Dog Park Etiquette ?

[SpringerDog]

We have a new dog park in the area which is wonderful. Fergus is great off leash and wears himself out when he's there.
He loves sniffing rumps and underparts and today he tried mounting a couple of dogs. He wasn't aggressive and gave up when rebuffed. He also was mounted a few times himself. So the question is, do I pull him off, which is what I did today, ignore it or what? Opinions please, and what do you do if your dog does this? Thanks.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I don't allow my dog to mount or be mounted! I redirect the behavior to someting else--and usually puts an end to it!

 

[Scooter]

PLEASE pull him off. As the owner of an unusually attractive female, I can tell you nothing is worse than spending our whole time at the dog park watching Zoe fend off suiters!!

 

[SizzleDog]

IMO, the correct etiquette would be to pull him off immediately, and apologize to the owner immediately. Second, reinforce his recall command so that when he starts the humpy-humpy, he'll stop and come to you when called. This way, you can also nicely tell the other dog's owner that you're working on the problem.

Good luck!

 

[SpringerDog]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I felt like it was wrong, but then I worried that I was overreacting to something that makes me uncomfortable. I'm not fond of the rump sniffing either, is that okay or should I curtail that also?

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I felt like it was wrong, but then I worried that I was overreacting to something that makes me uncomfortable. I'm not fond of the rump sniffing either, is that okay or should I curtail that also?

I let it happen, but don't let it get overboard--same as the humping--I call the dog, redirect the behavior (toss a ball, get him to run, etc.)---it's a dog's way of saying HI--but it doesn't have to be all consuming!

 

[noludoru]

Butt-sniffing is fine....

 

[Paige]

I'd leave butt sniffing but no humping.