Many of us (probably most of us) know what misguided ideas strange-dog meet-and-greets and dog parks are.

Sharon pointed out in another thread that a big dog can kill a Terrier-size dog in an instant.

Sharon is 100% right about the nano-second that it takes a large dog to kill a small one.

But this is by no means the only issue in off-leash meet-and-greets.

As Bob has pointed out, an attack by one dog in a group of dogs is going to immediately turn into a "gang war."

I have seen/heard/read brainless owners on other boards act proud or something, saying "My dog can take care of himself," almost tauntingly. All the rest of what's wrong with that disgusting attitude aside, no he cannot. A dog who is attacked by several others is in big trouble, along with every human who tries to break it up.

And top that with the way that dog will probably be changed forever.

A dog-park attack .... a perfect way to create a fear-biter (setting aside horrendous physical injuries), who is never again calm and confident around other dogs.

JMO.

We don't know until we know, and most of us are very passionate about letting others know before they have to learn in a very bad way.




Greg has pointed out that this board has zillions of threads about methods for safe socializing/desensitizing. None take place inside an off-leash venue.

Nothing good ever happened in a dog park. Even without a dog fight, what is this kind of interacting teaching your dog? That strangers and strange dogs are more interesting than you are? Dogs do not need or want this kind of random social encounter. It is not at all in a dog's nature to play with those outside his pack--even if that pack is just one dog and one human.

Letting your dog loose in one of these parks sends one clear signal to the dog: you are on your own. I'm relinquishing my role as your protector. Good luck.

Send that message enough, and why would that dog ever look to you for leadership?

Stuff can happen quick enough in you own pack, let alone with strange dogs. My two got in a tiff the other day over a tug toy. They had been playing together, supervised like many time before and got over intense or tired and all of a sudden were in each others faces. I yelled and they both backed down quick. But sheesh, if they hadn't both been my dogs with a healthy respect for me? I sure don't want to be in that situation.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Nothing good ever happened in a dog park. Even without a dog fight, what is this kind of interacting teaching your dog? That strangers and strange dogs are more interesting than you are? Dogs do not need or want this kind of random social encounter. It is not at all in a dog's nature to play with those outside his pack--even if that pack is just one dog and one human.

Letting your dog loose in one of these parks sends one clear signal to the dog: you are on your own. I'm relinquishing my role as your protector. Good luck.

Send that message enough, and why would that dog ever look to you for leadership?

+1

I think dog parks have their place for some dogs. Just not mine.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I think dog parks have their place for some dogs. Just not mine.

Unfortunately it's not the dogs. It's the clueless owners and in a yard with 10-12 dogs it's a sure bet there are more then a couple in there.

Many of us realize that dog parks are a disaster waiting to happen, but I think it is interesting to think about why they are so popular. Identifying these can help direct the conversation.

Here are some ideas:

1) Dog parks are most popular in urban/suburban areas. Why? Because in these places there is often LITERALLY no way to exercise your dog outside of your backyard, IF you even have one. Most parks don't allow dogs, even leashed. And those that do often specify the leash must be 6 feet or less. It's kind of hard to play fetch with a 6 foot leash.

2)Most people have NEVER had a negative experience at a dog park. I know MANY people who have taken their dogs DAILY for YEARS with no problems.

3)Most people's dogs LOVE the dog park, and most people love going their to interact with their friends.

4)Most dog parks have a small dog/big dog area that limits the "instant" kill on a shaken chi or Pomeranian.

5)Most people aren't research hounds, and don't spend their time on dog forums. They have no concept of the dangers presented.

6)Most people don't understand dog body language.

We had a bad experience our very first time. I kicked myself because I should have known better. No more dog parks for Duke or any other dog I have in the future.

 Quote: John Vanek

Many of us realize that dog parks are a disaster waiting to happen, but I think it is interesting to think about why they are so popular. Identifying these can help direct the conversation.

Here are some ideas:

1) Dog parks are most popular in urban/suburban areas. Why? Because in these places there is often LITERALLY no way to exercise your dog outside of your backyard, IF you even have one. Most parks don't allow dogs, even leashed. And those that do often specify the leash must be 6 feet or less. It's kind of hard to play fetch with a 6 foot leash.

2)Most people have NEVER had a negative experience at a dog park. I know MANY people who have taken their dogs DAILY for YEARS with no problems.

3)Most people's dogs LOVE the dog park, and most people love going their to interact with their friends.

4)Most dog parks have a small dog/big dog area that limits the "instant" kill on a shaken chi or Pomeranian.

5)Most people aren't research hounds, and don't spend their time on dog forums. They have no concept of the dangers presented.

6)Most people don't understand dog body language.

You are right, John, that "Many of us realize that dog parks are a disaster waiting to happen, but I think it is interesting to think about why they are so popular."

In fact, when I was much younger, dog parks seemed like a great idea to me.

I'm going to say, from my own experience (strictly anecdotal), that there isn't a small-dog area in most dog parks. Some, though, and maybe many .... and yes, I do agree that that's a step in the right direction.

Number 2 makes me think of one of the biggest problems (IMO) .... people who are standing or sitting with a cup of coffee and a friend to talk to, and who never even glance at their dogs.

Some observations:

You are right that most people don't know anything about canine body language. Never even looking at the dog doesn't help.

You are right that many people will say they have never had a negative experience. (I strongly believe that many don't know that their dog has had a negative experience even when s/he has.)


I think you make a great point when you say that most have no idea of the actual danger(s). If they did, maybe they would learn about body language, learn control of their dog, learn about eyes on their dog, and more.

Would something like short mandatory classes (plus supervision and consequences) be a good step?

I'm totally against dog parks for my dogs. I'll never see them as worth the risk. But that doesn't mean they will go away or that there is a viable alternative (as you say, for MANY people, there really isn't).

How would you start if you had carte blanche to create a safer dog park?

 Quote: John Vanek

2)Most people have NEVER had a negative experience at a dog park. I know MANY people who have taken their dogs DAILY for YEARS with no problems.

6)Most people don't understand dog body language.

Those two statements are not compatible. I've seen people who think their dog has a "best friend" where their dog is really just the bullies favorite target.