Originally posted by jennifert9
Bckrazy, I can understand where you are coming from but please do not take it out on the owner. Not all owners are bad and evil and uncaring that their dog exhibits this type of behavior.

I also feel however that people that take their dogs to the dog park have to be prepared for anything. Like Carrie has said more than once, we are thinking like humans but the dogs are wolves living among us (By the Grace of God )and have their own rules. Nothing is guaranteed and the dogs can't read the posted rules. It is up to the owner to be responsible for their dog's behavior but they cannot always predict their dogs behavior.
I totally understand what you mean. Gonzo has never gotten into any sort of fight at the dog park, and he had been there hundreds of times before that dog attacked him. I know so many people there are super nice and responsible, 99% of people that take their dogs there are good people. I do not blame the dog in my situation, I blame her owner completely. It's hard to not get mad at a person who sits on a bench, while his dog is plainly attacking my dog for at least a few minutes and just continues to chase him down and bite at him without any provocation. He finally had to grab onto her harness and pin her down, yelling at her did absolutely nothing to deter the dog. She was obviously aggressive and everyone else at the park left right then (the owner of the Rottie did not leave, or apologize, and he definitely didn't leave in tears )!

I know that the OP, and you, are completely unlike the person I experienced in that you do care about how your dogs act. I understand that dogs can be unpredictable, Gonzo has been a total brat at times and I always leave the dog park if he starts to get growly and mean with other dogs. I think it's an owners responsibility to be able to read their dogs' body language, have off-leash verbal control over their dogs, and just accept if your dog is not a dog-park type. One of my trainers, who is amazing with dog-dog socialization, has to tell tons of owners that their dog is simply not one who will tolerate a dog park situation. . it kind of sucks if youre an owner who wants to exercise their dog with other dogs, but if it is for the safety of the dogs and people there, its in everyones best interest. I've seen a lot of puppies brought to the dog park with absolutely NO manners, that chase dogs and run full speed right into them, and also dogs who enjoy herding/chasing other dogs. To me, for a dog to really be safe at a dog park, they have to be tolerant and friendly enough to tolerate this otherwise rude behavior. I don't think it's right to bring a dog back to a dog park again and again if they continue to dominate, threaten, provoke, or attack other dogs. It's just pointless - obviously the dog does not want to be at the dog park! It just annoys me generally when I see people bringing their aggressive dogs to the park who continue to start fights, when there are plenty of off-leash areas to exercise them that would be safest for their dog and others.

hm. . . I just rambled a lot. but, thats how I feel, anyway. I know for sure you guys are good people who know about dogs. The people who I have a problem with, are ignorant dog owners who think that because its a "dog park" they can bring their dog in and let them run wild - whether they harm other dogs or not.