I know the reasons for not going to dog parks and letting dogs run off leash, but I it has really helped my dogs socially as well as lets me test their obedience in an active atmosphere. There are several dogs at the park with whom my dogs get along well and enjoy playing together.

Today, our dogs were off to the corner of the park standing by us and another dog came up and started humping one of my dogs. Owner was nowhere near, so I pushed the dog off, dog tried to get back on, I pushed him away and we walked to another part of the park. About 5 minutes later, I have my dog in a sit next to me while I talk to some people and the same dog comes back over to us tries to do the same thing, this time right next to where his owner is standing. I push the dog off again and hear a "DON'T do that," which I think is great because finally the owner recognizes there is a problem and will remedy it. Twenty seconds later, same thing, but then I realize she is telling me to not touch her dog while her dog is straddling my dog and she does nothing. My dog growled the second time, but did not get out of the sit.

The owner's response to my "What are you talking about?" look was "It's normal for that to happen, I've talked to several doctors." I'm not sure why she needed a doctor to tell her it's normal for animals to do that, but... It's normal for people too, but doesn't mean that anybody can just mount another person whenever they feel like it. We left after that, not wanting to escalate into a further problem and because her dog would not leave my dog alone. I'm just totally perplexed by her logic and indifference to the fact that her dog or my dog could have been injured as the result of her not taking control of her dog.

I imagine that pushing a strange dog off while it was in a moment of passion wasn't a smart thing to do, but was the most conservative action I could have taken, short of leaving. How would you guys handle a situation like this?

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I know the reasons for not going to dog parks and letting dogs run off leash,

You're contradicting yourself here, because this woman is exactly the reason why you don't go to dog parks.

I won't just say don't go to the dog park, because I frequently take my dog for distraction training and exercise. I do muzzle my dog - makes people keep their dogs at a distance.

I don't chat with other dog owners unless they come to me. I largely ignore the other dogs - I focus on my dog. If a dog gets too close I growl at it, then give commands "git" in a very quiet but menacing tone. I set myself and my dog up to get the space she needs to focus on obedience. Most other people leave me alone and apologize when their dogs approach mine.

As I demand personal space from the other dogs, I find the dogs tend to stay close to me, just outside my "space." I find it a little funny/interesting that most dogs desire leadership so much that they will "adopt" a complete stranger as their leader and ignore their owners.

I would and have, grabbed the humping dog by the scruff or any handful of skin I can reach. (Yes, this could easily get somebody bitten). If the owner does not leash the dog or take it away, I will send it out to the holding/entrance/exit area or leash it to the fence. I'm not saying this is good advice - it is potentially dangerous - it is just what I would do.

After seeing a lot of stupid people at the park, I just get hand-on with the other dogs. Amazingly, I've mever been confronted. Most people are just thrilled that their dogs are being obedient (to somebody).

I think that dog parks are not a good idea, but since they already exist, spending time at one can teach an observant dog-savvy person a lot about pack behavior.

The latest person that baffles me : said while his dog is attacking another dog "O - his hackles are up - isn't that cute!!" Go figure... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I think dog parks are a bad idea. The majority of people who go to the ones around here stand around yapping & ignoring their dogs. After what I have seen, you couldn't pay me to go there! I prefer to work my dog under controled distractions rather than complete chaos. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Better to go to regular parks with lots of people & LEASHED dogs, outdoor malls, etc., etc., etc..

I'm with you Susan, I get enough intolerable off-leash dogs being walked in my neighborhood.. I don't need to go to a dog park. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

But I do like the "hand-on approach" discussed earlier. I agree that it may be potentially dangerous but I still like it. If you want something done right..! Isn't that how it goes? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Bottom line, just keep on protecting your own dog, there is NOTHING wrong with that. What you may want to try is walking over to the other owner and pretend to hump their leg.. because hey, the doctor said it is normal right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Sorry all, I usually keep my trap shut when I have an opinon on such topics, but had to rant on this one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I can understand why those dog parks can seem enticing. My city (after a freeking political upheaval) finally decided to put a dog park in out by a new island subdivision on the river. The marketing and bumper stickers all make it seem so appealing...all those doggies playing at the NEW place...dogs need play time too, right?

I think it is just a societal tendency these days to personify our dogs and "let's all go to playgroup!" Understandable social needs for people and for dogs.

However, I am with the pack who stay away from these parks. You tend to run into people who actually BELIEVE it is OK (because a DOCTOR SAID~~~ please) BELIEVE it is ok to have their dog hump your dog!!! Not only is this awkward for the dog, but, well, HELLO, how does one avoid going to jail when one is attempting to deal with this type of owner?

If the humping dog didn't stop at my growl and go away commands, I'd have probably kicked the dog. Then, with the trend(s) these days, the woman would have screamed abuse. I'd probably end up paying her for emotional damages incurred having to have watched me kick her dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I prefer a long walk by the lake, out in the wilderness, country with the big dog. If I have company, it is with dogs and people we know. The occasional dog we see is nice for social purposes, but generally speaking, we keep walking anyway.

Good luck with the humping dog (and It's mommy) if you continue to go to that park.

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The owner's response to my "What are you talking about?" look was "It's normal for that to happen, I've talked to several doctors."

I wonder if the good doctor also informed this lady that it would also be 'normal' for her dogs behavior to result in a dogfight when it decided to try a mount the wrong (or right <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> dog.

This is exactly why you should avoid dog parks, b/c if you and your dog were to react appropriately...then you'd be made out to be in the wrong and end up getting sued b/c your dog 'started' a fight. Sad as it may be, that's how it would probably end up.

I should define how I am hands-on at the dog park. I bring a handful of treats and train the other dogs. I am fully aware the dogs are completely out of their owners control. However, most of these dogs will obey me. Usually they form a loose circle around me. Makes me feel a bit like Cesar <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I love it: "Can you catch my dog for me?" "How do you get him to sit?" "Do you teach classes?" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Ed has some very good articles on dog parks. You should read them. I, personally, would never take my dogs to a dog park. One other person here said they took their dog to regular people parks, the only other dogs there are on-leash. Chances are that the poops get cleaned up by the owners more regularly at a regular park, or walking trail, too. IMO dogs don't need to go to dog parks to socialize/schmooze with other dogs. You are their pack leader, the other dogs at the park are,for the most part, strangers. Strangers of the same species are generally considered to be potential enemies by pack animals, so dog parks are just trouble waiting to happen, in my opinion. And I won't even go into the potential for spreading of diseases....

Curtis,
OK, I pushed post too soon, I wasn't finished. I'm not sure how I would have handled the situation, but I probably would not have allowed the strange dog to get close enough to my dog to hump my dog. It would be STRONGLY encouraged, by whatever means I had at hand, to keep it's distance from both me AND my dog.