Although all of us go to the dog parks for our furry friends to socialize and have fun, I do believe SOME folks need a good bonk on the head. The dog parks all have little guy areas (for obvious reasons) and the big boy area. I hear over and over from folks that have a shih tsu size dog (10 pounds or less) tell me that “He really thinks he is a big guy.”
Well I am here to tell you that your Shih Tzu is no match for a 80-pound German Shepard. Why you would put your small dog in a possibly no win situation, is beyond me. All the dogs are just like people, they have their favorites and not so favorites. The big ones that have an issue, usually work it out in a matter of seconds. No big deal! However, the little ones get tangled up in the mess, maybe, even started it, by being a bit aggressive and snapping at a much larger dog. Do you really think your so called (little, big guy) has half a chance with a german shepard, doberman, even a lab?
Think about it for a minute — You have no chance. It’s like putting Pee Wee Herman in the boxing ring with George Forman. What are you thinking? I cannot go in the little area for obvious reasons, I do not belong there. They are taking all the risks, but I will have to pay if your ignorance gets your dog injured or killed. I will feel awfully bad, especially when it could all be avoided.
People, wake up! Stay where you are safest, and pay attention to your dog and his friends.
Thank you for letting me vent.
Karen Falbo
Mesa
VofReason posted at 1:31 pm on Tue, Mar 5, 2013.
The dog park is a microcosm of society at large. Half of the people are of average intelligence or less. People show up with pitbulls that have been tied to a tree all their life and let them run amuck. Other people walk up and talk to your dog like a long lost friend. Dog parks should generally be avoided or only visited early, before the crazies come out.
Rich posted at 7:57 pm on Mon, Mar 4, 2013.
But Don, they will, If you love them you don't make slaves of them . You have to be the alpha dog, if you are going to own one. Love one. The post was about people who have alpha dogs, that rule them.
DonMey posted at 3:26 pm on Mon, Mar 4, 2013.
Your dog shouldn't be attacking other dogs. If they are, they are poorly trained. This is not to say your dog shouldn't defend itself if threatened, but a dog park should not be a place where dogs are constantly fighting for dominance.
Bluepoet posted at 1:29 pm on Mon, Mar 4, 2013.
Sheesh, now I know why I have a housecat, and he's the last. After him, maybe a pet rock, and an electronic one, at that...![beam]
Dale Whiting posted at 7:57 am on Mon, Mar 4, 2013.
No doubt about it. Owners are responsible for the welfare of their own dogs and any other dogs they harm. But that little shitsu who, thinking it's a big dog, barks at another dog bears considerable responsiblity, particularly when being approached by the bigger dog, renders the first bite. Typically smaller dogs have the stronger defense and fear response which more often than not is manafested in both the bark and the bite. The bigger dogs are both curious and also defensive. Watch the tails. A dog's mood is manafested in their tail and "hair on the back of the neck" responses. So if the little dog starts barking, owner watch the tail and the hair. If the tail is not wagging and the hair stands on end, better move to another location before Lassie finishes your little dog off.
/S/ The owner of a little who never hirt a flee that was not biting him first. He likes cats, too. And he likes the attention of children so we walk in the park near the swings.
Rich posted at 6:24 pm on Sun, Mar 3, 2013.
Depends on the breed a lot. Small terriers are always a problem that way. They were bred to kill vermin, hold bigger animals like badgers and foxes at bay for a hunter, so they are naturally aggressive. I have a cairn I call 'the attack puppy'. I can't see the guy who lets his Lhasa run with the big boys, they were bred as ratters and are naturally aggressive. Though it does work the other way a bit, bigger dogs are less aggressive and tend to be dismissive of smaller creatures. However I do think that before you bring your dog to a park, you should know enough about your dog to know where he fits.
JMJ posted at 12:54 pm on Sun, Mar 3, 2013.
Play, although the typo could be a "ptui" while the Great Dane spits you out, little dog Toto.
JMJ posted at 12:53 pm on Sun, Mar 3, 2013.
In my experience, the little shihtz do think they are big dogs, and they start the problems. Two bites and a gulp from my brother's Great Dane and "buh-bye". Nice little hors d'oeuvres. Yes, ptay on your side of the park.