someone to control their dog.

[Monah]

I wouldn't go. Do you have any friends with dogs that you can socialise with?

I don't think dogs should, or do have the need to be 'friends' with every other dog. Mine focus on me, even at the beach with other dogs around. If someone comes up with their dog we are able to keep ours with us, but if they are showing any signs of wanting to play that's OK, this is pretty rare. They do have friends and family dogs.

every wild dog prefers it's own family and wont actively seek out other dogs as friends. I dont know if domestic are the same, but I do tend to think it is us as humans who feel bad for our dogs if they dont have a circle of friends.

I've only used 'dog parks' as a last resort when we moved to darwin, and made sure I went when they were very quiet which was usually when it was boiling hot and wet I have also asked a couple of people to please grab their dog.

I also think they are a little young for a full on dogs everywhere experience, I'd be on the table too!!!

[Diva]

My local park used to have an informal group of self-regulated regulars who met up at the same time each day. If anyone's dog was being overbearing or badly behaved there were a couple of the regular park goers who would not hesitate to have a quiet chat to the owners. It didn't have to be their dogs getting a hard time, they had the wellbeing of all the dogs in mind. Sometimes the owners of the difficult dogs would go off in a snoot, but so be it. The oval is big enough they could just move to another side. Sometimes they did work with their dogs behaviour and keep coming back, which was welcomed.

Unfortunately that group has moved on now - but it showed it can be done if people are willing to say the hard things, politely, and to back each other up on unacceptable behaviour.

I only occassionally caught up with the group as they met too early in the afternoon for me, but I'd take a dog down there every chance I got. Now if I'm passing the same oval it's a matter of checking out who is there - if I don't think they look like they are safe, I keep walking.

Edited March 15, 2010 by Diva

[sallyandtex]

My local park used to have an informal group of self-regulated regulars who met up at the same time each day. If anyone's dog was being overbearing or badly behaved there were a couple of the regular park goers who would not hesitate to have a quiet chat to the owners. It didn't have to be their dogs getting a hard time, they had the wellbeing of all the dogs in mind. Sometimes the owners of the difficult dogs would go off in a snoot, but so be it. The oval is big enough they could just move to another side. Sometimes they did work with their dogs behaviour and keep coming back, which was welcomed.

Unfortunately that group has moved on now - but it showed it can be done if people are willing to say the hard things, politely, and to back each other up on unacceptable behaviour.

I only occassionally caught up with the group as they met too early in the afternoon for me, but I'd take a dog down there every chance I got. Now if I'm passing the same oval it's a matter of checking out who is there - if I don't think they look like they are safe, I keep walking.

Hey thanks everyone for the feeback!

Today, I checked out who was there before going through. Took them off lead as there was only about 4 other wellbehaved dogs there. The pups had a great run around. After about 10 mins it got busier, so I managed to put the dogs back on lead (quite a challenge!) and kept walking to the end. On the way back I went the long way around to avoid the ever growing "Pack".

[poodlefan]

S&T, when it cools down a bit more, I'd suggest you take the pups in individually.. leave one in the car and give them some time on their own.

[Kirislin]

Anyone know of some way to gently tell these owners that they need to watch/control their dogs, especially around pups? It was great having my pups socialize, and I fear i will have to avoid that park area, but that's NOT FAIR! We should be able to use it safely too.

Thanks

Excuse me, can you please call your dogs off, they are frightening mine. if that doesn't work just roar PISS OFF! to their dogs, maybe then they'll get it.

[Kavik]

I run into this lady with a Schnauzer at the quiet park I go to (I think a large Mini, looks a bit too small to be Standard) who has NO control over her dog and the dog will literally follow me around the park no matter how far away I try to go! I get anoyed as I want to do some training with Kaos - send aways etc, fun stuff, but then worry about what will happen if her dog tries to take Kaos's toy when he is going to get it. Unfortunately 'Please come and get your dog' does not work (the dog has no recall) and neither does yelling "PISS OFF" to the dog

[CavsRcute]

That's why I don't go to dog parks any more

[Pockets]

Your responsible for your dogs, if you don't like the group don't go there, don't put your dogs in that situation.

You have two 5 month old pups offlead and say it's quite a challenge to get them back on lead? Do you have effective control of them? If not I would suggest getting long leads and not allowing them off until you are 100% sure you have control only because any dog being friendly or not so friendly can easily get themselves into trouble :-)