Dog Park Advice Needed

[sdtrach]

Hi- My boyfriend and I are the owner of Prince, a delightful one year-old boxer male, and we need some advice. Since we live in NYC, we take Prince to the local park where the dogs are allowed to run off-leash after 9pm.

OK- I have two questions.

1) Do other dog owners (usually inexperienced ones) find your boxers to be overly aggressive? Prince admittedly plays a little rough (boxing with his paws, no growling, barking or biting) but doesn't hurt other dogs (it's just how he naturally plays as a boxer) and rarely "scuffles" with other dogs. I feel like he is getting a bad rap from certain dog owners at the park we frequent because he is perceived as "rough." Other people whose dogs play similarly (retrievers, german shephers, etc.)have no problems with him.

2) Dogs are dogs and they will get into scuffles occasionally. There are 3 dogs at our dog park that Prince does not get along with, so we leash him if they are there when we get there, only letting him off when they leave. If we are there first and they arrive after, we make sure to keep an eye on him, keeping him away from the other dog. So I think we handle the situation responsibly. Well last night, he got into a "scuffle" with the Rhodesian Ridgeback he has "issues" with (who has 50+ pounds on him) and the owners FREAKED OUT and started cursing and screaming at us about our "terror dog." It turned into something it shouldn't have. This was not a major fight between the dogs, but a fight nonetheless. Now, this is a dog who Prince has fought with before, who is also a 1-year old male and who is significantly bigger than him. We are unsure as to what to do in this situation, as Prince is only like that with this dog and one or two others. We plan on returning to the park, but I know we will get comments from some people who don't think he should be there because of this (though a lot of people there sided with us). So my question is...am I being a "mom" clouded by the love for my usually super-happy, friendly puppy and not seeing the reality of the situation, or am I right in thinking that dogs are dogs, sometimes they will fight, they need to establish dominance, and as long as Prince is not causing problems with any of the other 10 to 20 dogs at the park, we should continue to let him go and play?

We want to be responsible dog owners in this situation, so any advice would be welcome.

Thanks!

Rachel

PS- as a side note, Prince is not an aggressive dog in general- he is actually very sweet with dogs and people alike.

 

[courtney323]

Hey there,

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. We get in the same situation with our 16 month old girl sometimes.

It sounds like you are COMPLETELY responsible Boxer owners. Madeline "boxes" with other dogs when she plays with them - it is just her nature. Sometimes she will get a little rough and bat a dog around or bowl over another dog - but honestly she gets it back. There are plenty of people at our park who have rather unpleasant dogs (small and big ones alike). She was roughed up by a HUGE pit bull the other day.

I think people need to chill out. Dogs will be dogs and kids will be kids. When Madeline got roughed up by the pit bull, it was our time to "leave the park" and play elsewhere. Both of you guys have the right to let your dogs play at the park. If they start to hurt each other, just leash your dogs and try to keep them away. Otherwise, try to have fun and don't let that lady bother you! Hope my opinion helped..

Courtney

 

[BUBBA'S MOM]

I have a 6 yr old neutered male & he is very sweet , however he does not get along well with non neutered male dogs or dogs which are considerably larger than him, so when we are at the dog park & I see these type dogs approaching I just leash Bubba up & go the other way. Sometimes I don't see them in time & Bubba pounces on them but usually it is just noise & I can yell at him & get his attention, he has never had a fight where he or another dog got bit or hurt in anyway. I say prevention is the best defense.

Good Luck

 

[Chris W.]

responsible's

Hi,
I agree, I think just the fact that you watch and try to avoid confrontations means that you are being responsible. One question I had tho. Are the Ridgeback or/and your dog not neutered? Usually it is the unwritten rule at a busy type dog park that you just do not bring your dog there if it is un neutered. I have personally never met to intact males that DO get along. You are simply asking/waiting for a fight to happen if that is the case.
If you're baby is neutered, I would just continue about your own business and try to avoid those people/dogs as much as possible.
Welcome to the board, sounds like you'll fit right in here,
we like smart people :cool:

 

[AMANDACAUSTIN]

I agree with everyone else, dogs will be dogs. You can't go to a dog park were dogs are allowed to run free and expect scuffels not to happen. And why is it the boxers fault that the fight happened, I am sure the Ridgeback had a part in it. I think the other owner overreacted, cussing and screaming over a dog fight! It might be different if we were talking a toy poddle against a boxer, but the ridgeback most likely was not going to get seriously hurt. I say hang in there, you have as much right to use the park as they do.

 

[hugomom1]

We take Hugo to a doggie park every night and have since he was little so he has never even been remotely mean to another dog. But when new people come with their dogs it's always mine that gets the nervous looks. We get those little 'squirmishes' between two dogs every now and then too. It's no big deal. I would suggest leashing your Boxer if these people arrive while you are there. At least then, if the dogs get into it, it will be obvious to everyone that the Ridgeback is a problem. It also will be safer for your little wiggle-butt.

I agree with the statement above about unaltered males. We have a Dane at our park who is the gentlest dog there, but he has been having issues lately and pouncing on other unaltered males.

 

[hugomom1]

One more thing...

Our puppy class teacher was kind enough to explain to the other owners in the class that dogs with short muzzles (i.e Boxers, mastiffs, pugs, etc...) have a deeper growl and therefore their growls sound worse than they really are.

And I've never known a dog to get hurt being pummeled by a Boxer.:D

 

[sdtrach]

Thank you so much for your responses- it really helps to hear other people's opinions! We didn't really think that it was one dogs fault over another either- they're dogs after all...so thanks for the input!



:D

 

[hugomom1]

It really isn't a big deal.

Every park has the occasional doggie scuffle. Unless your Boxer is picking fights with every dog, it's no biggie.

We have two dogs that are always at odds at our park too, but it's a different and funnier situation. A GSD is infatuated with this female mutt and wants to play and be near her constantly. She, on the other hand, can't stand the sight of him and constantly growls and snaps at him....to no avail of course. The owner of the GSD usually just takes a walk until the other dog leaves.

 

[Raynas mom]

As a frequent dog park goer....I would say you are being very responsible. Not every dog is going to get along....kinda like people. But if your watching him at all times I think your doing the right thing. I keep a water bottle on me at all times and if they start to get rilled I just give a few squirts....it seems to help for us. I have also noticed if I make a bigger deal out of something like not letting Rayna play with a certain dog it makes her want to go right for the other dog.....I try to distract her with a ball or give her some water to drink from the squirt bottle....this also seems to help. Good Luck