Puppy Playground Incident - (mrstjohnson)

 I would just try to explain that you would like your dog to enjoy himself and you feel this dog is not allowing that.  Even tell her he has some previous issues and you are trying to work on them.  Ask her to please call her dog off. 

I'm not positive, but I don't think going to get Charlie is the best idea.  I think it may reinforce the behaviour rather than reassure him.

Its not the best idea to throw your dog into a room full of strangers with unkown personalities to get him to be better socialized. I know he was making progress but it can be very overwhelming, especially for a timid dog. Is it possible to set up puppy play dates for him so he can learn to interacct slowly and with a dog who you know its behaviors? A lot of people place ads on craigslist our you could ask a friendly dog from your play palce.

I know your dogs fun shouldnt be spoiled by one bully but its good for your dog to a certain extent to learn to deal with these behaviors. The key is determining wether this dog is being a brat which is ok or if he is being outright aggressive which of course your dog shouldnt have to deal with. Another option is to learn the schedule of this bully and make a point to avoid the place during those times. I find early mornings are better then after 5 pm or on the weekends!

huskymom

I'm not positive, but I don't think going to get Charlie is the best idea.  I think it may reinforce the behaviour rather than reassure him.

That's what I am afraid of and I keep kicking myself for doing it. 

That's why I didn't know if I should even say anything to her this week if it happens again.  I just felt so bad, he looked so scared and I was just watching it happen.  It stinks because he LOVES everyone and everything and this stupid dog had to start bullying him and ruin his fun.

AuroraLove

Its not the best idea to throw your dog into a room full of strangers with unkown personalities to get him to be better socialized.

He's actually very well socialized, just a little timid when he first gets somewhere.  He's been to doggy daycare, played with doggy friends, etc. and does great.   I was just doing this to get him some more free roam exercise since we don't have a fenced in yard.  I would love if his one doggy friend could come, but his owners refuse to neuter him and unneutered dogs are not allowed.

AuroraLove

Another option is to learn the schedule of this bully and make a point to avoid the place during those times. I find early mornings are better then after 5 pm or on the weekends!

I wish I could, but the only time they offer "open playtime" (it's normally a doggy daycare during the week) is on Saturday mornings.  We get there right at 9:00 when they open and most of the little dogs get there and that's when he plays the most.  Once the bigger dogs get there we usually move into a smaller playroom.  That's why it was so frustating.  The bigger dogs weren't bothering or upsetting him it was this smaller/mid size dog.

I am going to take a different view. I would absolutely "rescue" by dog from a bully, if my dog were exhibiting clear "Go away, this is not fun" signs.

The other dog was acting improperly, and in a perfect world his owner would step in and redirect him.

Eko and I go to the dog park almost every morning. Eko has excellent social skills, and to keep them that way I am pretty vigilant. I allow for rough play, I allow other dogs to snark at him if he pushes a boundary. I don't spazz out about things. But if his body language is telling me he is clearly unhappy, and another dog isn't respecting it, I step in. This doesn't mean the other dog is a bad dog. Some dogs need extra guidance. And some ... some just aren't dog park dogs.
 

Oh, forgot to add what I'd say to the owner. I would probably say something like "Hey, my dog is a little overwhelmed by the barking. Do you think you could pull your dog back?" I'd do it in a friendly, this-is-no-big deal way. Be warned, the person may or may not be receptive. It is interesting how often ill mannered dogs have hostile owners. Hmmmm. Connection? Hopefully the other owner is easy going and friendly. But don't take it personally if they aren't. 

I'm with Dog_Ma on the issue.  If another dog is ignoring my dogs go away, I'm not comfortable with you signs and their owner doesn't immediatly step in, I would remove my dog from the situation.  I view it more as letting your dog know that if another dog is harassing them your going to be there for them so they don't have to resort to a more aggressive means of urging the other dog off, or try to find some hole to hide away in.  That being said, you can do it in a matter of a fact way.  It doesn't have to turn into a cuddle fest of oh poor baby how will you ever survive.  Just a simple relocating/ getting your dog out of the situation.  If the dog continued following mine, I would then politely say something to the owner.

Dog_ma

I am going to take a different view. I would absolutely "rescue" by dog from a bully, if my dog were exhibiting clear "Go away, this is not fun" signs.

The other dog was acting improperly, and in a perfect world his owner would step in and redirect him.

Eko and I go to the dog park almost every morning. Eko has excellent social skills, and to keep them that way I am pretty vigilant. I allow for rough play, I allow other dogs to snark at him if he pushes a boundary. I don't spazz out about things. But if his body language is telling me is clearly unhappy, and another dog isn't respecting it, I step in. This doesn't mean the other dog is a bad dog. Some dogs need extra guidance. And some ... some just aren't dog park dogs.
 

Oh, forgot to add what I'd say to the owner. I would probably say something like "Hey, my dog is a little overwhelmed by the barking. Do you think you could pull your dog back?" I'd do it in a friendly, this-is-no-big deal way. Be warned, the person may or may not be receptive. It is interesting how often ill mannered dogs have hostile owners. Hmmmm. Connection? Hopefully the other owner is easy going and friendly. But don't take it personally if they aren't. 

I compelety agree! I am the ame way with Max when we go to the dog park. I've also met some very nice people there and a few not some nice ones as well.

I agree as well. I'm a big one for letting dogs deal with bad behaviour from other dogs, because like kids, they have to learn that not everyone is nice. However, I draw the line if a dog is cowering. A cowering dog needs their mum/dad to come save them. You'd be letting them down if you ignored it. My dog is better able to deal with scary things if I'm sympathetic towards her. She seems to find it reassuring. But I'd be prepared to save her every time if she never got any better. I think it boosts the trust the dog has in you, and, well, it's my job to look out for my animals and come to their aid when they're too frightened to deal with something on their own.

As to what I'd say to the owner of the bully, I probably wouldn't say anything. I'd just shoot them meaningful looks every time I had to rescue my dog. Then I'd loudly shoo the bully away and tell them to find their mum. Then I'd start shooting glares at the other owner.

My way doesn't often work, though.   Unfortunately, rude dogs usually have owners that don't know or care that they're being rude. It's not worth getting into a spat over, though.

 Tell the owner straight out "Will you please get your dog" or "will you call your dog off please". I think that it's somewhat natural for timid dogs to get picked on, however the owner should be aware of what is going on and know when enough is enough.

Neiko is an aggressive player and some owners/dogs don't appreciate that. I watch closely and call Neiko off when I sense the other dog or the other owner is uncomfortable. I will even ask the owner if they are ok with that style of play. If they aren't, I'll call Neiko back and direct him to something else. This is what that owner should be doing.

So don't feel bad for asking the person to call their dog away.  

Thanks for all of the suggestions and ideas of what to say to the owner. 

corvus

Then I'd start shooting glares at the other owner.

I kept looking back at her, but some people are dumb as a box of rocks! 

We are definitely going again this Saturday so we will see what happens.  Thanks again!

Jewlieee

 Tell the owner straight out "Will you please get your dog" or "will you call your dog off please". I think that it's somewhat natural for timid dogs to get picked on, however the owner should be aware of what is going on and know when enough is enough.

Neiko is an aggressive player and some owners/dogs don't appreciate that. I watch closely and call Neiko off when I sense the other dog or the other owner is uncomfortable. I will even ask the owner if they are ok with that style of play. If they aren't, I'll call Neiko back and direct him to something else. This is what that owner should be doing.

So don't feel bad for asking the person to call their dog away.  

Harry is the same way.  He will bark at another dog he wants to play with until they pay attention to him.  He does this with a dog that is staying with us (who I don't think he or his owner are EVER going to leave...but that's another story), and that dog is definitely more dominating than Harry, so I really don't think Harry's doing it to be a bully.  He just barks to say "play with me, darn you!"  He's did that at the dog park, and I went over to recall him immediately, but the other dog's owner said, no, it's okay, and the dog he was barking at was fascinated, not frightened, and he and Harry became buddies.  Had the other dog looked stressed at all, I would have removed Harry from the situation immediately.  We're working on "quiet" right now, so hopefully I'll get his barking under control soon.  But, if someone did ask me to call Harry away from their dog, I would have no problem with it.  If the other person reacts negatively, so be it.  You shouldn't feel bad about it, and you might even find other people in the group thanking you for speaking up!!

I am embarrassed to say that Dublin has done that to other dogs.  If he wants to play he will stand there and bark like a fool and some dogs are upset by a very large yappy red dog in their face.  He will like dart away as if he wants them to chase him.  He likes to run with small dogs.  If I see that he is doing that I always step in and redirect him on to another activity.  I hate to think my dog would frighten someone else's dog.  But on the other hand he has been frightened many times by other dogs who want to play with him and he is very picky about who he will rough house with.  I guess it can be a two way street.  I just feel as owners we need to monitor all play and step in to redirect when needed for both dogs sake.  Don't hesitiate to say something to the owner.  I like to do the "sorry, my dog is sort of shy and he seems to be upset right now".  So that the blame goes on us and not them.  Even though we know better!!  Gosh wish we had an indoor play place!  We frozen all winter out side.