A Small Tiff In The Off-leash Park

[redangel]

As an owner of a smaller breed Id say that though your boy is boisterous and happy...he may inadvertantly hurt the other dog. A play pounce or roll of a larger breed dog on a smaller breed dog could result in a breakage. Consider this...your boy comes across a iggy cross, bounds up unrestrained and inadvertantly the little dog goes left, your dog goes left also. The iggyx yelps and hobbles back to its owner...would you feel libel for the injury? Of course your boy is friendly, but many a small dog has been acidently hurt by an over friendly larger dog....not all injuries are a result of aggressive behaviour.

[Hetzer]

Not intending to be the 'thread police' but does everyone always have to keep making a repeat of the same photo every time they reply? It does make the thread unnecessarily photo heavy and that particularly makes it difficult for those on a dial up connection and/or with a limited download.

Once a certain image is downloaded it remains in the browsers cache on a person's pc so duplicates are loaded from that and don't take additional bandwidth.

[Hetzer]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

[labsrule]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

Yeah I totally agree I think too many people are far too uptight about their dogs meeting others and expecting every single dog in a dog park/offleash area to be perfectly behaved every single time and that is just a totally unrealistic & unfair expectation. We all have to expect the unexpected as that is life and I don't see the same expectation of perfect behaviour put upon humans as there is upon our dogs. There will always be ratbag dogs and ratbag humans but hey I am not going to curtail my dogs or my own activities in fear of meeting these ratbags

[Greytmate]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

Yeah, but some people with tiny little dogs would totally disagree. And that is fundamentally the right thing for them.

Also, barging right up to somebody is not necessarily saying "Hi"

I assume the OP has read "He just wants to say Hi by Suzanne Clothier"? Essential reading for all dog owners, especially owners of overenthusiastic dogs.

[Crisovar]

So there will no complaints if your dog gets flattened by another dog for invading its space??

Dogs can still run and play without disturbing everyone else that is not too much to ask surely. Why do they have to be in each others faces. It has nothing to do with being uptight.

[twodoggies2001]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

I agree. That's the main reason I take my boys. It's their time and their socialization. Firstly,. we go for a long walk around the park, off lead, because they know they have to come when called, and then if there are doggy friends in the ovals, in we go. Dogs are like kids, and go up to each other to say hello. Some come slowly and cautiously, and other bound up. Mine don't mind, and neither do I. That is not to say I am irresponsible. If I feel mine in any way are bothering another park user, they are called off immediately. If I suspect there is to be a problem between mine and other dogs, I gather them together and walk away, or ask the owner to step in. This has rarely happened.

Some of us are perhaps a little touchy and should just chill out. I don't see that anyone was targeting Labs, or for that matter any particular breed. Just as Hetzer said about unprovoked snaps from, in this case a SWF. Nobody was harmed and the dog is wiser for the experience. The dogs love to go to the park and interact with their counterparts.

[labsrule]

So there will no complaints if your dog gets flattened by another dog for invading its space??

Dogs can still run and play without disturbing everyone else that is not too much to ask surely. Why do they have to be in each others faces. It has nothing to do with being uptight.

One of my lab boys that I adopted does not like other dogs invading his space so I never take him to a dog park or offleash area where I know that can happen and in my view would be unfair on him and unrealistic to expect no other dogs to come up to him. When I walk him I am always vigilant of other dogs and I will let him offleash in a secluded area when there are no other dogs around, but if any come into view, then I will put him on lead. We have encountered the odd offleash dogs in onlead areas who have been in the process of rushing up to him and I stand between them and him and politely tell their owners that he doesn't like other dogs and to please put their dog on a lead and keep them away from my dog. They do without any fuss and we go on our separate ways.

My other two, my 14 year old and 7month year old have no no problems whatsoever with dogs invading their space and quite happily play/socialise with other dogs, obviously my pup more so than my oldest boy I am vigilant with my dogs wherever I take them, and if my dogs are being harrassed by overzealous dogs, then myself and their owners normally step in when required. We haven't encountered any issues in any offlead dog parks/areas/beaches that we have been to with any of my dogs invading another's space or any situations getting out of control with any of the dogs in attendance, but providing my dog doesn't get hurt and was in the wrong, then I would have to put in down to experience and hopefully my dog would learn a lesson and be more cautious about approaching a dog. In all the years I have been frequenting dog parks/offleash areas with my dogs, we have never encountered any issues :D . However, onlead areas, now that is a different story

[Earthdog]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

You might think it's OK but I'm assuming you have a big dog? My Mini Foxie is not a woosy, precious little bit, but she is little. I don't want over boisterous larger dogs, of any breed, bowling up to her. If my dog is under effective control why can I not expect other dogs to be? Yes, I know, it's not a perfect world.

[Kavik]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

And this is precisely why I DON'T go to 'dog parks'.

[Mas1981]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

And this is precisely why I DON'T go to 'dog parks'.

Thats fair enough and I would expect other people who dont want their dogs to be greeted by other dogs to also stay away from dog parks, there are plenty of parks that are not designated dog parks where they could take their dogs.

[Erny]

Thats fair enough and I would expect other people who dont want their dogs to be greeted by other dogs to also stay away from dog parks, there are plenty of parks that are not designated dog parks where they could take their dogs.

That depends on where you live. Most of the parks around me are designated off-lead parks. I'm not complaining about that - I need off-lead areas where I can let my boy stretch out and where I can use distance to train with. But it's not the case where "there are plenty of parks not designated dog parks". I enjoy the fact that we don't have too many of the restrictions in my area of "can't take dog here, can there, not there", but I wish one could rely on the respect and responsibility of others.

[Earthdog]

We have one dog park. There are other parks we can walk in but not do off lead training. It would be nice to have a choice.

[Adnil444]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

You might think it's OK but I'm assuming you have a big dog? My Mini Foxie is not a woosy, precious little bit, but she is little. I don't want over boisterous larger dogs, of any breed, bowling up to her. If my dog is under effective control why can I not expect other dogs to be? Yes, I know, it's not a perfect world.

Hi, I agree with you as an owner of both large and a small dog. That is why I petitioning our council to have segregated areas - one for large and one for small - most problems at off-leash areas would end. I love my bigger dogs running and playing with the labs or in fact any other dog at the park, however one in particular can be boisterous and I will always halt her play and make her settle if it starts to get out of control. Off-leash parks are there for the dogs to run and play etc - we have a number of guide dogs/assistance dogs that are working 7 days a week, and are perfectly trained, however when they come to the off-leash park, they are allowed to be dogs, and that means running, being boisterous etc. I think that if owners of any dogs don't like that, then perhaps they should not take their dogs to an off-leash park - there are other options available (for instance our park has a track on the other side of the off-leash oval which is perfect for those that just want to do laps with their dogs.

To me, an off-leash dog park is an area where dogs can play, romp, run etc etc, if you have a dog and you don't want it to participate in those activities, but just want to walk it, I would not take a dog to an off-leash park. I don't take my small dog to off-leash parks anymore - she is small, old and getting cranky. I don't want her be bowled over. I take her for walks on lead around the neighbourhood - she's happy, I'm happy.

[Adnil444]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

And this is precisely why I DON'T go to 'dog parks'.

Thats fair enough and I would expect other people who dont want their dogs to be greeted by other dogs to also stay away from dog parks, there are plenty of parks that are not designated dog parks where they could take their dogs.

Agree totally with you. Or petition your council to have small and large dog areas in the off-leash dog parks. That's what I'm doing.

[Mas1981]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there. There's plenty of other places I go when I am doing other stuff with my dog. If I see dogs that look suspect, we walk around the situation. Sure, my dog has had a few anti-social moments like an intrusive sniff, an attempted herding or a unprovoked snap from a SWF, but she's wiser for the experience and its part of life's journey. Thanks to playful Labs in particular, I've seen my dog become a lot more dynamic in her active socialization. To have the adventure, you have to be out there with other dogs. And that means taking a chance that it won't be an orchestrated event where everything runs according to my own envisaged script. I have high expectations from my dog regarding recall and obedience, but to anticipate anything like that from others would set me up for constant disappointment. So I just go with the flow, and thank goodness that that there are places where dogs can stretch their legs.

You might think it's OK but I'm assuming you have a big dog? My Mini Foxie is not a woosy, precious little bit, but she is little. I don't want over boisterous larger dogs, of any breed, bowling up to her. If my dog is under effective control why can I not expect other dogs to be? Yes, I know, it's not a perfect world.

Hi, I agree with you as an owner of both large and a small dog. That is why I petitioning our council to have segregated areas - one for large and one for small - most problems at off-leash areas would end. I love my bigger dogs running and playing with the labs or in fact any other dog at the park, however one in particular can be boisterous and I will always halt her play and make her settle if it starts to get out of control. Off-leash parks are there for the dogs to run and play etc - we have a number of guide dogs/assistance dogs that are working 7 days a week, and are perfectly trained, however when they come to the off-leash park, they are allowed to be dogs, and that means running, being boisterous etc. I think that if owners of any dogs don't like that, then perhaps they should not take their dogs to an off-leash park - there are other options available (for instance our park has a track on the other side of the off-leash oval which is perfect for those that just want to do laps with their dogs.

To me, an off-leash dog park is an area where dogs can play, romp, run etc etc, if you have a dog and you don't want it to participate in those activities, but just want to walk it, I would not take a dog to an off-leash park. I don't take my small dog to off-leash parks anymore - she is small, old and getting cranky. I don't want her be bowled over. I take her for walks on lead around the neighbourhood - she's happy, I'm happy.

I agree 100% - here in WA most of the parks are on lead only there are only a few which are off lead and then we have the dog beaches as well.

[Mas1981]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

And this is precisely why I DON'T go to 'dog parks'.

Thats fair enough and I would expect other people who dont want their dogs to be greeted by other dogs to also stay away from dog parks, there are plenty of parks that are not designated dog parks where they could take their dogs.

Agree totally with you. Or petition your council to have small and large dog areas in the off-leash dog parks. That's what I'm doing.

The large and small section being separate is a very good idea

[aussielover]

http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/97/

Wow thanks for posting that article! The exact same thing happened to my dog, who was previously well behaved with other dogs and even had a few doggy playmates, but up until now, I did not know why she "all of sudden" started becoming aggressive when dogs invaded her space and came right up into her face. She never broke the skin or drew blood from the other dog but she was quite vocal and it sounded quite scary.

I also thought the problem was with my dog and did not ever think it might be the other dogs fault! I wish we had consulted a trainer or behaviourist, but she seemed to get over this problem after 2-3 years. Of course we had to keep her on-lead all the time or only visit parks when there was no one else around. actually, her being only lead did not help the problem, as other dogs still came up to her.

I am soon to be a puppy raiser for guide dogs, so will be in charge of a young lab. We are going to do puppy classes, but any ideas for how to teach a young puppy to approach another dog politely? I don't want the dog to be one of those psycho ones that runs up in everyones faces and annoys other dogs!!!

[Greytmate]

I think the fundamental issue is whether it is OK for an enthusiastic dog to come up and say Hi to another dog in an off-leash dog area. I reckon it is. In fact, that's why I go there.

And this is precisely why I DON'T go to 'dog parks'.

Thats fair enough and I would expect other people who dont want their dogs to be greeted by other dogs to also stay away from dog parks, there are plenty of parks that are not designated dog parks where they could take their dogs.

The law requires people to be able to keep their dogs under control. This is so everyone with a well-behaved dog can use the park, not just those that want their dog to interact with strange dogs.

The parks are there so that dogs can be exercised off-lead. If you want interaction with other people and dogs, it is manners to check if it is wanted first.

There isn't a law that requires me or anyone else to put up with your dog interfering with my dog if we don't want that to happen, and if that interaction causes a fight or injury, you can expect to be fined for not controlling your dog.

[Erny]

The parks are there so that dogs can be exercised off-lead.

That's exactly right. The parks aren't labelled "doggy kindergarten".