How would you handle this?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Today at the dog park for small dog time, I brought Jack and Molly myself because my mom had something to do.

Molly is a very submissive dog and backs down to everyone. Jack does not. He is not a bully but he isn't going to be pushed around, Jack has been going there for a whole now on and off and never any problems...

This morning there was about forty small dogs there which is normal for this time. They were all playing, I was talking to a group of people and Jack and another dog got in a little scuffel over something I don't know what or who started it, I scooped Jack up immediately and corrected him.

The other older man who is known not to obey the rules, giving dogs treats, when no treats are allowed etc is the owner of the dog Jack grumbled with. He doesn't talk to any one there and in the past I have talked to him a bit. Jack never liked this man, he has always barked at him until he gave Jack a treat.

Anyway, as soon as the scuffel which lasted exactly five seconds was over the man, came across the dog park yelling at me that I have a bad dog that is out of control and doesn't play well with others. I asked him what happen because I didn't even know the dog was his. He was very rude and when I told him not to speak to me that way, he said that I didn't deserve respect and he walked away.


So trying not to cry the other ladies told me to ignore him and that he is a jerk. I didnt leave the park because I wanted to not be run off.

I came home now granted I am upset and overly emotional about it because like my mother said, it was just the straw the broke me.....I am dealing with a ton of stufff the past few days.


So my question is, how do I handle it? This is my moms dog park in a 55 and over community and I don't want my mom to be uncomfortable here. I also will be spending a lot of time here so I am not sure just not taking Jack back is a good idea?

How would you handle this situation ?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Staying was so hard because I was fighting back years and people were talking to me and I was not paying attention ... I wanted to leave but dang if I would let hi win....he already took up too much of my precious time fretting!!

[BG and Gavin]

I think you handled it great!  You stood up for youself and you did not let him run you off.  Too bad he is such a cranky pants!  I feel sorry for his wife.  Regardless of Mr. Cranky, I would keep a good eye on Jack and stay within correction distance of him in case he is flexing his muscles too much with the other dogs. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Good advice. I always stay right o. Jacks trail and will correct him as needed because he is still the new dog on the block in there. Today I chatted too much and didn't follow him everywhere . Thankfully the scuffel was literally at my feet and I was able to scoop Jack immediately.

I need to remember this is the dogs social hour not mine!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Hey Jennifer - I'm the Queen of bad things and hurt feelings at the dog park so I KNOW exactly how you feel.  You did the correct thing by staying and the fact that you did, needs to make you feel BETTER.  Do not let this unhappy geezer ruin what should be fun time for your doods AND for you too.  Dogs are going to get in tiffs - they are figuring out who is boss.  As far as Mr. Grumpy Geezer goes - maybe he is also dealing with a ton of stuff and isn't handling it very well, perhaps he needs a friend.  Sounds like the ladies were being nice, so keep going and make a few friends - that always helps. You did good!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Yesterday when I took the boys to the dog park for a short visit as Stuart was just easing back into his routine after being ill.  Well the small dog people were over staying their time so I just went right into the park - well you should have heard the horror of some of them at Stuart and even Rooney - who looks bigger than his 21.5 lbs.  Granted Stuart is 65 lbs but he is a lover and would never pick on or start something although I worry than he could step on a smaller dog.  I had to laugh as they snatched their gerbal sized dogs and ran!!!!!!!

 

[Janice Hammond]

Good, now you have vented.Good for you that you stayed.Now tomorrow go back with both dogs and ignore that unhappy nasty man. You have friends there.He doesn't

[Donna K & Quincy]

You did good kid!

[Leslie and Halas]

I think you handled it well.  You picked up Jack, and you didn't let the guy run you off.  If the other people there said to ignore him, they've probably had problems with him, too.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Jennifer, don't let this ruin your day/evening.  As everyone says... vent, let it out and move on.  Some people are just not worth your time or energy.  If you see him in the park again... ignore him !!! but don't leave, you and Jack have every right to be there just as he does and as long as no dogs were being agressive.  A little snit between two dogs in nothing and that will happen when you have lots of dogs together.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

He sounds like the kind of man that no matter what you say or how kind you are to him, it just isn't going to fly.  Like the others have said he is grumpy, mean, nasty and miserable.  He is NOT going to change.  All the other people seem to know he is what he is and they just brush him off.  I would do the same, though I do have to admit, when someone gets in my face I can let it fly!!!  I would have reacted just as you did and come home and vented and cried.  But in the long run he is not going to make you be like him "miserable" because you are going to rise above it and laugh him off the next time and walk away.  No words spoken to him. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like you did handle it very well and I applaud you for that.  I probably would of been in tears as well (although in my 53 y/o menopausal state of late, I may have gone from crying to bi$ch in 2.2 seconds, and really let him have it, who knows, not even me most days), but you did good.  Like Jane said though, you never know what someone else is dealing with as well, so who knows what is going on in his world.  I'm a little more concerned after the week that little Guinness is having that the guy is giving treats to other peoples dogs ... look what that did to Guinness. 

[Susan and Sasha]

So sorry this happened Jenn...

You got good advice today.

Don't waste another minute being upset and worried about it.

Just try to keep Jack away from him and his dog...and keep a good eye on your boy.

Take the high road...and enjoy the time with Jack...Molly and your Mom when you go back!

Hugs...