Dog Park Bully's

[Bodi's Mom]

We have a lot of parks in our area, but only one off-leash dog park. I take Bodi, my Bernese Mountain Dog there once in a while. Bodi is very low key, very well socialized and plays kindly with all other dogs. There always seems to be one dog that has bad manners, growling, snapping, rough play, chasing - you get the picture. It seems that at that point, all the "good dogs" have to leave the park because of a poorly socialized or poorly trained dog. My question - should we say something to the owner of the "bully dog" (who usually just goes around making excuses and chasing after his dog) or just leave?

[Tankstar]

I would say somthing. But is this dog playing? or actually agressive?

Some people upon first metting my dog would think he is agressive. he chases every dog that runs, growls and barks while doing it. But that is just him. he growls and barks when just chasing a ball. He means no harm in it. Is very obident and can be called off. But some people have said things to me aswell while at the dog park. But with him it IS just play. Nothing more.

[Buddy'sParents]

if the behaviors are truly detrimental to the well being of all who attend the park, then I would say something and if nothing is done, report the owner and the dog.

[Bodi's Mom]

These are definitely dogs that are not playing but are more aggressive - moving around the area with tail straight up, head down, getting into fights. Bodi's best friend is a female Lab/Pitbull mix who includes play nipping, barking, chasing, pouncing and even pinning Bodi, while in the park. They are definitely playing and are respectful of eachother and there is no uneasiness among the owners. No, these "bully dogs" definitely enter the park with a different demeanor and all of us are waiting for a fight to break out.

[sisco16]

I know what you mean I go to the dog park by me at least weekly when the weather is fine and you get to know the dogs and the people and some times you get people who have a more aggressive dog but also i have seen more than that timid dogs that will act out of fear because they are afraid of all the other dogs ganging up and chasing.

[Lilavati]

The dog park I go to has a pretty strong community, as well as two older gentlemen that I call the dog park 'gurus.' If there is a problem, someone will say something, often one of the gurus. As for aggression . . . if there's a socially tense moment, the first dog to make an openly aggressive move leaves the park (doesn't matter who started it, first to loose their cool goes). If that dog consistently causes trouble, then they are asked to leave and not to come back. So far, this has worked well. The same thing is used with people who do stupid things (like letting their dog play dragging a leash) they are asked please to not do whatever it is that they are doing, and if that doesn't work, please leave. But I guess you have to have a dog park where people know each other and will work together so to speak.

[Paige]

I watch my dog like a hawk. If a dog is picking on them a simple "Boys, let's go" while I walk to another part of the park solves the issue. If the dog proceeds to bully my dog and I've been there for awhile I'll leave. If I don't want to leave yet I usually will say something. After all I don't think dog parks are the place for aggressive dogs. Why should everyone else have to suffer for someone else's dogs flaw? If that were my dog there would be no way I'd put it in a situation where it would be aloud to be a bully.

Bandit is a big momma's boy and the second a dog is behaving in a way he thinks it shouldn't he comes and sits at my feet. When Bandit comes, Spanky and Miley come so I have my entire little posse sitting at my feet. I can judge the situation from there.

[Khalid]

People having their dogs bullying other dogs in the parks should train them first to interact and socialize with other dogs at public places....

[Lilavati]

People having their dogs bullying other dogs in the parks should train them first to interact and socialize with other dogs at public places....

Of course there is a problem when someone brings a really timid dog to the park too . . . I've seen people bring in bullies . . . I've also seen them bring in nervous, timid, fussy dogs that, bluntly, are pretty much asking to be bullied.

If your dog can't handle the park, the your dog shouldn't be there. People have been "talked to" for having high strung dogs that can't handle the park and cause trouble through their very timidity. So, it goes both ways.

But if someone's dog is causing a problem, you should say something. Though if there are a lot of dogs like that, you might want to go to a different park . . .they do seem to have different cultures. (or you just have a park filled with irresponsibile people and poorly behaved dogs) My park is pretty rough and tumble . . . not out of control, and no fighting, but lots of rambunctous dogs burning off energy with each other. There are other parks that have more quiet and laid back customers.

[sisco16]

im confused whats so stupid about letting a dog drag a nylon leash. Why would someone get kicked out for that im confused because i go to mine in town alot and know the people and there fine with me leaving a nylon leash on my husky because she isent the most reliable on her come command. Im not the only owner that does this if there is a dog that singles her out because of the leash or they begin to tangle while restling i take it off.

[Lilavati]

im confused whats so stupid about letting a dog drag a nylon leash. Why would someone get kicked out for that im confused because i go to mine in town alot and know the people and there fine with me leaving a nylon leash on my husky because she isent the most reliable on her come command. Im not the only owner that does this if there is a dog that singles her out because of the leash or they begin to tangle while restling i take it off.

One, its a fenced park . . . so there is nowhere to go . . . the dog can't run off, even if the recall is poor.

However, here is why it is stupid (they aren't kicked out, just asked to take it off . . . no one has ever said they wouldn't):

It can tangle, or cause a dog to single another dog out, as you said. The problem is, that can happen really fast. It can also get tangled around a tree, strangling the dog, or around a person, knocking them down. What we are most worried about is that it will get tangled around another dog's neck or legs, starting a fight, or worse, breaking a leg. When you have 15 dogs running loose, and one dragging a lead, there's a lot of things that can go wrong.

Same with being singled out by the other dogs . . . or feeling defensive because of the leash. It can cause social problems. In particular, a leashed dog may lash out at the other dogs because they feel less capable of defending themselves. Now, if there are a number of dogs on leashes, it probably wouldn't be as much of an issue. But it makes everyone there nervous to see a leashed dog galloping through the park with the rest of the pack . . . its just too easy to see an accident happen . . and in a fully fenced off leash park, no real reason to keep a leash on . . . if your dog has a lousy recall, you go over and get them . . . and probably should, because if you aren't certain they are going to come when called, you probably shouldn't call them anyway.

[sisco16]

shes fine on coming back when I call her if there are no other dogs but other dogs totally different story. I see your point and will no longer leave it on her she plays very well with the other dogs its just that she normally doesent get tired easily and never wants to leave :)

[Lilavati]

shes fine on coming back when I call her if there are no other dogs but other dogs totally different story. I see your point and will no longer leave it on her she plays very well with the other dogs its just that she normally doesent get tired easily and never wants to leave :)

They never do want to leave, do they?