Dog Parks

[Sandy]

I think dog parks are great for dogs getting rid of excess energy, etc. Up until recently I was a huge fan, and really enjoyed the times we went. However, a couple of times ago, Toby was attacked by a Doberman who was toy possessive. Fortunately Toby hadn't had his hair cut then, and I am convinced his shaggy hair protected him from being injured. He was terrified, of course. We found out from another dog park user that after we left she muzzled her dog. Obviously if she had a muzzle with her, her dog had known issues. Grrrrr. Anyway, the next time we went there was a dog that wouldn't leave Toby's ears alone. It's owner was great at stopping it, but when he released his dog, it came right back at Toby. We went again last night, and I really feel like Toby is hesitant to play with other dogs now, as he headed for the people, laid on people's feet, etc. He did play a little, but there were a couple of dobermans there (not the same one), and clearly Toby was timid around them.


Dog parks can be wonderful, but these experiences have soured me. I wish I had another way of exercising him. Any thoughts?

[StaceyW]

We went to a dog park with Ollie (17 weeks) and our 4 year old sheperd for the first time. It was good at first but then this guy came with his 2 dogs and they were pretty aggressive - one of them was on top of Ollie who lay submissevely on his back and whimpered - my husband had to go pull the other dog off of him. Then I almost got into a fight with another dog owner after I very nicely asked him to call his dog who was sniffing at my 9 year old who was curled up on the bench because she gets scared easily and he said something like "this is a dog park" to which I retorted "yes - and its for those dogs who are behaved enough to handle it" - after that - we left!

[Adina P]

Was the dog who sniffed your daughter...JUST Sniffing? If so I'd have to agree...dogs get first dibs when it comes to rights...as long as they don't hurt anyone.

Not long ago my friend's great dane (gentle sweetheart who is NOT at all aggressive) was running and ran into a small girl who went flying. She was okay but COULD have been seriously hurt. I would not have put any blame on the dog though...it was running and the girl was in the middle of a dog park.

I too was knocked over pretty hard by two great danes who were playing and didn't notice me there. Scared the daylights out of me and I was pretty irritated but I couldn't blame anyone but me.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

The dog parks here in NJ have a 'rule' (which is usually not followed) No Children Under 12. The reason for this is that when they run, the dogs think it is a game of chase. I have seen numerous little ones get knocked over. I have been and I can attest to the fact that falling on pea gravel after being knocked over by a 61 lb LD (Samantha) is no fun. I warn those kids that are running around the park about the 'chase' game and make sure their parents hear me. I don't want them coming to me after someone gets knocked down. They shouldn't be running.

With that being said, the man is an a@@! He should be keeping his dogs under control and away from your daughter. Your daughter was sitting quietly on the bench and he should have kept them away from anyone sitting on a bench - adult or child! Wha a putz!!! I agree with Adina - it is a dog park but his dogs should have been playing with the dogs.

[Adina P]

That's a great rule. I don't know what anyone is even thinking when they bring in a 5 y.o... Some of these kids I've seen rolling down the hill treating it as a child's area. Freaks me out!

[Holly St Pierre]

Ours too has the rule, must be 12 & I can totally understand why.

[Elizabeth]

I am going to buy a doggie backpack for Sophie to wear- I can put waterbottles in it or weights- and it will put her to "work" and help to get rid of some excess energy in a productive way. I find that she has soooo much ENDLESS energy that I have to find a way to get rid of it. I too have been a fan of dog parks, but going to a dog park is not, to me, and acceptable way to tire out a dog. I always try to excercise Sophie before we go so that she has a more enjoyable time, and so she is not so high strung. We always keep moving and stick to the outside- I have found that standing around with other people only causes problems between Sophie and other dogs- they start to get territorial and all she wants to do is play and wrestle. For the most part she has a wonderful timeand she gets along with most dogs. She likes to wrestle and play rough, and as the summer has gone by we have learned which dogs like to play that way. And of course, not all dogs get along- but I know Sophie really well and I can usually sense when she does not like a dog. This took awhile though.. I have learned alot over this summer and one thing I've learned is that for a high energy dog like Sophie- us humans have to work hard in order to give her the workout she really needs. I don't have any kids yet so I may have more time than most. I do try to throw the ball for her twice a day for 15minutes and take her for an hour or two walk once a day. The best is when Denise comes over with Abby- that wears them both out for at least 20 minutes, then they are right back at it again!

Some of these doods have SO MUCH energy!