Balls/toys in dog parks..

Question stemming from another thread...

If it is advised to not bring balls/toys into the dog park, what is a dog supposed to do while there?

RUN! I take mine to a 17 acre fenced in dog park so they can really stretch their legs and run, swim, chase each other, etc. I don't bring toys anymore because other dogs usually get them and tear them up and the owners are never very concerned about me getting my toy back so I can, y'know, play with MY dogs with MY toys.

If I don't take a ball to the dog park, the Tollers simply don't exercise. They follow me around at my pace like little shadows. I always try to take a ball with me, otherwise my trip to the park is a complete waste of time. That said, I never throw it around a heavily populated area. I play with them in the quiet spots of my parks, and if a dog comes my way, I wait until it leaves.

What does one do if their dog(s) only like to RUN! when they are chasing a ball and couldn't care any less about other dogs? They deserve to run to, no?

And by the way, it irritates the heck out of me when other dog owners aren't watching their dogs and think it's funny when Fido won't drop MY dogs ball when they give the "drop" command. So I wish I had access to a 17 acre park!

The only problem I see with bringing balls/toys into the dog park is when a dog guards them aggressively. It also annoys me when people bring in stuffed toys, which are then ripped apart, and dogs are running around with fluff and squeakers because it's just dangerous... also, when people bring in rope toys and encourage their dogs to play tug with others - bad idea!

I think it's pretty ridiculous to say that no owner should bring in tennis balls and chuckits to play with. If the dog playing ball is attacking other dogs for going after it (I've seen this a few times), then the dog should be taken somewhere alone to play fetch. But Buddy and Banzai obviously don't do that.

IMO toys do not belong in dog parks. Every single serious dog fight I've ever seen in a dog park has revolved around toys. Your dog may be good around toys and have a reliable drop-it, but you never know what's coming in that gate after you. Also - a reliable leave-it or drop-it command can suddenly become not so reliable when the dog is surrounded by strange dogs, maybe feeling overwhelmed, other dogs jumping on it... I've seen it too many times to be comfortable with toys in a dog park.

That said, I do bring a chuckit to the dog park occasionally - but I only use it in the private "training" section, where other dogs can only enter by invitation.

When I was up in Ames, someone would leave toys in the dog park - the hard plastic frisbees that Ilsa would crunch in a single bite... then splinter into sharp pieces and cut mouths and paws... gawd I hated those frisbees, but someone just kept bringing them in.

I think if you are going to bring toys to the dog park, that's fine, but you had better be prepared for other dogs to play with said toys. If you are going to freak if another dog takes your tennis ball and runs around the park with it, it might be better to find a different place to play fetch, or go on off hours.

I take Jack to the dog park mainly for socialization. Because of his elbow he should not be retrieving much on dry land. If there are other dogs there he will run around with them, and if not, we'll walk a couple of laps around the park and let him sniff, etc.

My dog park is FILLED with tennis balls, chewy toys, ropes, frisbees, the occasional soccer ball and whatever else people bring and leave. Maybe I just got lucky with the park we go to, but it's never caused a problem. The dogs love the toys.

MAN I wish we had a 17 acre park here! The biggest one I've seen yet is only about 100 yards long!

Bodhi does not share her toys. She's no fighter, but she will not share. She's an only dog, and her manners in that area aren't up to speed, so she gets all iffy if someone sniffs HER toys. Not nasty, but you know..... like "erm, you better get your stinking nose off MY toy".

Which is why I wouldn't advise toys and large groups of dogs you don't know. Never mind how good YOURS are.

You have no idea how other dogs will react if your ball happens to cross their path and they pick it up, and your dog goes for it.

If you wanna take toys, and your dog gets into a fight because another dog wants YOUR toy, you have to take that risk!

I always take toys on walks, and never had a problem, but I don't walk in areas where dogs are concentrated. We don't have dog parks.

SAme here. IF you forget one all you really have to do is look around for awhile along the banks of the water. I have seen labs carry their bumpers from the car to the water. WE always take a ball. ONce i forgot and used my plastic water bottle which Victor seemed to enjoy just as much.

I actually agree BP, but unfortunately some people don't feel the need to restrain their dogs or bring a dog that is aggressive over a toy to the dog park, which obviously results in tragedy. I try to er on the safe side, but then again I don't go to dog parks. The one here allows toys but the one at home doesn't. If everyone would be responsible and keep their dog out of other people's games and such, then no problems for anyone. Particularly in that case where the dog had been aggressive before. A dog that has caused problems should not be there.

i dont bring toys. my dog loves dogs ALOT more then she loves people (shes new) so when there are dogs around, she could care less about toys or anything else

I don't take my dogs to the dog park - it's an hour away, and poor Bella will never be able to go in, since she's shown signs of agression... *shurgs*

I don't know the toy rule on the park closest to me, I *think* you're allowed to bring toys... But I don't know how much action our park gets...

If I was to take my dogs to the park, they'd have toys brought, because I think that with out the toys, most of my dogs wouldn't do anything to get rid of any energy...

I think if your dog doesn't enjoy the dog park unless there are toys around, it means you should find a different place to play fetch. Or only go when there are no other dogs around. My dog doesn't really play with other dogs either, but when we go to the dog park she loves sniffing and seeing who else has been there, which is good enrichment for her and she enjoys it. We also work on recalls, and obedience work with distractions.

Bella will only run if she is chasing balls too.

I bring a tennis ball to throw and have never had a problem... Bella will not snap, growl, or bite another dog who comes near her and her ball...she will probably try and outrun them though. If another dog took her ball I would not get mad, I would expect the owner to tell them to drop it and return it to me... that is just being polite.

Like I said I never had a problem... aggressive dogs do not belong in dog parks PERIOD... that includes dogs with resource guarding issues... therefore, I do not think my dog should have to suffer because of someone else.

I guess I am lucky the people at the dog park I go to are very friendly and there has never been an issue. Bella chases her tennis ball until she can barely walk (2 plus hours) and then we go home and everyone is happy.

Where do you suggest they go? Do you think people have not tried to find places to take their dogs so that they can get away from other idiot owners and their ill-mannered dogs? And why is it any different than your dog who does not play with other dogs. My dogs sniff around, too. We also do obedience work. But because my dog couldn't care less about other dogs, I shouldn't take him to the dog park? Please explain that logic.

And, thanks for the opinions everyone!

I agree, and then I don't. I think going to the dog park in off times is a great way for aggressive dogs to be exercised, they need to be exercised too. If you live in an area that I do and neighborhood walks are not safe, then you really have no other option to really exercise your dog, other than taking them to other places, which all have dogs around them, too. I do NOT in any way, think that an aggressive dog should be able to come in full force with a full dog park, though. That is simply and very stupidly asking for trouble. Though Buddy and Banzai are not aggressive in any ways, we go to the dog park in off hours to avoid all of the people and multiple dogs. I want them to have a good experience while they are there.. really stretch their legs and run because that is one of only two spots in which they can do so.

Oh, and I have no problems, whatsoever, reporting a dog with issues. My dog deserves to be safe from any kind of harm and if I see a dog is aggressive, I whip out my cell phone and report the dog right then and there, with my dog at a sit/stay by my side. Funny how manners and being trained works sometimes.

I agree, and think that if someone has a dog that is agressive, and knows how to handle it, would like to try the dog park - with the dog on leash - it's a great chance to train with other dogs around...

If I had the chance, I'd take Bella in with her muzzle on, and work her.

Oh, see, I don't think an aggressive dog should be in a dog park with other dogs, though. I meant to use the dog park in an off time, meaning when it's empty, which, thankfully, happens a lot around here.

Lots of people bring tennis balls to our dog park Well, "our" dog park is 1/2 hour away in the city but we do go a fair amount with friends we have there. I don't bring one when we go though. Lucy just loves to rip and run around with the other dogs. Lucy looooves fetch but I usually just play that with her at home. We live in a tiny town of 200 people, and we have these baseball diamonds we take her to in the evening to let her rip and play fetch. We are the only people there usually.