Normal dog behavior @ dog park!?

[Megan]

Okay - ya'll can set me straight on this one...but is it normal dog play to have an adult husky pin down your mini golden at a dog park and growl and show teeth? I'm seriously so livid right now at how irresponsible pet owners can be. I'm at the dog park, and this happens...and I have to reach in and grab my doodle laying face up with a husky on top showing his teeth and growling! Owners...oh, just watching..and not helping...and not caring that their mean dogs are jumping and nipping at Brooksy the whole way out of the dog park as I carry him to the small dog side. I know they might think that's better not having the fluff ball on the big dog side, but I want to punch them! hahahah..I'm sorry...just being protective...and venting. I just wish there was a "middle size" area at the dog park..so Brooksy doesn't annoy the heck out of the teacup yorkies...but doesn't get mauled by the huge dogs...oh...thanks again for listening! Just having a stressful doggy "mothers day"! :)

[Tammy & Gracie]

Yeah, I hate to say it but it happens everyday.. Those are always the same owners that are on the phone or looking the opposite way whenever their dog poops! I have just learned, at what times Gracie's unfriendly pals come to the park and we just avoid. I too, have to stay on the big dog side. Gracie may be a mini GD but she plays like a German Shepherd and can scare little dogs and their owners!

[Lynne B]

That's why I hate dog parks, it happens all the time...

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Yes commented on that earlier this week when it happened by a Husky to my Hannah, this is now the 2nd time this Husky has done it to her. She was also jumped 3xs last year, it's a very tough decision to go or not, why should my dogs be punished the freedom of having fun at the park and we obey the rules, when others don't? Than it's a saftey issue, do I want to see my dog chewed up...HECK NO...so if I can, and I feel an aggressive dog is there, I will try and talk with the owners, or remove my dogs till they leave.

[Megan]

Do you guys feel like other dogs just feel threatened by doodles? I mean, to me, Brooks is oblivious, but maybe he's putting off some sort of attitude that other dogs don't like? Brooks isn't aggressive, he's very playful and can be a lil' relentless in his attempts to get other dogs to chase him or play....but this happened IMMEDIATELY when we walked in..within 5 minutes. I just need to get over it.

[Deena Womack]

So sorry to hear you had to go through this. I would have a really hard time containing myself if another dog had Cali pinned down and the owner didn't do anything. We have been lucky as we have only had Cali at the dog park a couple of times and we have not had any agressive episodes. I remember being a bit miffed on one visit as another dog owner referred to Cali as a mutt.... little pea brain that he was... same guy who didn't clean up his dog's poop in the park....

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Unfortunately, you will always get irresponsible dog owners at dog parks but to stop going is not the answer. Yankee's best friend is a mini doodle and they play well together. Mini doodles seem to like to play with bigger dogs.

You need to address the problem and make these idiots aware that their dog's behaviour is unacceptable. Our dog park has a sign that says that your dog must be under your control at all times. What that husky did is not under the owner's control. All dogs have a right to enjoy the park. I've been through the same thing with 2 boxers jumping my dog and pinning him down. I told the owner to get their off because my dog was scared. Be prepared for the stupid answers like "they're just playing" and be ready with a response. Can you tell that I'm a little bitter?

[Adina P]

I hear ya...my dogs are not small, but even my huge Rosco has gotten attacked. However, for us I think it was early in our dog park days (when the park was new) and now most of the dogs with regular problems have stopped coming.

I rarely go unless my husband can come with me...I don't have the strength to pull dogs apart without fear...but he DOES and he HAS. So I feel safer when he can come.

[Mommy2Max]

Max hasn't gone to dog parks much since he just hit the 5 month age. However, he has already been growled at and he was minding his own on our leash no less.

I feel the same way about the size issue. Max is a mini LD. This weekend we went to Seattle Doodle Romp ( if anyone reading this was there - thank you for being SO kind). Anyway, the standard doodles overwhelmed him a bit which I found odd because he has been with big dogs in different situations. Maybe it was the shear volume of doodles. They get about 35 doodles each month. We went over to the shy small dog area and although his size isn't too much of an issue - yet - he isn't really shy. I guess it's a matter of try, try again. He does LOVE doggie daycare.

~Danielle

[Adina P]

I don't think "mini" doodles are small enough to have to hand out in the small dog area...but anything "toy" size SHOULD.

[Mommy2Max]

Noah and Max are very much alike and it seems Max is behind him by one pound as I see Noah's stats while he was growing.

[Leslie and Halas]

Sorry you guys had to go through that. It sounds like you were able to get to Brooksy before the husky could hurt him, so that's good, but still scary. So many mini doodles look bigger than they really are, so other people might think they're playing when, really, they're just getting bullied. The in between size is tough, but I know we'll always go on the small dog side there. We'll have to arrange some play dates, and then Halas and Brooks can play with each other on the small dog side. What time were you there today? We were there from noon until about 1:15, and there were no teeny tiny dogs during that time. Halas plays very nicely with the really tiny ones, but I still worry sometimes that he's scaring them. During our visit today, most of the dogs on the small side were closer to Halas' size, and a lot of them wanted to play chase, so it worked out great.

[Megan]

Thanks for your support, guys!!!

It must be his age because he seems to annoy the older, bigger dogs...like the freshman trying to hang out with the seniors. I honestly don't believe he's pestering them, I wouldn't allow it..it just seems like they get really annoyed when he follows them around and tries to "fit" in...it kinda feels like high school :) Anyway, I'm slowing coming down off the cliff..I was really soooo mad earlier, but now...much better! I didn't have my hubs with me today, only my sister who is extremely protective of Brooksy and she was immediately like..."lets get him outta here". I honestly wanted to give them a shot to calm down..but it quicly escalated to where I did not feel comfortable. Brooksy did not seem that shaken up..surprisingly..he's still so young and stupid sometimes! :)

Leslie...we were there about 3-5. There were some real small dogs..and medium size dogs that Brooksy played with...but there was also a Corgi there that constantly barked and chased him away whenever he'd come close. I honestly think he thought Brooks was a sheep and he was herding him! It was hilariouis...but the poor boy just couldn't get a break today..everyone was on his case! :) Thanks for listening...