Luca - I don't often poke my nose in but some things need to be said - Have you ever heard of Clueless in Seattle - well you are Clueless in the DOG PARK.

You have been lucky and you base your comments from your local park - maybe your dog park works right now - but its only a matter of time before things turn. The vast majority of dog parks are not safe. They are dangerous places for pets. I compare them to mine fields.

You need to learn more about pack behavior. If a pup (or dog) is attacked ONCE - ONLY ONCE - it will be effected for it's entire life. Seriously effected. To tell anyone that a park is a safe place for thier dog is foolish and irresponsible.


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Count me in as anti-dog park. It's been total disaster every time I foolishly took a dog to one. The concept is lovely on the surface, but in reality other people's out of control,unvaccinated, unaltered pets will cause all kinds of problems.
It doesn't take much for the mob mentality to kick in either. Whoever posted above about owners of aggressive dogs being in denial nailed it. Or you get the real whackjobs who actually *like* it when their big bad dogs attack other dogs. It's a set up for problems.
I have a zero tolerance for dog agg in my household, so I do have to socialize pups. I do it selectively. Your sch club *can* be a good place, if the members are sensible they will tolerate pups bugging them. Your pup can learn to *ignore* the other dogs, which is really what your goal should be anyway, not trying to force all the doggies to love each other. I also let pups play w/friends' dogs that I know are social and dog friendly.
I have to agree, those folks who love the idea of doggie parks simply do not understand canine behavior at all.

I think I've got a pretty good handle on canine behavior, Joy. I can see both sides of the coin here. I have seen some pretty ignorant people do some pretty stupid things at the dog park; it makes my blood boil. I disagree with the "let's turn the doggies loose and let them play while we stand here and chat or while I read a book with my back turned to the action" mentality that pervades dog parks. However, I have found a way to utilize my local dog park *my way*, and it works beautifully, *for me*; but only because of the way in which I use the park.

I would never tell anyone that dog parks are without problems or risks. I would never take a pup or an untrained dog; an all too common occurrence at dog parks. Fortunately, I do know how to break up a dog fight, and I do carry pepper spray, so I'm confident that I can keep myself and my dogs safe.

Wow, I thought this topic was closed last night but I'm glad I have a chance to respond to LUCA.

First of all, talking about drawing parallels, I was not the one to first draw the parallel of young kids and dogs. I believe the first parallel came after the statement "lets get out from under our rocks and live a little."

As far as breaking up fights, unless weapons were being used, I would much rather break up a fight between 2 teenagers than between two large adult dogs engaged in a full fledged battle. There is always the chance of reasoning verbally with human beings. Try verbally reasoning with two dogs in a fight. better get the stitches ready. This coming from someone who has broken up a fight or two. the average dog owner has no idea how to break up a dog fight.

As far as me not disagreeing with JParker, I was refering to JParker's reason for taking a dog to a dog park. Judging by JParker's posts, this is someone who has a better than average knowledge of pack behavior and how to distraction train a dog. As far as the average dog ownwer goes, I stand by my original statement...dog parks ARE JUST PLAIN STUPID!

Dog parks are like driving a car. You can be the safest driver in the world, but you have no control over the idiot in the next lane.

Chuck F. wrote: Try verbally reasoning with two dogs in a fight. better get the stitches ready.

LC: I’ve had some luck in breaking up dog fights by grabbing the hind legs of the Other Person’s dog and lifting them off the ground. That dog will usually spin and try to bite me. I prevent this by throwing the dog so he can’t bite me. This removes him from the immediate vicinity. I then control my dog verbally and tell him to down. I then turn back to the OP’s dog in case he wants to come in again. A swift kick under the chin usually works. For a dog that knows how to bite I wouldn’t try the kick. I’d go right to the heavy artillery.

Chuck F. wrote: Dog parks are like driving a car. You can be the safest driver in the world, but you have no control over the idiot in the next lane.

LC: But I bet you’re gonna get on the freeway tomorrow. You can’t live in absolute safety. To do so is to already be dead. Be a thrill seeker, take the fast lane. LOL

Lou,
What's this LC stuff?

Sharon,

The royal third person.... though well deserved

 Quote:

LC: But I bet you’re gonna get on the freeway tomorrow. You can’t live in absolute safety. To do so is to already be dead.

So very true. Such wisdom! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />