Flyball?? (rant)

[TamanduaGirl]

play agression is still agression and not okay and will eventualy spark a fight.

I was walking my dogs once when a big rottie came running up and and wasn't able to get mine up in time and he picked Hyzzie up in his mouth. she screamed bloody murder but wasn't hurt once he put her down just drooled on. He still kept coming for her! But he "just wanted to play" He really did but that doesn't make it okay.

alternate is little dogs bullying big dogs those owners to will usualy claim fluffy just wants to play then blame the big dog if theirs a fight even though the big dog was just fed up and saying enough.

Quasi used to be okay with big dogs even shared his obedience class with an English mastiff but he Saw that happen to his sister and he was attacked by a collie, and had many other big dog incidents so he hates all big dogs now. so I get that too when I pull my dogs back when there's a big dog. "He's not egressive" "He doesn't bite" (I have honestly come back sometimes "But mine do") ect. but mine are agressive/defensive with big dogs so please keep them away.

My old dog goldie was attacked by a lab once. I couldn't get that dog off and finaly resorted to a slap to it's back. I suppose I should have just kicked it because it looked like the big dog was killing her but I guess I'm just a big wimp. The owner finaly came over and got his dog off her. That one was being serious for sure but I've no idea what sparked it off.

There was absolutely zero reason to go and hit someone's dog after the fact though. that part was wrong.

I've had to many incidents to count, honestly, with dogs after mine. And thankfully the majority have been just agressive play except collies(no offense it's just true so far) every single one has wanted to kill Quasi! Any way it's no more exceptable in a sports club than on the street or at the dog park. I don't understand why the club would allow untrained or partly trained dogs in the club. Untrained in fly ball sure but a dog has to have at least basic obedience down pat to participate in clubs or even go to an off leash dog park (IMO)

I suppose that's why no one said anything though since they were told the club wont put up with anyone complaining about untrained dogs, that certainly leaves them no outlet except maybe to quit.

[bckrazy]

play agression is still agression and not okay and will eventualy spark a fight.

My two dogs "play fight" with their mouths & paw at each other ALL the time. It has taught my puppy awesome bite inhibition, & Gonzo has awesome bite inhibition as well. I think it's perfectly ok, actually I'm glad they play rough! It's healthy & normal for well-socialized dogs. They've never hurt each other, even by accident.

[TamanduaGirl]

A mutual play fight is different from play agression. Just playing ruff taken all by it;s self isn't the problem either.

Hyzzie has play agression. She was feral when I got her having been dumped at a young age and fending for herself. She didn't know the difference between play and real fighting. She just had fun fighting. She still needs reminding.

Even just jumping all over another dog that's minding it's own busness and doesn't want to play is bad enough, though wasn't her issue really with strangers dogs. She had it real bad. She'd attack Quasi thinking it was play then try to correct her and she'd turn on me. I'm just lucky she found me most any other owner would of had her put down. She has drawn blood on me, in play!

She's a lot better now. She's always been sweet but she's still a big bully. She'd never want to hurt anyone. We call her our little nurse. She worries over everyone. She doesn't draw blood now and knows which people to play more gently with and who'll allow more.

Play agression is play to ruff. If a rottie pics up a chi and tosses it around that's to ruff. If it draws blood or makes the other dog yelp it's too ruff.

Play agression is using seriouse growls and not play growls but you need to know your dog to know the difference.

Play has gone to far if hackles are raised.

Play agression is being to forcefull. Trying to make another dog play when it doesn't want to. Hyzzie will pester Quasi and be all over him then if he snaps at her it actualy just eggs her on because now to her he's playing or she's is just being a bully and thrilled for a reaction. She's better with that now too but we have to be the ones to correct her for pushing him. Another example is the little dog running after the big dogs barking and nipping wagging it's tail the second it sees them at the park.

It's play aggression to run up to another dog, mainly strangers, and start playing ruff with no warning or work up to it. Some people play fight with friends or wrestle ect but it wouldn't be okay for a stranger or casual aquantince to run up to you and suddenly start doing it to you.

It's play agression to not take no for an answer. If the victom dog snaps at you or growls or says enough in some way and you just come right back for more.

They do have play fights and Quasi now just snaps at her when he's decided he's done. I don't like that but she does stop now when he does that. Since he started doing that he has trouble getting her to play sometimes because she doesn't know when he'll just snap and say enough but he couldn't get the point across before. He does get in trouble for that anyway. There are more exceptible ways to say I'm done and she'll get in trouble if she ignores them. Actualy he doesn't do it so much any more.

Play fighting is fine. Heck her favorite game is keep away and growling and snapping at us over a toy. That's fine too now that she knows her limits, with reminders. to ruff we stop. and if she's just played to long or we say stop she has too.

Hyzzie was a little mess she had just about every type of agression known to dog, play, food, possesion, territory, fear, redirrection, dominance A regular handful of fun.

Play agression is a real problem for anyone dealing with it. some play agression is linked to dominance and some is from being taken from mom to young and or not being taught what was to ruff by people and or other dogs at an apropriet age. Really it is linked to dominance to try and force another dog to play, while playing to ruff is mostly from not knowing better. Both are a problem, together it's worse.

My two dogs "play fight" with their mouths & paw at each other ALL the time. It has taught my puppy awesome bite inhibition, & Gonzo has awesome bite inhibition as well. I think it's perfectly ok, actually I'm glad they play rough! It's healthy & normal for well-socialized dogs. They've never hurt each other, even by accident.

[bckrazy]

Honestly, I don't have "thick skin" either, Audrey. I'm very sensitive and I always think of other people's feelings... and it sucks when they completely disregard mine.

To me, dog sports are for fun, and when people stop making it fun and instead make it their own sick/wierd/obsessive way of making themselves feel like the best or living vicariously through their dogs, it ruins the fun for everyone. I don't feel it's fair to expect me OR you to just ignore and put up with rude, inconsiderate, self-righteous A-hats... what's important is how you feel about Flyball, because Zeke will feed off of your energy. If it stresses you out this much, IMHO, I would look into other dog sports that will make both you and Zeke happy. There are tons out there! Frisbee, Agility, Tracking, Obedience, Rally-O, etc.