Parks or Packs?

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Please help me out here, guys.  I took Finnegan to a dog park (of sorts) and well, it was not a very pleasant experience.  Actually it was kind of frightening.  Finney is almost 16 months old.  He's a sweet playful doodle, coming along well with his training and well socialized with other dogs and places. He's been in groups of dogs before without a problem...but he's generally happier playing with 1-2 dogs.  I took him on vacation with me and friends said --oh you should bring your dog down to the plantation ...every day we do a romp with our dogs late in the afternoon . Well, I'm not a big fan of dog parks because I don't think every dog gets along so I made some excuses like - he's not very far along in his off-leash training blah blah blah-- but you can guess...we found ourselves there because it sounded like fun. At first Finnegan was all happy, tail wagging. There were about 6-7 dogs.  As they all gathered around the newcomer, Finn's demeanor changed, tail tucked between his legs.  Someone said let him off the leash, these dogs are all friendly, and he's more likely to get hurt if he's the only one with a leash on. Well ...maybe they have a point...so I let him go and at first everything seemed fine. Finn loves to run and chase...you chase me, I'll chase you.  So I wasn't surprised when I saw him running with the pack and everyone was thrilled (oh our dogs never run like that!)  Well of course they don't...because I suddenly realized Finn wasn't running with the pack...he was the prey.  Lucky he runs like the wind. I called him and if I wasn't so upset, I would have been thrilled at how he turned and ran right to me. Unfortunately, with that turn the pack was on him and he was on his back with a golden retriever, an australian shepherd, and a standard poodle pinning him down.  Everybody trying to find a spot to bite. This looked like it could turn ugly fast. Finn was submitting but he was plain outnumbered. My son was faster than I was, and he sprinted over and scattered the dogs and brought a grateful Finnegan back to me.  I didn't want to leave on such a bad note --so I took Finn over to a big golden (awesome) doodle and the 2 of them sniffed each other and then just laid down and chilled out together. So all ended well, but I felt pretty stupid that (against my better judgement) I took Finn to this romp and exposed him to a potential attack.  What should I have done differently? Or am I being a silly overprotective mom?  Seriously, I've still got PTSS (post traumatic stress) over this but I would love to take him to doodle romps. Help!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I rarely take Cooper to dog parks for the exact same reason. While she loves to be chased, she is very submissive with dogs and so usually ends up on her back with the other dogs surrounding her. 

 

Instead of the dog parks, we go hiking, for a 30 min walk in the park, or play fetch in the yard

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Sounds good to me ;-)  Thanks Kaytlin.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I just had a similar experience with Sophie Bear. I don't think you're being silly at all.  It's really scary for sure but I wouldn't let it deter you. Was he crying out or yelping in any way? are you sure they were trying to hurt him?

[Ginny Nightingale]

It is scary--i agree. My husband loves to go to our local dog park and just chill with all the people, but I am always watching for potential attacks. Unfortunately, my 8 month old Rio is not the submissive type and when he feels a threat from another dog (even when there isn't one) he snarls and snaps--embarrassing, but harmless so far. He has never hurt another dog, but just says "Don't tread on me!" and they give him some space. i wish he wouldn't do that, but  it is scarier when they are submissive and it looks like the other dogs are going to eat them alive! One of my other doodles is totally submissive, so I have experienced it firsthand.

I have to say though, that i have seen the situation you are describing many times at our dog park and it is PLAYING, not attacking--it is something that you have to get used to and if you are not nervous, the dog isn't either--the anxiety and fear you showed may have make your pup that much more anxious.  It can look very bad when they gang up like that and I always get fearful, but I try to ignore my overprotective nature and let it be and so far, no problems. 

I have a friend who seems to understand this the best--she frequents dog parks in NYC all the time with her two portuguese water dogs. She just lets the dogs work it out themselves whenever there seems to be a conflict and any growling is usually just for show and stops within seconds.(within reason, of course, not if there is a real fight) She is as cool as a cucumber and that helps the dogs to cope with any unsure situations. 

So, it really is hard to know if it is appropriate to get worried about the rough play or not, but I would say that if it bothers you and it is not fun for you, then it is not going to be fun for your dog either--and if they are submissive and don't like a large group of dogs checking them out, then they are probably not enjoying the visit. 

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

On 60 minutes the other night Cesar Milan said that a new dog in a pack has to submit to become a member of the pack.  Leslie Stall had taken her lab pup to meet Cesar and wondered what the pack was doing to her baby when the pack had the dog on it's back.  Cesar pointed out that the dog had gotten on her back by herself and that she was doing what she was supposed to.   I have also had one of my dogs chased by a pack and he ended up in my lap.  He didn't join that pack! It can be scary when you don't know the dogs, or if they bite.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Our only regular romps are my two in the back yard. I've never had a problem at our beach doodle romps, either. But dog parks can get scary fast. I skedaddled out the last time I attempted one when a GSD started harassing Calla. She is always submissive to Luca in the end, but they have their routine worked out and it's all in good fun. She snapped at this guy. I think she was frightened and we left.