My last dog, Bruno, who I recently put down was lucky enough to not only have nerves of steel, but to literally love everything he met. He was a 120 lb American Bulldog, and when other dogs would snap at him he wouldnt flinch, get scared, or aggressive. He'd calmly hold his ground, and then when they calmed down, he'd lick their face and walk away. He once chased down an injured squirrel got to it, and tried to nudge it back to life. I never worried about anyone petting him, dog parks, or anything. I never worried with him at all.. Great dog, and I'll miss him.
My current dog, also an American Bulldog, maybe 100 lbs is more unpredictable. I brought him to the local dog park and he was very reserved and relaxed. Both times I went he was indifferent to all the dogs there, showed no interest in playing with any of them, or even running. He did do something I didn't expect though. The first visit, there was a large Samoyed bullying and dominating all the dogs. He attempted to mount my dog but he jumped out from under him and turned to face him.. Posturing going on. Then they both nipped at each other. I was running over, but the both lunged again and backed up. I got to my dog and the Samoyed then left all the other dogs alone and laid down in the furthest part of the dog park.
I think I witnessed some type of alpha male contest. I don't know. I put my dog on a leash
No sooner than I let him back off a fight happened on the other side of the park. A woman had brought a 10 lb dog into the big dog side, all the dogs (except mine) ran over to it. It got aggressive, and then got pinned back down to the ground by what I thought was an overly playful female pitbull. Hell breaks lose, and all the dogs are now trying to kill this little dog but the female pitbull is alternating between pinning and snarling and this little dog and snapping at other dogs that get to close. My dog does not leave my side.. He was the only one not involved. As if this was not traumatic enough, they break up the fight, and the owner of the small dog, who is now whining and terrified decides she should reintroduce it to the pitbull who pins it and snarls in its face again.
I leave
2nd Visit..
Upon entry I am told my dog cannot wear a spiked collar in the park. So I take it off. My dog is exploring the park, but indifferent to dogs running past him, play bows from other dogs, etc.
Some time later a large black lab shows up to the park and starts dominating all the smaller dogs. My dog see's this and goes over and T's into him and starts nipping his back to get his attention. I go over and grab the scruff of his neck to pull him away and get confronted by the crabby woman "controlling" the dog park. She tells me my pitbull is too aggressive, that he needs to have a collar on and a rabies tag, and that he needs to leave. I tell her his collar is on the table, with a tag on it, and she's agrees he can stay. I put his collar back on and go off to play with him on the far side which is free of dogs.
This park has an entry area with a gate entering the park and then maybe a 6ft by 6ft area where you can enter either the small or large side.
What happens next was the worst thing I've ever personally witnessed at a dog park.
The crabby woman was taking out the trash or something and left the gate to the big dog side open. At the same time someone was leaving the small side with a Yorkie. 15 dogs storm into the 6ft by 6ft entry area, something happens and the Yorkie gets attacked. The 2 women in there are unable to make sense of all the dogs fighting and the owner of the dog pulls it up into the air, by its leash and holds it over her head while dogs are jumping on her trying to knock her over.
None of the dogs are asked to leave.
This woman then hands me a packet with registration forms for the park that I am to fill out, and include copies of various other forms.
I have yet to go back.
Re: Preventing undesirable incidents with dogs, part 2
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