How would you handle this?

[phillo]

Today I had a particularly unpleasant experience at one of my local Boston dog parks. This is a relatively small, very active, fenced in dog park and it was just after 5pm on a beautiful day, so it was busy. Jack, my dog, and I had been there for a few minutes when a very pretty husky type dog, bigger than Jack, tried to engage him in play. This dog would not give up, and even though he threw in a play bow here and there, his behavior was rude/aggressive.

Jack seemed to be handling it initially but this other dog was not reading his signals and would not back off; clearly a 'situation' was developing. Jack was clear as day in his signals to leave him alone - the other dog just didn't get it. Finally Jack tackled the dog and just held him there. The owner of the other dog had been observing this and was untroubled but finally came over when I started shouting. Some heated words were exchanged and I decided to leave the park. Another dog owner who'd seen the incident followed me out and explained that this guy, and his dog get into situations like this regularly.

Curious to know how other people would handle a similar situation? Leaving made sense here, but I may encounter this guy again, how should I handle it?

[lizzybeth727]

Originally Posted by phillo

Curious to know how other people would handle a similar situation?

I would reward my dog for putting up with an obnoxious dog, and try to keep my dog's attention for a few minutes until hopefully the other dog found someone else to annoy. If that didn't work, or made the situation worse, I'd leave the park before my dog had to "fight back."

Originally Posted by phillo

Leaving made sense here, but I may encounter this guy again, how should I handle it?

Same as above. But if it didn't work the first or second time I encountered him, I'd watch for him when I come in to the park and just not go in if he's there. And if he comes in after me, I'd leave ASAP.

JMO.

[BostonBanker]

I'd watch for him when I come in to the park and just not go in if he's there. And if he comes in after me, I'd leave ASAP.

Exactly. You are in a no-win situation. You will get reamed on if you correct the other dog (and as much as the other guy should be watching his dog and managing it, I also don't agree with correcting other people's dogs). Your dog doesn't need to put up with that. Take your dog out if the guy shows up. If he is in the park when you get there, go for a leash walk around the block and wait for him to leave. Before I stopped going to dog parks all together, I got to know people's dogs and cars very well and handled situations that way.

You could always try politely asking him to call his dog off of yours - but in my experience, most people either can't or won't. Or their dog is just so fixated it isn't an option.

Number one rule in my book is that it is always my responsibility to protect my dog from situations that make her uncomfortable.

[Tsume'sMom]

Carry an air horn and blast the dog, then tell the owner because he will not handle his dog that you will. Maybe you get more people on the band wagon and he goes away forever.

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by phillo

Jack seemed to be handling it initially but this other dog was not reading his signals and would not back off; clearly a 'situation' was developing. Jack was clear as day in his signals to leave him alone - the other dog just didn't get it. Finally Jack tackled the dog and just held him there.

If my dog is giving off signals that indicate he wants another dog to back off and that other dog isn't backing off, that's when it's my job to step up and help my dog.

I'd probably get in between them and body block the other dog and quietly leave with my dog. Maybe let my dog have a short break and try going back, maybe go home and call it a day, maybe leave the dog park for the day but go do something else fun with my dog.

[Criosphynx]

I try to take my dog to the FAAR other side of the park...that works most of the time, if the offender likes to stay near their owner...

If I still can't win, I may try a couple body blocks...this works for som' dogs...

if that doesn't work, we just leave...its not worth it...

[PoodleMommy]

If there is a dog that wont leave one of mine alone I will call them to me and have them follow me to a different area of the park, where I will do some quick obedience things with them (sit/down/etc) to get their mind off the other dog... then I release them to go play in this new area hoping they will find different dogs to play with.

If that doesnt work I usually leash them and take them to a different area of the park that is across from the dog park and just walk them over there watching to see if the other dog leaves, if the other dog doesnt leave after 20 minutes or so, I just go home.

Its nice to let them run at the dog park but they dont NEED it and there will be idiots who bring their dogs in and I know the only thing I can control is my own dog.

[phillo]

hey i really appreciate all the great replies to my post. i think what i did made the most sense, and it's what i would do in similar situations. i was at the park i mentioned today, and had to deal with a less difficult situation but used the body blocking technique which worked well. i'm actually wondering if i should stop going to this particular park (peter's park) because we experience a lot of aggressive/poorly behaved dogs there.

my favorite reply recommended i use an air horn which i bought. i would only use an air horn in a situation that i thought was endangering a dog (mine or someone else) but it is a great idea.

also i generally let my dog handle situations with other dogs on his own, unless it looks dangerous. if a dog is humping him and he's not into it, he can let the dog know better than i can. if the dog won't leave him alone, i'll step in.

thanks again.