How To Start A Fight At The Dog Park!

[lululove]

Wow is all I can say. Just wow. So, so lucky that there wasn't more of an explosion. That person obviously doesn't know anything about canine behaviour or packs do they. I mean not only could other dogs have been injured but there was the great possibility of humans getting hurt trying to separate dogs. Just an unpleasant incident all-round.

This really worries me for a number of reasons. Firstly, because of what happened. I am just glad that your boy was able to be removed from the situation unscathed. I hope none of the other dogs were injured and by that I include mental injury. I had a Border Collie who was mentally damaged by an aggressive dog. He never really got over it.

Secondly, because of an unpleasant incident that occurred at my old "local" dog park a few years ago. A man had been rocking up in the park when it was busy and appeared to be a dog lover. He would interact with the dogs as though he was a doggie person and would hand out dog treats. I saw him there one day actually and I had a "feeling." He didn't seem to be attached to any dog in particular...I mentioned it to a friend and she told me she had seen him there too. I know of a couple of people who took their dogs there and got sick, THANKFULLY they knew their dogs very well and knew they were off and they were taken to the vet and escaped any real damage (mind you, being given an emetic is not much fun). I believe that there was at least one dog that was not so lucky. It later turned out that he had been lacing dog treats with ground up snailbait and rat granules. Actually my friend had taken a video of her dogs zooming around the park and managed to get the "weird guy" on video and that was the precursor to him being apprehended. I am just glad that this person WAS apprehended and brought to justice He is lucky I did not catch him :mad I really do not know how some people can live with themselves.

That escalated my previous semi-mistrust to complete mistrust of my pets being fed treats from strangers (this includes my cats at shows).

I am only sharing that as a warning to people, I do not want to start some sort of hysteria If you don't know the person handing out the treats, or you haven't seen them open the packet right there in front of you, then please don't accept them. I do not suggest for one minute the person Yonjuro mentioned was scattering the treats for any reason other than thinking he was being friendly and 99% of the time people who share treats are animal lovers.

I know that I have ventured off topic somewhat, but I really felt that it needed to be shared.

Such a sad story!! How people can do this I will never understand!!!

[OSoSwift]

I have roared at people before for feeding my dog. This - among other things - is why I don't do dog parks, I would get far too pissed off.

[Simply Grand]

who the hell feeds other dogs at the dog park.. is it just me or does that seem like a really weird thing to do.. of course for the obvious reason of resource guarding.. but also my dogs are allergic to some foods so certainly wouldn't want mine being fed anything by anyone I didn't know. not to mention I just wouldn't want anyone I didn't know feeding my dogs I guess this is another reason for me to stay away from dog parks.. I already see them as a very dangerous place to take my beloved pet.. :)

It really just doesn't occur to many people that it might be an issue. I'm pretty sure I must have given treats to other dogs without asking when I was new to the world of dogs. People tend to feel mean if dogs are there looking cute and they don't give them a treat too, and they see no harm in it. It's not really their fault, they genuinely don't know any better. I agree with Yonjuro that the best thing we can do is try and politely educate.

Re. the airlock entries, I think they are essential and they have them on all the local dog parks here but quite a few times I've seen several people go into the airlock with their dogs together. It scares the cr*p out of me, unknown dogs and humans in such a small space together, either on lead or being put on lead, with no escape route. Again, people just don't realise the risk

[OSoSwift]

My motto in life is you don't feed peoples dogs or kids without asking first.

I have had dogs with sever food allergies adn I don't want my dogs sick and in pain becasue someone doesn't think. Plus I am cynical and don't trust anyone. I instruct at our local dog cluba nd have a bog bag full of treats, I always make sure I ask if the dog can have what I have in my bag and they must always sit before I give it to them.

[Mystiqview]

No one feeds my dogs except me and my family (and maybe a few trusted friends if out camping with the 4wd club - AND they do have the manners to ask first if ok).

I have been to off lead parks and random dog loving people (some who don't even own a dog) come in and start patting and wanting to treat the dogs. Sorry. No go. First I would not feed schmackos to any living thing and secondly who knows what some sicko may have done to them first.

Glad to hear you dog is ok

These are reasons I really don't go to off lead parks. Too many random morons out there who have absolutely no idea about etiquette and correct behaviour for both human and dog.

I am lucky to live on acerage and my guys all have plenty of room to run around and a large dam to swim in.

My pet hate when I do take my guys out in public is those who think it is their given right for their dog to come up to yours "to say hello." without bothering to check if you mind if it happened.

[Lasareina]

The problem for those of us that aren't lucky enough to live on acreage is that if you want you dog to be able to stretch their legs and have a good run, you are limited in options if you don't consider the dog parks. Most people at our park are generally pretty good. I feel the benefits for us ( with 2 staffies that love to run and chase balls, and a normal house block) will usually outweigh the risks... you just judge each situation when you get there. That said, if I had a smaller, less hardy breed of dog, the risk might go up and outweigh the benefits.

[Mystiqview]

Majority of the people are ok. Although from time to time when I forget myself and do go to a dog park, the number of morons are increasing. Have not been for a few months since the last episode. I have four dogs of my own, so if I do go to a dog park I bring my own established pack - another thing people need to consider if they have two or more dogs at home.

Not keeping an eye on their dogs while there (reading the paper, on ipad or similar and not watching their dogs/picking up poo and not even bothering to get up if there dog IS involved in an altercation). There are a couple of decent sized Dog Parks near me over in BCC area that are very large, have a fenced off area for small dogs/puppies, agility equipment etc.

The problem I saw for the most part when I did live in suburbia was you have the same dogs meet every day at the same time at the same park. A pack is eventually formed with the "regulars". A new dog comes in and is then met with a pack environment. Can be rather intimidating.

Then you have those who bring their ball thrower, frisbee or favourite toy. Great to throw these when there are no other dogs there, but 9/10 get possessive of their toy and can be rather temperamental when another dog is either chasing them or chasing the ball too. A scuffle happens then all hell breaks loose "your dog bit mine". yadda yadda. Well HELLO for both parties! What do you expect! Dogs chase things - that is one of the function most breeds were bred towards for some purpose - hunting (whether it be to bring down or flush out in the case of terriers), herding, gathering (hunting - but picking up game) or sighthound.

It will be great of those morons who don't think when they take their dogs out - If it is not social - don't take it to an all offleash park and let it bully/attack/annoy other dogs. Deal with the social issue on a quieter scale first THEN and ONLY THEN take it to a dog park, rather than subject other users to "your" dogs poor manners.

And if "your" dog wants to constantly harrass another dog there (whether it be a dog wanting to hump everything while "you" stand there giggling, constantly harassing another dog by trying to dominate it etc) - maybe give it some quiet "out time". If you cannot manage it, then maybe take the dog to the park when it is not as busy.

Last time I went to the Ferny Grove park, there were two huskies that were the most foul tempered dogs, that dominated and terrorised everything else. The owners (couple) would not intervene or stop their dogs and thought it was their given right that their dogs should "socialise" at the park and everyone else had to put up with their dogs behaviour. There were also two standard poodles who were the same, and after one had my dog pinned to the ground and I used the flat of my boot to get it off my dog, they screamed blue murder saying my dog was the one who "attacked" their precious poodle. (when my dog was on the bottom. There was also someone at a park years ago giving out laced (with ratsack)home made dog treats to dogs at the park (because she could not have a dog of her own)- know because close friend had their dog in the vet the following day for ratsack poisoning.

Dogs parks are a necessary "evil" (although they don't have to if people are responsible) for those living in suburbia.