Dog parks - yes or no?

[Lexi_Lover]

Actually, I was kind of thinking the opposite way. I wanted to take Lexi to a dog park to help with her dog aggresion, I guess not anymore. If lots of people hate it when other's dogs are aggresive. But I'd keep her on leash with a muzzle. I can't think of anything else, training classes never worked, sigh, if only she was friendly, but there is a reason for her aggresion.

As a pup, the vet told us TO NOT expose her to ANY dogs of any sort until all vacines were done. Well, by then her socialization period was well over and we lost all socialization skills....

[KYS]

I think Dog parks are great if you have a social dog who
enjoys other dogs.
But if your dog is not very social I would not take the
dog to a Dog Park.

[LKPike]

we've never been to one mainly because the fences weren't high enough for our dogs.

we take them to a local baseball field that a club sponsers - my hubbys a member.

[Suki Wingy]

Niño doesn't have a good recall but we take him to the dog park every week or so. The labs are teaching him to swim! We usually go on the hours there are only a few dogs, and the whole place is 26 acres, so it shouldn't be a problem. Also, we can work on his recal safley there.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I've taken Charlie to a dog park once and he couldn't care less about the other dogs, all he wanted to do was walk around and pee on everything.

Nacey has also been to a dog park once, she was very social and made friends with several other dogs her size.

We took Nova to a dog park with Kay and Kiara once. Nova didn't enjoy herself too much in the regular part where any size dog can go, she just wondered around. Then we took both dogs into the small dogs only part (Kiara was just barely under the weight limit), and Nova had a lot of fun with all the smaller dogs.

Nacey and Charlie both have a pretty good recall, and Nova is getting better but wasn't too good (infact it was down right bad) when we took her to the dog park.

[Giselle]

I'm in a similar situation with Lexi_Lover. Contrary to popular belief, Giselle is NOT dog aggressive. However, we are forced to avoid the dog park now because irresponsible small dog owners find it more "fun" in the big dog park than the little dog park. Apparently, their perception of "fun" is "dangerous". I have had to leave the dog park in fury and shame because some idiots brought their 3 pound Toy dogs into the big dog park, *completely* avoiding the small dog park.

So you can just imagine what happens when an ex-racing Greyhound, who was born and raised in a track enviornment, meets and clashes with a hyperactive, white, fluffy Havanese.

My Suggestion: You must honestly assess your own dog's temperament and tolerance level. If you believe your dog is physically and mentally fit enough for a dog park, DON'T go into the big dog park with a Chihuahua and DO go into the small dog park if you have the appropriately sized dog.

Also remember, just as the dog park is a safe haven for many responsible dog owners, it is also a beehive of idiot owners.

That said, Giselle and I no longer visit the Alameda dog park, but walk on the local dog trails (much better than dog parks, imo).

[elizabethann]

Fenway goes to the dog park. He likes it. I usually park at the front and check to see whose there and what dogs are there. There used to be a mean dog there but he doesn't go any longer and I'm thinking it's because he got kicked out. There's also another dog that goes there that beat Fenway up one time. I was with Fenway at the park just last week and that dog came in and Fenway stayed away from him but kept looking at him like he wasn't too sure of him so we left. Fenway's 20 lbs so I get worried about him being attacked. Normally, if I do go to the dog park, I go early on a weekend morning when there aren't too many dogs there and the ones who are there, are pretty decent. Fenway usually runs around for a bit but then comes over to me and sticks to me like glue. After about 1 or 1 1/2 hours, he's ready to leave and so we leave. I keep hearing they're going to build a small dog park, but it hasn't happend yet. I wish they would. I always say it's a good day when all the dogs get along and they play without being aggressive. Lately we've had many of those days. But I've been there when dogs fight and it's scarey and it just sucks for all the other dogs who want to go there and play.

[IRescue452]

Autumn and I go to the local dog park a few times a week. Most of the dogs are "regulars" that come daily. I've never heard of nor seen any dog becoming aggressive from a dog park. Are you sure it was aggression? A lot of people mistake simple dog talk for aggression. Sometimes and older or more solitary dog needs to be stern in order to keep a pursuing pup off of them. Also, sometimes dogs get a bruise or a sore ear and become agressive when other dogs sniff and bother the sore spot. I don't think dogs should ever be allowed to form and run around in a pack at the dog park. At our park everybody is within sight of their dog at all times. The dogs are not released at the front gate and left to explore all 17 acres on their own, they basically stay in the same area as the owners. I guess one of the main pluses at our dog park is strick enorcement of the rules and having somebody monitoring the park each day. Basically in our area those people who train their dgs properly and take care of their dogs use our park while those who don't take proper care of their pets don't use the park at all.

[cyber-sibes]

We frequent the dogpark 3 - 6 times a week. My dogs love it because they get to run- this is a good thing for huskies! most of the time, there are no or few dogs there, and we have gotten to know the regulars and our dogs all get along pretty well. most owners are cautious when a new dog arrives, it doesn't usually take too long to see how they do, after the initial pack-insection at the entrance! This is a private dogpark so maybe there are fewer idiot owners, but there are some. Usually this is where the problem lies. I've seen a few hit, kick, push, & shout at other peoples's dogs, because they don't understand dog behavior. Usually everyone leaves when one of these knuckleheads turns up- thankfully that's not very often- they don't usually come back either. But like everywhere else, you have to use common sense. Don't bring in aggresive dogs. Don't bring sick dogs. Don't bring in people-food (your dog may be ok, with it, but not all dogs will sit by and just watch) Watch your dog. Talk to the other owners so you can be more aware of the other dog's personalities & quirks. All in all, I think the dogpark offers both my dogs and me a nice place to socialize with other dogs/owners.

(Our park is quite small, an acre or two. I'm not sure how well I could cope with some of those huge parks, I like to keep track of my dogs.)

[slleipnir]

See, I'm not worried about Zeke being aggressive/not listening, I'm worried about OTHER people's dogs who are aggressive/don;t listen. I've taken Zeke before and told him to come, I could see he TRIED to, but couldn't cause I dog was jumping all over him and he could move around him. If a dog tried to attack him, I could tell him to come, but I honestly think he owuld try to protect himself first

[manda99]

I used to take Smokey to dog parks... but the last time we went we had a problem so I stopped taking him. Smokey does not provoke but will definitly react which is what happened last time. He will literally roll on his back or give a total play stance but if any dog doesn't respond in a playing manor Smokey will just not take it. Not even that he wants to full on attack but I do understand I have a pitbull and even him giving a warning nip to a dog can make people go ballistic. And quite honestly, I've see Smokey get attacked and his reaction and it's not something I want to break up again.
So now we just play together or w/ the dogs he knows well .

[wolf_Q]

I have mixed feelings on dog parks. Nebo gets really excited to go, he LOVES all the room to run. He gets along with almost all of the dogs and enjoys playing with them but he has had some problems. He has an alpha personality and if another dog tries to dominate him he does not take it well. He's been in a few little tiffs but hasn't drawn blood, it's more show than anything. I have to follow him everywhere and watch his behavior. Sometimes we've been there for hours with no problems at all, met some nice people, it was great. Other times there have been other dominant dogs (larger, unneutered males are the biggest problem) and Nebo just hasn't gotten along with them. He also will chase any dog that runs of course most of the dogs there will do the same thing, Nebo just growls and makes noises while chasing so people think he's vicious.

So I guess my answer is yes I will take him to dog parks, but not often and if there's a dog there he does not like then I either sit and hold him with me until that dog leaves or I just leave myself.

[Twisterdog]

I've never heard of dog parks making dogs aggressive. I can see, however, how being around a large group of dogs would make an "only dog" start to act more like a dog (pack behavior) and less like a human being. Lots of owners of a single dog want their dogs to act like people, not dogs. Seeing this new "dogginess" exhibited by their pooch might certainly be disturbing, and not at all what they want.

I would not take my dogs to dog parks for several reasons. First, they are terriers. They are naturally a bit more dominant and aggresive than your average lab. I don't need trouble, which would no doubt be caused by my dogs. Secondly, my dogs are small, but they don't know it. My eight to twenty pound dogs would not think twice about biting the heels of a hundred pound rottweiler. Bad idea. And lastly, I have six dogs. They already have a small pack of their own. They don't really need any more interaction with dogs than they get at home.

[elizabethann]

The dogs are not released at the front gate and left to explore all 17 acres on their own, they basically stay in the same area as the owners.

Wow! 17 ACRES??? I'm lucky if we have 1 acre!!! I'm jealous.

[cali]

lol our dog park is 18 acers and my mom thought that was tiny, but she is the type that like to hike. the occasional time that I go to the dog park I saty in the one area away from all the other dogs, its like an acer all to ourselves and most of the dogs dont notice us so far off so they dont come charging over to play. I have been to smaller parks where people met up and played fetch with there dogs, but at our dog park NOBODY plays fetch they just let there dogs off and ignore them while they run around getting in the faces of other dogs, so I prefere to stay as far from then as possable, however to get to the remote part of the park you have to take the bike path, which means you have to walk, and that takes an hour in itself lol