Dog Park Aggression!!

[Heidi Magyar]

I am curious how others handle aggressive dogs at the dog park? Our park was pretty careful when we started going and they even did a temperment test on Remy & Roux. We are still on the little dog side because they are 6 months and still intimidated by the big dogs. Today though, a pit bull puppy came and attacked Remy. We were able to separate them but it really made us think. What do others do? I googled it and pepper spray came up as well as fire extinguishers!! Would love any ideas.

[F, Calla & Luca]

There have been many discussions on this topic including a recent one. Many of us, including me, have solved the problem by staying away from dog parks.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/insight-into-canine-behavior

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Mace and Fire extinguishers at a Dog Park are not going to fly  Wow, not at all.   I think your google search thought that this may be appropriate for when you are taking a neighborhood walk and are attacked but if you show up at a Dog Park with these items not only your dog, but you will be attacked also.  I'm rather mellow, but I have to say, if someone pointed a fire extinguisher at my dog at a dog  park, I'd be .... well, raising the sun at midnight

If you feel you must go to the park, pick off hours, slow times of day, avoid weekends, and happy hour ( 5-7pm)

Best to find a few dogs and a few friends and have gatherings or play  dates away from these parks.

[Heidi Magyar]

Thanks! The google search was wild to me too !! Thanks for the ideas. We do try to go at the slow times and that helps.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

So sorry this happened to you. It has happened to us all.  At first, Dog Parks sound like so much fun.  Eventually, it is a risk we take. No guarantees you and the dog will have fun.  And often, vet visits are needed. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Agree with all responses--if by some chance, you want to carry some sort of spray in order to still go to dog parks, bring a spray bottle with water and set it on STREAM--this startles the dogs enough for them to stop fighting--but SOME pit bulls often do not let go under any circumstances. My friend had a Pit bull rescue that wandered into a neighbor's yard, attacked their dog and unfortunately the neighbor shot him before the owner could get there--I do not agree with that at all, but the dog would not stop attacking his dog despite his other efforts--a dog like that would never be at a dog park though, RIGHT????

[Heidi Magyar]

I just saw the rest of your note - NO!! I would hope a dog like that wouldn't be at a park - GULP. this little pit bull today was very aggressive - he was a rescue dog too. I don't know what he will be like when he gets bigger. The owner didn't do anything : /

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ginny, GREAT IDEA.  Spray bottles.  With a Pit though, the problem is they latch on and don't break the bite. But, in other cases, this would work.

[Dee & Chloe]

My dog was attacked at the dog park recently. She was hurt and required a vet visit. Her wounds are now healing but the psychological wounds are deeper. There were many excellent comments and ideas from DK members, and I am currently rethinking the whole dog park issue. I did take her a few days ago when there was noone in the small dog park and she was fine. But when a large dog she knows came in and wanted to play she put her tail between her legs and ran toward me. Not her usual behavior. As soon as it stops raining as it has for 4 days, I will be searching for some alternative places for her to run. I understand how you feel because it is a good place for them to run and socialize with other dogs and get out that endless energy. But, at what cost? I will continue to take her there in the meantime but only if the park is empty or if there are dogs and owners that we are both comfortable with in the small dog area. I am so sorry that this happened to you also and hope that you find a good resolution for you and your  pups.

[Heidi Magyar]

I am so sorry to hear that - and it makes me scared for my dogs. When my dogs don't get  A LOT of exercise they are unhappy and get into trouble. A big day at the park is so great until something happens. Thank you all for your ideas and concern.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When we go to a dog park, we scope out the other dogs immediately.  If things don't seem 'right' we leave. 

[Heidi Magyar]

We are going to do that too now - it takes us about 45 minutes to get to this park though! The dogs know where we are going pretty quickly! BUT - it's worth it to leave f things don't feel right. Thanks!!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

You may want to look for a fenced in area and not necessarily a "dog park".  I take my doodles to a tennis court and let them run around.  I am not a big fan of dog parks either, way to many bad things can happen in them.  There is a fenced in childrens play area in a park by my house which my doodles love to play in.  I wait until all the kids leave, I meet my friend with her doodle and we have a play date, the doodles get to run around in a fenced in area, there are all kinds of things they can climb on to etc. etc. and we don't have to worry about any other dogs.  This works for us and the doodles love it.  So look past the dog park and try to find another fenced in area to let your doodles play.... they are out there :)