Bad dog park experiences

 I have to admit I've been pretty lucky with my dog park experiences.  This isn't to say I haven't run into my share of bad owners but thankfully I've found a lot more good ones.  One thing I might suggest is looking around at all the different dog parks in your area even if you don't bring your dogs at first.  Check them out at different times in the day, talk to people and find out who the regulars of the parks are and when they generally come so you can get yourself in a crowd of stable dogs and owners that you want to spend time with. I find this helps out because when someone comes into the park who isn't doing their job, or with a dog that shouldn't be there, you have a good group of people with you to help deal with the problem, talk to the owner and such.  I also have found a group of well socialized stable dogs help off set when one dog with poor manners, some issues comes into the mix. 

 Outside of that, you might also want to see about certain doggy play groups that meet certain times in secure places outside of dog parks where you can take out the unexpected element of bad owners and reactive dogs.
 

This type of experience is the reason I don't go to dog parks, ever.  Its a shame too, because I know my dogs would both enjoy meeting new people and dogs. 

Do you have neighbors that have dogs.  Strike up a conversation with someone you may feel comfortable with...for an eventual play date.  Then, if it goes well, have more.  That's what I do...I introduced myself to a neighbor who has 3 dogs, we got to talking and I found myself a play dater.  It works out well.  5 dogs in one yard, we let them do what they want to do, we play chuckit, we play frisbee, she and I have a drink and just generally allow the dogs to play play play; then they are sufficiently worn out.  Its a beautiful thing.

I'm glad you ranted...it really helps to get it out and on "paper", surely you feel a bit better. 

wow - that really sucks! I guess I've been really lucky. I've seen a few squabbles, but nothing serious. I usually always go at the same time - when I know all the owners and dogs. Casey has a blast at the park - as do the other dogs. If something comes in that I don't like or feel comfortable with, I go to the next yard.

We were there one time, and a dad with his two kids and pittie puppy were there. Not a big deal, I like pits, and kids are...well...kids. We got in the park, the kids ran up to Casey. I said, don't run towards a dog, and ask before you try to pet one. They asked, and I told Casey to sit, and they pet him and went on their way. Not two seconds later, they were running around, trying to grab my dog. Another corgi walked in the park, and the kids went flying over towards him. They reached for him - the corgi snapped. Scared the kids. I said that is why you don't pet dogs without asking first. We were on our way out - I was furious at this point. We went to the next yard and stayed over there for the rest of the night. One of my friends asked me a few days later if I left that yard because of those monster children. I said yes. She said before I got there, they were running around hitting her two brittneys, she had it out with the father, and the kids still ran around like idiots. She's a strong willed person, and her dogs are much more tolerable than Casey is. I told her if I wasn't concerned about my dog biting, I would have stayed.

We have 4 dog yards, and a nice path around the big pond. If I need to relocate because of a dog, or kids, I am able to. That's why I really like the park I go to. The people are all really nice, and the dogs are pretty well behaved. I try to stick on the same schedule, so I know who will be there when we're there. Every once and a while, we'll go in the AM or afternoon, but I'm always a lot more cautious since I don't know those pets as well.

We don't have a dog park close to us. The one we use is 45 minutes away so we can't get there too often. Luckily I haven't had too many problems. I go at the same time when I go and most of the people there are regulars so I know the dogs.

Most of the time I have trouble with people and not dogs. This one women a few weeks ago came in with this tiny chi into the big dog area. I called my dogs to play at the other side because they are big and like to play rough. The woman was trying to play fetch with the chi and normally when someone plays fetch at this park it's something for all of the dogs to do, not just one. One person throws the ball, all the dogs chase it, and whoever gets it brings it back. Well she threw the ball, a big dog got it before her chi and brought it back, and she actually kicked the dog took the ball, and grabbed her little dog and left while yelling at the owners saying no one was controlling their dogs. None of the dogs hurt her dog or anything, and why did she come in there anyway if she didn't want any of the dogs near hers? She was lucky isn't wasn't my dog that she kicked.

The other thing I have problems with is children. I don't mind children coming in if there parents control them, but it bothers me when they run wild. Last time we went there was a father with his 2 kids. One had a toy that he didn't want the dogs to play with and he kept throwing gravel at the dogs who tried to take the toy he was throwing around. The other one kept chasing dogs and trying to grab them, and when he was doing this the park was full of herders who were running circles around him. It's just dangerous. The dog park is a place for dogs to play, not children. The same day another couple had their toddler in the park walking around and a group of dogs knocked her over while they were playing. She wasn't hurt, but could have been. She had the nerve to yell at one of the dogs owners. It's not the dogs fault, it was the peoples fault for not watching their kid. I have been knocked down by a group of running dogs as well. It's a danger of the dog park.

Normally it's people not dogs. The only dog problem I can think of was when someone brought in there unsocialized DA akita. It was all regulars when he came and the park emptied out pretty quickly.

 

I had a bad experience recently, too.  Last Friday, in fact.  We had been at the dog park for about 45 minutes, and Harry had already played happily with several dogs, and at this point he and I were down in the lower part playing fetch and having a grand old time.  Anyway, out of nowhere, a JRT comes running down the hill just as Harry is bringing the ball back to me at full speed.  Harry saw the dog before I did, and he slowed down, but still came right to me.  The JRT came up to Harry's behind, I'm thinking to sniff like they do, but nope, he decides to bite Harry's tail (not that he has much of one to bite!).  Harry turned his head around, and that's when the JRT went after him.  I was concerned about myself getting bitten, so I was trying my best to break it up without getting in the middle of it.  JRT's owner finally shows up just as the fight ends, and takes her dog away.  This was Harry's first dog fight, so I was unsure what to do.  I leashed him immediately and had him sit and calm down a bit and tried to calm myself, as I didn't want Harry to think that I thought it was a big deal.  After a couple of minutes, I was giving him some water when the %^*% JRT comes at him again!  This time I saw him coming, so I put Harry behind me (he was still leashed) and tried my darndest to block the JRT from getting at him again.  He was quicker than me, so he was able to get at Harry again and the fight resumed.  The owner came back and stuck her face and arms right in the middle of the fight to break it up (smart lady, huh?).  She didn't say one word to me, no apologies or anything, just scooped up her dog, coddling him the whole time, and left.  By now I am fuming, and still not sure what to do next, because I didn't want Harry to leave on a bad note.  So again, I have him sit and calm down for a few minutes, then I walked him down to the wooded part, which was empty of other dogs, for a nice calm walk where he could sniff all the sticks he wanted.  Then I headed for the gate, and a couple more dogs were coming in, who Harry greeted nicely, so I was relieved to see that he wasn't still on edge, and wasn't fearful because of this one stupid dog.  Right as I'm opening the first gate, the lady with the JRT comes up to me and asks me if my dog has had his rabies shot because Harry got her a little bit on the arm (no broken skin, fyi, and how she knew it was Harry and not her dog I have no clue).  It was probably a legitimate question, but I still wanted to punch her in the face. 

Needless to say, I am very hesitant to go back.  Before Harry was attacked, I heard a couple more fights up at the top part of the park, so I don't know if it was just a bad day for everyone or what.  I really like having a large area for him to be off leash, and he's still young, so I want him to meet as many new dogs as he can.  I have a few friends who have dogs and we do get the dogs together every now and then, but Harry's already met them all, so I think I'm going to look for ads for play groups.  Is Craigs List the best place to look for those?  He's also old enough now to do doggy daycare, so I think I'll start taking him there once a week or so.  There's a nice place not far from me.

I would call AC next time that dog shows up. Aggressive dogs do not belong in parks. Plain and Simple. I would file a complaint, because that dog attacked you - not once, but twice.

I will generally say I've had almost all positive experiences.  There was this one guy once who thought every time a dog humped it was funny and when people called their dogs off he would comment that we were all humanizing our dogs...idiot.  One time my Sophie got attacked by another dog named Sophie who was smaller than her, a big guy standing by just took his leash and wrapped it around the dogs' neck to hold her there until her owner came over. I think it was kind of understood that the dog was no longer welcome and they left. 

 

Now and than there will be a group of dogs who play overly rough, if my dogs feel too uncomfortable I just leave.  Ours doesn't allow children (I love kids and for that reason am dead set against them in dog parks, it's not safe for them) and there are signs posted everywhere with the rules, so I think people do a good job looking after their dogs.

 

I don't blame you for yelling at that owner!  I guess if there isn't anybody enforcing the rules that's all you can do. Really sucks that someone with an aggressive dog isn't controlling it. Perhaps you made her think though.

I absolutely despise dog parks. Its not the dogs, its the people, LOL.

Regardless of the people or anything else I dont take my dogs because of their breed. I'm confident my dogs wouldnt start anything but they may finish it or get blamed anyways. It also bothers me when I see Presa's, Pit Bulls, and Cane Corso's at the dog park, its not discrimination its common sense so again its not even the dogs its the owners who allow their devotion of a breed to get in the way of their inherant nature.

I much preffer to set up doggy play dates.

It may just be a coincidence but if you can go early morning on weekdays there seems to be better crowds. After 5 and on teh weekends seem to be full of ownres who have let their dog sit at home all week or day and have pent up energy!

Beejou

I picked Bixby up and Roscoe stood calmly beside me with his head down (I guess he knew as well as I did to stay calm. Funny how dogs know how to handle themselves sometimes) until the owners finally came and dragged him away.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at the park.  

Please be careful if you decide to pick your smaller dog up (I wouldn't do it). I've heard many small dog owners are bitten in the arms and face because the attacking dog jumps up and tries to get the small dog. Carry pepper spray (or some form of spray) to ward off aggressive dogs, and always carry a cell phone in case you need ACO or police assistance ASAP.

Ditto on the spray suggestion. In regards to the advice about not picking up your dog I just really really want to emphasize the importance of that.

If you pick your dog up you could easily  be adding to the excitment and urge for the other dog to advance. The high placement of your dog and possession is all the more reason for the offending dog to continue on. Despite our need to protect our dogs you are also leaving it defensless becasue you are holding it but also with the added stress of it feeling like it needs to protect you.

Your best bet with a small dog that cannot properly defend itself and also if you dont have spray is to redirect the leash and your dog behind you as you body block the offending dog with a raised knee being careful not to bend down but assume a tall position. Refrain from using high pitched noises and use a firm and loud "No or back". Also the most important thing is to keep moving, if you do the above in conjunction with walking away it is helpful because your showing the other dog you are retreating

I know these situations are almost inevitable but by staying out of potential threatening places like dog parks you limit the chances of this happening.

ugh that makes me sick! I've ran into a few idoit owners at dog parks myself.
I agree with Erica, you should the ACO's next time the dog shows up.

AuroraLove

It may just be a coincidence but if you can go early morning on weekdays there seems to be better crowds. After 5 and on teh weekends seem to be full of ownres who have let their dog sit at home all week or day and have pent up energy!

 

Weekday mornings are the best time at our dog park, too. Weekend early mornings are often good, too.

Eko and I go every weekday morning. I carry citronella spray and keep a close eye on things.

I have met some great dogs and great people at our dog park. I've also had confrontations with jerks. I also ordered this from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Dazer-II-2/dp/B000E7KVQ2/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1210799104&sr=8-1

 

 

Thanks to you and AuororaLove for the info. I never even thought about how close MY face was to a dog that weighed as much as I do. In retrospect, what was I thinking?! I just wanted to get my little dog away from the dangerous dog. I figured, if he attacked, Roscoe would at least have a chance of being okay. Bixby could have been seriously injured. Funny, I didn't want to try to block the dog because I didn't want to touch/get that close to a dog who was clearly on the very edge of getting really nasty, but I put my face down there! I'll be more careful from now on. Pepper spray is a great idea, but could I get into trouble for macing someone's dog? Then again, it couldn't be worse than potentially having one of my dogs or myself attacked. It really blows my mind that people will bring large, aggressive dogs to a dog park! I've seen people trying to "socialize" their dogs at the DP but that seems like a really bad idea. It really bothers me how innefectual the owners of these types of dogs are. Never keeping up with their dog, never immediately pulling it off or correcting aggressive behaviors. Ugh!

Beejou

Pepper spray is a great idea, but could I get into trouble for macing someone's dog?

Citronella Spray may be better.  It stings and deters the offending dog...but not damaging like pepper spray.