Dog Parks

[Nikkiell]

Hi. I have been taking my Boxers to dog parks for a long time, mainly for dog on dog socializing reasons and twice I had to break up fights. No one ever got bitten, it just looked scary and could have escalated. Perhaps not a bad ratio but I have also removed my Boxers from there when things are getting overly excited between other dogs because at least my Boxers are attracted to where the most action is. I have noticed that I barely see other Boxers there, it seems like many Boxer owners avoid these parks, and I do know that Boxers can be misunderstood by other people and dogs. Dixie my 5 years female loves to play catch, frisbees or balls doesn't matter. I never bring toys to the park. I think it's a bad idea it can elicit fights over that toy and just recently I had to brake up my third fight over a toy and Dixie was a part of that. I see dogs there all the time that are warning and guard barking and growling constantly being fearful and showing aggression signs. More and more often I remove my dogs from there because I see they are getting highly aroused because of a toy or some dogs giving out aggression signs. I know there is no perfect dog park and I do not have a specific point but I just wanted to know if you have some input here. Thanks

 

[haloboxer]

Ive stoped takeing by girl cuz every time she seems to get sick in some way(the last thing was kennel cough normaly just allergies ) she also gets picked on at the park and no matter how much I try to stop it certin dogs will tagert her in a very aggressive manner when she is just fallowing the other friendly pups and playing nicely. It is starting effecting her work/play so unless I know the dogs at the park we don't go in because she has gotten defensive when a dog gets to aggressive and has become some what un submissive and not like to be pushed around she wouldn't be one to start a fight or jump in one but she can end one she is in...normally just pins them down till they say ok then she lets them up and plays or gives them a warning bark or growl. if she meets another dominate dog that isn't trying to hurt her she is submissive and friendly when on walks she just a bit more unsure of strange dogs. Most of the fights at my dog park are due to overly aggressive dogs. the last time their was a dog fight me and someone else with a dobie left right way.my pup is a 13 months and the dobie was a year?. we only go in the mourning cuz normally the dogs are the cailmer friendly ones. ive only seen a handful of boxers at my park a older lady said their is a young boxer that looks just like mine that visits the park. hope my pup gets to meet them luckily not many visits the park at one time so toys normaly arnt a problem

 

[Bastiansgrlz]

Try a boxer meet up group via www.********************** that way you can meet with other boxer owners somewhere for some play time and socialization.

I like the dog park myself, but I'm careful of which I choose to go to. Vaccines are a must, not titers so I think you should be mindful of that. I don't typically take my boy when it's overly crowded either.

 

[Caney Creek]

I have taken my girls to dog parks only a handful of times. We really don't go often because of the same reasons that you gave -- I have witnessed dog fights and serious tension between dogs as well as owners who sit there and do nothing while their dog harasses others. There's a very nice park nearby me that we've been to maybe 4 or 5 times and every time we're there something happens. I've also taken them to a much smaller park near us and for the most part have had better experiences, but I can still think of a few dogs/owners there who I'd rather not see again. Having had more negative experiences than positive, we stay away from dog parks for the most part. We stick to hiking trails for exercise and backyard play-dates for socialization. We're lucky to have several friends with big dogs who get along very well with ours.

 

[sjtorr]

The only dog park I go to in my area is massive and in a small neighborhood, so it's easy to stay away from others if you want to. It's rarely got any more than ten dogs at a time - at least the times I go.

That said... I'm not sure I'm going to go back. Have been away from the park for two months and now that we've survived without it, maybe we don't need it. There is an outdoor skating rink that in the summer is wide open and I can meet up with other dog owners to have play dates in the rink. Or take her on long walks where she can meet with other dogs, but not have to run around with them. Mainly it's because I don't trust her to come back when she's off leash, but partly it's because I don't necessarily know all the owners at the park and not all of them pay attention to what their dog is doing.

So I'm on the fence. My brother loves them, but he's in Toronto and there aren't many choices in the city. I have choices.

 

[johann]

We avoid dog parks for the reasons you mentioned. Too many uncontrolled, poorly socialized or aggressive dogs. (we also avoid because our boxer is no longer super tolerant of playtime due to pain issues)

I've made some great doggie friends for him through training classes, so we have playdates regularly. It's much easier (and I think the dogs are happier) with just one or two other dogs that you know than the unknown of the dog park.

 

[MissDeja]

I stopped taking Deja to dog parks because of the other dog owners, not necessarily the dogs. On too many occasions, there are one or two aggressive dogs that do not play in socially appropriate ways. I have witnessed their owners on the cell phone, reading books/magazines, or talking to other people, when they should be paying attention (and redirecting) their pets.

 

[TysonCheeto]

We dont have any dog parks where i live out in the middle of nowhere. Lol. The closest one is an hour away. One night during my daughters softball practice i noticed over in the tennis courts a girl was playing with her dog in there, so tyson and i went over and intoduced ourselves. She told me in the later evenings (its a lighted court) nobody is there and she brings her doggie there for off leash fun. What a great idea!! Its completly fenced, its HUGE, its equiped for 3 games of tennis to be going on at the same time , tyson loved it. He runs and runs and runs. We bring his ball and usually were the only ones there and he has all the room a puppy could want. Every now and then we see our friend who gave us the idea and the dogs run and play and are wiped out ..btw i made sure i wasnt intruding ...she loves tyson and so does her BIG mixed breed puppy they have the same energy level! So thats just an idea !!!

 

[Jan]

Tennis courts, lacrosse boxes anywhere that is fenced can be great places to take your dog to run free. I used to take Markus all the time to a tennis court. He would have a great time.

 

[chrystel]

I avoid dog parks. Snatch was picked on ALL THE TIME and Oxford.. well.. Oxford is just not ok in there