Wore out our welcome at the dog park, mean mastiff.

[VentiandMe]

Well I knew the day would come when I'd probably stay away from the dog parks and it happened about 2 weeks ago. For the last month and a half, my EM had been getting a more defensive and also protective of my Boston Terrier (his older smaller sister). But about two weeks ago we took him to the dog park and he was playing just fine with a 8 month old Vizsla. We were tossing a ball around and the other dog (Vizsla) stopped to look at the ball, LOOKING only. Next thing you know...my EM is chasing this poor puppy in full on kill mode trying to attack it. I was quick to react to catch him and correct him, but I was surprised how my EM actually pursued the dog even though he didn't have the ball!!! My breeder and trainer has always said to be careful at the dog parks and it goes both ways. So that's that I guess, I can't afford for my EM to hurt any dogs that's for sure. The old days of him cowarding and being a big baby are over...

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Your boy is growing up and coming into his own and he doesn't want anyone checking out his balls! LOL Can't say I blame him. I have never done the dog park thing but I know there have been others that have and had really positive experiences. At least he didn't hurt the other dog and you did your part to remove him from the situation.

 

[VentiandMe]

lol, gotta protect the family jewels for sure. I was kinda thinking he would be more of a timid, shy EM, by the way he acted when he was younger...I couldn't have been more wrong. Now he will not hesitate to turn and face any dog...lol. That cute face of his can turn quite scary when he turns the tough guy mode on. haha. Still love him though and he lets me tackle him and slap him around when we play so that's all that matters.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Ruger handles dogs really well. He actually likes them as long as they don't get too pushy but people on the other hand are a whole different story. I keep Ruger away from places like that because his whole focus is to protect me at all costs. He doesn't care one way or the other about people, dogs, noises....he doesn't bother with anything unless someone gets too close to me and he will, without a doubt, handle it so I have to be very watchful with him. He is controlled and happy but if someone gets close, he is a very different dog. I manage it fine. Being aware of it is all there is...We still go all over the place. Ruger was never a timid or shy EM from the beginning but he also wasn't a super "pet me" attention lover either. It is funny to watch them become who they are going to be. They are something else!

 

[AKBull]

We had to say goodbye to the dog park last summer... It started with someone else wanting to play with his stick, and violently defending it, then turned into looking for trouble with any other large males.

 

[tb44]

First let me say venti is handsome and I love his name!! Thank God he didn't get the dog. Were you able to call him back or did you physically have to pull him off?

 

[VentiandMe]

AKbull^^yea my trainer called the ball a "High value item". Trying to have it not turn into UDFC out there. lol.

Ruger-Kris - yea he's great with people..no issues at all. In fact, he will go cruise around to all the people to get his allotted pets and praises. Weird heh. I am always aware of what he COULD do when around other dogs so I am always ready to respond and correct when I see that crap.

 

[VentiandMe]

First let me say venti is handsome and I love his name!! Thank God he didn't get the dog. Were you able to call him back or did you physically have to pull him off?

Thanks!! I called to him, but he was in attack mode..so I had to run him down. He actually tried to bite the vizsla's back, but he appeared to only slime him. I was talking to the owner of the vizsla when Venti decided to do this...it was quite embarrassing for sure. SHe was very nice though and was not angry. I had a feeling he might do that and reacted fast, thankfully. The poor pup was crying

 

[STEVSH]

Yes dog parks are in our past as well. The day Topaz flipped our friends' neighbor's rat terrier about 6 feet straight up in the air because he was jumping on me, was the day. I can't trust that she will be OK with smaller dogs, so it's just not going to happen anymore.

 

[tb44]

I can only imagine the damage he could of done if he wanted too. When is the last time you ran that fast? Lol Is 8 months around the time they usually start showing their adult " temperament"?

 

[ruthcatrin]

8-9 months isn't unusual, and they usually get another influx of "adult" at 2yrs-ish

Glad it worked out ok at the dog park!

 

[Ferae Naturae]

Your boy is growing up and coming into his own and he doesn't want anyone checking out his balls! LOL Can't say I blame him. I have never done the dog park thing but I know there have been others that have and had really positive experiences. At least he didn't hurt the other dog and you did your part to remove him from the situation.

Lmfao! :thumbup:

 

[Ferae Naturae]

Neither of my mastiffs tolerate obnoxious dogs which seem to be plentiful at dog parks around these parts so I won't even bother with them.

Cuda only likes other dogs that she met when she was younger. After she hit 8 months she decided she didn't care for new dog friends. She's aloof with them unless they're being obnoxious with nobody correcting them, then she wants to put them in their place.

 

[DennasMom]

We had a similar issue - balls were again the culprit. One ball-obsessive border collie mix decided to get possessive with a ball, and Denna decided to tell him off... she pinned him before I could get over there - but just the mastiff neck-pin, she wasn't even using her mouth on him. Still... it was quite a noisy ruckus. When I told her to 'leave it' and grabbed her collar, she dropped the idea and came right with me (whew!). We sat and let everyone calm down and shake it all off... when she was calm and happy again, I gave her 5 more minutes to swing through the crowd (maybe 5 dogs total), then we made our exit. I wanted to leave on a positive note to make sure that ruckus didn't leave a lasting impression with Denna or anyone else, either - the other owners were all AOK, too (the ball-obsessed pup's mom included... she knew the ball might be a problem, but they're EVERYWHERE at that park). We've since been back, and two other dogs got into a ruckus (which surprised the heck out of BOTH owners). Denna was enthralled watching the event... but I was VERY happy she left it at watching - from 2 feet away - and did not attempt to get involved. That was another spit-only event (no broken skin). They all went back to playing after a short time-out then, too...

 

[Marrowshard]

Yup - balls are evil! Oscar's run into that before ... just fine with another dog, pallin' around then BAM there's a ball and suddenly the fur is flying. Nothing makes me feel worse than having my dog go after someone else's pet (regardless of who/what started it). We've never done dog parks with Oscar because we know his tendency to assert himself. Good thing you caught it before it turned nasty!

~Marrow

 

[Seanndenise]

Last I had a dog, there wasn't such a thing as a dog park.

I thought about taking my pup to one so he could play with some other dogs but thought better of it on account of parvo.

I'm waiting until he gets all his shots and is a little older before I let him roam anyone's yard or other places.

Maybe I'm a worry wart

 

[jcook]

I brought Stella do dog parks when she was younger, it was a small
Dog park so it enabled me to manage her and actually do some constructive training. We haven't had any real issues that the dog park, but since she hit 90lbs I pretty much never take her. She is a little more confident now and she gets pissed when a dog goes to mount her. Since she is always the biggest dog I worry that she might hurt another dog (by accident or self defense), I don't want to go down that road, so I pretty much avoid them. The other day we walked past a random one and let her play for a few minutes, it went well, but i prefer our hikes. The only thing I won't give up is dog beach. Fortunately it's really open and you can avoid dogs more easily. And we don't go there often, sand and salt water poops are something I like to keep at a minimum.

Our English bulldog is ball CRAZY lol. So dog parks really arnt his thing ha.

 

[Gunny]

I never take a ball or toy to the park with Gunny because I know how he is with them. We've only taken him to the dog park a few times and they've been mostly pleasant. One time we went, a guy with three greyhounds was there and his dogs were not friendly at all. I was actually hoping Gunny would put them in their place. If one of the other dogs is being a turd, he'll just igonre them and do his own thing, but I know if he had a ball/stick, he would not deal well with another dog trying to take it. I've learned not to try to take away his toys when he's really into playing with them.

 

[joshuagough]

I respect anyone's opion that wants to avoid the dog park for various reasons.

However I think it to be a injustice to my dog for him to act inapproriate, then me remove him from the situation and him never learn the correct manner to act in a given situation.

We had a Mastiff owners pup get in a fuss with a dane the other night, she stated she wouldn't be coming back. They weren't trying to kill one another, one was back into a corner and got uncomfortable with it and lashed out. Dogs are animals and your not going to take instinct out of them, but pure avoidance in my mind guarantee's the same result given the situation arise again.

I won't allow my dogs to be in the park when I'm aware their is a out of control dog that commonly creates issues, but in the same since I'm well aware of my dogs reactions & lack their of towards other animals. I believe the parks to be one of my greatest training aids.

$.02

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thor was pretty much chill at the dog park, he never really interacted with the dogs just the surroundings. I stand by toys+various dogs=bad idea. Thor paid the price with the puncture wound to the leg. Other dog (another dane) became possessive of the toy.

I'm not sure how Stone would be, since he's never gone nor will he go to a dog park. However he's reaction with Thor gave me answer that he will not back down. Even with Thor who was nearly three times his size.

I don't see the point in dog parks but many people stand by them. I just hope they be careful and realize there is a risk.