For those of you that go to dog parks

nicwithcandy

We’ve been having a lot of issues with Luca at the dog park lately, once he finally stopped mounting the other dogs, he’s moved on to “stalking” them and then chasing them down and biting them on their backs. Have any of you experienced this with your dogs? He doesn’t do it all the time, but enough to annoy other people and us. He seems to zero in on certain dogs and just keep on them. Its not always the same type of dogs either, meaning its not always submissive dogs or aggressive. There are some dogs there that “play rough” and its ok because they give it back to him and he usually will give up and go away, but other people get mad. Don’t get me wrong, I am on top of him and I pull him away and try to correct him. I do remember Newman doing this when he was younger, but he wasn’t as bad and he did outgrow it. Would you consider this to be aggressive or just dominant? I take it as dominance, because once in awhile he does it to Newman at home in the yard, but once Newman gets mad enough and goes back at him he won’t do it for weeks. He’s not mean, he just gets crazy. I can’t tell how hard he is biting the dogs either because some will cry but others don’t and I don’t know if the ones that cry are wimpy or what! He’s never bit them to where he’s broke the skin, he may even just be mouthing and not biting, I can’t tell. I know dog parks aren’t the best place for dogs, a lot fights and pent up energy. My trainer did suggest walking him and tiring him out before going, he said too many people use the dog park to tire out their dogs and that’s where the problems begin because you have all these dogs with pent up energy. Im hoping he gets better, but for the time being no more dog park because Im tired of people looking at me funny! I was just wondering if any of you guys have experienced this and what did you do. Thanks

anne · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

I think your trainer is right.

Yes I have had my dogs pick on some dogs for whatever reason. It happens, just the whole pack thing. It's PR issue for people, usually well adjusted dogs know what they are doing. Honestly, if it gets too bad, even if I don't think my dog is at fault, I will leave. Again, it's a people issue usually.

If your dog is not breaking skin, it is probably nothing. On the other hand, soemtiems if you let things like this go on too long, they do learn to be a bully in gneeral. Conversely some wimpier dogs need to be "protected" a bit, so that they don't lose too much self confidence either. This is not to say that either type of dog, or situation, is right or wrong. As I said most well adjusted dogs know what they are doing in a pack situation with other dogs...

So I guess I'd say, just let your common sense lead you on this one...

nicwithcandy · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Understood. Thanks so much Anne.

CoopersMummy · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:24 am Post subject:

Cooper has done exactly that and I agree with Anne, it is a people and a PR issue. we no longer go to the dog park and instead do long training walks and off leash hikes in more remote areas. Cooper never had a pattern (different dogs, submissive, neutral and aggressive) - we found it easier, less stressful to go elsewhere. Just use your common sense (as Anne said) - it has served us and Cooper well!

DukesMom · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:42 am Post subject:

Is Newman with you at the dog park? Is it possible that he sees this as his chance to be the alpha dog when Newman is not around?

platypus · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:13 am Post subject:

The dog park makes me really nervous, the last time we were there a huge black lab mauled my GSP who was about 5 months and 35 lbs at the time. I would suggest going in the morning when there are fewer dogs, but thats just me.

oregonweim · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

whatever makes you comfortable is the best course of action. I'm probably an *bum* but I will correct any dog near me that isn't behaving, not just my own (who get corrected sometimes as well Very Happy

). Part of the issue at parks imo is many owners disengage from their dogs as soon as they come in, which is why many just become 'free radicals' doing what they please Very Happy

. If worried about 'attacks', one thing I always keep in mind is that they are going for one dog to submit, they aren't going to kill. Quick story, my friend lost both of her dalmations last year (old age) and unexpectedly picked up an approimately 18 mth old dal which we have been helping to socialize. He does ok, but is much better than he was. At the park on Friday however, both my boy miles and him went after the same toy. normally it isn't an issue, but the dal decided it was his and 'went after' miles for trying to get it. Sounded extremely nasty, everyone was freaking out. Lasted 10 seconds or less then stopped. I just watched and calmly walked over to them both, first took the toy so neither had it, then checked them both out. They both had slobber on their necks but neither one had so much as a scratch. Tough talk is all it was.

nicwithcandy · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:00 am Post subject: