DH got bite at dog park

[taryndanae]

I used to take my dog, and I grew to hate it after the third time. .

I hate taking Cassius the dog park, and the only time I (actually DH does) is when we go with another friend (because of the room for the 2 of them to play). Whenever I was there, there was always some dog that was aggressive and an owner who did nothing...

 

[boilerupking]

we stopped going to our local dog park because of irresponsible owners who let their dogs bully other dogs relentlessly. my puppy simply wanted to play and chase and be chased, and there was one particular big dog who put my dog down on his back over and over and over - it was impossible for my little guy to do anything but submit, and the dog would not leave my guy alone. it just ruined our whole experience, as my puppy loved going there and running off leash with the other dogs who also just wanted to play with no aggression.

after a little bit of research, we found a park about a half hour away from us which is closely monitored, and requires proof of health and vaccines from the vet, and charges an annual fee. there is a pass you have to scan for the gate to the park to unlock, and the park is 4 acres. we love it, and found that owners who have to go thru filling out the paperwork and stuff tend to be responsible.

 

[lululove]

Not to call you out, but you take your dog to a dog park and he's only 16 WEEKS?!?! Are you serious? Do you know all the diseases your puppy can catch there? Parvo is ALL over the place. Bordatella is ALL over the place. Dogs share water all the time. Let alone, the aggression problems. Dogs AND owners.

Lulu received all of her shots before I ever would take her to a dog park, or be exposed to any dogs for that matter.

IMO, people who take their dogs to a dog park are irresponsible themselves. Sorry to say, but I say from experience. I used to take my dog, and I grew to hate it after the third time. What's wrong with taking your dog on a long relaxing walk? What's wrong with taking it to a fenced in baseball field and throwing it's frisbee or ball for 15-20 mins? Google "why dog parks are bad", you will find some really good articles. A dog fight can happen so quickly and aside from the physical trauma, your dog may be dog aggressive for it's life and that is a real problem to deal with.

Being called irresponsible is a little strong..We take Lulu on long walks everyday, along the river, a walking trail through the park. But, there is a lot to be said about being socialized around different dogs. It is what helps keep your dog from being aggresive.. It was a very unpleasant incident that happened and I am very dissapointed that a dog owner is 'irresponsible' enough to bring his aggresive dog to a social area.. When I am a the dog park I keep a very close eye on Lulu and if I feel the least bit uncomfortable about a dog, I leave. My husband got bite while he was walking her on leash on the trail...

P.S. thank you to all that have wished my husband a speedy recover. He is doing fine..

 

[K8IE]

I am sorry that your husband was bitten. I hope that he recovers quickly. Were you able to get info so that the bite could be reported?
As to the other reply about irresponsible people going to the dog park....... I am a very responsible pet owner, and I do take my Boxer to the dog park at times. However, I also have common sense enough to observe and assess the situation with the dogs in the fenced area before entering with my dog. Generally, the dog park closest to us is full of well educated and responsible people with well trained and socialized dogs. If there are too many dogs for my comfort level, if owners are not properly supervising, if owners clearly do not have well socialized dogs or dogs that are not under their control, or if there are dogs that are acting dominant or are just plain aggressive, we don't play. My judgment (so far) has not been wrong, and each experience at our dog park has been a good one. Not saying that bad things cannot happen, but if the humans responsible have common sense and healthy, well socialized, obedient dogs, there is no reason one should not be able to enjoy an outing to play with other dogs as long as care is taken to make sure it is a safe situation.

 

[ELubas]

I am sorry that your husband was bitten. I hope that he recovers quickly. Were you able to get info so that the bite could be reported?
As to the other reply about irresponsible people going to the dog park....... I am a very responsible pet owner, and I do take my Boxer to the dog park at times. However, I also have common sense enough to observe and assess the situation with the dogs in the fenced area before entering with my dog. Generally, the dog park closest to us is full of well educated and responsible people with well trained and socialized dogs. If there are too many dogs for my comfort level, if owners are not properly supervising, if owners clearly do not have well socialized dogs or dogs that are not under their control, or if there are dogs that are acting dominant or are just plain aggressive, we don't play. My judgment (so far) has not been wrong, and each experience at our dog park has been a good one. Not saying that bad things cannot happen, but if the humans responsible have common sense and healthy, well socialized, obedient dogs, there is no reason one should not be able to enjoy an outing to play with other dogs as long as care is taken to make sure it is a safe situation.

Good for you! Everyone should approach parks this way and then everyone would be safer

 

[elindave]

I hope your DH and Lulu are feeling better Unfortunately, it breaks my heart, but I cannot take Nikita to dog parks. Even though she is much better in terms of her dog to dog aggression, I still am not comfortable taking her to dog parks. I found an open field close to us and we go with her and 1 of her furry friends.

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

 

[bucca]

hope your husband is feeling better sorry your husband and lulu had such a terrible experience.

 

[Alex C.]

I didn't mean to offend anyone, but that's my simply my opinion. How do you guys really know all the owners of the aggressive dogs are 'irresponsible' themselves? How do you know if they weren't just like everyone else and their dog did that for the first time that day? You don't know how many times I've heard, "I don't know what happened, my dog has never acted like that before". It can be due to a lot of things, maybe the dog was in pain that day, maybe it was scared, maybe maybe maybe.

What I'm saying is why put yourself and your dog at risk of being bit, for socialization with strange dogs? Dog's don't need to be friendly with every strange dog. Seriously. They are pack animals, but they only tolerate their "own pack". Look at wolves. I expect my dog to be friendly with anyone I invite into my house and my own dogs. That's it.

Ps, lululove, I am glad your husband is recovering well.

 

[ELubas]

I hope your DH and Lulu are feeling better Unfortunately, it breaks my heart, but I cannot take Nikita to dog parks. Even though she is much better in terms of her dog to dog aggression, I still am not comfortable taking her to dog parks. I found an open field close to us and we go with her and 1 of her furry friends.

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

My Nysa too-just not the place for her. I use it as practice though walking around on the OUTSIDE to teach her to mind her business and do loose lead walking. We have gotten to a point where she enjoys meeting through the fence-just sniffing and play bows which is HUGE for her. They are who they are and Ny sends boxer wiggles to your Nikita

 

[elindave]

My Nysa too-just not the place for her. I use it as practice though walking around on the OUTSIDE to teach her to mind her business and do loose lead walking. We have gotten to a point where she enjoys meeting through the fence-just sniffing and play bows which is HUGE for her. They are who they are and Ny sends boxer wiggles to your Nikita

I really appreciate your kind words. And my DH keeps reminding me how amazing she is with people and dogs in her own pack, and that's all that matters. Eileen, I believe that Nikitas' aggression is fear based (separated from dam at 5 wks and bullied by littermates)and then (not knowing any better) we brought her home and introduced her to strange dogs who showed aggression towards her (which intensified the problem), I was just wondering if this was the case with Nysa? Nikita says thanks and sends back twice the kisses and wiggles!

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked