Steph M Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I meant fluffies generally, not just the small variety. Fluffies just meant fluffy x bred dogs in my post, of all types and sizes. We have a lot that meet that criteria in my area. Sorry to have offended, wasn't deliberate at all! FWIW I own a retriever and we see JUST as many jerk retrievers who steal balls and knock people flying. I am sure a lot of it comes down to odds as well, in a long street there might be 4-5 labs and goldens etc, chances are one is going to be a poorly trained doofus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I meant fluffies generally, not just the small variety. Fluffies just meant fluffy x bred dogs in my post, of all types and sizes. We have a lot that meet that criteria in my area. Sorry to have offended, wasn't deliberate at all! FWIW I own a retriever and we see JUST as many jerk retrievers who steal balls and knock people flying. I am sure a lot of it comes down to odds as well, in a long street there might be 4-5 labs and goldens etc, chances are one is going to be a poorly trained doofus. Thanks for explaining. I own dogs that some people might describe as small fluffies (although none of them are white). They are all rescues and are very well behaved and attend or have attended obedience classes. I have also owned bull breeds in the past. I love all dogs, as I am sure do other posters as well. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I meant fluffies generally, not just the small variety. Fluffies just meant fluffy x bred dogs in my post, of all types and sizes. We have a lot that meet that criteria in my area. Sorry to have offended, wasn't deliberate at all! FWIW I own a retriever and we see JUST as many jerk retrievers who steal balls and knock people flying. I am sure a lot of it comes down to odds as well, in a long street there might be 4-5 labs and goldens etc, chances are one is going to be a poorly trained doofus. Thanks for explaining. I own dogs that some people might describe as small fluffies (although none of them are white). They are all rescues and are very well behaved and attend or have attended obedience classes. I have also owned bull breeds in the past. I love all dogs, as I am sure do other posters as well. :) Absolutely! I guess it's like bad service in a cafe, you always remember the bad over the good. Haha. Yours don't look the least bit naughty! Psht! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I love taking our boy to the dog park, but I can see why some people don't. He is a goofball who loves everything and everyone. He can be a jerk to other dogs at the moment (he's starting to mount dogs a bit) but I've found other dogs are mostly good at warning him to get off and stop being a brat without hurting him. There are good parks and bad parks though. I find it weird how parks can get a 'reputation' but that's just how it is. For us it's essential to take him, because it's hard to give him a good run without some other dogs there...he's not super into fetch, but if another dog is playing, he'll chase the dog! Or he'll herd the SWFs, although not so much anymore because he's too big for the small dog areas. Oh my......sorry, but with the others. This is why I don't go near them. People who think that their 'friendly dog' is OK - this is just rude behaviour that some dogs won't tolerate and when they give a pup a good telling off (like really mean it so it doesn't happen again - not put holes in the other dog) some owners seem to feel their little darling has been hardly done by. Easier just to stay away and find other ways to exercise the dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I love taking our boy to the dog park, but I can see why some people don't. He is a goofball who loves everything and everyone. He can be a jerk to other dogs at the moment (he's starting to mount dogs a bit) but I've found other dogs are mostly good at warning him to get off and stop being a brat without hurting him. There are good parks and bad parks though. I find it weird how parks can get a 'reputation' but that's just how it is. For us it's essential to take him, because it's hard to give him a good run without some other dogs there...he's not super into fetch, but if another dog is playing, he'll chase the dog! Or he'll herd the SWFs, although not so much anymore because he's too big for the small dog areas. I'm sorry but this is exactly the reason I don't go to dog parks. I couldn't think of anything worse than having my dog humped, herded or harassed or chased. perhaps you should try making games with YOU more fun than letting him run self reward on other dogs. It'll make your life easier in the long run. Yep, have to agree, this is one reason we don't use them. One day you may find another dog doesn't take it so well and your dog gets hurt. Your dog should not be humping, herding or otherwise harassing other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellejaytee Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'd be questioning WHY he got expelled from doggy day care a little more. It sounds, to me, like his behaviour was inappropriate and that's why they banned him. If this is so, you may have some behavioural issues to deal with before letting him loose in a dog park, which would be a similar situation to the doggy daycare. Simply barking should surely not be a reason to ban a dog from daycare? Apparently it is. And our dog is not the first to be expelled for the same reason. Apparently he just would not stop barking when the girl looking after them all went inside. If it was more than that, they definitely have a duty of care to advise owners. But yes, as crazy as it sounds, this day care does expel for barking especially if surrounding businesses are kicking up a stink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 It's a no for me with my dogs. If I had a larger, mild mannered dog unlikely to take or give offence then maybe but then I'd be looking at the other owners and the behaviour of their dogs. They COULD be great. They so often aren't and that is down to who frequents them. With a pup, a small, old or frail dog or a dog that doesn't accept rudeness from others? No way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky-Dog Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 We go to offload dog parks around us and generally have no problems. :) We have 3 dogs and pretty much keep to ourselves but socialise with regulars that we have known for years both dogs and humans. :) Digger is very attached and over friendly to humans and hounds he has known since a pup. He is mostly blind but can somehow recognise his friends from a very long distance and smells his way to greet like long lost friends. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 It is really nice when they form a little group of friends at the park :) We have a regular gang that includes My Aussie Shepherd My Sheltie My Poodle x Malt A Kelpie mix A Rotti and A Shih Tzu mix and they all get along beautifully. They'll all play with each other in different groups depending whether they are fetching, chasing or wrestling, and the biggest (the Rotti) will lie down and roll around in the grass while the smallest (my poodle x) climbs all over her and looks very pleased with himself :laugh: There are a number of other regulars that join in with us as well, depending on who is there, and there are a couple that some of our "group" don't get along with so we just move away if they come close, but often after they get used to being around each other at a distance the regular visitors will get used to each other and figure out how to interact without upsetting each other. There is lots of human management involved to get to that point though, there is very little "let the dogs sort it out" and if an owner has that attitude a number of us will step in any way to stop their dog annoying another dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) I don't use dog parks. Not just because of the risk factor but it has no purpose for me or for my dogs. I don't need to see my dogs running and playing with a bunch of other dogs, and letting them develop a high value for other dogs will hinder not help my goals Edited September 8, 2015 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Really why do we have to start on the SWFs or even the black ones? :) Noone is starting on anything . The poster just spoke about an experience she had with a certain type of dog. Out of interest, the most feral attack on our dogs was by a SWF, second worst a Husky and third, a Bulldog. Doesn't mean I have an issue with any of those those/breeds, just how it is. Exactly :) Thanks Dame Aussie. No clue what breed or x she was, just black, small and fluffy. In this situation, as i intended it, it is literally no different to me saying "black labrador." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 It is really nice when they form a little group of friends at the park :) We have a regular gang that includes My Aussie Shepherd My Sheltie My Poodle x Malt A Kelpie mix A Rotti and A Shih Tzu mix and they all get along beautifully. They'll all play with each other in different groups depending whether they are fetching, chasing or wrestling, and the biggest (the Rotti) will lie down and roll around in the grass while the smallest (my poodle x) climbs all over her and looks very pleased with himself :laugh: There are a number of other regulars that join in with us as well, depending on who is there, and there are a couple that some of our "group" don't get along with so we just move away if they come close, but often after they get used to being around each other at a distance the regular visitors will get used to each other and figure out how to interact without upsetting each other. There is lots of human management involved to get to that point though, there is very little "let the dogs sort it out" and if an owner has that attitude a number of us will step in any way to stop their dog annoying another dog. When Kokoda was the only dog i onwed we were part of a dog park group. It was great. Kokoda loved Harvey the Westie x poodle and Amber the vizsla- Who stayed with us alot too when her owners went away. It was great. But we would go earlier than the average jo. And now i have moved to a different area where people seem a little less dog savvy and more "let them run free while i chat" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I use them- with caution. My dogs simply need off lead exercise so i choose quiet locations where they can have a fantastic run and only come across occasional dogs. I find most of the areas I use are fantastic- i prefer places where we actually go for a bit of a walk or swim as well, not just congregate in the middle of an oval etc. I am particularly careful as I have a small dog and the smaller the dog the smaller the margin for error. In saying all of that, i had an 30- 40 kg solid dog literally run into me today at an off lead area. I was seriously annoyed, the owner was miles away (although close enough to hear me swear..) and didn't think it was a big deal. I simply left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihome Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 A definite no from me I avoid them it's not my dog I don't trust it others. He's too precious to run him with strange uncontrolled dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaseyKay Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I never use dog parks. We use a couple of large offleash parks which are near us or we go to the forest or the lake, both very large areas. My dogs like to meet friends both human and canine on walks but none of them have any interest in dogs they don't know. Kep who is an adolescent entire male likes all kinds of dogs and his social skills are good even with dogs I consider incredibly rude. But neither of my adult females are interested in dogs they don't know and generally just ignore ones we meet on walks. Scout the Brittany hates small dogs that run up to her barking and can get predatory if they do the dash at her and yap thing. I just leash her if I see one coming. The idea of taking them to a confined area with lots of dogs to "play with" is such a foreign concept to both them and me :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackiemad Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 We have a large offlead park behind us which we use almost everyday. It isn't fenced, has multiple sport ovals and is frequented by regulars and most of the dogs know each other. Most dogs aren't playing with each other, just walking or running with their owners. Any place where owners just stand around is a recipe for trouble IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedFeather Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I should have qualified that statement, that when he starts to mount we do tell him to get off and will pull him off. He's quite good at 'off' and we keep an eye on him to make sure he's not actually going to annoy another dog too much, especially one that obviously doesn't want to play. But that's the thing - if your dog doesn't like to play with other dogs, don't take it to a dog park. To my mind, that's what dog parks are for - to run and play and interact with other dogs. Our nearest park is good, not too many dogs and you can always identify who's dog is whose. We will always make sure we talk to the owner of any dog ours seems to be interested in to make sure their dog is OK with other dogs. I've seen dogs snap at mine for no reason than he went up to sniff butts as they do, to be told 'oh, s/he doesn't like other dogs'. Why are you here then? I realise that you need a fenced space for your dog to run in, but as people here have stated, there are other places, or times when there are no other dogs there. But you can't go to a park where there are other dogs and get annoyed when your dog is approached by other dogs. I also use 'SWF' as a generic term rather than a derogatory one, sorry if that causes offense. I could say 'westies' or 'maltese crosses' but sure as eggs I'd be wrong about a breed and someone would get offended! I happen to quite like them (so long as they aren't snappy, but it's not like that is limited to the dogs of the small white fluffy variety). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) Some people only have one park near them and there are many reasons to use dog parks, training, exercise etc. Nothing wrong with dogs playing but you should have effective control of your dog and not assume that everyone there is there to have their dog play with other dogs. You don't have more of a right to be there than anyone else. I agree it isn't a great idea to take a dog aggressive dog to an offlead dog park. My dogs are fine with other dogs but I don't expect them to be humped, whether it only lasts for a few seconds or not, and that's hardly polite dog behaviour. Edited September 11, 2015 by Dame Aussie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hanko Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I love taking our boy to the dog park, but I can see why some people don't. He is a goofball who loves everything and everyone. He can be a jerk to other dogs at the moment (he's starting to mount dogs a bit) but I've found other dogs are mostly good at warning him to get off and stop being a brat without hurting him. There are good parks and bad parks though. I find it weird how parks can get a 'reputation' but that's just how it is. For us it's essential to take him, because it's hard to give him a good run without some other dogs there...he's not super into fetch, but if another dog is playing, he'll chase the dog! Or he'll herd the SWFs, although not so much anymore because he's too big for the small dog areas. Sorry but I don't think you should be leaving it to other dogs to "tell off" your dog, it's irresponsible IMO. You should be the one to determine what is or isn't appropriate behavior. Leaving it to the other dogs to warn yours is unfair, as is letting him herd other dogs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I think it's really hard to explain the nuances of what we actually do in writing, and there are so many "this is what I do unless...or unless...or if....etc" scenarios that you can't possibly cover them all in writing so we probably all have misunderstandings when we're trying to explain things here! I do agree that taking a dog that is fearful or stressed about other dogs or is aggressive is unfair and I think you do need to expect that other dogs will approach yours so if your dog isn't comfortable with that then I'd question whether they should be there when other dogs are around. But I don't think it's fair to expect that all dogs want to actually play and run with other dogs either. Like I said, mine play with each other and have a group of "friends" they play with and they are happy greeting other dogs and humans as we walk around but much of the time they are running together and sniffing things and peeing on things, then doing a bit of training with me, the. More running and sniffing and peeing. Each interaction is individual as well, I've had several conversations with a lady whose dog wants to play her own style of chase game with any dog that's nearby and she once tried to get Saxon, my poodle x, to play by nipping at him. Saxon growled and snapped at the dog and she did back off but the owner yelled out to me "oh doesn't he like playing? She just wants to play!" I explained that he will play sometimes but she was nipping at him and he doesn't like that. The next few times we saw them whenever the dog came near us she said to her dog/everyone "oh that's the dog that doesn't like to play, leave him, leave him" Let's just say the lady is more of a talker than a listener so I don't bother explaining things to her after a couple of attempts and just keep an eye on her dog around mine myself. Interestingly the dog has wandered along around the walking track with us for a while (while her owner didn't notice she'd gone) and she was perfectly fine walking and sniffing and interacting appropriately with my three when the owner wasn't there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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