Dog park etiquette - small dogs on large dog side

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is Shirlington, then I disagree. The big dog section is a half mile pathway with access to the water. The small dog section is smaller than my backyard. If the sides were more equal I would agree.

Really though, the more I learn about dogs the less I like dog parks. They are a fantastic resource for apartment living dogs to run off leash, but the dog/dog interactions are pretty iffy if you know how to read behavior. When I go, I try to go during down times when there aren't other dogs, and if anyone gets too rowdy we leave.

I’ve been going almost every day (yes, even in this weather) and maybe it’s a slow time of year but even with a lot of dogs around I don’t find interactions to be iffy. It seems like most (not all, but most) owners are respectful and intervene when necessary. My dog does very well there and it’s the best part of her day. Sure, she can run in my yard, but the socialization is what she enjoys.

Lol. Everything is fine amongst the dogs in park until suddenly it's not and nipping and gnashing begins. It happens in an instant, PP. You've just been lucky so far.

Feel free to stay away, then. If everyone feared for their dog’s life those parks would be empty, but they’re not so obviously it’s a calculated risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, you're dog is stressed in the company of dogs she's not familiar with. How do you know she's happy? Tail wagging and dog "smiles"are often misinterpreted by people who claim to love dogs but are clueless about dog behavior.

Sorry, I’m not going to take dog-rearing advice from someone who doesn’t know the difference between “you’re” and “your” - but thanks for your concern.

[Anonymous]

So where is this? I go to the dog park off Columbia Pike in Penrose (not Shirlington) and always let my small dog play with the big dogs, because no one ever goes in the small dog area. In fact, half the time, the 'small dog area' has an aggressive dog in it (which is fine, the owners are responsible to keep their dogs separate if the dog doesn't interact well with others).

However, I do actually watch, walk around near my dog. Some people sit on their phones and zone out. that annoys me.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you. If a small dog owner is concerned about her dog being injured by a large dog then the small dog should be in the small dog area. For what it’s worth, I have a small dog and the few times I go to dog parks I always go to small dog area. I’ve noticed that when I’ve gone there, there are typically no dogs in the small dog area. However when I enter with my small dog some other small dog owners who are in the large dog area migrate over to the small dog area and join me. The owners typically say that they only went to the large dog area because there were no small dogs in the small dog area for their dog to play with.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe your husband thinks like that.
But then again, that's why there are small dogs in the large dog section to begin with... what idiots.

[Anonymous]

I go to the dog park at Cabin John park and it is divided into separate sides for small and large. My dog is a bit of a freak in that he's short (basset hound legs) but has a big dog length body and head (we think he's part rhodesian ridgeback). He's over the weight limit for the small dog side so when we first got him I just automatically took him to the large dog side and it usually worked out ok, although he never seemed to interact much. He did get aggressive a few times with big dogs (and one time got in a fight that left him bleeding -
my faullt completely) so we now go to the small dog side where he's much happier. If there's no one on the small dog side I do take him to the large dog side but stick very very close by and if I catch the slightest wiff of him looking like he might get aggressive, we get the fuck out of there quick. I never ever want to deal with a fight again, it was horrible. But OP, to your original question, I agree with you that if a small dog is on the large dog side, and that small dog gets aggressive and shit goes down, it's the small dog owner's responsibility 100%. I cringe when I see really tiny dogs over on that side.

I also cringe when I see families bring their kids to either side of the dog park, just to hang out and play with random strange dogs (without ever asking if it's ok to pet them) and climbing on the rock formations (which clearly say "do not climb") but that's a story for a different post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is Shirlington, then I disagree. The big dog section is a half mile pathway with access to the water. The small dog section is smaller than my backyard. If the sides were more equal I would agree.

Really though, the more I learn about dogs the less I like dog parks. They are a fantastic resource for apartment living dogs to run off leash, but the dog/dog interactions are pretty iffy if you know how to read behavior. When I go, I try to go during down times when there aren't other dogs, and if anyone gets too rowdy we leave.

I’ve been going almost every day (yes, even in this weather) and maybe it’s a slow time of year but even with a lot of dogs around I don’t find interactions to be iffy. It seems like most (not all, but most) owners are respectful and intervene when necessary. My dog does very well there and it’s the best part of her day. Sure, she can run in my yard, but the socialization is what she enjoys.

It's really interesting when you start to read the research--most dogs DON'T like the socialization. It is stressful. It's akin to us going to the bar every day and having to socialize with different strangers every evening. (A few people may like that, but most of us would find it exhausting). When dogs are young, it's more like a playground, but as they mature past 2-3 years old, the patience for such interactions dwindles. Watch the gate closely sometime and count how many hackles you see up, tails stiff or very slowly wagging, whale eyes, lip licking, etc. So many stress and/or appeasement behaviors.

Regardless, your dog, your choice. I absolutely think there is value for some dogs, but most would be happier training new skills in the yard or having a playdate with known dogs whose body language they don't have to learn to interpret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I can't believe your husband thinks like that.
But then again, that's why there are small dogs in the large dog section to begin with... what idiots.

+1

They don't think, that's the problem. They're just entitled - "I'm entitled to go anywhere I want", "I'm entitled to bring my dog anywhere I want", etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog parks are just a bad idea for everyone involved.

Dogs are disagreeable pooping disease-ridden machines. Spend the money on the homeless instead.

So are you.

[Anonymous]

People who own small dogs and let them play with big dogs are idiots.

End of thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Dogs are disagreeable pooping disease-ridden machines. Spend the money on the homeless instead.

Most homeless people I've encountered have also been disagreeable pooping disease-ridden machines.

At least dogs have a purpose and are useful. Bums have no purpose at all, save breaking into parked cars and aggressive panhandling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, you're dog is stressed in the company of dogs she's not familiar with. How do you know she's happy? Tail wagging and dog "smiles"are often misinterpreted by people who claim to love dogs but are clueless about dog behavior.

This tines 1000! I don't care that your dog is wagging while being stiff, assertive, barking, etc: the tail is not the part that bites

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, you're dog is stressed in the company of dogs she's not familiar with. How do you know she's happy? Tail wagging and dog "smiles"are often misinterpreted by people who claim to love dogs but are clueless about dog behavior.

Sorry, I’m not going to take dog-rearing advice from someone who doesn’t know the difference between “you’re” and “your” - but thanks for your concern.

I'm pp. I made a typo. But carry on with your ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Dogs are disagreeable pooping disease-ridden machines. Spend the money on the homeless instead.

Most homeless people I've encountered have also been disagreeable pooping disease-ridden machines.

At least dogs have a purpose and are useful. Bums have no purpose at all, save breaking into parked cars and aggressive panhandling.

Whatsoever you do for the least of my people...

[Anonymous]

Quoting scripture out of context doesn't win arguments. It just means you quote scripture out of context.