So I went to the dog park for a quick get-away from my friends' house, as it's a construction zone right now... After about 10 minutes this family arrives, looking like they're coming from a wedding or a quinsietta (spell ?)...They do not have a dog w/ them... So there they are letting their kids run around barefoot (gross) in the dog park. Then they start getting dogs to chase them (great idea, not). I notice a huge mastiff that is a formerly abused dog / rescue getting all tense, just keying in on these kids screaming and running ...so his owner leaves.
A few minutes later, my dog Kyra who is still puppy-ish starts chasing one of the little boys, he is screaming / laughing sort of terrified and having fun - whilst Kyra is getting all hyped up and the play is becomming aggressive-like. Because he keeps running I can't get ahold of Kyra and I am getting freaked...
I tell them to please ask their son not to run and have the dogs chase him. They do nothing. I tell them again and say that he'll get bitten and it'll be MY liability not theirs...they do barely anything. I tell them maybe they should go to a kids park and not a dog park...the other guy tells me they have just as much right to be there and to take my ''beast'' and get out of here...and that I should leave...
I'm like ''no I don't think so buddy..." So then he calls me a bitch. I tell him he's charming, a really classy guy. I'm in no mood for this and I swear he's going to hit me or something. Then I hear him say " I'm gonna kill that dog..." { Kid is still running }
Kyra is getting more and more aggressive, kid still running. I finally grab the kid so I can grab Kyra. Kid starts fake crying saying she bit him.
The other guys says... THAT'S IT...CALL THE COPS RIGHT NOW.
I ask to see the kids' leg, he won't show me...finally I grab his pant leg and pull it up there is nothing, not a scrape, nothing.
They didn't call the police... I waited till they left and I left...For some reason I just started crying. I think I was so angry and upset and felt
like I was attacked for something I was trying to prevent. It put a big damped on my day, those asshats.
Looking back I wish they had called the police.
A few minutes later, my dog Kyra who is still puppy-ish starts chasing one of the little boys, he is screaming / laughing sort of terrified and having fun - whilst Kyra is getting all hyped up and the play is becomming aggressive-like. Because he keeps running I can't get ahold of Kyra and I am getting freaked...
I tell them to please ask their son not to run and have the dogs chase him. They do nothing. I tell them again and say that he'll get bitten and it'll be MY liability not theirs...they do barely anything. I tell them maybe they should go to a kids park and not a dog park...the other guy tells me they have just as much right to be there and to take my ''beast'' and get out of here...and that I should leave...
I'm like ''no I don't think so buddy..." So then he calls me a bitch. I tell him he's charming, a really classy guy. I'm in no mood for this and I swear he's going to hit me or something. Then I hear him say " I'm gonna kill that dog..." { Kid is still running }
Kyra is getting more and more aggressive, kid still running. I finally grab the kid so I can grab Kyra. Kid starts fake crying saying she bit him.
The other guys says... THAT'S IT...CALL THE COPS RIGHT NOW.
I ask to see the kids' leg, he won't show me...finally I grab his pant leg and pull it up there is nothing, not a scrape, nothing.
They didn't call the police... I waited till they left and I left...For some reason I just started crying. I think I was so angry and upset and felt
like I was attacked for something I was trying to prevent. It put a big damped on my day, those asshats.
Looking back I wish they had called the police.
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San Diego
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 5:00 PMAnd this is why I no longer go to the dog park. There are just too many asshats with and without dogs. ARGGHHHH! Now I want to go beat him up!
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 6:01 PMI feel your frustration and anger, however I would suggest NEVEDR NEVER grab someone else's kid. That can get you in trouble right quick especially if those guys were being so aggressive about being there.
Police aren't going to listen to you over a "distraught" parent upset that some stranger laid hands on thier precious snowflake. Poeple have been accused and put in jail over stuff for very little when involves children. Seriously.
Unless the kid is on fire, or about to jump over a cliff into a pile of broken glass, I never lay a hand on any child not of my own blood kin.
Best to just leave, even though it sucks and is completely unfair. Dog parks are usually mixed public use, so people can use the area even if they don't have dogs. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 8:01 PMwe dont go to dog parks anymore either cuzza idiot PEOPLE...... bet they were looking for someone to sue. It was almost you.
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 8:31 PMI rarely go to the dog park either. Not so much people w/o dogs but its the new dog owners who freak out about their dogs and/or have no control over them. Irritates the fu*k out of me. Oh its not cute when little Mr. Fluffy humps your leg and terrorizes your dog.
Did you check the sign at the dog park .... all the ones around me say if you dont have a dog you cant come in....WHich is FAB!!!
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 11:19 PMElaine, I think Snake is correct... I'll have to check the sign next time. I do believe that it says something about younger children must have parental supervision AT ALL TIMES. I had to grab the stupid kid b/c I couldn't get Kyra's attention with him screaming and running...otherwise he would have gotten bitten. They were seriously asshats - one guy was fairly cool - the other guy probably goes home and beats his wife - he had serious anger management issues.
My (normal) dog park is pretty cool... I see mostly the same people everyday...and Kyra has her boyfriend there - a Portuguese something or other - like a little bit larger sized chiauhua... "Bo" - they wrestle tough and he hangs by his teeth on her cheek and she tolerates it...they roll around together - it's hilarious...she's like 10x his size...and are enamoured with one another...people stand around and laugh watching them... I'll post a pic of them. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 11:23 PM
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Wed, July 23, 2008 - 6:54 PMHereabouts the dog parks are for dogs, but people can jog through them or walk through to them on the way to other places.
Anyway, I wasn't criticizing you or anyone.. But be careful about touching other people' kids is all.
They have germs and cooties!
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Wed, July 23, 2008 - 8:13 AMI hate when people don't listen to you when you ask nicely and you're just being honest about your dog. Ugh. I've always had positive experiences at the dog parks in Seattle, but it depends on the one I go to. Several are just penned-in circles where owners tend to stand in a circle, which can cause a "pit fight" feel for the dogs - I avoid those although I've only heard of bad stories there and haven't had one of my own (knock on wood!). My favorite ones are where we get to roam a large park (there are a few in Seattle - lucky us!) and go from different areas - a nice little walk in the park for me and doggie heaven for my "kids." For those in Seattle Magnuson is my favorite and there's a lake at the end of the path they get to frolic in - that's where things can get a little nuts so I like to go weekday evenings. :)
I had a situation with a kid where he kept following me while his parents sat at a picnic table barely watching from a far distance. Saffy gets very focused on playing fetch and will bite at anything that comes between her and fetch so I had to walk away from the kid to avoid a confrontation. It was annoying because she really wanted/needed to play and it was interrupted because I was worried she'd hurt a kid. :P Luckily the park is large enough that I can just walk way and go to another area. If a family with unruly kids showed up I'd probably leave like the first guy you mentioned. Better to avoid the whole situation rather than wait and see - just sucks that you're the one that has to leave and not the other way around. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Wed, July 23, 2008 - 4:51 PMWe take our pooches to Cesar Chavez park in Berkeley. It's great because it's enormous, so the focus is running and hanging out instead of interaction with other dogs. They have a huge off-leash section, which is perfect for my bundle of energy. We've had few negative interactions, but I do remember the woman who walked her dog on leash through the off-leash area right by the watering place (such a no no) looking tense and yanking her dogs head up and muttering "He is NOT FRIENDLY" to everyone. So odd and stupid. I've heard a lot of complaints about smaller dog parks and would never go to one. People that are idiots about their pets are often idiots about their children. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Thu, July 24, 2008 - 10:15 PMUnfortunately, they haven't found the cure for stupid yet. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 8:38 AMDave, you are funny.
Elaine...no worries.
This is the pop up that Tribe advertised...
www.lifescript.com/channels...anger.asp -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 9:01 AMI read a lot about dog parks before we went to one - I was warned by many people that they can be trouble. I think it comes down to your dog's social skills, your ability to recall, the size/design of the park, how well you can read your dog's body language, etc...
A lot of factors make up whether a dog park visit will turn out well or not and most of it is out of your control, but practicing recall is invaluable! We used to have the hardest time getting Saffy to come when called at the park - everything was too exciting! She'd walk way out ahead of us until we started playing "find me." We'd turn our backs and keep an eye on her and when she'd notice we turned around she'd run for us. We did this several times until she got the idea that she needs to keep an eye on us because we might disappear.
Now she walks a little ahead of us and constantly "checks in" with us to make sure we're all together and I feel fairly confident that if I see a situation happening I can call her away from it. Recall is hard and it can take years, but in a moment of stress where you need your dog's undivided attention, you can't go back in time and make the training happen - it's there or it's not. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 10:35 AMSo true Tri...and she's (Kyra) has gotten much better on her recall...every now and then she's on her own agenda...lame.
I agree with your recall method. Sometimes, if she won't come I just run in the other direction and she'll come running.
This situation with the kid just happened so fast, in a matter of like 1 or 2 minutes.
I try to stay pretty conscious as to not just stand around at the dog park and chit chat, not monitoring Winston and Kyra.
For the most part, I really like dog parks...just not the stupid people that go along with them.... -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 3:21 PMMy friend taught her dogs to be absolutely incredible off leash with recall tricks. She'd walk around the neighborhood with them and hide in doorways or behind things so that the dogs were, eventually, constantly looking for her and keeping an eye on her. I've never seen more well behaved dogs off leash.
My dogs (especially Farrah, the pitbull with baggage) feed off my anxiety. I've read a lot of Cesar Millan's work and incorporated his ideas into our life, and the results have been really worthwhile. The first time Farrah was at the dog park and went to bowl some dog over and I said "FARRAH, COME" and she wheeled around and came right to my side....oh my lord I was proud. It made me want to take her there every day. We still have some days where she's distracted, but for the most part she stays in our "pack". Unfortunately, you can't expect that of everyone else.
Those people and their kids sound so frusterating. I'm sorry that happened. All the parents I have encountered have, by instinct and general common sense, kept an eye on their kids around dogs. I would be just as mad as you if I had do deal with something like that. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 5:36 PMman, thats great for you guys that they look for you. Max so does not care. Long as Im moring at a good rate on our walks he wont even look back at me. One of the times we did go to the dog park I was watching him run around and have a great time (i miss going) and I saw him trying to leave with some other family and their dog. He had gotten in the exit enclosure and was prompting them "LETS GO".... luckly for me they didnt want him. LOL> outside of the yard he is never off leash, NEVER.... I know he loves me but I think he is a bit too confident Id always find him, damn independent (trusting) Tibbies. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 5:38 PMand YES. i let him walk ahead of me on our walks....... Its his time and he is well behaved and does not pull. He will wait when I tell him and follow other commands . Plus he always looks first and asks to cross the street. I mean its HIS walk and I dont know where all the good smells are....... -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 6:10 PMPippin is very much like Max...he'd go anywhere with anyone. He has tried to attack several dogs, but does great with others. I just never know who he's going to take a liking to and who he isn't so no dog park for Pip. His strong prey drive, unpredictability with other dogs and willingness to go with anyone also means that Pip is leashed whenever he's not at home.
I've read Cesar Milan and believe in his basic teachings...exercise, discipline, and praise in that order.
However, I don't want my dog to be some sort of automaton. He has his own life to lead as well. Yes, I am Commander in Chief, but I don't feel it is my place to tell him where to leave his scent marks (allowing for certain etiquettes, of course) on walkies cause as Cracker McGringo has said, how should I know which areas need tending? I believe that territorial scent marking is as important to a canine psyche as chewing, or playing.
I no longer let him go through a doorway before I do, and I do make sure he stays at my side while we walk, and this he has come to accept. He is also not allowed to sleep anywhere above where my shoulder rests, but yes, he does sleep in bed with me.
I want my dog to exercise free will to a certain extent. I think of dog training more as teaching manners than in trying to make a dog do every single thing I command, cause franky, I want a friend, not a minion. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 6:56 PMFor sure, I don't follow everything Cesar says. I view what he says as a guide to understanding dog psychology and interacting with them accordingly. My dog sleeps on the bed, on the couch, and is often ahead of me on walks. But she knows who's in charge, and it's been much less disputed since I started following Cesar's advice. She seems happier and more content since, to be honest. I can't agree with everything he says; I have snuggles the pitbull here, and I enjoy cuddling and affection as much as she does. And I love her to death, but there isn't time in the day for all the walks he expects people to go on. So when I mention his work, it's only as a rough guideline because it's helped me so much. Not necessarily for everyone, but it is an understanding of dogs, not training. He mentions that a lot....training is sit, stay, etc etc....being a calm and assertive pack leader is totally different, just the way you interact with your dog. It works well for us! -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 7:01 PMWhen you have a big overbearing pitbull, too, it's a little more important to know that she WILL respond to my command, not that she necessarily has to. Control is important to excersize when necessary when you have the kind of dog that other people equate with lawsuits. This is Farrah doing her absolute favorite thing ever on our off-leash woods walks: finding an enormous stick and hauling it around.
farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/6...03b.jpg -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Fri, July 25, 2008 - 8:03 PMi agree w thistle not to (in my opinion) overtrain him. I love his personality and I found the more I trained him the less personality he revealed. He is his own being but knows when I mean business and whats acceptable to me. Mostly he is allowed to do as he wishes tho and I love that. He is very low key so its cool he self manages. He helps me remember whats really important and what isnt. Most mornings he picks a beautiful flower to stop and smell. I love him because of his lil quirks ...... even If he may desire to leave the dogpark with the lady witht the big boobs and a bigger dog. (yes he LOVES the large breasted women and big dogs). the only time he gets "his lipstick" out is when there is a shapely woman near, LOL Its so funny to me. I guess it could help or hurt my game. I do see the dogparks as too risky tho from our encounters there. He is very brave and cant imaging anyone would ever what to harm him. I have to be careful around snarling dogs cuz he will just stick his head in their jaws........ dumb sweetheart -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Sat, July 26, 2008 - 4:32 AM
Nathan, did I ever tell you about the time my late OshKosh chased a German Shepherd? -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Sat, July 26, 2008 - 7:05 AMWell, if you haven't told him before, you have to tell us all now! -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Sat, July 26, 2008 - 12:43 PMamen thistle. and NO silver....... better get splaining........./LOL -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Sun, July 27, 2008 - 5:11 AM
Nothing too spectacular. I had taken Osh to my Belly Dance class with me, and after class as we were heading to the car, he saw a big GS and decided to chase it. (Silly me, I didn't have him on a leash, as in the past he always stayed right with me and got right in the car. ) The GS was loose too, and just ran in the other direction, not waning to be bothered. Thankfully it didn't decide to go after Osh. The GS's owner called their dog to them, and in the process I caught up to Osh and scooped him up. (This was in a very small shopping plaza. ) Of course the GS's owner grouched at me, but I figure we were both at fault. Luckily no one was hurt. But that's when I found out that Osh thought of himself as being *much* bigger than he really was! (That was close to 25 years ago. I'm a LOT better about keeping my pups leashed since then! )
So anyway, I figure it's likely that a lot of Tibbies think of themselves as being much larger than they are. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Sun, July 27, 2008 - 6:14 PMwell..... Ive always written it off to their origins and paired with tibetan mastiffs as patrol partners. Apparantly some of that breeding/conditiioning has stuck around. They are somewhat indepentant thinkers anyway....lol. TY for sharing the story tho. Thas why max isnt off leash cept at home. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 28, 2008 - 9:10 AMI agree with everyone on here for the most part... Cesar is AWESOME, but there is no way in hell I have an hour twice a day to walk my dogs.
Or at least I should say I am not willing to make that time everyday... I already devote and shape my life around them.
I love the picture of Farah with her big stick (log) ! She looks so proud.
I saw a friend of mine at the dog park and she couldn't believe how far Kyra has come since I first got her or she got me, which was nice to hear...
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 28, 2008 - 11:54 AMYeah, the two hours is just a bit too much. I walk mine for an hour a day and even that is hard to fit in. But they love it and they are usually so beat when we get home. -
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Re: Why is there always drama at the dogpark(s)
Mon, July 28, 2008 - 5:20 PMI would walk max an hour each, twice a day. BUT too many shootings here in the afternoon, and I dont want us to be one (or two) of them ...plus when its the least bit hot he tires/overheats too quickly (15 mins it too much) and in cali cool nights arent that often so I hate to get him used to something that isnt realistic to keep up. Maybe once we get back east. Im anxious tee see what he thinks of the snow. we do have a rambunctious game of fetch then "chase me" most evenings.......= )
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