Aggressive dogs

Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

I think the biggest crime to dogs is when people personify them. We've been taking our dog to the park since she was 4 months old and she is very well socialized. We had just come back from camping in NH where it seemed NOONE wanted their dogs to interact and play-except for 2 owners and one of the dogs became aggressive and it really shook our dog up. We took her to the park this weekend because we thought she'd have some energy to burn. She encountered a dog that was a little bit snappy-really not a huge deal. As a result of that along with the stress of the car trip, etc., our dog got snappy with another dog (who handled it wonderfully) and we left after a few minutes of seeing she couldn't calm down. We're definitely going to bring her back but probably during less busy times to begin with.
Not every visit is ideal but what can you do?
I think the term "aggressive" should be used a lot more sparingly than it is.

Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

The first post on this subject is way out of line IMO. Follow someone to their house? Call their insurance company? Ever heard of stalking?

I've taken my Shepard there tons of times with no issues. Today he got into it with a dog and got bit in the ear. Nothing bad. Then he got into it with another dog. Then the two dogs that he got in fights with got in a fight with each other. Maybe it was bad karma. I don't know. I'll just chalk it up to "dogs will be dogs".

Regardless, I put my dog in a submissive state and reprimanded him letting him know that sort of behavior will not be tolerated by me. He was cool after that. We'll try again tomorrow and see what happens.

More owners need to get the dominant role over their pets. I saw a bulldog try to mount this lab puppy for over an hour and the owner was blaming the dog and not really doing anything about it. Dogs need to be told from their owners what is right and wrong. They should not be expected to read your mind.

Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 6

Generally, in a situation in which I am unsure if things are ok, I am looking at the dog who is not tog dog. Is that dog cowering/whimpering/giving "I give up" signals? If it is, is the other dog listening? Has it backed off a few inches? Then you're all good. If not, well, I prefer to let the dogs try to work it out themselves if at all possible. If not, generally it gets pretty loud and everyone's attention is focused, so you'll have the owners over there pretty fast.

I could not agree more that over protective owners are a big problem - they create a feeling of fear in their own dogs. Those dogs never have the chance to learn how to interact well in difficult situations. What a shame.

Maybe I feel this way because I have a submissive dog who is VERY LOUD. Even when playing by himself he's growling. It's his play growl. I know it doesn't mean anything, but how would anyone else know that? I know that as soon as another dog says enough he's tucking his tail. But the other owners don't see that. Unfortunately, now when I walk in I'm on edge, for fear of other owners not understanding my dog. I'm worried he'll pick up my feelings of tenseness and think there is something to fear here. I don't know how to handle that.

Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

We are new to the park and love the dogs and the parents. We have a rescued lab mix that was running away at home. We found out later that she is also part whippet. While at the dog park, she runs fast and seems to play well with other dogs. I am just afraid that her enthusiasm will be interpreted for aggression. I have no problem with the dogs sniffing and rolling each other around. I would appreciate any feedback so that I don't offend anyone. Thanks, Mallory's Mom

Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

I would kind of match up the dog yours is playing with with its owner and maybe just ask if they mind. Most large dog owners understand the rough play but be prepared and not discouraged when you get someone who disapproves of it. (chances are it will happen once in a while...)
I noticed when we brought our 2 year old lab mix to the park for the first time this season, she was a little fresh at first and I was quite surprised. She settled in after a bit-each time is a new experience, that's for sure!

Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 20

This afternoon i brought a 8 year old rescue german shepherd to the dog park. Something interesting occured, a small toy breed dog, shitzu or something else was chasing our rescue shepherd and barking. Casey became interested in the barking dog and started chasing her, the small dog run behind the owner and started squeeling. At this point a number of dogs in the park are attracted to the noise, while I have ahold of the Casey, the small dog is simultaneously approached by a number of dogs, all the breeds inclusive. It so happens that a pitbull mix was the first to grab the squeeling dog by the neck and toss it around side to side like a toy.
The parent of the small dog started crying and screaming, adding more to the confusion. While no major injuries occured in this case, there is a moral to this story. While you think it is cute and cuddly that your small dog barks at larger dogs and thinks he is a large dog, he is not, their barking, teasing and squeeling is just as bad as the pitbull tossing them like a toy. Small dog owners please follow the rules and keep your dogs in the small dogs area. It is not safe for them to play with large dogs, they could get stepped on, bit or squished against a tree. After all, myself as a large breed owner don't let my dog play with LIONS. (10lbs dog to 90lbs dog = 90lbs dog to a 800lbs tame lion.

Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

Sali, there is no rule that small dogs stay in the small dog area. Please refer to the rules. http://wethersfielddogpark.org/New%20Page%201_files/ParkRules.htm

A dog playing with another like it is a toy is plain aggression. There is no excuse for that behavior from the larger dog. End of story. Furthermore, aggressive dogs are not allowed in the dog park.

If that dog had attacked mine like that, I would have sued for any veterinary bills incurred and possibly contacted the authorities.

Dogs that are not socialized to play with other dogs should not be at the park.

Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 3

I dont think that it is smart to have your small dog in an area with dogs that are more than 2, 3, or even 4 or more times larger than your dog.
Wether it was the Pit, Shepard or even a golden that grabbed the small dog is not the problem. The others, and the other poster said all breeds, were making sure that the small dog new that its behaviour was not wanted and he/she got punished for it. I am also willing to be that it was a female pit that actually reprimanded the "tiny" agressor. Pits are nice dogs and friendly dogs IF the owner knows what they are doing. The pit in my opinion, was not wrong or agressive.

Sali, I can see that you know that the small dogs can be the worst offenders when it comes to "aggression".

Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

I think it's fine if a small dog is on the big dog side...as long as he can hold his own. I've seen a few small dogs run and play fine w/ the big dogs and I've seen huge dogs on the small dog side just laying around. I do find it interesting that a poster thinks it probably was a female pit-we have a female lab mix and she does not like it when our kids are rough housing or yelling-she goes for the feet of anyone making too much noise. It's never vicious, but I do think she's trying to keep everyone in line and keep the peace. I know the owners of the tiny dog were probably very upset but I have to say that I would've never brought a tiny dog on that side of the park-she had to know it wasn't a good fit if she watched for a few minutes prior to entering.