[Kolokireo]

Sorry, Val, but I thought a personal story might help here. Make the OP see the situation from the point of view of someone very upset by an incident and worried for their dog. There are many such stories both here and at my other forum. Many. If I took the time to get all the dog park incident stories together in one place it would take days to read through them all.

---------- Post added at 08:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 AM ----------

The problem was not my dog at all. The Dobby was going after a boxer not my pit.. My pit refused to get involved and hid under my legs when the Dobby got to biting. She was actually reacting very well. and since I just got back from vet today from her spay I found out she is a Cataoula leopard Bull.

Yes, the problem was your dog. Not that your dog may have done anything wrong, but that your dog was there in the first place.

Having one dog hiding while another dog menaces it is not "reacting well" and is potentially psychologically damaging to the dog. Maybe next time she decides to bite out of fear or starts seeing other dogs as potential dangers and becomes seriously dog aggressive.

A Catahoula Leopard dog mixed with any bully breed is still a bully breed dog mix and DA is common in the bullies.

The reality of dog parks is that the majority of dog owners have absolutely no freakin clue how to raise, train and supervise their dogs. You have already had an incident with an uncontrolled dog in this setting and you got off light. Will you keep taking your dog back, playing Russian roulette each visit, until something more serious happens?

[boxcigsnick]

I WILL NEVER take ANY dog of ANY breed to a dog park! The only way that happens is if I know all the dogs there (some times I would go with one or two friends and their dogs). Strange dogs are always a recipe for disaster.

[CHyLmxDr]

the dogs aren't the problem, owners like you (no harm meant) are the real problem.
dogs are animals, period.
WE are responsible for whatever happens to our dogs, and for whatever they may do wrong.

don't you get that dog parks are bad for ALL dog breeds?
it's infested with deseases, with irresponsible owners that think it's a great way of socializing

obviously, they have NOT done their homework on dog behavior in general, much less about that of their "beloved" breed or they would know that you do not socialize a dog by throwing it with 10 other different dogs.

dogs are pack animals, but don't be fooled, that doesn't mean 1 dog from 10 different packs, but ONE pack of dogs that's used to hang out together (like in a multi dog house)

get organised play dates if you really want to see your dog interacting and playing with other dogs.
(although I don't really see the need for it, but that's just me..)

[Thifiadardivy]

no need to repeat what has already been said...
the question now is are you going to learn from this, or are you going to defend and continue a practice that can harm your dog and set it up for failure?

[EnvellFen]

I found out she is a Cataoula leopard Bull.

Says who? The vet? It's just a guess, and most likely based on coloring. Unless you know exactly what each of your dog's parents were you have no idea what your dog is.

Don't believe me? Why don't you go buy one of those doggy DNA tests, I bet that'll clear things right up. lol

(FYI, incase you don't already know-they don't work and I'm being a smart ass by suggesting one)

If your dog appears to have any sort of bully breed in him, it is absolutely crucial that you do not bring your dog to the dog park. No matter what happens, it always some how gets twisted into a story of a vicious Pit Bull attacking a family friendly pooch. On top of that, dog parks are a bad idea all around-for any dog owner.

Stop being so lazy, put some work into your dog and find more responsible ways to socialize your dog.

[KixdricyArrip]

Bottom line and what people are trying to get thru to you...Dog Parks should be off limits. They set your dog and you up for failure. I know it looks like fun...until it isn't!

[fhutiussk]

The problem was not my dog at all.

This is how we felt, but not anymore.

After reading several threads here about the dangers of dog parks we swore off them forever.

Do your dog a favor and read up on the links provided at the start of this thread. You will be glad you did.

[Nptxsews]

If your dog appears to have any sort of bully breed in him, it is absolutely crucial that you do not bring your dog to the dog park. No matter what happens, it always some how gets twisted into a story of a vicious Pit Bull attacking a family friendly pooch. On top of that, dog parks are a bad idea all around-for any dog owner.

And if your dog does get involved in a fight, you then have to hear all the crap about "what if it bites a kid next?"

Dog parks are just a no go. I worked with many of the dogs that go to the local dog park, and was always horrified at their behavior both with other dogs and people. Needless to say, none of my dogs, regardless of breed will ever set foot in a dog park.

Too much risk, and these days, no one accepts responsibility for their actions, or their piss poor job of raising, training, containing and owning dogs. I almost went completely insane when I took my dogs to the art fair, and passed some girl with a massive DA pit bull ON A FREAKING FLEXI LEAD, that obviously was not locked, with the dog lunging and flipping out at passing dogs. And she was texting and talking to her boy toy the whole time. I was tempted to punch her in the boob, or at least shake some sense into her empty head.

[gnusnich]

dogparks aren't good for ANY BREED.

[MyOwnStyle]

dogparks aren't good for ANY BREED.

Agree.

[Kolokireo]

I almost went completely insane when I took my dogs to the art fair, and passed some girl with a massive DA pit bull ON A FREAKING FLEXI LEAD, that obviously was not locked, with the dog lunging and flipping out at passing dogs. And she was texting and talking to her boy toy the whole time. I was tempted to punch her in the boob, or at least shake some sense into her empty head.

Random landscaping bricks are good in those situations, Robyn. Just sayin.

No, seriously, the point a lot of people are making is that breed doesn't matter much and neither does your level responsibility as an owner. Its the other people and their rotten dogs and poor supervision you have to worry about. And, believe us all, the world is not short on idiot owners and their untrained dogs with mental issues.

[Nptxsews]

Random landscaping bricks are good in those situations, Robyn. Just sayin.

Believe me, I thought about it. Sadly, Ann Arbor is pretty spot on with their landscaping. If it was Ypsi, the bricks would be flying, and I could use the massive pot hole with the big metal sheet covering it as a nice shallow grave.

[Kolokireo]

Believe me, I thought about it. Sadly, Ann Arbor is pretty spot on with their landscaping. If it was Ypsi, the bricks would be flying, and I could use the massive pot hole with the big metal sheet covering it as a nice shallow grave.

Good heavens, between us we are going to scare the normal people away from MI and MI women....

[Nptxsews]

Good heavens, between us we are going to scare the normal people away from MI and MI women....

At least we're not lying to draw them in, only to have them leave horrified at our behavior. Besides, I don't see why anyone would want to come here. Anyone normal at least.

From what I've noticed, men LOVE Michigan women. Something about chicks who can fight really appeals to them.

Fun story from a friend who travels a lot, and is a native to this state. He was walking down the street in some other state and some beefed up, roided out guy bumped into him, and said "move bitch". My friend went to punch him in the face when his friend from that state grabbed him and said "He's not from Michigan man, he doesn't get it".

I've also heard we're the biggest bunch of sarcastic a**holes in the country.

[Kolokireo]

At least we're not lying to draw them in, only to have them leave horrified at our behavior. Besides, I don't see why anyone would want to come here. Anyone normal at least.

From what I've noticed, men LOVE Michigan women. Something about chicks who can fight really appeals to them.

Fun story from a friend who travels a lot, and is a native to this state. He was walking down the street in some other state and some beefed up, roided out guy bumped into him, and said "move bitch". My friend went to punch him in the face when his friend from that state grabbed him and said "He's not from Michigan man, he doesn't get it".

I've also heard we're the biggest bunch of sarcastic a**holes in the country.

I had my brother helping to remove a tree with a non native neighbor watching and chatting with us. Phrases like "I knew I let you live to adulthood for a reason. All that time finally paid off since I can make you pull trees and shit" and "Biggest bitch I have ever met and you gotta be my sister" were used.

The nonnative thought we hated each other and actually said as much. We were dumbfounded! Of course we love each other! We're always like this, its affection. Dude just walked away shaking his head.

Yeah, maybe we are sarcastic asshats.

[Lypepuddyu]

The way I correct my dog when she is doing something I disagree with really depends on the situation. For a case like yours were she is nipping at other dogs I would use a firm touch and the word NO in a authoritative voice.

If you're going to the dog park you have to really be on your toes there, always keep an eye on your dog, watch what is going on with other dogs how they are acting ect. There are rules to most dog parks, if a dog or owner isn't following them you can always point that out to them.

[Seesspoxy]

I never took my dogs to a dog park and never will. Doesn't matter if your dog starts it or not it will be a "pitbull" who did it.
I like to keep that, "Anything" can happen thought. just because she was cool with dogs and playful doesn't mean I could let my guard down, I socialized my pup as a pup but when she turned on at 6 months I stopped socializing because 1. she is semi DA and 2. I don't want to risk a dogfight

[zithromaxlinks]

The way I correct my dog when she is doing something I disagree with really depends on the situation. For a case like yours were she is nipping at other dogs I would use a firm touch and the word NO in a authoritative voice.

If you're going to the dog park you have to really be on your toes there, always keep an eye on your dog, watch what is going on with other dogs how they are acting ect. There are rules to most dog parks, if a dog or owner isn't following them you can always point that out to them.

I believe it's naive to think you have enough control in an "uncontrollable" situation as to be able to act in time to "use firm touch and the word NO in a authoritative voice." Why risk it at all???? Even the best outcome in a dogpark situation is that nothing happens and you go home with your dog----you've still laid out the possibility of all sorts of nasty health issues from other dogs who may or may not be carrying worms, ticks, fleas and on and on. The simple solution is to not be a part of the problem so that we can continue to own and love this breed.

[Lypepuddyu]

I believe it's naive to think you have enough control in an "uncontrollable" situation as to be able to act in time to "use firm touch and the word NO in a authoritative voice." Why risk it at all???? Even the best outcome in a dogpark situation is that nothing happens and you go home with your dog----you've still laid out the possibility of all sorts of nasty health issues from other dogs who may or may not be carrying worms, ticks, fleas and on and on. The simple solution is to not be a part of the problem so that we can continue to own and love this breed.

Who said anything about it being an uncontrolable situation??? And your simple solution doesn't help the people who are still going to go to the dogpark no matter what you tell them!

[Nptxsews]

I had my brother helping to remove a tree with a non native neighbor watching and chatting with us. Phrases like "I knew I let you live to adulthood for a reason. All that time finally paid off since I can make you pull trees and shit" and "Biggest bitch I have ever met and you gotta be my sister" were used.

The nonnative thought we hated each other and actually said as much. We were dumbfounded! Of course we love each other! We're always like this, its affection. Dude just walked away shaking his head.

Yeah, maybe we are sarcastic asshats.

It's terrible with me and Richie, or god, any of our friends.

Went to Chicago for Richie's sister's wedding, dear god. Everyone there was keeping an eye on us, because from the way we talked to each other they thought we would get in a fist fight. It was either because we were drinking scotch and whiskey, while everyone else stuck to vodka, or from the gratuitous C bombs he was dropping in reference to me, and all the obscenities I called him. His parents thought it was hilarious though.

The looks we got in stores and restaurants. I heard some people talking about calling the cops on us, because they thought we were clearly in an abusive relationship.

I spend a lot of time wondering if it's even worth it to move out of state, because so many non natives here can't handle my caustic attitude.

I definitely don't encourage any "normies" to come here. Crazy people though are more than welcome.

---------- Post added at 01:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 PM ----------

Who said anything about it being an uncontrolable situation??? And your simple solution doesn't help the people who are still going to go to the dogpark no matter what you tell them!

Uncontrollable situation means, a situation you have no control over.

You have no control over people's conduct at the dog park. No control over what their dogs may do, and how the people will handle it. No control on people actually paying true attention to their dogs. No control over whether people actually keep their dogs UTD on vaccinations, or decide to bring them even if their dogs have something contagious. There are too many people who feel their dog's aggressive or over dominant behavior is just them wanting to play.

Too many risks, too many unpleasant variables. But hell, it's not my dog. Have fun. Best start setting money aside for potential vet bills.