I enjoy watching dogs play in a controlled manner and just being dogs just like the next person. Dog parks can be great to help dogs socialize. We have had some wonderful experiences there with the people and other dogs. Lately, I have been experiencing problems with some of the owners not watching their dogs. For Example, when one enters the dog park please remove your dogs from the entrance so the new dog can enter and adjust. The other week as I was entering the park, I thought it was safe. However, I did not see the dominant signals of a hound dog mix and got in my dog's face, pushing him in the entry zone, growled and him and tried to corner him after I opened the gate. Luckily my dog did not attack back and was still leashed. He would have done a lot of damage to the hound dog if he were aggressive pit mix. We just left the park and played in the tennis court.
I feel as though the dog park should not have any toys bigger than a tennis ball. A fight broken out again (owner was not watching dog) when a German Shepard Mix had a hack Sack ball in his mouth. The Shepard Mix was getting bigger; tail was up high another dog runs over to play tug a war then my dog runs over as the two dogs started fighting. My dog got a small nick on his forehead. Again, I was there to grab my dog to prevent further damage because I WAS WATCHING MY DOG AND THE OTHER PERSON'S DOG!!!
It does work two ways. Yeah my dog can get hyped up. I removed my dog from the park when he did not seem to like another dog and started showing dominance towards a mastiff breed. The last thing anyone should want is for their dogs to fight and get injured. People need to be more aware of dog's behavior. I am so tired of hearing "My dog is not usually like this", Yeah okay! Dogs have teeth and they will bite if triggered. Every living creature has a breaking point If my dog is too excited at the 7 to 10 level, 10 being max he does not enter the park. Other people should have the same consideration. When dogs are not exercised before entering the park there more likely to become over anxious - that will cause a fight.
I think people that bring dogs to dog parks need to pass an exam about dog language, how to prevent fights and the fee should be more than 20 dollars a year. Either the owners don't care, are in denial (no my dog would not do that) or they may just need to be a little more educated on dog language. I have been to the Canton Dog Park 7 times the past month and only entered 2 times because from a distance I observed owners not watching their dogs and when their dogs where displaying signs of dominance like mounting, growling with hair and tail up to high or down to low, bulling, pouncing. The other time I never entered because my dog was too hyped up. PEOPLE PLEASE THE DOG PARK IS FOR THE COMMUNITY WATCH YOUR DOG!!!. I am at the point where I do not want to go to the park with my dog. I would love to most of the patrons and dogs are cool. My dog had a great time there before. It is always that few that screw it up for others. read more