Another Dog Park Question

[Staranais]

I think it is likely he is actually more aggressive than his dog...

Why couldn't he just say "my dog is aggressive, please keep yours away" I have no problem with that, I have been told a few times not to let my dog approach when I have asked owners if their dog is friendly and I am perfectly fine with that.

Can I report an aggressive person???

That's the only real problem that I can see - the guy was bloody rude. His actual request was reasonable if his dog is reactive when other dogs get in its space, it was just not phrased very nicely! I'm not sure if you can report aggressive humans.

[Keshwar]

If the dog was indeed DA then it is careless not to leash or restrain it in some way when you see another dog approaching imo.

Even though they should, not everyone has control over their dogs, dogs can't be reliable 100% of the time and imo, it is not worth the risk of letting my dog hurt another EVEN if they are in the wrong.

I've had a mildly DA dog, and I would always leave the area or leash her if i saw another dog approaching.

The point is that no-one actually knows if the dog was actually DA or not from your initial description.

Did the DOG show any aggressive behaviour or was it the dogs owner who was showing aggression (rudeness)?

[W Sibs]

He was very rude but I don't see him doing anything wrong to be reported. He did give you the heads up.

Edited September 29, 2010 by CW EW

[aussielover]

Exaggeration is a distinct possibilty .

he may have been enjoying the peace & quiet ..and wanted people to stay away?

[

uh, huh. I have been know to say a similar thing to this owner when I saw kids/dogs come to 'my spot ' in a park . I was having a nice peaceful time and wanted it to stay that way . No- My dog would not have attacked .Probably not a nice thing to do- but

So its first in first serve for claiming a spot in a public area then is it?

As if any responsible dog owner would hang around after someone had said sometthing like that.

If the dog is reactive or aggressive, then, after hearing experiences of other people on here, then I can perhaps see why he would have resorted to such behaviour/exaggerations.

Wanting a whole area to yourself or wanting some peace and quiet is not a good enough excuse for rudeness imo.

Its a public area for goodness sake.

Edited September 29, 2010 by aussielover

[aussielover]

If the dog was indeed DA then it is careless not to leash or restrain it in some way when you see another dog approaching imo.

Even though they should, not everyone has control over their dogs, dogs can't be reliable 100% of the time and imo, it is not worth the risk of letting my dog hurt another EVEN if they are in the wrong.

I've had a mildly DA dog, and I would always leave the area or leash her if i saw another dog approaching.

The point is that no-one actually knows if the dog was actually DA or not from your initial description.

Did the DOG show any aggressive behaviour or was it the dogs owner who was showing aggression (rudeness)?

I wasn't close enough to observe the dogs behaviour in detail, i was more preocuppied with calling my dog back to me and ensuring that at least she was under control and getting as far away as possible from them as possible.

[poodlefan]

I wasn't close enough to observe the dogs behaviour in detail, i was more preocuppied with calling my dog back to me and ensuring that at least she was under control and getting as far away as possible from them as possible.

Pity all dog park users don't have that level of control.

[J...]

How do you know the dog really is aggressive?

Maybe the dog is, but just maybe he told you a porkie so he could avoid the usual dog park issues.

I have two dogs with great temperaments but it seriously gives me the sh*ts when people won't control a dog that my two clearly don't want to play with, and it happens a lot in dog park areas (which is why I go to out of the way places to train and walk my dogs!). I can see why someone would say such a thing if it meant they got to work/train/walk their dog in peace.

So you'd tell someone that your dogs would rip another dogs head off?

Not in those words. Yes his attitude was aggressive. If my only choice to exercise and work my dogs was a dog park then yes I would probably resort to something similarly aggressive in order to protect them from the constant stream of out of control, rude and aggressive dogs.

[Red Fox]

There's every chance in the world he exaggerated for effect. I wouldn't blame him if his dog is reactive.

Some people simply won't listen.

As there hasn't been an incident, I see nothing to report.

I tend to agree.

If you are worried about the "what if's" then dont go to public off leash dog parks.

[chellz]

I cant believe your actually sticking up for these people.. If the owner warned to stay away because it is aggressive then it has obviously attacked or had a go of another dog /person. Its just an acciedent waiting to happen.. He should by no means have it in an off leash area where there are other dogs roaming around (even kids) and put the dog into temptation..

Really? How do you know this for sure?

Perhaps the dog is just fine unless someone allows their dog to get in its face. That's provocation, not temptation IMO!!

You do understand that DA dogs are not usually a danger to kids don't you?

and how do you know it is not a high risk dog?? would you risk your dog/child? If yes well then im glad i dont live with you. Why should she or anyone have to have a lead on their dog just "incase" its gets in the dogs face and attack!! If the dog is aggressive then that dog should be the one on the lead. So a dog has to attack a person or dog to be labelled as 'a danger'.. Havent you heard of a preventative measure.. Maybe then there wouldnt be as many dog attacks!!

Edited September 29, 2010 by chellz

[Danois]

If the dog was indeed DA then it is careless not to leash or restrain it in some way when you see another dog approaching imo. Even though they should, not everyone has control over their dogs, dogs can't be reliable 100% of the time and imo, it is not worth the risk of letting my dog hurt another EVEN if they are in the wrong.

How about - people should have control over their dogs and they should not be running up into the faces of other dogs?

How about - he did not know if you have control over your dog and that it was reliable 100% of the time to recall to you and in his opinion it was not worth the risk of having your dog get in his dog's face.

There is nothing to report - you simply got offended at how someone spoke to you - maybe he was pissed off that other dogs had raced up to them as their owners had no control and he saw your dog approaching and went - oh god not again.

[superminty]

Not that I am condoning rudeness, or excusing this guy's behaviour, but...

In my experience, politeness gets you nowhere.

I do own a DA dog, who is always walked on lead, in on lead areas. I have lost count of the amount of times people have continued to allow their (unlawfully) off lead dog to approach mine, despite me politely calling out "My dog isn't friendly, keep your dog away" when I see them coming.

After a few of these in a row on the one day, my patience wears thin. Woe betide the next person to let their dog approach mine, becasue they will cop an earful. Sometimes it is easier and more effective to be blunt and yes, aggressive, from the get go. At least then the other person knows you are serious. Even if they end up thinking you are a nut job

Maybe you just caught him on a day where he and his dog had been harrassed one time too many, and he snapped. I know the feeling :cool:

[shells]

TBH the guys language wasnt very good but maybe and unfortunately he had encountered quite a few rude people/dogs that day and had enough and it was you that "coped" it

Why should she or anyone have to have a lead on their dog just "incase" its gets in the dogs face and attack!!

Because in dog language it is rude for another dog to run up like that. My female will tell rude dogs like this to eff off in no uncertain terms and she isnt DA and is well socialised but she would rather have a nice run around, chase the ball and play with her brother rather than have every bouncy dog in Canberra getting in her face. Apparently someone considered this "aggressive" at our local dog park the other day even though she is a mini poodle and told a boxer and german shepherd that she didnt want to play.

[poodlefan]

I cant believe your actually sticking up for these people.. If the owner warned to stay away because it is aggressive then it has obviously attacked or had a go of another dog /person. Its just an acciedent waiting to happen.. He should by no means have it in an off leash area where there are other dogs roaming around (even kids) and put the dog into temptation..

Really? How do you know this for sure? a

Perhaps the dog is just fine unless someone allows their dog to get in its face. That's provocation, not temptation IMO!!

You do understand that DA dogs are not usually a danger to kids don't you?

and how do you know it is not a high risk dog?? would you risk your dog/child? If yes well then im glad i dont live with you. Why should she or anyone have to have a lead on their dog just "incase" its gets in the dogs face and attack!! So a dog has to attack a person or dog to be labelled as 'a danger'.. Havent you heard of a preventative measure.. Maybe then there wouldnt be as many dog attacks!! and btw Any dog can be a risk to children

You said that if the owner warned someone off it had obviously attacked. I asked how you could know this. The answer is you can't.

Clearly if other dogs (or children) are kept away from dogs unless invited to interact, then there is no risk with such a dog. Perhaps if you lived near me and spent as much time as some of us do fending off dog owners who no control of their dogs and no effing idea about appropriate dog behaviour then you'd be a bit more reluctant to label a dog that displayed no aggression whatsoever as "dangerous". In the meantime, try to stick to forum rules and keep the personal comments to yourself.

This dog's owner told the OP to keep her dog away. That's a preventative measure.

Any dog can be a risk to children.. but hardly in the circumstances described in this post.

Edited September 29, 2010 by poodlefan

[kelpiechick]

Not that I am condoning rudeness, or excusing this guy's behaviour, but...

In my experience, politeness gets you nowhere.

I do own a DA dog, who is always walked on lead, in on lead areas. I have lost count of the amount of times people have continued to allow their (unlawfully) off lead dog to approach mine, despite me politely calling out "My dog isn't friendly, keep your dog away" when I see them coming.

After a few of these in a row on the one day, my patience wears thin. Woe betide the next person to let their dog approach mine, becasue they will cop an earful. Sometimes it is easier and more effective to be blunt and yes, aggressive, from the get go. At least then the other person knows you are serious. Even if they end up thinking you are a nut job

Maybe you just caught him on a day where he and his dog had been harrassed one time too many, and he snapped. I know the feeling :cool:

Totally agree. One of mine hates other dogs getting in his face and even though he will generally ignore the other dog and try to get away from it before he snaps, I don't want him in that situation if I can help it.

So I would quite happily tell someone else that he is aggressive and will rip their dog's head off - even though that is a gross exaggeration - because I am sick and tired of people who don't listen when you ask them nicely.

My latest moronic encounter in an offlead park - which I usually avoid like the plague but in this case had to either cut through or walk on the road with 3 dogs - my dogs all on lead on the absolute extreme edge of the park, group of people standing around quite a way from me talking and ignoring their dogs that are all running free. Huge rottie comes flying over to my dogs (I don't have a problem with the breed, just stating what it was) and sticks its head right in my scaredy cat's face, so I push myself between him and the rottie and call out 'will you please call your dog, mine doesn't like strange dogs approaching him like this' to which he replies, 'that's your fault for having him on lead love , just let him off and he'll be fine.'

So yeah, I would prefer to be rude and offend someone than have my dog put up with this sort of crap which happens way too often - you have no way of knowing who is a responsible dog owner and has effective voice control in a brief chance encounter.

[Shaar]

If you go to a park and you know you have a dog who is a bit touchy with other animals, PUT A MUZZLE ON IT. Yes aggressive dogs are allowed to be exercised too but what if a SWF runs up to your dog and the owner has no control over it? Yelling "keep your dog away" to the owner isn't going to do jack sh*t with a dog who has bad recall.

When you go to a dog park you shouldn't have to worry about your dog having it's head ripped off. Although a lot of dogs at the park are badly trained I would fully expect them to either be not aggressive, or muzzled if they are.

[poodlefan]

If you go to a park and you know you have a dog who is a bit touchy with other animals, PUT A MUZZLE ON IT. Yes aggressive dogs are allowed to be exercised too but what if a SWF runs up to your dog and the owner has no control over it? Yelling "keep your dog away" to the owner isn't going to do jack sh*t with a dog who has bad recall.

When you go to a dog park you shouldn't have to worry about your dog having it's head ripped off. Although a lot of dogs at the park are badly trained I would fully expect them to either be not aggressive, or muzzled if they are.

And paint a big target on its arse because you've just made it a sitting duck.

I don't take my reactive dog to the park. Neither do most owners in the peak user times. I'd never take a muzzled dog to one.

I just love when a dog stalks up fully hackled up with its tail over its back and the owner says "he's just being friendly".

The sad fact is that the ignorance and lack of consideration displayed by some dog owners means that dog parks are a no go zone for many others. No one I know that I consider knowledgeable about dogs will go near a public dog park in the busy times. :cool:

Edited September 29, 2010 by poodlefan

[J...]

If you go to a park and you know you have a dog who is a bit touchy with other animals, PUT A MUZZLE ON IT. Yes aggressive dogs are allowed to be exercised too but what if a SWF runs up to your dog and the owner has no control over it? Yelling "keep your dog away" to the owner isn't going to do jack sh*t with a dog who has bad recall.

When you go to a dog park you shouldn't have to worry about your dog having it's head ripped off. Although a lot of dogs at the park are badly trained I would fully expect them to either be not aggressive, or muzzled if they are.

If a dog owner has no control or recall then they need to keep their dog on a lead. That's the law - dogs are required to be under effective control at all times.

[chellz]

I cant believe your actually sticking up for these people.. If the owner warned to stay away because it is aggressive then it has obviously attacked or had a go of another dog /person. Its just an acciedent waiting to happen.. He should by no means have it in an off leash area where there are other dogs roaming around (even kids) and put the dog into temptation..

Really? How do you know this for sure? a

Perhaps the dog is just fine unless someone allows their dog to get in its face. That's provocation, not temptation IMO!!

You do understand that DA dogs are not usually a danger to kids don't you?

and how do you know it is not a high risk dog?? would you risk your dog/child? If yes well then im glad i dont live with you. Why should she or anyone have to have a lead on their dog just "incase" its gets in the dogs face and attack!! So a dog has to attack a person or dog to be labelled as 'a danger'.. Havent you heard of a preventative measure.. Maybe then there wouldnt be as many dog attacks!! and btw Any dog can be a risk to children

You said that if the owner warned someone off it had obviously attacked. I asked how you could know this. The answer is you can't.

I don't know its not a high risk dog. But it gave no indication of aggression towards the OP's dog. That's not behaviour that I consider indictative of high risk dogs. I'm not the one who's catalogued the dog as dangerous based on what its owner said though.

This dog's owner told the OP to keep her dog away. That's a preventative measure. Frankly if all dog owners kept their dogs under control and away from other dogs unless invited then people like me might actually be able to use dog parks without having our dogs attacked.

Any dog can be a risk to children.. but hardly in the circumstances described in this post.

How can you compare a person going to a dog park in an off leash area with their dog as being the person who should be (controlling their dog) to someone going to an off leash area with an aggressive dog who is prone to snapping!! You cant.. Yes the owner warned to stay away from the dog but seriously how long does it take for a dog to just turn and run up to someone or another dog(even if the other dog is on a lead).. When taking her dog for a walk how did she know that there would be an agressive dog, she was in her right keeping her dog in an off leash area.. how is she in the wrong?? She never once said her dog was not under control

the main point is if a dog is aggressive (which is what the owner has said) then it should be on a leash.. It is as simple as that, any other option increases the risk of something bad happing.. this shouldnt be a debate its common sense

Edited September 29, 2010 by chellz

[poodlefan]

How can you compare a person going to a dog park in an off leash area with their dog as being the person who should be (controlling their dog) to someone going to an off leash area with an aggressive dog who is prone to snapping!! You cant.. Yes the owner warned to stay away from the dog but seriously how long does it take for a dog to just turn and run up to someone or another dog.. When taking her dog for a walk how did she know that there would be an agressive dog, she was in her right keeping her dog in an off leash area.. how is she in the wrong??

the main point is if a dog is aggressive (which is what the owner has said) then it should be on a leash.. It is as simple as that, any other option increases the risk of something bad happing.. this shouldnt be a debate its common sense

EVERY person who takes their dog to a dog park is responsible for controlling their dog. It's not a case of different rules for different people.

Who said the OP was in the wrong? Certainly not me.

What was said was that the guy that yelled at her may simply have been trying to ensure that the OP took his request to keep her dog away from his SERIOUSLY. God knows a lot of folk neither listen nor respond to such requests when made politely.

I hope you understand that most dogs, given sufficent provocation from a rude strange dog WILL snap. Snapping is a warning - not an "attack".

A dog under effective control does not blow off its owner and run up to other dogs. Not all dogs care to interact with strange dogs. It pays to bear that in mind

Edited September 29, 2010 by poodlefan

[chellz]

How can you compare a person going to a dog park in an off leash area with their dog as being the person who should be (controlling their dog) to someone going to an off leash area with an aggressive dog who is prone to snapping!! You cant.. Yes the owner warned to stay away from the dog but seriously how long does it take for a dog to just turn and run up to someone or another dog.. When taking her dog for a walk how did she know that there would be an agressive dog, she was in her right keeping her dog in an off leash area.. how is she in the wrong??

the main point is if a dog is aggressive (which is what the owner has said) then it should be on a leash.. It is as simple as that, any other option increases the risk of something bad happing.. this shouldnt be a debate its common sense

EVERY person who takes their dog to a dog park is responsible for controlling their dog. It's not a case of different rules for different people.

Who said the OP was in the wrong? Certainly not me.

What was said was that the guy that yelled at her may simply have been trying to ensure that the OP took his request to keep her dog away from his SERIOUSLY. God knows a lot of folk neither listen nor respond to such requests when made politely.

I hope you understand that most dogs, given sufficent provocation from a rude strange dog WILL snap. Snapping is a warning - not an "attack".

A dog under effective control does not blow off its owner and run up to other dogs. Not all dogs care to interact with strange dogs. It pays to bear that in mind

The man said stay away or it will rip your dogs head off, how is that just a dog just warning to stay away.. common

You have gone off the point, you said quote "Frankly if all dog owners kept their dogs under control and away from other dogs unless invited then people like me might actually be able to use dog parks without having our dogs attacked" to me that sounds like you are blaming other dog owners for their dogs "not being under control"

You have mis quoted me quite a few times as well, like i have said before unless the dog is declared a danger and has attacked then you cannot report it but in saying that irresponsible owners who dont keep their aggressive dogs on a leash is just a disaster waiting to happen and if those aggressive dogs are just "warning to stay away" then why are their so many dog attacks?

Edited September 29, 2010 by chellz