Dog owners who isolate their dogs. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our veterinarian and dog trainer think that dog parks are a terrible idea and we agree.

https://www.courteouscanine.com/say-no-to-dog-parks/

This is a random blog post by a dog trainer who conveniently also happens to be marketing her own (paid) socialization classes for dogs.

Anything else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's funny how OP doesn't realize she's catering to her own social needs, not her dog's, or any other dogs'.

Op here. Huh? My dog adores the park. I like it too, but she adores it. Drags me there when we leave the house. It’s odd to see post after post with dog park haters because my experience is that many of my neighbors dogs like the park. Socializing of dogs is wonderful. My dog loves our family but we can’t run and play tussle with her in a way that real dogs can.

I’ve also never heard a vet say that dog parks are bad. Maybe the people they say this to have aggressive dogs?

Link to a reputable source saying dog parks are to be avoided? I’d like to read the reasoning behind it.

So, OP, can you understand that some dogs are nice and non-aggressive but have no desire to tussle around with other dogs? That is not my dogs' preferred method of socialization and play. They prefer to politely sniff when they meet new dogs and then go chase sticks. They do not want other dogs jumping on them while they chase these sticks. They don't snap at the other jumping, mouthing (very annoying, in their opinion) dogs, they just give them the side-eye and ignore, but I would prefer to mostly isolate my dogs so they can play how they like in peace. Dog parks are fine for some dogs. But there are a number of reasons for other dog owners to avoid them. I have given you one very common reason. Why is this so hard for you to accept?

Sure, I can understand this to a certain extent. Not all dogs are the same. Although I am surprised by how many anti dog park posters are on here. It is very different than my experience in the world. Some posts seem almost hysterical tbh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In recent years the number of people with dogs who probably shouldn't have dogs has really proliferated. It's always been an issue, but it appears a lot of people who had no business owning a dog adopted one during Covid. Many of us want nothing to do with these people. Their dogs aren't trained and the owners exercise no actual control over the dog. Interactions with them are unpredictable and stressful because they don't understand really simple things.

Here's an example of something a lot of these new dog owners don't get -- a long, slack leash communicates to others that your dog is not under your supervision or control. I see this constantly. My least favorite are the people who tie the long leash around their waists so they can talk on the phone and carry coffee. Literally these people are being walked by their dogs. And then they will be confused or offended when I cross the street to avoid them.

If my dog is going to meet another dog for the first few times, I want to see that the owners are engaged, everyone is on a leash, and the dog has only as much slack as necessary to keep them comfortable. This enables us to let the dogs sniff and interact but to be able to separate them in a second if necessary. That's how it should be.

So many dog owners today have no clue. Dogs are animals. Even a generally nonreactive, sweet tempered dog can have an attack or protect response if something unexpected happens -- these are instincts they are born with. Once the dogs know each other, everyone can relax a bit and let them interact without such close supervision. Until then, I want to see the owners in control, short leashes, attentive behavior. Otherwise I will steer clear.

Oh boy…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a dog who was literally rescued by the sheriff. He was tied up, starving, behind an abandoned house. He absolutely couldn't cope with being around other dogs, so we kept him at home. It took him ten days to accept our other dog.

Our dog behaviorist was not a fan of dog parks. There are a lot of reasons why someone would avoid a dog park.

Do you have a link to a study on dog parks being bad? Or is that the same behaviorist linked below?

[Anonymous]

^ above I mean

[Anonymous]

We mostly do this with our dogs - two labs. They like to play with each other and so do my husband and I. We’re introverts.

[Anonymous]

Our dog loves the dog park, but I've definitely seen bad behavior from both dogs and owners several times. OPs responses and inability to grasp that dogs can be perfectly content and socialized without going to a dog park is really odd to me. I know several dogs who do much better with 1:1 or a tiny little group. A dog park is too overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's funny how OP doesn't realize she's catering to her own social needs, not her dog's, or any other dogs'.

Op here. Huh? My dog adores the park. I like it too, but she adores it. Drags me there when we leave the house. It’s odd to see post after post with dog park haters because my experience is that many of my neighbors dogs like the park. Socializing of dogs is wonderful. My dog loves our family but we can’t run and play tussle with her in a way that real dogs can.

I’ve also never heard a vet say that dog parks are bad. Maybe the people they say this to have aggressive dogs?

Link to a reputable source saying dog parks are to be avoided? I’d like to read the reasoning behind it.

So, OP, can you understand that some dogs are nice and non-aggressive but have no desire to tussle around with other dogs? That is not my dogs' preferred method of socialization and play. They prefer to politely sniff when they meet new dogs and then go chase sticks. They do not want other dogs jumping on them while they chase these sticks. They don't snap at the other jumping, mouthing (very annoying, in their opinion) dogs, they just give them the side-eye and ignore, but I would prefer to mostly isolate my dogs so they can play how they like in peace. Dog parks are fine for some dogs. But there are a number of reasons for other dog owners to avoid them. I have given you one very common reason. Why is this so hard for you to accept?

I see.

I think having a social dog is ideal. It seems the IRL most people where I live have encouraged this and accomplished it, but it seems that some people are not comfortable with it. For some, it’s because they have an older rescue dog set in its ways. That makes sense. But for others, I suspect that the owner psychology contributes to it, judging by the posts on here. Lots of hysteria and anger on here (your post is an example- you seem bristling with anger over a question). Flame away

fwiw my dog has had a few run ins with dogs that weren’t perfect. One bit her, but didn’t harm her because of her fur, little dogs can be barky and snappy (on leash) etc. But we don’t let these isolated incidents stop us, and she adores her time at the park. She drags me there and runs around in a fit of joy when she sees her friends.

[Anonymous]

My two extremely well socialized dogs happily hang with a group of neighbor's dogs in one of our yards on a regular basis. I know the owners, I know the dogs. It's a relaxing and fun situation. But I avoid dog parks entirely. The risk/reward ratio is not on the side of reward.

If you frequent dog parks, it's not a matter of if there will be an incident, it's a matter of when and how bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's funny how OP doesn't realize she's catering to her own social needs, not her dog's, or any other dogs'.

Op here. Huh? My dog adores the park. I like it too, but she adores it. Drags me there when we leave the house. It’s odd to see post after post with dog park haters because my experience is that many of my neighbors dogs like the park. Socializing of dogs is wonderful. My dog loves our family but we can’t run and play tussle with her in a way that real dogs can.

I’ve also never heard a vet say that dog parks are bad. Maybe the people they say this to have aggressive dogs?

Link to a reputable source saying dog parks are to be avoided? I’d like to read the reasoning behind it.

So, OP, can you understand that some dogs are nice and non-aggressive but have no desire to tussle around with other dogs? That is not my dogs' preferred method of socialization and play. They prefer to politely sniff when they meet new dogs and then go chase sticks. They do not want other dogs jumping on them while they chase these sticks. They don't snap at the other jumping, mouthing (very annoying, in their opinion) dogs, they just give them the side-eye and ignore, but I would prefer to mostly isolate my dogs so they can play how they like in peace. Dog parks are fine for some dogs. But there are a number of reasons for other dog owners to avoid them. I have given you one very common reason. Why is this so hard for you to accept?

I see.

I think having a social dog is ideal. It seems the IRL most people where I live have encouraged this and accomplished it, but it seems that some people are not comfortable with it. For some, it’s because they have an older rescue dog set in its ways. That makes sense. But for others, I suspect that the owner psychology contributes to it, judging by the posts on here. Lots of hysteria and anger on here (your post is an example- you seem bristling with anger over a question). Flame away

fwiw my dog has had a few run ins with dogs that weren’t perfect. One bit her, but didn’t harm her because of her fur, little dogs can be barky and snappy (on leash) etc. But we don’t let these isolated incidents stop us, and she adores her time at the park. She drags me there and runs around in a fit of joy when she sees her friends.

Are you a troll or simply obtuse?

Just because you and your dog love going to the park does not mean there is something wrong with people and dogs that don’t. There are multiple ways to socialize dogs and lots of people prefer them to dog parks.

[Anonymous]

My dog does great in a doggie daycare. He seems happy and social. But if I take him to a dog park (like the former Bark Social), he is completely stressed out. He wants to protect me . It makes it not fun for either of us.

[Anonymous]

Most dog owners at dog parks are clueless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our veterinarian and dog trainer think that dog parks are a terrible idea and we agree.

https://www.courteouscanine.com/say-no-to-dog-parks/

This is a random blog post by a dog trainer who conveniently also happens to be marketing her own (paid) socialization classes for dogs.

Anything else?

There are lots of dog behaviorists and trainers who post on the Internet about their negative views on dog parks. Is there some other expert out there whose advice would be meaningful to you? As far as I know there is no national association of such experts but if there is one I'd be interested to know about it.

In any case, our veterinarian and dog trainer are experts for our purposes and we follow their guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's funny how OP doesn't realize she's catering to her own social needs, not her dog's, or any other dogs'.

Op here. Huh? My dog adores the park. I like it too, but she adores it. Drags me there when we leave the house. It’s odd to see post after post with dog park haters because my experience is that many of my neighbors dogs like the park. Socializing of dogs is wonderful. My dog loves our family but we can’t run and play tussle with her in a way that real dogs can.

I’ve also never heard a vet say that dog parks are bad. Maybe the people they say this to have aggressive dogs?

Link to a reputable source saying dog parks are to be avoided? I’d like to read the reasoning behind it.

So, OP, can you understand that some dogs are nice and non-aggressive but have no desire to tussle around with other dogs? That is not my dogs' preferred method of socialization and play. They prefer to politely sniff when they meet new dogs and then go chase sticks. They do not want other dogs jumping on them while they chase these sticks. They don't snap at the other jumping, mouthing (very annoying, in their opinion) dogs, they just give them the side-eye and ignore, but I would prefer to mostly isolate my dogs so they can play how they like in peace. Dog parks are fine for some dogs. But there are a number of reasons for other dog owners to avoid them. I have given you one very common reason. Why is this so hard for you to accept?

I see.

I think having a social dog is ideal. It seems the IRL most people where I live have encouraged this and accomplished it, but it seems that some people are not comfortable with it. For some, it’s because they have an older rescue dog set in its ways. That makes sense. But for others, I suspect that the owner psychology contributes to it, judging by the posts on here. Lots of hysteria and anger on here (your post is an example- you seem bristling with anger over a question). Flame away

fwiw my dog has had a few run ins with dogs that weren’t perfect. One bit her, but didn’t harm her because of her fur, little dogs can be barky and snappy (on leash) etc. But we don’t let these isolated incidents stop us, and she adores her time at the park. She drags me there and runs around in a fit of joy when she sees her friends.

Are you a troll or simply obtuse?

Just because you and your dog love going to the park does not mean there is something wrong with people and dogs that don’t. There are multiple ways to socialize dogs and lots of people prefer them to dog parks.

You are strangely defensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our veterinarian and dog trainer think that dog parks are a terrible idea and we agree.

https://www.courteouscanine.com/say-no-to-dog-parks/

This is a random blog post by a dog trainer who conveniently also happens to be marketing her own (paid) socialization classes for dogs.

Anything else?

There are lots of dog behaviorists and trainers who post on the Internet about their negative views on dog parks. Is there some other expert out there whose advice would be meaningful to you? As far as I know there is no national association of such experts but if there is one I'd be interested to know about it.

In any case, our veterinarian and dog trainer are experts for our purposes and we follow their guidance.

Well here’s one study explaining that overall there is a benefit

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455081/