Question about behavior and need to vent!

[Nothing To Do With Doodles]

I take my dogs to a big field at a horse park so they can run around. There is a very nice bark park there with a pond and ducks and it's far from the road so it's safe. Sherlock, my maltipoo, is not a fan of big dogs, so he usually just stays by my side. He gets growly and snappy at big dogs if they try to pounce on him, if they stand over him and sniff him too long, or basically whenever he feels threatened. Today he got a bit growly at a boxer mix that was sniffing him too long, and out of nowhere, a pitbull* comes flying at Sherlock and tries to attack Sherlock. The dog ripped Sherlock's coat apart (it was fastened together with velcro) and luckily I was right there so I was able to grab the pit's collar. Of course the owners were yards away and it took what seemed like forever for one of them to come get their dog. The whole time the dog was viciously barking at Sherlock and trying to bite him. One bite and Sherlock could have been seriously injured or killed. It didn't help that Sherlock was trying to defend himself and snap back at the dog. We left the dog group immediately and walked around the perimeter of the bark park. The whole time I could hear and see the pitbull causing problems with the other dogs. Finally the owners took the dog home.
The strange thing was that after the incident, Sherlock was trying to mark EVERYTHING in sight. Normally he marks a few things, but he literally went up to every bench, tree, bush, rock and marked it. I have no idea why he was doing this.
Sherlock already had a strong aversion towards bully breeds, and now this is going to make things even worse.
Also, anyone with a little dog that doesn't necessarily like bigger dogs, how did you socialize your little dog to be calm around big dogs? I've thought about putting Sherlock in day care with bigger dogs, but I'm not sure if he would like that....
* in general I like pitbulls and think they are friendly dogs. A bit too exuberant for me though. But WHY would you bring your unsocialized dog-aggressive dog to a dog park!!!!?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You are describing Taquito to a "T"...LOL. This probably sounds weird, but I end up holding Tacky 1/2 the time at the dog park. The other 1/2 we leave him with whoever is not going to dogpark (I just don't like him being left out). We don't even go that often really - just if Peri has not had time with her "friends" aka Aunt Lucy (mom's cairn terrier) or Max (neighbor wheaten).

[F, Calla & Luca]

All of this is why I've given up on dog parks. My dog have each other and the occasional dog visitor to play with. Yet I had no hesitation going to the doodle romp we had in October. I knew people would only bring socialized dogs and that they would control their dogs if need be.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I would have been so scared about this. I take the pups to the dog park once a week and I never see any unsocialized dogs there. We go to the small dog park and they have a very strict NO PITBULL policy.
I think this is another debate topic, but in general, if a pitbull comes near Taquito (I say Taquito because he has the Napoleon complex and thinks he is a much bigger man than he is) I sweep him up in my arms so that dog can't even get near him. And yes, I have met very sweet pitbulls, but I have friends with horror stories about sweet pitbulls attacking their dogs.
I should also add that Taquito is the sweetest chihuahua in the world...he loves everyone. Period. Except dogs that are the typical aggressors. Wags his tail at a retriever, but barks his head off at a pit or a doberman. Weird, uncanny sense of the type of dog he is encountering. I don't think it is possible to socialize him to be okay with certain breeds. That is just how he is. Sherlock acted the exact same way Taquito would have. Wish I could be more help, but Sherlock acted pretty normally, for a smaller dog that feels threatened.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree that it is really awful when there are badly trained unsocialized dogs at the park, which can create an unsafe environment for everyone else. Although a word in defense of big goofy puppies, it is really hard to know when an dog is okay with your dog or not. We take Darwin to the dog park all the time, and while some people's dogs love him and play with him, no matter their size, (pugs to mastiffs) some are annoyed. When we see that a dog is annoyed by his puppy antics, we direct him to a different area, but it is not always easy to tell if they are or not. Unfortunately big puppies can be clumsy and overly playful and that can make other dogs uncomfortable, understandably. We have had to redirect Darwin to other larger dogs a few times, because he is getting a little too energetic or clumsy around an older or more aggressive dog. He is not aggressive in any way though, he is actually super submissive. Just playful, and it really is hard to know if the owner is okay with your dog playing with theirs or not... considering how varied dogs are. We generally assume that dogs at the dog park are there to play, so that is what we let him do. It's always hard to know though!

[Julie B.]

I have always thought that good dog parks have an area for small dogs and an area for big dogs. I don't think you will ever "socialize" your little dog with bigger more aggressive dogs. You should be the protector of your dog. I have learned that just in the past year or so since Luah got anxious aggressive while on a leash. It occurs very occasionally but I never know which dog will cause her to "snipe". Since then I walk around other dogs with Luah on the away side of the other leashed dog. I am not a big fan of dog parks but I realize they can be useful for some dog owners. If you do take your dog to one, you have to act like the protector... remove your dog if other aggressive dogs come to the park, pick up your little ones if another dog is tormenting them. And as far as pit bulls go... I never let my dogs around them. I know this is a controversial subject but I just don't think its worth the chance. Too many pit bulls have made the news in Cincinnati and I don't think they can be trusted.

[Disty]

I think it's a question of dog aggressive dogs rather than big dog/little dog sometimes. I have a big doodle (85 pounds) and he much prefers the company of small dogs - think it's because he was never socialized as a puppy and doesn't know how to deal with big dogs. But I am right with him all the time at the dog park when we go. You are right though. I am not a fan of little dogs, why should little dog owners like big ones? I do know at the day care Bosco used to go to that they separated big and little dogs.

[TrevorDoodle]

I didn't read the responses - so someone may have already noted this. I probably would not leave any "clothing" or even a bandanna on my dog if he was entering a bark park. It makes the dogs stand out and look "different" which just causes other dogs to be curious or maybe bully like. Like a kid picking on another kid in the playground. I'm certainly not taking up for the aggressive dog because clearly it was unsocialized, but maybe taking the clothes off before entering a bark park will make Sherlock less of a target to be picked on.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Don't you think that gradually this dog's owners will get the hint and quit bringing it to the park? That's what usually happens in our dog park. They get pressured (told off) when their dog misbehaves and quit showing up. My lab was attacked by a pit bull and I was scaared out of my mind. My lab played dead, thankfully, but I told the owner a few things--like children come to this park, etc. Then I saw the apt building he went to, traced the apt owners, and got the dog/owner evicted. I also contacted our Animal Rescue people who found out this dog had killed its housemate and made sure the dog went to a house with a fenced yard and a warning-one more incident and the dog was toast. This may sound cruel, but if you talk to vet's, alot of them are leery of dog parks for this reason. I love my dog park, but I think that small dogs can be targets there. Now I'll be getting a mini doodle and don't know what I will do. I'll be interested to read the rest of the replies from people that have small dogs.

[Julie B.]

I will repeat what I said earlier... small dogs should be separated from big dogs at dog parks, doggie daycare, and even romps. Yes, some small dogs like big dogs and vise versa but statistically size does matter... (lol no dirty minds here!). Diane, my recommendation is that when you get your smaller doodle that you go to the dog park with 2 people. One who can manage the big dog and one who can take the smaller dog into the small dog area. Even if the dogs of various sizes get along there is the distinct possibility that the little one will get hurt just by size alone. My kids tell me I over protect my dog and have turned her into a weenie but I am a firm believer that as her master, I am her protector from all those things she can't understand or control.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have forest preserve dog parks in our area; huge acreages encompassing hiking trails, lakes, streams, etc. The problems always occur in the big open fields where some of our dogs retrieve, but lots of the owners just sit and gab and let the dogs do whatever they please. (I find that many owners at dog parks of all kinds don't take the opportunity to get any exercise themselves, lol). There's never a problem when we're moving on the trails. The dogs pass each other without incident, maybe because they're "going somewhere" and have their attention elsewhere...there are lots of interesting things to check out on the trails.
I don't look upon off leash areas as a place for dogs to play with each other...Jack gets plenty of that here in the neighborhood. (And that is not "socialization"). I'm not saying it's wrong to go there for the purpose of letting your dog play with other dogs, but there are really better, safer, more controlled ways to expose your dog to other dogs and let them play, if they enjoy that. Jack doesn't...he's totally uninterested in dogs he doesn't know. I use these places as a rare opportunity for Jack to get some offleash exercise. It's the one place we can walk together comfortably; on leash, I can't move fast enough to really exercise him for any length of time. And it's the only place he can really run and retrieve...my yard isn't big enough, he reaches the fence before he hits top speed. These wouldn't be issues for a small dog.
We usually hike the trails, and there is never a problem when other dogs come through. It's when Jack is retrieving in the mown fields that we've encountered problems. We carry water, so some of these dogs come over to get that because their owners don't provide it. Or they try to get Jack's ball. But it seems just the action of his running past them is what usually sets certain dogs off...there's a "chase" instinct, I guess.

[Terri H and Kramer]

I take my doodle to the dog park, too and have had issues with bully dogs. Ours is not separated for large and small dogs, but I wish it would be for puppies and adult/older dogs! We have been going since Kramer was 4 months and had his shots. Kramer is a BIG puppy and sometimes approaches other dogs in his playful, puppy obnoxious manner only to be snapped at and scowled at by owners. Most older dogs who don't want to puppy play will growl once and walk away...others will be bent on running poor Kramer out of the park for good! He has been bitten and bleeding and terrified of these dogs but I know he does not have an aggressive bone in his body! He never attacks back, just turns submissive and tries to get away. I used to think it happened because he wasn't neutered but it still happens since he has been neutered. He really means no harm, he is just looking for a puppy and is great once he finds a dog that will "puppy play" with him. So what am I doing wrong as an owner? He does come to me when I call most times...and he is NEVER the aggressor (since he was neutered and stopped that ANNOYING humping, anyway!) I would love to go to the dog park more often, but I am just tired of apologizing for his (very large) puppiness! Any suggestions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm not an expert on this, but there are ways that one dog approaches another one which may look like playfulness to you, but may actually be seen as dominant or aggressive by another dog. Approaching another dog by running towards him head-on is one of them. Ideally, puppies usually learn these things while they're with their mothers and littermates, and it can be reinforced in puppy classes.
I don't know for sure, because I haven't seen Kramer in action and am also no expert on this, but that might possibly be the reason he's getting negative responses. Maybe you could consult with a behaviorist or trainer about it and see if there's a way to teach him to introduce himself to other dogs differently.