Dog Park

[jaybo_77]

My roommate and I have been thinking of taking the dogs to a dog park, but I am a little worried because they play so rough. My roommate has a 1 year old doberman and T-bone is 3 yrs. We don't let then play rough but they always seem to scrap it up when no one is looking (playfully of course, but really rough). I know if I had a little dog I would freak out if those two were running wild and growling like that. And we all know how boxers sound when they play.

I guess my question is does this type of rough play happen at dog parks? And what type of reaction should I expect? Or should I just find a park without any dogs and annoying dog owners. . .

 

[kjames7148]

Hey fellow Chicagoan:

First, which dog park were you planning on going to?

I go to the park just off LSD at Montrose and everyone is very friendly. It is pretty common that there are little tiffs between dogs, but most of the owners are very good about it. If an owners dog is being agressive, either the owner calms down their dog until they are satisfied or they leave the park.

There have been the ocasional "snooty" owners who give dirty looks, but mostly it's just fine.

P.S. At the Montrose park, there are TONS of boxers!!!

Karen

Bonnie, 4 mo. old brindle girl w/black mask and white booties
Clyde, 4 mo. old fawn HUGE boy w/black mask
Chester, 10 mo. old Fawn tiny boy w/black mask.

 

[jaybo_77]

Thanks for the reply . . . I've heard of the park off of LSD, I'm from the south burbs so I was going to take her to the one in Homewood.

I was just concerned. . . I know the reaction I get from other owners when we're on a walk. They all think she is viscious and try to avoid us. Unless the person acually knows anything about boxers then they always stop to play . . . and get slobbered on.

I think after a few visits all of the fun won't be so overwelming . . . she just can't get enough play time. And after the winter months she seems to be getting antsy (sp?).
Thanks again

 

[kjames7148]

We have a boxer bash going on in OakBrook on May 5th, starting 10-11ish. Take a look at the board to find out more.

It was a blast last time and boy do they get tired out.

Karen

Bonnie, 4 mo. old brindle girl w/black mask and white booties
Clyde, 4 mo. old fawn HUGE boy w/black mask
Chester, 10 mo. old Fawn tiny boy w/black mask.

 

[boxmom]

I was pretty aprehensive about taking my two to the dog park at first too. They can play very rough, and they make the furocious sounds when they play (so cute!). When I first took them, I left them on their leads to get a feel for how they would do. Then, the next time i took them very early on a weekday morning when it was not too crowded and let them off the leads. They did great! They were perfect social butterflies. I am so glad I started taking them--they have such a great time there and it is fun to watch them interact with the other dogs and be so free. I try to keep them moving through the park so that they do not get too involved with any one particular 'buddy'. Seems like the longer they stay in one area, the rougher they will play. Good luck to you, hope you give it a try!

 

[Rowdy's Dad]

I was pretty worried about letting Rowdy off of his leash at the dog park. I noticed that 90% of all the dogs were medium to large size dogs. His first trip, a lab owner talked me into letting him go to play with about 15 labs. He had a blast! After about 30 minutes a doberman showed up and started acting aggressively toward some of the smaller dogs. Anytime there is a ruckus, Rowdy has to go investigate. He is very protective. The doberman snapped at Rowdy and the fight was on. The dobe owner just stood there like he was enjoying it. I broke it up after about 10 seconds of looking for an opening. The doberman and his "owner" left after about 5 minutes. One of the lab owners seemed glad to see them leave. I think I impressed him by jumping between two fighting dogs. I later thought that was pretty stupid. Rowdy played for another hour with all the other dogs and everything has been fine since. Rowdy loves to chase whippets and play with just about every breed known to man. My point is: As long as you and everyone else knows that you are trying to be responsible and socialize your dog properly, they can't hold anything against you. Dog parks are great. Give them a try. There is risk in everything.