List reasons why you hate dog parks :)

[RD]

The dog park I take Duke to is a privately run establishment which works on a membership basis where you have to pay a monthly/yearly fee or if you just want to try it out it's $10 but it soon becomes cheaper to just buy the membership. All dogs must have proof of current vaccines, an up to date rabies tag and if over 7 months neutered and spayed. They also work on a 3 strikes your out basis though if anything serious comes up your out for good. They also have two staff members patrolling the park at all times to break up any dog fights.

I only go on sundays as they have a puppy only socilization sessions where puppys under supervision can play and besides one bad incident where a sharpei attacked a smaller puppy, Duke and I have enjoyed it very much. It's also given him a chance to try out their agility eqiupment ( they have everything out besides an a frame) and meet small and large puppys, all which he likes but dosen't have much enthusaism to play with.

When he's older I may bring him once he's completed a few more levels of obidence and once I can assess how he reacts to other dogs as he continues to grow. The one thing I do like is that as long as he remains dog friendly he should be around 100 plus pounds full grown so I won't have to worry as much about other dogs attacking him as I think he would be able to hold his own until I could break anything up though I only plan on bringing him to the privately run park where I feel it's a much safer enviroment.

Just an intresting note, today while at the puppy club I noticed a dog who looked remarkably similar to Duke, it turned out to be his littermate!!! Duke didn't seem to recoginize him but his brother was going crazy licking him and jumping all over him

Cheers
Kayla

I'd give a members-only park a try. Sounds much better than the public ones that are used more as a HUMAN social gathering than one for dogs.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I'd give a members-only park a try.

I would also.. if only there was something like that around here...

 

[oriondw]

If only we had members only parks here. :\

 

[RD]

I would also.. if only there was something like that around here...

I haven't been able to find one in all of Arizona. I think there's one in eastern Washington, but when we're up north the dogs are working and don't *need* the exercise and socialization that a dog park would provide.

 

[oc_spirit]

I agree that the members-only ones sounds pretty good especially if they actually ENFORCE the rules as opposed to posting them and leaving it as a free for all.

 

[Herschel]

We're starting to avoid our local dog park for two reasons:

1) A woman that has been there every time we have been to the dog park for the last few weeks has an untrained dog that harasses Herschel to no end. Her dog, Cheyenne, barks at Herschel's face and nips at him. Not really to play, but just to annoy him. Somehow, Cheyenne can even get other dogs into the act. At times, there have been 3 dogs circling him and nipping at him. (We intervene and get the dogs away from Herschel) We've asked her to control her dog, but the best she does is grab her by the collar and make her sit. Then she let's her go and do it again. Herschel eventually gets sick of it and chases her away (he's 1/2 her size).

2) A few weeks ago Herschel was playing around chasing another dog. Then, a much much larger dog (Herschel is 20 lbs, this thing was at least 70) decides to pin him and go for his neck. Herschel was screaming a sound that I've never heard before. I sprinted over and as soon as the bigger dog saw me, he backed off. I screamed, "What the f*** is wrong with you?" at the owner and she replied, "I'm so sorry, he just tries to protect me sometimes." She knew her dog was aggressive but labeled it as protection. Her dog was aggressive and dangerous, not protective. It still makes me mad...

 

[Bobsk8]

We're starting to avoid our local dog park for two reasons:

1) A woman that has been there every time we have been to the dog park for the last few weeks has an untrained dog that harasses Herschel to no end. Her dog, Cheyenne, barks at Herschel's face and nips at him. Not really to play, but just to annoy him. Somehow, Cheyenne can even get other dogs into the act. At times, there have been 3 dogs circling him and nipping at him. (We intervene and get the dogs away from Herschel) We've asked her to control her dog, but the best she does is grab her by the collar and make her sit. Then she let's her go and do it again. Herschel eventually gets sick of it and chases her away (he's 1/2 her size).

2) A few weeks ago Herschel was playing around chasing another dog. Then, a much much larger dog (Herschel is 20 lbs, this thing was at least 70) decides to pin him and go for his neck. Herschel was screaming a sound that I've never heard before. I sprinted over and as soon as the bigger dog saw me, he backed off. I screamed, "What the f*** is wrong with you?" at the owner and she replied, "I'm so sorry, he just tries to protect me sometimes." She knew her dog was aggressive but labeled it as protection. Her dog was aggressive and dangerous, not protective. It still makes me mad...

That's exactly the type of thing that I have seen quite a bit. Do yourself and your dog a favor, and stay away.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

I Love our Park!

I love our local Dog Park. It is by membership only and most owners are the same kind of "dog obsessed" people as on here (in a good way). It does cost quite a bit for a yearly membership and there is a card system to be able to get in the gate. No children under 12 allowed ever, no benches, no food, and agressive dogs will get kicked out--owners pretty much stare at their dogs and are quick to intervene if there seems to be any problems. There also is a separate small dog section which is great (Wrigley generally visits both big and small sections when he is there--but likes the small section if his friends are there).

One thing that can be a problem however is people being too protective or obessed with their dogs. The other day I saw someone come in with a cocker spaniel--the playful pit that was there came over to play and appears as if he was going to jump on the spaniel--the owner put out his leg to 'protect' his dog inadventantly kicking the pit. Both owners screamed back and forth about dog behaviors and it almost came to blows!

 

[ACooper]

I took Orson to a 'public' dog park ONCE and that was enough. He was accosted by a German shepard, and of course the owner was just as iggnorant as the untrained dog. Public dog parks are not monitored, any trashy owners can bring any type of dog there, whether they are vaccinated, trained or not! "Dog owners are responsible for their dogs actions" HA, what difference will that make if my dog dies from an attack or disease?? And proving it would be another can of worms!
There is a private run dog park in the next town over (20 minutes) and I am looking into joining. It is 150.00 a year and you need ID and tag to get in. That would at least cut down on the bad owners, as they screen applications and at least make sure animals are current on vacs. And most 'bad' owners are not willing to pay for a dog park!!!!!

 

[whatszmatter]

Dog parks keep my friend that is an Emergency Vet very busy, she's always sewing up dogs coming from the Park.

 

[whatszmatter]

I love our local Dog Park. It is by membership only and most owners are the same kind of "dog obsessed" people as on here (in a good way). It does cost quite a bit for a yearly membership and there is a card system to be able to get in the gate. No children under 12 allowed ever, no benches, no food, and agressive dogs will get kicked out--owners pretty much stare at their dogs and are quick to intervene if there seems to be any problems. There also is a separate small dog section which is great (Wrigley generally visits both big and small sections when he is there--but likes the small section if his friends are there).

One thing that can be a problem however is people being too protective or obessed with their dogs. The other day I saw someone come in with a cocker spaniel--the playful pit that was there came over to play and appears as if he was going to jump on the spaniel--the owner put out his leg to 'protect' his dog inadventantly kicking the pit. Both owners screamed back and forth about dog behaviors and it almost came to blows!

If more dog parks were like the one you metioned, maybe I'd change my mind, but sadly those are few and far between.

As for the "overprotective" guy. If I saw a strange dog, coming up to my dog, friendly looking or not, I'd step between, no matter what breed. Coming up to a strange dog and jumping on it, is not the proper way to greet another, in human or dog terms. Its rude, its pushy and the owner of the playful pit needs a lesson in dog body language himself.

and humans should always ask if its appropriate if they're dog introduces themselves and plays or not

 

[ToscasMom]

In a dog park, I have no idea how well or not well eveybody else can control their dogs, which pretty much would leave me out of control of the situation with my own dog. At other times, I only have to worry about my own dog. At a park, I have to worry about everybody's dog. I would say the lady screamed because she had no idea whether the other dog was going to be playful or aggressive. Or maybe she just doesn't want other dogs hopping onto her dog. I can relate. I kind of figure if I want somebody else's dog dog near my dog, I will invite them. To me, it's kind of like the difference between ringing my doorbell or just barging into my house. Also, if your dog ambles up to another dog to play, the other dog might not like it as in let's get to the vet now to fix this bite. Also, invariably at a dog park, sooner or later, there will be an inconsiderate SOB who will turn his dog loose and not control the dog, and it might not turn out to be pretty. The other thing you never know in a dog park is whether another dog is carrying kennel cough or something else. Dog parks just seem to be a fight waiting to happen. We have one not far from here and people are always fighting about their dogs. There are also a couple of people on a trip who think they own the park. If your park is not like this, it's the exception not the rule, I think. But give it time..:lol-sign:

 

[casablanca1]

I remember years ago reading about dog parks in NYC, and thinking that sounded so neat. And yet, almost as soon as they became widespread they were terrible. I think the root problem is the psycho-training argument about them; that they're not just a nice opportunity for dogs to run around and play, but actually provide a vital 'socialization' function. This has led to the attitude that they're some sort of training substitute, allowing people with out-of-control pets to pass the buck by claiming that letting Rover run riot is accomplishing something positive. I've heard well-intentioned people actually urging people with clearly unsuitable dogs to take them to the dog park so that they'll 'calm down' and 'learn to get along.' Maybe dog parks should have a separate 'therapeutic hour' for dogs whose owners want to do this.

 

[Dreeza]

hmm, the one dog park i took oakley too was completely empty when i went there, LOL

the other thing i went to was a swimming pool, and other dogs were there, and we had a great experience.

So i have to say i really like dog parks, and wish there were some actually close to me!!!

 

[Bobsk8]

I think another reason bring their animals to dog parks is so the dog will get some much needed "exercise". This of course excuses the owner from having to walk the dog everyday and that way they can sit on a bench in the dog park, eating french fries and getting fatter while their dog runs around....

 

[RD]

I think another reason bring their animals to dog parks is so the dog will get some much needed "exercise". This of course excuses the owner from having to walk the dog everyday and that way they can sit on a bench in the dog park, eating french fries and getting fatter while their dog runs around....

LOL. I see this every time I walk by the dog park in Phoenix. The dogs are getting *their* workout. The people are sitting on lawn chairs and eating bonbons.

ETA: And sorry, but if I see a Pit Bull coming towards my dogs, I'm going to pick my dog up. I don't care if I seem overprotective, I don't trust Pit Bulls with other dogs, especially not small ones like mine. IMO they shouldn't be at dog parks, but I guess that's a different argument altogether.

 

[ToscasMom]

Rofl.

 

[oriondw]

ETA: And sorry, but if I see a Pit Bull coming towards my dogs, I'm going to pick my dog up. I don't care if I seem overprotective, I don't trust Pit Bulls with other dogs, especially not small ones like mine. IMO they shouldn't be at dog parks, but I guess that's a different argument altogether.

Some breeds are just not dog park friendly, i have to agree.

I dont know anyone sane, who takes their CO to dog parks

 

[darkchild16]

THe only time i would take Tytus is if it was empty and then once another dog showed up i would put him on leash see how he reacts and the owner of the other dog and the other dog reacts and go from there