Am I In The Wrong?

[Yonjuro]

... So I have just come back from the off-lead fenced in dog park and had a brief argument with an older chap.

Here's what happened. I am at the park with my 11 month old Husky who is very energetic. So I see this guy standing at the gate watching my dog, so I smiled and said "Don't worry he is not aggressive he will be fine". He replies, "Well he wasn't last time!" so I was a bit and confused and then remembered this chap's dog (Lab) is older and has had a hip replacement and my dog bounced over wanting to play and put a paw on him. The guy asked me at that time to put my dog on a lead so he could walk in this park in peace. To which myself and a couple of others put our dogs on lead.

This time I was a bit taken aback and said "Oh, that's right you dog has an injury" He said yes. So I said "Do you think this a good place to bring an injured dog?" To which he replied "This is what this park is for and he has every right to expect to be able to walk around and not be bothered by other dogs".

My ire was up by now so I said " Why would you want to, he could get more injured" and he replied "If that happens you will know all about it!" So I left rather annoyed about it as I pretty sure my boy would want to play . I walked my boy around the large oval that is next to the fenced in area and he left around 10 minutes later.

I don't know what to think, I am very conscious of other dogs and their owners. I have numerous smaller dogs snap at mine but I never am worried about it or get angry as Ronin doesn't react back. He is very fast and agile so he just springs out of the way and then may tease the other dogs.

I don't know what to think, I partially understand his view, but on the other hand this is the only place I can let my boy have a good run off lead and a husky loves to run. Surely when you enter a fenced in off-lead park like this you would expect some robust play ? I just can't understand why you would bring an injured elderly dog to such a place

There are numerous people at the park who comment on how well behaved Ronin is and that their dogs love playing with him, but I am noticing a few now that bring in very very nervous dogs that scream when my boy chases, so sometimes I just have to leave. But it gets frustrating when people bring in dogs that are very nervous dogs thinking it will help them get over the nervousness :( I do concede that a Husky can be very intimidating to other dogs and owners, especially when they vocalise.

An elderly lady came in the other day with a small white dog, and the lady was quite nervous and worried as was her dog. I stayed close and I don't know whether Ronin could sense something but he was a complete angel, to the small dog the elder lady was so happy and we chatted for half an hour or so.

But I will be honest and say there is one particular beagle that sometimes comes who Ronin doesn't like, so we leave, having said that, there is a lovely lady with an Aussie who also leaves when this particular dog comes in.

So sorry for a rambling post, I don't normally get upset about things like this but today I am

[cassie]

If I was the man I wouldn't take my injured dog to a dog park. BUT he should be able to enjoy the park in peace I suppose.

[The Spotted Devil]

My perspective is this:

When I have my dogs off leash I don't allow them to approach unfamiliar dogs.

When I see other off leash dogs I assume the worst and manage my dogs accordingly.

That said my dogs (and temporary pup) are off leash to train. Whether that's agility, obedience, retrieving or just repeated recalls (released to run and sniff again) and whistle sits.

It sounds a bit over protective but it keeps my dogs safe and happy and maintains my sanity.

[Rebanne]

my 2cents worth. I see both points of view. Did it hurt you to walk your dog on lead for 10 minutes while the older dog just pottered around happily? No. Should the guy expect other dogs to not enter or to leave every time he wants his dog to be able to potter around? No. Give and take.

[Rebanne]

There are numerous people at the park who comment on how well behaved Ronin is and that their dogs love playing with him, but I am noticing a few now that bring in very very nervous dogs that scream when my boy chases, so sometimes I just have to leave. But it gets frustrating when people bring in dogs that are very nervous dogs thinking it will help them get over the nervousness :( I do concede that a Husky can be very intimidating to other dogs and owners, especially when they vocalise.

And I wouldn't be allowing your dog to chase others either. The nervous dog are also entitled to have a space to run. Can you call him off?

[Florise]

... So I have just come back from the off-lead fenced in dog park and had a brief argument with an older chap.

Here's what happened. I am at the park with my 11 month old Husky who is very energetic. So I see this guy standing at the gate watching my dog, so I smiled and said "Don't worry he is not aggressive he will be fine". He replies, "Well he wasn't last time!" so I was a bit and confused and then remembered this chap's dog (Lab) is older and has had a hip replacement and my dog bounced over wanting to play and put a paw on him. The guy asked me at that time to put my dog on a lead so he could walk in this park in peace. To which myself and a couple of others put our dogs on lead.

I would have reacted as he did.

When I have my dogs off leash I don't allow them to approach unfamiliar dogs.

When I see other off leash dogs I assume the worst and manage my dogs accordingly.

This is correct off leash park etiquette.

[ness]

Agree with TSD - I don't allow my dogs to race up to other dogs and presume just because a dog is off-lead doesn't mean it wants to be hassled. Just because an area is an "off-leash" area doesn't mean its a free for all and you shouldn't have 100% control of your dog.

[Yonjuro]

There are numerous people at the park who comment on how well behaved Ronin is and that their dogs love playing with him, but I am noticing a few now that bring in very very nervous dogs that scream when my boy chases, so sometimes I just have to leave. But it gets frustrating when people bring in dogs that are very nervous dogs thinking it will help them get over the nervousness :( I do concede that a Husky can be very intimidating to other dogs and owners, especially when they vocalise.

And I wouldn't be allowing your dog to chase others either. The nervous dog are also entitled to have a space to run. Can you call him off?

Thanks for the comments.

Normally it is chase and be chased play a game he and the greyhounds and their owners there love. We work hard with our trainer on recall but I will be honest and say that recall is not something I can rely 100%. I am always attentive and try to be in the immediate vicinity so I can grab the handle on his harness. Obviously being a Husky he is never off lead except in this enclosed area.

[Yonjuro]

Agree with TSD - I don't allow my dogs to race up to other dogs and presume just because a dog is off-lead doesn't mean it wants to be hassled. Just because an area is an "off-leash" area doesn't mean its a free for all and you shouldn't have 100% control of your dog.

Thanks for your comment, perhaps because it is a specific fenced in area where it seems to be pretty much a free-for-all I have allowed myself to become too complacent. I don't go to normal on and off lead area as it is just too stressful having my boy on lead. So this is the only place he can have a real run until we start mushing.

I don't go in the late arvo early evening time anymore as it really is very chaotic.

[ness]

I personally avoid fenced dog parks and find other places I can take mine off-lead but if that was the only off-lead area in a district then unfortunately you are faced with no real options if you just want to let the dog have a sniff.

[The Spotted Devil]

This is why I don't run my dogs with unfamiliar dogs. My Springer would be horrified to be chased by a dog she doesn't know - different if she knows the dog (usually we have trained together) and all the pre-requisite play bows etc have happened. My Dally just wants to sniff and pee and be left in peace - he is very polite and likes to meet and greet first and will have a good hoon with a bitch if she wants to play. Having been chased and THUMPED by a few rude young males he doesn't take that chase behaviour particularly well.

ETA: My Springer's passion for hunting is such that I cannot trust her recall 100% if she is racing around near water/heavy cover. She lives to run so I drive her to different grounds to train - she runs and swims hard but is ALWAYS under control.

Edited September 28, 2014 by The Spotted Devil

[BarbedWire]

I think the other owner has a problem. If I had an injured dog I wouldn't be taking it to a dog park and expecting others to accommodate its needs. My dog's safety would be most important to me. His threat that if anything happened "you would be hearing about it" tells me that he didn't care too much about his dog because he was prepared for it to be hurt first and then he would complain.

You sound like a responsible owner with an active dog.

[Starkehre]

Typically, people that frequent off leash dog areas have differing opinions on what is correct etiquette and protocol and also what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour from their dog and from other dogs.

Also a lot of people that frequent off leash dog areas form cliquey groups and band together. Others are outsiders and treated accordingly.

Also a lot of people that frequent off leash dog areas are 5 minute professional dog trainers.

.... hence why I no longer frequent off leash dog areas.

Yonyuro, I don't think there is any definitive answer here and doing your head in until you find one is likely to just give you a headache. I know, I've been there :)

I think it was one of those situations where we choose to go with the flow for the sake of peace and try and see it entirely from the other owner's point of view

or

jack up, be a "right" fighter, see where it gets us and then risk feeling bad later on.

My suggestion would be to continue doing what you are doing and take things other owners say with a grain of salt

or

stop going to off leash areas.

when doing stuff with our dogs becomes a stress and all the fun goes out of it, you've gotta wonder if we're doing ourselves and our dogs any favours.

Try not to let it get to you, continue enjoying your dog and have a lovely Sunday arvo :)

[Yonjuro]

I personally avoid fenced dog parks and find other places I can take mine off-lead but if that was the only off-lead area in a district then unfortunately you are faced with no real options if you just want to let the dog have a sniff.

Yeah, I hear you :)

This is why I don't run my dogs with unfamiliar dogs. My Springer would be horrified to be chased by a dog she doesn't know - different if she knows the dog (usually we have trained together) and all the pre-requisite play bows etc have happened. My Dally just wants to sniff and pee and be left in peace - he is very polite and likes to meet and greet first and will have a good hoon with a bitch if she wants to play. Having been chased and THUMPED by a few rude young males he doesn't take that chase behaviour particularly well.ETA: My Springer's passion for hunting is such that I cannot trust her recall 100% if she is racing around near water/heavy cover. She lives to run so I drive her to different grounds to train - she runs and swims hard but is ALWAYS under control.

I suppose we just need to keep working with our trainer on these things. My trainer thinks it's a bad idea going to these places but the highs of most of the times have be so great, but now I am doubting everything and conceding she is probably right.

[Yonjuro]

I think the other owner has a problem. If I had an injured dog I wouldn't be taking it to a dog park and expecting others to accommodate its needs. My dog's safety would be most important to me. His threat that if anything happened "you would be hearing about it" tells me that he didn't care too much about his dog because he was prepared for it to be hurt first and then he would complain. You sound like a responsible owner with an active dog.

Thank you so much :) I really try, but know that I am far from perfect.

Typically, people that frequent off leash dog areas have differing opinions on what is correct etiquette and protocol and also what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour from their dog and from other dogs.Also a lot of people that frequent off leash dog areas form cliquey groups and band together. Others are outsiders and treated accordingly.Also a lot of people that frequent off leash dog areas are 5 minute professional dog trainers..... hence why I no longer frequent off leash dog areas.Yonyuro, I don't think there is any definitive answer here and doing your head in until you find one is likely to just give you a headache. I know, I've been there :)I think it was one of those situations where we choose to go with the flow for the sake of peace and try and see it entirely from the other owner's point of vieworjack up, be a "right" fighter, see where it gets us and then risk feeling bad later on.My suggestion would be to continue doing what you are doing and take things other owners say with a grain of saltorstop going to off leash areas.when doing stuff with our dogs becomes a stress and all the fun goes out of it, you've gotta wonder if we're doing ourselves and our dogs any favours.Try not to let it get to you, continue enjoying your dog and have a lovely Sunday arvo :)

You really make a lot of sense with your comments - much appreciated

[The Spotted Devil]

I understand that everyone has different opinions and experiences with off leash dog parks but I am not a fan. As a trainer I tell people it's not necessary and can create issues (I deal with a lot of very novice owners). Some listen and some don't and that is their prerogative.

The pup I'm looking after for a month is SUPER social but I see every interaction with another dog, person and environment as an opportunity to work on her recall. Yes, she gets to play with other dogs sometimes but that is a relatively small part of her reward structure. I want to build value for ME.

[Staffyluv]

Most fenced off leash parks have a set of rules posted at the gate..

Things like - pick up after your dog, dogs must be under effective control, no aggressive dogs etc..

I go to our off lead park all the time - I choose my times to avoid a few dogs and owners who have no idea.

I think you have to expect that other dogs will want to interact with yours but you certainly have the right to ask other owners to keep control of their over the top dogs if they are bothering your dog.

It is a give and take environment. We need to respect each others right to be there with their non aggressive dogs - so you need to be able to call your dog way if they are bothering another dog.

Zig loves running with other dogs - he doesn't like being chased or run down (chased and grabbed).

Personally, I leave rather then get into a disagreement with someone about their dog grabbing Zig.

[Yonjuro]

It really is a tough one as last week there was actually a trainer at this public park conducting a puppy class on lead - there were lots of very small puppies and I was pretty surprised that someone would conduct a course there. There were very worried owners that were looking at my big boof-head in horror but luckily he was very gentle and the trainer commented to me how well behaved Ronin was.

During the week another trainer was there to teach a bunch of and I quote "naughty dogs" a couple of these smaller dogs were chasing and snapping at Ronin, and again they were horrified but the trainer said it was okay because "the husky" wasn't reacting back.

So I suppose some of these things have lulled me into a false sense of security, I know he can sometimes be rude but I thought because he doesn't react back and I am always on guard it would be okay. I concede that I may have been wrong in my assumptions.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Yonjuro

[zeebie]

Having a full show coat on my dog the very few times I go to one of several off lead enclosures in our area I attend during mid morning when less likely to find anyone else there and also chose the ones which provide a small dog as well as large dog facility using the puppy and small dog area as both my dogs fall in this catergory. This has made life very stressfree and allowed my dogsa some away from home free run time, we have a few friends whose dogs I trust 100% and we do the occaisonal meet up for playtime, giving them social time as well.

If I had an injured dog last place I would take it is to an off lead area for multiple reasons but some people just do not understand same as those who chose to walk their dogs around suburbia without a lead putting others who do the right thing at risk!

I have witnessed many dogs both large breed and small who become the gate keeper and area warden in off lead spaces to the horror of some visiting owners and dogs and total disregard by other's as in their opinion 'my dog is just PLAYING' so rather then get myself upset and risk my dogs I have embarked on the plan as stated in the beginning of this reply. As well both my dogs have been well socialised and never allowed to 'harrass' other's and have stop and drop + recall down pat if required.

Edited September 28, 2014 by zeebie

[Yonjuro]

Most fenced off leash parks have a set of rules posted at the gate..

Things like - pick up after your dog, dogs must be under effective control, no aggressive dogs etc..

I go to our off lead park all the time - I choose my times to avoid a few dogs and owners who have no idea.

I think you have to expect that other dogs will want to interact with yours but you certainly have the right to ask other owners to keep control of their over the top dogs if they are bothering your dog.

It is a give and take environment. We need to respect each others right to be there with their non aggressive dogs - so you need to be able to call your dog way if they are bothering another dog.

Zig loves running with other dogs - he doesn't like being chased or run down (chased and grabbed).

Personally, I leave rather then get into a disagreement with someone about their dog grabbing Zig.

This one doesn't say 'under effective control' but does say 'dangerous or aggressive dogs must leave immediately'. Ronin does have some great play with a couple of staffys, greyhounds and rottys he will try and instigate play with others but if they are not interested he won't keep trying.