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

I would imagine the guy was new to the dog park and really was not confident enough. I have been taking Kobi to the dog park since he was just a pup and I have on many occasions kept him on leash for a variety of reasons.

1. To keep him out of the water when I'm not sure how clean it is. Usually in the middle of summer.

2. When he sprained his leg and I did not want him running around like an idiot.

3. When he was obsessed with humping the new dog

4. When certain dogs I know can cause trouble show up

5. If there are any small children

... to name a few.

For the most part the dogs at the park are all familiar with Kobi so there is never an issue with leash aggression or Kobi being at a disadvantage. Situations happen where being on leash now and then just seems the most practical thing to do. 99% of the time everything is totally fine for running off leash. For the other 1% it is easier to slap on the leash then make a scene about someones dog or kids or whatever.
 

Interesting to see this old thread revived. I happen to be in a situation now where I'm taking my dog (B'asia) to a dog park and keeping her on a leash! LOL So, all the negative comments here can be directed at me, I suppose.  Fortunately, I can talk with the people and tell them what I'm doing and if they have a problem with it, I would gladly step outside the park. I haven't had an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation yet. Fortunately, the people in my town are apparently quite open-minded and understanding. I have even had people help me.

The reason I'm doing it is to get B'asia used to being in the presence of other dogs prior to her classes next month. She doesn't need to play and frolic with other dogs, but I do want her to have manners, so I'm teaching her that. You might say that she's in training. And not one person I've come across seems to be bothered by it in the least...

Most are surprised how well their dogs stay with them at our dog park.  Mine only ventures a bit further with other dogs he knows and constantly runs back to me to check in.  I never take my eyes off him and if I see a dog we aren't sure about or a dog that is causing my dog distress I step in.  I use a pocket of treats to recall if needed.  He comes back for water all the time also.  But bascially he stays near us.  I have left if a group is there that has dogs that don't have good dog park manners.  But I do not like dogs on a leash at all.  It isn't a good situation for all the dogs there.  I have seen several with muzzles so their owners can relax if they don't feel they can trust them which is fine with me.

losinsusan

But I do not like dogs on a leash at all.  It isn't a good situation for all the dogs there.

I'm not sure I understand what the problem is...

I don't really understand the problem with this either.

Many dog parks here have alot of people who keep their dogs on leashes, and longlines. And yet the only fights I see break-out are between off-leash dogs.

I've walked my grandmas dogs before, one offleash the other on.. (he does not listen to me or follow me.) No fights were started while he greeted other dogs..

Sometimes I think people really do overanalynze some things. Then again, the dog parks here don't have any membership, .. they are owned by the city and is just a nice open space so walk dogs. People shouldn't be denied to walk around the nice park by the river simply because they keep their dog on a lead.

Okami

Many dog parks here have alot of people who keep their dogs on leashes, and longlines. And yet the only fights I see break-out are between off-leash dogs.

I agree with this. I take my dog to the dog park...it's pretty big with many trails. The sign out front says RULE # 1 ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES (then has about 5 other rules listed). So, my dog is on leash to cover my butt so I don't get fined for letting him off...he's never gotten into a fight ever, a fight has never broken out around him or because of him, and he's met plenty of dogs while he was on leash (some dogs were leashed, some not). I have, however, seen off leash dogs "playing" then having it escalate into a fight...and these dogs were supposed to be leashed but their owners decided to let them off because it was a dog park and they wanted them to play with other dogs.  

I just went searching for some dog park rules and I found some that said something similar to:

"All off-leash dogs must be under voice control of their owners. If you can not control your dog off leash, keep your pet leashed at all times."

I found ONE that stated:

"Let your dog off-leash as soon as you arrive within the boundaries of the park. Mixing leashed and unleashed dogs commonly causes problems. Leashed dogs often feel threatened by the free dogs and will display provocative body language and defensive behavior. If you are uncomfortable about letting your dog off-leash, DO NOT visit the off-leash park."

But vast majority didn't mention it at all. Just that you must have control of your dog and no aggressive dogs.  

So, I guess it depends which park you visit. My dog park has no such rules. My thought is that whether my dog is leashed or NOT, if another dog approaches in an aggressive way, I'm going to protect my dog. And if my dog has shown to be somewhat ill-mannered with other dogs (as B'asia has on ONE occasion), I'm going to prevent her from exercising these bad manners toward other dogs. But I have never had a dog even get close to us while she's on-leash. I don't know how a dog fight could get started when I'm standing right there...

There are certain dogs who "have it in" for other dogs at the park. Poor Frankie is rude to some dogs. He's a bit of a bully. And when he comes in, if any of the dogs he regularly picks on are there, his owner keeps him leashed until the others leave. I have never seen a problem with it.

When I take B'asia, I stay outside the park sometimes, and just watch the other dogs to get her used to being in the presence of other dogs.

If you want to see a good brawl, watch the leashed dogs.  If you are worried enough about your dogs behavior to leave a leash on they you probably shouldn't be at a dog park.  Most of the brawls I've seen at the parks in LA have involved on leash dogs, who always end up getting away in the brawl.  It's common for the "regulars" to ask people to leave if they leave their dogs on leash.  Honestly 4ic, it sounds like you probalby shouldn't have your dogs at an off leash park.  If you want to better socialize them and get used to being around other dogs. Then an "on leash" park would be a better choice IMO.  Why spoil it for others?  Anyone who goes to them frequently know that a dog on leash around many that aren't feels threatened even in the best cirucumstances.  Add to that some dog aggression or fear and you have a recepie for a fight.  Sometimes you have to think about the other people there and not just your goal for socialization.

ottoluv

If you want to see a good brawl, watch the leashed dogs.

ottoluv

Honestly 4ic, it sounds like you probalby shouldn't have your dogs at an off leash park.

Actually it's not even a "dog park" or an "off-leash park". It's just a small city park that has a fence where dogs are allowed as long as we clean up after them. There are maybe 4-5 other dogs there when I'm there. Many times, there are no others.

ottoluv

Why spoil it for others?

This is not a problem for me or any of the people at the park. I don't know why it's a problem for people here. LOL

FourIsCompany

losinsusan

But I do not like dogs on a leash at all.  It isn't a good situation for all the dogs there.

 

I'm not sure I understand what the problem is...

 Well at our park the dogs all like to greet the new arrivals and it is so intimidating for the leashed dog with free dogs milling about.  We have double gates.  So you enter leached in the first gate and then release your dog before entering the park.  I have seen dogs get tangled up in the leaches also which is dangerous.  You would have to have a really short lead in order to avoid groups of running dogs from hurting themselves if they don't see the leach as they pass by.  We have other dog parks in our area that a leach could work in I suppose.  It is less crowded and more forest preserve trails where it would probably be fine. 

I really think everyone is making a this a mountain out of a mowhill.

I mean, problems will arise if the dog is unfriendly, leashed or unleashed. Some dogs are leash reactive, yeah.. but then you shouldn't be in a dog park regardless, then. 

FourIsCompany

ottoluv

If you want to see a good brawl, watch the leashed dogs.

I have watched them and I've never seen a problem... Granted, this is a small town, not LA, and the people and their dogs are pretty friendly, but the biggest problem I've seen here is people who don't pick up their dog's poop.

ottoluv

Honestly 4ic, it sounds like you probalby shouldn't have your dogs at an off leash park.

It's only one of my dogs that I keep leashed. The other 3 are perfectly fine off leash.

Actually it's not even a "dog park" or an "off-leash park". It's just a small city park that has a fence where dogs are allowed as long as we clean up after them. There are maybe 4-5 other dogs there when I'm there. Many times, there are no others.

ottoluv

Why spoil it for others?

What have I spoiled? I've talked to the other people and they are FINE with it. If they're not, I go outside the fence. I'm not spoiling anything.

This is not a problem for me or any of the people at the park. I don't know why it's a problem for people here. LOL

Honestly, that isn't a dog park.  Try a large park with 50-100 dogs off leash and you will see what me and the others are pointing out.  It's a whole different dynamic with that many dogs off leash.  It's a common problem and many parks have it in the rules that you cannot have leashed dogs.  Maybe just read what those who actually go to these parks have written and try to understand instead of arguing since you yourself admit to not having experienced these types of parks. 

ottoluv

If you are worried enough about your dogs behavior to leave a leash on they you probably shouldn't be at a dog park.   

Honestly 4ic, it sounds like you probalby shouldn't have your dogs at an off leash park.  

Why spoil it for others? 

Anyone who goes to them frequently know that a dog on leash around many that aren't feels threatened even in the best cirucumstances. 

I respect your opinion and truly believe that your experience with leashed dogs in dog parks has not been positive. However that has not been my experience, nor that of others who have posted on this thread. I think 4 is savvy and experienced enough to judge whether her dog belongs at the park or not. I too have walked my dog on leash at our park with no problems. If it was a problem for me or others I would not do it. It just seems silly to suggest that it is always a bad idea. People have to know their dogs, know the environment they are in and use their common sense. Because it doesn't work for your dogs or your park does not make it a dead and fast rule.

My cousin has this beautiful 5 yr old dog with tons of energy to burn, who she had never had off leash. About a year ago I invited her to our dog park as I thought it would be a great place for her dog to exercise and socialize.  She was unsure of her recall as she had never really had the opportunity to use it. She was also concerned how her dog would react around a large group of dogs. The first visit she kept her dog on leash and simply walked around the circuit a couple of times. The next visit she released the dog for the last 10 minutes. Surprisingly the dog had a great recall. It took a couple of weeks before my cousin was 100% comfortable, although I think her dog was more than ready to run free before that. LOL! Now she used the park on a regular bases. If she had followed the advice of many here or been asked to leave because her dog was leashed, her dog would have never had the opportunity to exercise and socialize off leash.  

Some dogs are not good candidates for dog parks - leashed or otherwise. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out! But I know my cousin is delighted she tried.
 

ottoluv

FourIsCompany

ottoluv

If you want to see a good brawl, watch the leashed dogs.

I have watched them and I've never seen a problem... Granted, this is a small town, not LA, and the people and their dogs are pretty friendly, but the biggest problem I've seen here is people who don't pick up their dog's poop.

ottoluv

Honestly 4ic, it sounds like you probalby shouldn't have your dogs at an off leash park.

It's only one of my dogs that I keep leashed. The other 3 are perfectly fine off leash.

Actually it's not even a "dog park" or an "off-leash park". It's just a small city park that has a fence where dogs are allowed as long as we clean up after them. There are maybe 4-5 other dogs there when I'm there. Many times, there are no others.

ottoluv

Why spoil it for others?

What have I spoiled? I've talked to the other people and they are FINE with it. If they're not, I go outside the fence. I'm not spoiling anything.

This is not a problem for me or any of the people at the park. I don't know why it's a problem for people here. LOL

 

Honestly, that isn't a dog park.  Try a large park with 50-100 dogs off leash and you will see what me and the others are pointing out.  It's a whole different dynamic with that many dogs off leash.  It's a common problem and many parks have it in the rules that you cannot have leashed dogs.  Maybe just read what those who actually go to these parks have written and try to understand instead of arguing since you yourself admit to not having experienced these types of parks. 

She might have not, but I have!

I haven't seen these problems people are mentioning.

Okami, with all due respect, I believe that you said you don't have dogs.  I can assure you when you do get your dog, you will see the interesting dynamic of the dog park.  It's a great place, we have a lot of fun there, but you have to be smart in how you and your dogs behave to prevent injury or dust-ups.  I do agree, there are dogs that just don't belong in dog parks leashed or unleashed, but that isn't the point.   Leaving your dog on leash around lots that aren't is stressful as they can't get away or defend themselves.  It makes a stressful situation 100 times worse.