Dog Community

Posted : 8/11/2007 3:38:50 PM

ORIGINAL: Sham85

And how do you socialize a dog so that it won't hate other dogs if you don't take it to places like the dog park.

Obedience classes, where all the dogs are on leash. Setting up play dates with a friend who has a dog or two. Keeping a dog on leash in a dog park where all the other dogs are off leash is a recipe for disaster, and so is bringing an unsocialized dog who doesn't like other dogs. That can be just totally overwhelming for the poor dog. Obedience classes are really the best way to socialize because all the dogs are under control and they're not tearing around in packs.

Joyce

Jenna

Posted : 8/11/2007 3:42:13 PM

Dogs definitely should not be leashed at dog parks. Aside from the risk of a fight, it is dangerous for the other dogs to get tangled in the leash.

Aizy

Posted : 8/11/2007 3:53:35 PM

ORIGINAL: Pwca

Aizy, PLEASE don't leave your dog on a longline- it's really dangerous, both to your pup (she can get caught up on something), to other dogs (who can get tangled and injured) and to people (who can get clotheslined.) If her recall isn't reliable, don't take her to the park when there is ANYONE else there.

IMHO longlines aren't that dangerous if you know how to use them properly. I'm using it at least twice a day with my pup so he can get some freedom to run as there is no fenced in area anywhere within 35 kilometres from where I live, and in the city there are just the two dog parks that are fenced in that allows dogs. So I have two options, use the longline or never let him run at all, which would drive me insane as he'd ruin the house if he couldn't get that energy out. But you're right it's something to be careful about, I just wouldn't go to that extreme to not ever use it if there is anyone else nearby.

Michael H

Posted : 8/11/2007 7:56:09 PM

ORIGINAL: Sham85
Honestly I think this is a stupid question.

Huh? You're calling me stupid? I NEVER see ANYONE leaving their dog on leash at the dog park. That is why I asked it. And when you do see these people, it looks VERY strange. Why bother even going to the dog park? It beats the purpose. Just take your dog for a walk outside the area of the dog park.

janet_rose

Posted : 8/12/2007 6:29:22 AM

Sham85
Honestly I think this is a stupid question.

nocturnal76
Huh? You're calling me stupid? I NEVER see ANYONE leaving their dog on leash at the dog park. That is why I asked it.

Whoa!! There is a big difference between calling a question stupid and calling a person stupid.

While not the most polite way to communicate, "this is a stupid question" is a way of saying "the answer should be obvious". This thread included comments on both sides of the issue, so obviously the answer is not obvious.

Natalie Stegall

Posted : 8/12/2007 6:42:09 AM

Just my opinion we dont have any dog parks here to so dont really have this problem. But you said the dog park was for smaller dogs which not always but small dogs seem to be expensive. I have a yorkie so just speaking for my experience buying her i guess. But I wouldnt dare take her to a public place and let her off a leash. I was on a yorkie message board and they were posting daily about hawks attacking such little dogs and people stealing them as well. Not that leashes help all the time they posted a story about a lady walking her yorkie in a park on a leash and some guy there picked it up and was playing with it and the lady thought nothing about it til her dog turned up missing a few days later and then was spoted walking the dog at the same park. He got her address off the dogs name tag. So just my opinion but maybe the guy just loves him dog and doesnt want it getting stolen or lost.

Road Dog

Posted : 8/12/2007 10:27:19 AM

Well, I have a whippet and he can easily jump the fences in my local dog park. I only rarely take him in there (and we did do obedience class for socialization, etc.) but when I do he's on leash. No fights have started and other owners have been understanding and inviting.

mudpuppy

Posted : 8/12/2007 4:22:11 PM

on-leashed dogs aren't allowed in our local dog park,, and anyone engaging in such stupid behavior gets firmly yelled at by the dog park regulars. I mean really, if you want to keep your dog on a leash there are thousands of places you can go, why would you come to the dog park? Bring your leased dog to a dog park and odds are he'll be attacked and injured or he will attack and injure another dog.

Road Dog

Posted : 8/12/2007 5:07:29 PM

Hey, it's not a matter of wanting to keep him on a leash, I have to. He's a sighthound with a high prey drive and a wicked vertical jump in a park bordered by busy streets. As I said, I only rarely take him in - like when a local dog friend of his happens to be there and everyone is cool about it. I was just trying to provide one example to answer the op's question as to why someone might do that - not necessarily because he thinks their dog is so special and the other dogs are beneath his. And if it wasn't allowed in my dog park of course I wouldn't do it (the rules are clearly posted at the entrance). Our park also happens to be huge - a city block big in area where even people without dogs are welcome to come, sit on the benches and observe. But don't worry, I won't share stories of "such stupid behavior" again.

grab01

Posted : 8/12/2007 5:17:38 PM

The first time one goes to a dog park can be a bit intimidating. I went with my small dog and was in the 'all sizes' section, rather than the small dog section, as we were there with friends who have large dogs. I didn't keep her on leash because I'm aware of dog behavior (though I did keep an eye on everyone), but someone not familiar with how this can be a bad idea may just assume that they're keeping their dog safer. Perhaps someone could speak to him one on one in a nonconfrontational manner and explain.

I should mention that my dog is an old dog park hand now

pofi_pasquale

Posted : 8/12/2007 5:38:01 PM

I can't find it now, but I swear when I first applied for our city's off leash permit, the rules or tips discouraged leashing within the off leash area as it can cause issues. Unless, of course, it becomes necessary to get a dog fully under control if there has been escalation.

It is, however, my experience leaving a dog leashed and at that disadvantage does provoke conflict. I can't be sure if the leashed dog is giving off some sort of vibe or the other dogs (mine included) sense their advantage and want to press it. I do have verbal control over my dogs and can stop that confrontation immediately, but when I know it wouldn't even be happening but for the leash, I do get a little annoyed. Saw several today in our outing in the VERY expansive Minnehaha off leash in Mpls. I usually try to prep my dogs as we are approaching getting their focus off the leashed dog and on me so there's no excitement.

Tankstar

Posted : 8/12/2007 7:32:27 PM

May have been trying to train him. Such as to come while he is distracted. I know the dog walker lady brings 2 dogs to the dog park on leash. One is completly blind and she gets off the leash when we get to the water. The other is a large husky who will just run away if not on leash.

luvmyswissy

Posted : 3/15/2008 5:41:41 PM

I agree Callie, I hate dog parks! Fortunately we live in the country and can invite dogs to come play at our house and do! Anyone who visits us and has a dog loves that they can bring their dogs, they are very much welcome.

I checked out our dog park once without the dogs and I couldn't believe the mayhem I saw. Not a situation I would put my dogs in. And. I can completely understand the fear that many may have once entered about letting their dog off leash.

luvmyswissy

Posted : 3/15/2008 5:47:30 PM

mudpuppy
on-leashed dogs aren't allowed in our local dog park,, and anyone engaging in such stupid behavior gets firmly yelled at by the dog park regulars. I mean really, if you want to keep your dog on a leash there are thousands of places you can go, why would you come to the dog park? Bring your leased dog to a dog park and odds are he'll be attacked and injured or he will attack and injure another dog.

edit by self.. Sad

Cassidys Mom

Posted : 3/15/2008 5:59:07 PM

We go to off leash parks regularly, and I don't see too many dogs on leash. Really, the only reason I could see it is if you don't have a solid recall yet, but even then I'd rather have them drag a long line. A dog that doesn't 'play well with others' really shouldn't be at an off leash park. You can control your unfriendly dog by keeping it on leash, but you can't stop other dogs from coming up to yours, and it's not fair to the other people and dogs if they have to be careful about which dogs are okay to approach and which aren't. Why not just take them for a walk in an area where all the dogs will be on leash? I had a very leash reactive dog who was fine with most dogs off leash, so I know that being restrained by a leash can exacerbate feeling of frustration, fear, and stress in a dog with less than solid nerves. If all dogs are on leash or all dogs are off leash everyone is on a equal playing field. Normal greeting behaviors are not inhibited or restricted and dogs that choose to engage with other dogs can do so. Dogs that prefer not to can freely move away.

Another reason for being on leash would be for training purposes, but still, only with dogs who are friendly to other dogs. I've done training at off leash parks, and it's a great way to proof for distractions. Mine are very social and don't have a problem with other dogs coming up and sniffing them when they're in a sit or down stay, and having other dogs around while we're working is sort of the point. When we're done, the leashes come off and it's play time.

Why Do Some People Leave Their Dog On Leash In Dog Park?