Fight at the dog park

[elegy]

But if you have a pit bull that isn't DA, then why not take it to a dog park, which would also allow people to see a non-aggressive pittie.

because how many pit bulls aren't aggressive until that first time? i have heard so many stories of people whose pitties were fantastic at dog parks... until they weren't some people were able to recognize those signs before it came to something traumatic, but some people were not.

there are plenty of ways to show the public your pit bull without putting your dog or anybody else's at risk.

to me, it's all about risk vs benefit. if your pit bull gets into a fight at a dog park, the other dog could die, and your dog could die because it's a scary horrible terrible pit bull. pit bulls could end up banned because omg they might start eating babies next. people aren't sane and rational about pit bulls. if a golden bites a kid, there's a huge public outcry to let him go home. if a pit bull bites an annoying yappy dog, there is public outrage that these killing machines, these landsharks, are allowed to exist.

is it really worth it?

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

I also very much dislike dog parks in general - this being one main reason. There are too many irresponsible dog owners bringing dogs to them. Personally, I wouldn't object to the banning of dog parks.

I wouldn't object to banning them either. They are nothing but trouble waiting to happen. Not because of the good owners, but because of the ignorant ones. My friend's great dane puppy was badly mauled awhile back. It was playing with a bunch of other little dogs, everyone was doing great, when a big black lab mix came running off and started flinging the dog around like a rag doll. It required several stitches.

Dog parks are not a good idea IMHO. I've heard too many horror stories just from people I know personally, who have had their dogs attacked by other dogs that belonged to idiot owners. And I know someone who's dog was killed by a DA pit bull that was brought into the park. Grabbed the dog by the throat, and by the time they got the pit bull off of it, the dog was already dead.

So yeah, I fully agree, I wouldn't object to banning dog parks either. As I said, not because of the responsible owners, but because of the idiot ones. And there will ALWAYS be idiot owners in dog parks. One reason I'll never go to one, or risk my dog being in one.

 

[dr2little]

because how many pit bulls aren't aggressive until that first time? I have heard so many stories of people whose pitties were fantastic at dog parks... Until they weren't some people were able to recognize those signs before it came to something traumatic, but some people were not.

There are plenty of ways to show the public your pit bull without putting your dog or anybody else's at risk.

To me, it's all about risk vs benefit. If your pit bull gets into a fight at a dog park, the other dog could die, and your dog could die because it's a scary horrible terrible pit bull. Pit bulls could end up banned because omg they might start eating babies next. People aren't sane and rational about pit bulls. If a golden bites a kid, there's a huge public outcry to let him go home. If a pit bull bites an annoying yappy dog, there is public outrage that these killing machines, these landsharks, are allowed to exist.

Is it really worth it?

exactly!!!

 

[smkie]

But if you have a pit bull that isn't DA, then why not take it to a dog park, which would also allow people to see a non-aggressive pittie.

Although, maybe we should round up a bunch of DA goldens and poodles and labs and let them in a dog park so the public can see that DA can come in any breed.

I have seen several pittys at the dog park that did just fine. I have seen jack russel that we walked with for years that never had a problem and beagles and maltese and all the other breeds mixed and not. IT should always be a dog by dog decision. Not a breed decision. WE didn't get to go today but i am most looking forward to it as soon as the rain clears.

 

[Amstaffer]

exactly!!!

yeah but it kinda of sounds like the "Pit Bull Time Bomb Theory"

 

[Gypsydals]

I think both. The little dog owner for not controling his/her dog and the big dog owner for not stepping up and protecting their dog/s from being harassed to that breaking point. But the blame is more towards the little dog owner.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I wouldn't object to banning them either. They are nothing but trouble waiting to happen.

Wow... really?! REALLY?

I don't believe that everyone should be punished because of a few (ok, maybe more than a few) morons. Do I think dog parks should require a membership, which includes all of their information, proof of vaccinations, that the dog is over 6 months old, and a temperament screening? Yes. I also feel that it's ignorant and rude for dog park designers not to include at least one seperate "run" for people to exercise their dogs who are shy/reactive/insecure/unsocialized. You simply cannot expect dozens of dogs who don't know each other to hit it off instantly, especially with the lack of dog knowledge in so many owners.

One of our local dog parks has a solitary section that has plenty of space, is usually empty, and requires that anyone who wants to enter asks permission if some one is in there. I would love to see this, and more of them, in other dog parks. It isn't easy to find dog-friendly spots in most areas, especially in the city. Let alone find places to bring a dog who does not do well with a pack of strange dogs running up to them.

As far as prey drive in Greyhounds, I do sympathize. I know a few people with Greys who can get "turned on" when there are small dogs running around. For sighthounds, I think it's a good idea to put a soft or basket muzzle on them to prevent incidents. However, that does not make them aggressive at ALL. There is a lady at one of the local dog parks who brings her Greys in the large dog side, and they will occasionally eye Fozzie... once, the owner told one of them "that's not a rabbit!". Whaaa? Does that mean I should not bring Fozzie in the large dog side, even though he's near 50 lbs, because he's height challenged? If her dogs will treat a 50 lb dog as prey, they definitely should be wearing a muzzle of some sort or dragging a long line.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

Yes, really.

As I said, I only feel that way because you are bringing your dog into a crowd of other dogs, and while you may be very responsible and your dog is perfectly behaved, you have no clue if the other dogs are DA with idiot owners.

I know too many people who's dogs have been injured in dog parks. And I've known more than one who's dog has been killed. All because they wanted their dog to go play in a dog park, and ended up there at the wrong time, in the presence of a DA dog with a stupid owner. And the dog suffered.

Dog parks may be a conveience to a lot of owners, but at what risk to your dog? So your dog is well behaved. How do you know that other dog is too? How will you know that the big black lab (for example) your dog is currently playing with, won't suddenly turn and latch onto your dogs throat and kill him? Why take the risk?

 

[Romy]

yeah but it kinda of sounds like the "Pit Bull Time Bomb Theory"

Yeah, this ^^.

A responsible owner who knows their dog, reads their dog's body language correctly, and acts accordingly isn't going to be the one with a dog running around starting fights. So, if some irresponsible pit owners take their dogs, have no clue when things are starting to escalate or their dogs are getting in an unsafe situation and don't intervene, why should the responsible owners of that one type of dog be singled out and booted from dog parks?

That's like saying "because there are bad pit owners out there who's dogs bite, no people should own pits"...oh wait...that's bsl.

How many people on here have gone to dog parks and been confronted by people for bringing a pit into the park, when their dog is obviously not a pit?

And, the idea of a membership for dog parks is really cool. I don't know how exactly it would work, but it sounds awesome.

 

[Tahla9999]

I disagree with banning dog parks. While I think bringing a pit bull to a dog park is the wrong idea( mostly because of BSL), I do not feel that dog parks, in general, is a bad idea. Because while one dog park may be filled with idiots, another may be the opposite. One dog park may separate the little dogs from the big, another may have rules against puppies or certain age, and another may need proof of vaccines before anyone enters. You can't lump all dog parks together and say that they are ALL full of irresponsible owners.

No dog park is the same because the people, the rules, and the general environment always differs.

 

[dr2little]

yeah but it kinda of sounds like the "Pit Bull Time Bomb Theory"

Oooh, don't be painting me with that brush. Not even close. I'm talking from the other perspective..

 

[Tahla9999]

Yeah, this ^^.

A responsible owner who knows their dog, reads their dog's body language correctly, and acts accordingly isn't going to be the one with a dog running around starting fights. So, if some irresponsible pit owners take their dogs, have no clue when things are starting to escalate or their dogs are getting in an unsafe situation and don't intervene, why should the responsible owners of that one type of dog be singled out and booted from dog parks?

That's like saying "because there are bad pit owners out there who's dogs bite, no people should own pits"...oh wait...that's bsl.

How many people on here have gone to dog parks and been confronted by people for bringing a pit into the park, when their dog is obviously not a pit?

And, the idea of a membership for dog parks is really cool. I don't know how exactly it would work, but it sounds awesome.

What was your breed bred to do exactly? I find it funny how people accept the fact that herding breeds will herd, terrier breeds will usually have a strong prey instinct, and sighthounds will have high prey drive, yet when it comes to the fact that pit bulls may become DA due to the fact that they were originally bred to fight dogs, people are in disbelief. Why would you bring a dog, bred to fight other dogs, to a park full of unknown dogs that may or may not be aggressive.

And it is not just APBTs. I wouldn't take a Tosa to a dog park either, but the difference is, the Tosa isn't targeted like pit bulls.

 

[Renee750il]

Yeah, this ^^.

A responsible owner who knows their dog, reads their dog's body language correctly, and acts accordingly isn't going to be the one with a dog running around starting fights. So, if some irresponsible pit owners take their dogs, have no clue when things are starting to escalate or their dogs are getting in an unsafe situation and don't intervene, why should the responsible owners of that one type of dog be singled out and booted from dog parks?

That's like saying "because there are bad pit owners out there who's dogs bite, no people should own pits"...oh wait...that's bsl.

How many people on here have gone to dog parks and been confronted by people for bringing a pit into the park, when their dog is obviously not a pit?

And, the idea of a membership for dog parks is really cool. I don't know how exactly it would work, but it sounds awesome.

Honestly, I don't see myself putting my APBT in that risky a situation. It doesn't matter if she's perfectly amiable (and I have no idea - and very much doubt - that she would necessarily be good with smaller dogs, or even dogs that aren't twice her size).

You know how people are . . . if something happens, there will always be a few there who will swear it was the Pit Bull that did it, and to them, all Pit Bulls look alike. It's not worth it to me and mine.

It IS a time bomb theory . . . but it's not the Pit Bulls that are the time bombs necessarily, or, I think, knowing her as well as I do, in Doc's mind either -- it's the irresponsible and/or clueless people who frequent the parks that are the time bombs. And our dogs are the ones who take the shrapnel when they do.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Ya know... my dogs are good dogs, we are responsible owners. We work really hard with our dogs- really hard- and have been able to get them to a point where they can be safely off-leash in various locations.

But I am so sick and tired of being a target because of other people and their irresponsibility. I am sick and tired of having to take my dogs away from places in which they are being well behaved, in which they are having a good time because some twathead doesn't know left from right. I am sick and tired of being told I can't do something because there might be a chance that someone asshat might bring their ill-behaved dog to that same location.

I have been fortunate enough- no, my dogs have been fortunate enough- that we have found a really nice local cattle farmer that has trails on his/her property and allows people and their dogs. Because if he/she didn't, I wouldn't have a place to exercise my dogs. A simple walk around the neighborhood won't do. We can't go to school yards because they are locked up after school. We can't go to the local ballparks because it's baseball season. So some of us have no other location to run our dogs.

Ban dog parks? What a horrible, stupid idea. While we're at it, why not ban all these breeds of dogs that start the fights? Ridiculous idea isn't it?

Perhaps we should make them more strict- paid memberships, patrolled by people, etc.. That makes more sense to me than banning places where there are still some RESPONSIBLE people and their dogs that use them. Hmph.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

Meh. I stand by my opinion. No one has to agree to it, but I still stand by it. I wouldn't actively seek out to ban them, I just said that I wouldn't object to it. And as I said, I don't think dog parks are the greatest idea ever. And I know several people with dogs that are physically and mentally scarred for life, who feel the same way.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Meh. I stand by my opinion. No one has to agree to it, but I still stand by it. I wouldn't actively seek out to ban them, I just said that I wouldn't object to it. And as I said, I don't think dog parks are the greatest idea ever. And I know several people with dogs that are physically and mentally scarred for life, who feel the same way.

Ok, I get that. I've left dog parks because of certain asshats and their likewise dogs. But what is your suggestion for those who have high energy dogs to exercise? We can't stand up and say "torch the parks!" without having some kind of alternative, or ideas for alternatives.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Werd, Nikki.

If anything, I say MORE dog parks, BIGGER dog parks, and WELL-STRUCTURED dog parks are a far better "solution" than banning them. Here, the biggest issue is that a less than 1 acre dog park can have 50 dogs in it at peak hours. Even though I would like a bigger dog park, or one with several seperate sections, I take my dogs there very early or at sunset when no one else is there... it would just suck if there was no dog park at all.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

And I fully agree with you. And as I said, it's the idiots that ruin it for everyone else. I do like the idea of monitoring parks a lot better, and having staff to help monitor the dogs that are there. Gonzo, on page 7, had several good ideas, minus the sarcasm in the first sentence.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Gonzo, on page 7, had several good ideas, minus the sarcasm in the first sentence.

Lol!

Not so much sarcasm as it was disbelief. If I wanted to be sarcastic I would say, "Yes, let's ban them! Heck let's ban dogs period." teehee

 

[Buddy'sParents]

And I fully agree with you. And as I said, it's the idiots that ruin it for everyone else. I do like the idea of monitoring parks a lot better, and having staff to help monitor the dogs that are there. Gonzo, on page 7, had several good ideas, minus the sarcasm in the first sentence.

Of course Erica had some brilliant ideas... she's Erica.

However, YOU are the one not opposed to banning dog parks- so I'd like to know what *you* think.