Off leash park opinion

[wellsws]

I live in Seattle and there are several off leash parks where people can bring their dogs to play. My 3 year old Lab is obsessed with tennis balls. When we go to our local dog park she chases just about every ball she sees. Here's my question. On 2 separate occasions in the past month, I've had some crass dog owners ask me to get their ball back from my dog. Now, I totally understand that some people are attached to their dog's toys, but these people were just rude to me. Like somehow it was my fault that my dog was acting like a dog. One lady even made a comment to my face that my dog "had no training". Not true. She is very obedient. And I always try to retrieve any balls she swipes and get them back. But when we're in a dog park, she's there to hang out with other dogs and do what they do. Even if I'm at fault, my true frustration is that I have no idea how I would even train my dog to ignore other balls and only chase the one I throw. That wouldn't be the end of the world, but I kind of think at the dog park, she should be allowed to be a dog. So what do you think?

[mrsgrubby]

Hmmm, I've never been to a dog park, so It's hard to tell....I can see both point of view.

If the park is small and no one can go off on their own to play with their dogs, than it would be unavoidable to end up sharing toys and stuff.

But if the park is large enough that a person can go off by themselves, or along a side and play with their dog, then every attempt should be made to keep your dog away from theirs.

As far as teaching your dog to stay away, i would teach the "leave it command" and teach it well...that way if your dog started running over to another dog, or it's ball, I'd say "leave it" and throw my own ball instead.

[Sayuri]

I wish I could be of more use to you, but to be honest, I avoid dog parks for numerous reasons - one of which is the rude behavior of some of the individuals I've encountered multiple times (I've probably been to some of the same parks you have. Woodland Park by any chance)?

For one thing, my dogs just plain don't like dog parks, and I respect that. The Shiba's idea of heaven is typically not a place to socialize with other dogs. They can be dog aggressive, and I figure putting them into that situation, while not necessarily "asking for it," is pointless - it would be self-serving to me, and have nothing to do with their happiness. I find there are far too many people at these parks that bring dogs that either don't really like being there, or just plain *shouldn't* be there - ever meet the folks with the uncontrollable aggro dogs?

For another, I find that a lot of people use dog parks as social clubs for *them,* and fail to pay any attention to their dogs. While that may be fine for some, others have dogs with just plain obnoxious behavior - one woman refused to do anything about the fact that the Weimeraner she brought was jumping all over me, running its long nails down my body. When I asked her to call the dog off, she told me it wasn't her dog, she just brought it because she was watching it for a friend. While jumping IS dog behavior, it's a *rude* dog behavior that needs to be controlled, at least in public. I think there are people that tend to assume dog parks equal a free-for-all, responsibility free zone, in which dogs can do anything they want, and owners don't have to step in - not when it is a nuisance to other park goers! But really, what got me the most, was that the woman was rude to ME. Unaccountably rude!

As for the tennis ball situation, that behavior isn't a "rude" behavior to me, because it doesn't compromise my comfort or safety. I can tell you that if it happened to me, I certainly wouldn't be rude to you . I'm pretty patient, and hey, I understand that prey drive is prey drive, and that Labs love to retrieve. I'd probably laugh a little about it too. My sister is doing a study on dog behavior in parks, and said that your Lab's behavior is pretty much par for the course - in the park she observes, all of the dogs end up going after all of the balls, and no one gets upset about it. When you go to a dog park, you do so realizing there's going to be other dogs there, and that they will all be interacting - and part of that includes other dogs crossing into and perhaps joining a game.

All in all, I wish people would be just a little more patient and kinder with each other. Was it really the worst thing in the world for these people if your dog wanted to join in on their game, especially when you did your best to retrieve the ball for them? I guess it seems to me that there are more important things to get upset about.

[Rivsky]

I don't know - I'm often on the other end of this situation (it's my dog who gets harrassed constantly for his ball) so I think there is a fine line between just a bit of play and being a nuisance.

I think it's something that needs to be looked at from both sides. From my point of view I think there's a fine line between trying to join in a game of fetch and just plain rude behaviour - particularly when it takes a good 20-30 minutes to get your ball back from a dog that in the meantime has near enough destroyed it - and then the dog constantly hangs around waiting to get it again.

From your side you think your dog is just trying to join in a game - but have you thought about the possible repercussions of your dog interrupting a game of fetch with the wrong dog (ie one that is quite protective over its toys and doesn't take kindly to having it taken away by another dog). Yes it's an off leash park but you do still need to have control over your dog and its actions. If every single time you go to the dog park and your dog starts taking others balls - yes that's a nuisance. If it happens only every so often - I'd shrug it off and get over it.

Just put yourself in the situation of the other dog owners and think about how you would feel if the situation was reversed.

[Punkygirl0101]

I take my dogs to the dog park atleast once a week..There are about 4-5 dog parks here.

I have a very obsessed fetcher too, and other people's dogs come and take his balls on occasion, and one time in particular the dog snatched his ball when I threw it and tore it to peices while Harry (my fetcher, obsessive fetcher might I add) stood and watched. I was not rude at all to the owner, but I did think it was rude she did nothing after he dog took his ball, and then ran off with it to chew it. It was a ball I had paid for. One dog park supplies all tennis balls, there are hundreds..I don't care if those balls get taken from him, I can pick up another...but I do care when its one of my balls.

For another, I find that a lot of people use dog parks as social clubs for *them,* and fail to pay any attention to their dogs

I read that, and just knew exactly what you were talking about! At one of the dog parks, which I have officially stopped going to because of ONE owner, people do that all the time! One man takes his two labs, they are both very dog aggressive most of the time. While he has his back turned to his dog, and is talking to people, his dogs are at the gate preventing people from coming in because they are barking and growling aggressively. One of his dogs in particular has gotten into a fight three times, each with a different dog. All three times, the dogs were minding their own business, playing with other dogs, and not even on the same side of the park. His lab goes over, and starts attacking them...then the owner has the nerve to blame ALL three seperate dog owners, saying their dogs are aggressive. We usually would leave when he came, and if his dogs came near us, we pick up our dogs and make sure to shew them away loudly...and then we walk to another side of the park. If they came back, we would leave.

Too many people are rude, and don't have dogs that should be going to a social dog park.

[StephanieandTeddy]

With my dog-walking business, I use dog parks up to 4 times per day...
I have no problem with dogs getting together and sharing tennis balls and having a good time...but if somebody shows up with a dog that refuses to drop a ball, or just runs off with it, I secretly *FUME.*(then take my ball back and leave...lol)

If people are going to use dog parks, they need to learn some etiquette...If your dog steals my ball and refuses to let go...or runs off with it....you are wasting my time, and taking time away from the dogs I am walking and trying to interact with.

[Rivsky]

Thanks for that StephanieandTeddy - that's what I was trying to get at except you put it 1,000,000 times better than I did!!!

[Sayuri]

Originally Posted by StephanieandTeddy

With my dog-walking business, I use dog parks up to 4 times per day...
I have no problem with dogs getting together and sharing tennis balls and having a good time...but if somebody shows up with a dog that refuses to drop a ball, or just runs off with it, I secretly *FUME.*(then take my ball back and leave...lol)

If people are going to use dog parks, they need to learn some etiquette...If your dog steals my ball and refuses to let go...or runs off with it....you are wasting my time, and taking time away from the dogs I am walking and trying to interact with.

I can definitely see how that would be a nuisance behavior - that would be frustrating.

I guess the only other advice I can really give is that if this gets to be a real problem for the OP, and ball-playing is the main reason they utilize dog parks, they could try going at less busy hours. Perhaps earlier in the morning? True, that cuts out a lot of the socialization, but if the main reason is to find a space to play a good game of fetch, it might at least be a step toward preventing the ire of other owners.

[DFrost]

I'm generally not a fan of Dog Parks, particularly off-leash parks. Many people just don't have the control they need to allow the dog to run off and annoy other people and dogs.

DFrost

[Camz]

Before Orchid matured, we used to take her to the off lead dog park (aka the bark park) all of the time.

She was just a few months old, and for the first few times we had decent experiences.

However, our last trip to the dog park turned out to be pretty bad for Orchid. She was attacked by a pitbull mix, and the owner just stood there and was like, "Oh no, oh no!"

Finally, my boyfriend kicked the pit mix off of my dog as this dog had her by the throat and was cutting off her air supply.

The lady got upset that my boyfriend kicked her dog and left in a huff.

That is why I will never ever ever take Orchid to a dog park again. I do not have a high opinion of dog parks. For obvious reasons, I think they are dangerous and could potentially lead to disease.

I have also brought toys to the dog park which were ruined by big dogs (my fault, I should have known better then to bring them).

I think that if a person brings toys to a dog park, they should expect them to get ruined or taken. I think that if a toy is extremely expensive, it would be common sense NOT to bring it to a dog park, just like it's silly to bring an IPOD to highschool (it's just bound to be stolen by someone).

That's just my opinion. I don't think toys are something to get huffy about.

[sammy]

I honestly think a bit of consideration and training goes a LONG way.

We have a park in our area that I go to regularly, but I only go at quieter times. I'm lucky that I can go in the morning and see the same dogs and people. I keep my dogs away from people without dogs, dogs wha are onleash and dogs who don't appear friendly.

My criteria for dogs going to parks is :

Does he have really reliable recall?
ie can you call him away from a dog he's playing with, something he's sniffing or eating? If not, he should be trailing a line until he can. It's just foolish and asking for trouble to take a dog to a park without a good recall.

Can the dog "drop" on cue ?
This isn't hard to teach and fankly I can't imagine living with a dog who couldn't drop on cue. If you dog has someone else's toy and has a recall and a drop, it's a non issue (call your dog to you and ask him to drop-- problem solved) and YES I do think it's crappy to have your dog's toys always wrecked and taken by other dogs whose owners just haven't trained them to come or to drop.
How would you feel if you took your child to the park and other kids kept taking his toys and either wrecking them or steeling them ? Wouldn't you expect the parents to intervene? Dogs are very trainable, owners just need to put in the work.

Is you dog friendly with all dogs and people ?.
Not every dog is dog park material and you aren't doing your dog or anyone elses any favors by taking him/her if she/he's not good in that situation.

Lastly, watch your dog
I see so many people not paying any attention as their dog poops, bullies another dog, wanders off, harasses people etc etc while they chat away to someone completely oblivious. Most of the problems at parks could be avoided by people paying attention to their dog.
If two dogs aren't getting along all that well, no problem, go your separate ways. With many breeds and many ages of dogs going to dog parks, it's not reasonable to expect that they should all be great play buddies. Watch both dogs - are they BOTH having fun? Don't wait for a problem; be proactive. The last thing you want is for your dog to learn that bullying is fun or that you won't protect them from bullies. I can't believe how often I see that going on and unless it actually turns into a hideous fight, people pay no mind- hardly fair to the dogs.

People and their dogs are one of those funny things. Like that quote that says something like " why is it that anyone driving slower than you is a sloth and faster than you is a maniac?"
When it's your dog having fun steeling balls, you don't have a problem with it, if your dog is the bully you think 'oh come on, he's just playing, lighten up'. But if it's your dog who is having no fun because they are continually having their toys stolen and therefore not getting to play, or your dog is miserable while another dog is playing in a way he finds way too rough/ intimidating but can't escape from, then you see it quite differently. Then it's the other dog/owner who are jerks. I've definetly been on both sides of this one.

[rmci]

I don't have a dog park near me but there is an elementary school with a fenced grassy area that everyone uses as an unofficial dog park. I previously brought Baxter there, which he seemed to love even though he didn't always play with the other dogs. We did have a couple of incidents with dominant dogs mounting him, taking his toy & such, plus he developed rashes on his belly from allergies. Since we have stopped going there he hasn't had another outbreak.

From what I observed most of the dogs were allowed to do whatever they felt like (which I don't do with Baxter) and the owners are doing their own thing.

Rusty has not been to the dog park, though sometimes I wish I had since he needs more socialization.

[GSD]

I would say they had every right to tell you to get their ball back. Your dog has no business taking their toys, and you should be able to prevent it. That would be like your kid taking some other kids bike cause he wants to ride it like any kid would.

Sorry, some offleash parks, especially in cities is the only place people can exercise their pets offleash and you should have the courtesy and control over your dog to allow them that freedom. Not everyone goes there to allow a total free for all and romper session with every other dog there.

[Beryl]

I agree with most of what has been stated so won't repeat it.

I don't do dog parks either unless it is to attend a schedule "meetup" with like minded folks. I have 2 toy dogs and one is a scrappy terrier and the other is a social butterfly poodle. I know what must be done with the min pin -- keep him on leash until he settles down or the rest of the dog owners tell me -- just let him off-leash, he'll be fine.

It is not fair for me to let my min pin free until I know everyone will be safe. The same goes for being possessive with toys. It is important that I am in control of that situation as well. If my dog won't act right, I need to intervene. Sometimes one dog will play with another's toy but I must make sure the other dog's owner is cool with that. If they are not, my dog must relinquish that toy with quickness.

All of this is being a responsible dog owner, IMO.

[c0_re]

Most people mistakenly use dog parks in place of walks or other structured exercise. HUGE Mistake!

Dog Park=Chucky Cheese
Walking=Exercise\Training

BIG DIFFERENCE

Now with that said both my guys goto the dog park an have a wonderful time. MY little guy does fine at the park, he gets a little beat up butthats the price you pay when you want to play with the big dogs, when things get out of control I step in and physically seperate the offenders. I really don't care what irresponsible owners think, most of them are lazy idiots.

We don't ahve the tennis ball issue we play ball at home and the dog park by us is big enough for people to go off and do their own thing.