Dog Park Please Help

[Leleanne]

I need some suggestions. My husband will no longer take our terrier mix, Jack, to the dog park. He is very aggressive toward other dogs. He spends the entire time trying to "protect" us and our other dog, Owen. It's sooooo frustrating. He runs around the park in circles barking and he approaches other dogs and gets aggressive at them. If they fight back or bark back, he tries to start a fight with them. He never bites them but he tries to look as mean and scary as possible.

I'm nervous one of these days he is going to hurt another persons dog. We've noticed that if we ignore him and walk away he follows us and calms down. The problem is, other people get irritated at us for ignoring him! It seems to be the only thing that works though. I'm not sure what to do. I can't keep ignoring and walking away because it is only a short term fix. Should we just stop the dog bark? I feel bad because my other dog loves it and it's not fair to him.

[True_Pits]

Well it seems there is an obvious reason he doesn't want to take him to the part. He is trying to be a responsible owner. I don't go to dog parks for any reason, because of just that, aggressive dogs not under control and other dogs spreading illness.

Don't feel bad you can still take your other dog. He shouldn't have to miss out.

Ignoring and walking away like you said is only a short term fix, if you want long term work with a trainer to help you. They can help you with his problem so that he will be better behaved.

Dog parks are not a good idea, it is asking dogs to go against their nature and socialize with strange dogs . We can't expect them to like or get along with every dog they meet. So even if his problem is fixed and he can go to the dog park without barking and going nuts he still might meet a dog he doesn't like and react.

[Dukesdad]

I would have to disagree with the statement that dog parks are not a good idea. Here is Houston they are our most visited park facility. I have been taking the boys twice a week for almost three years now without any problems. They both love to swim and the free running exercise they get I can't provide at home.
That said, I would agree that not all dogs do well in a dog park environment. The worst case I have witnessed occurred a while back. I had the boys tied up to the fence outside the park while I dried them off. I heard a dog snarling and barking and I looked into the park to see a family group with what looked like a border collie mix. The dog was on a leash and lunging out at any dog that came near. The person holding the leash would fuss at the dog and yank it into a sitting position. On the ground in the group was a black plastic tub. I thought it held their towels and stuff until one person in the group reached in an took out a PUPPY. The IDIOTS had brought a nursing bitch with her puppies into the park. No wonder the dog was so frantically trying to protect her litter.

Terriers by nature are a very agressive breed, it's what makes them terriers. I have seen tiny Yorkies trying to bite Duke through the fence that separated the large dog area from the small dog area.

I commend your husband for not wanting to expose other dogs to your terrier's behavior. You might consult with a professional trainer to see if this aggressive behavior can be curbed.

[Dukesdad]

I would have to disagree with the statement that dog parks are not a good idea. Here is Houston they are our most visited park facility. I have been taking the boys twice a week for almost three years now without any problems. They both love to swim and the free running exercise they get I can't provide at home.
That said, I would agree that not all dogs do well in a dog park environment. The worst case I have witnessed occurred a while back. I had the boys tied up to the fence outside the park while I dried them off. I heard a dog snarling and barking and I looked into the park to see a family group with what looked like a border collie mix. The dog was on a leash and lunging out at any dog that came near. The person holding the leash would fuss at the dog and yank it into a sitting position. On the ground in the group was a black plastic tub. I thought it held their towels and stuff until one person in the group reached in an took out a PUPPY. The IDIOTS had brought a nursing bitch with her puppies into the park. No wonder the dog was so frantically trying to protect her litter.

Terriers by nature are a very agressive breed, it's what makes them terriers. I have seen tiny Yorkies trying to bite Duke through the fence that separated the large dog area from the small dog area.

I commend your husband for not wanting to expose other dogs to your terrier's behavior. You might consult with a professional trainer to see if this aggressive behavior can be curbed.

[HDrydr]

I have a Boxer/lab and I used to take Buster to a couple of different dog parks here in colorado and some are better than others. Depending on what and how many dogs were there told me how things were going to go. Some days it was good and Buster just ran around playing with some of the bigger dogs. But some days when other dogs started ganging up on him and starting to bark or growl Buster would go on the defensive. As he should they are all strangers to him and he will protect himself. I stopped going to dog parks with him because several breakouts of contagious illness and diseases started happening. Not everyone that takes their dogs to parks pay attention to any illnesses they may have they just want to "exercise" them.
I just run or play Frisbee with him now and I limit exposure to dogs that I don't know.

[Chezza]

Maybe you could try take him out in the car to a secluded area, where its just you guys.. I take my Bully to a secluded beach here, off road, because he wont tolerate any other dog either, which is not what I wanted in him, but when he was a puppy, he was attacked twice, and now he does NOT tolerate any dog near him. So if I take him for walks, its on the leash too.

[HDrydr]

[Mary_NH]

I could never take Molly to a dog park. She's people aggressive and big dog fearful. She's really good with small dogs as they don't pose any threat to her (in her mind) but big dogs scare her silly (my big brave German Shepherd ).
We also take her to isolated spots to play with her. I would never subject anyone, or her, to the behavior issues Molly has.

[Samsintentions]

Unless you work with a canine behaviorist and trainer, the best thing you can do for your dog, is keep him out of the dog park. One of these days he's going to run up to the wrong dog and injury can occur. Not to meantion its respectful to the other owners who attend with their dogs.

Nothing irritates me more than an irresponcible owner letting their dog run rampid and jump on other bigger dogs. I know my boerboels wouldn't put up with it, and to prevent injury, i don't allow mine at too many dog parks. I do however have playdates with other larger breed dogs.

I highly reccomend for your safety and your dogs, work with a professional certified trainer and behaviorist.

[HDrydr]

[Samsintentions]

Exactly. With boerboels, they have the natural instinct to protect. So when a dog rushes with an agressive behavior, my dogs are automatically going on guard. Even tho it isnt' their fault, if something were to happen inevitably it would be my fault becuase i' have the "big mean dog, picking on the little dog" case.

Luckily we have a great area and everyon agrees to have a big dog play day and little dog play day.

[HDrydr]

What a great Idea big dog day and little dog day... love it!!

[Sara]

Our dog park is separated into big dog areas and small dog areas... Still I don't take my dogs out there just because it can become dangerous quickly if people don't know how to read doggy behavior etc...

[HDrydr]

[Samsintentions]

I think if fyou have the means, its a great idea to set up play dates with the local dogs in your neighborhood or area if you live in the country. Thats what we do...

[HDrydr]