Dog owners who isolate their dogs. Why?

[Anonymous]

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.

Um, the people they say this to are the ones who have to pay thousands of dollars because their dog was attacked at a dog park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I take our dog to local parks and it is the best part of her day when she gets to run crazily around with other neighborhood dogs. I also love meeting other dog owners. It has been great for my sense of community and belonging. But invariably there are owners who walk up, look over at my dog/other dogs and then take their dog alone to a separate area- usually an empty court- to toss a ball by themselves. These don’t look like aggressive dogs (lately I’ve seen medium sized poodles) so I don’t quite understand why the owners do this instead of encouraging socialization.

Anyone want to explain (in a non nasty way)?

This is asking why some humans don't like to go to nightclubs. Also, how would you know a dog is reactive just by looking at them? I don't say aggressive because I think that is unfair. Not every dog likes going to 'play' with strange dogs. Most dog owners don't properly train their dogs and there are a lot of dog fights. It just isn't worth it. My dog plays with dogs we know and when we board him. Otherwise I am like the person you see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is overwhelmed at dog parks and I have found many of the owners at dog parks to not know how to read dog behaviors well. Many trainers also suggest avoiding dog parks. Our dog enjoys getting physical unleashed activity in our yard and also enjoys going on long leashed walks on the trails in our neighborhoods. She has people and dog friends she sees regularly on our walks.

Why would they need to read your dog’s behaviors?

Dp to recognize when your dog is bullying another dog and to stop that behavior! Or understand when you dog doesn't want to be there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is overwhelmed at dog parks and I have found many of the owners at dog parks to not know how to read dog behaviors well. Many trainers also suggest avoiding dog parks. Our dog enjoys getting physical unleashed activity in our yard and also enjoys going on long leashed walks on the trails in our neighborhoods. She has people and dog friends she sees regularly on our walks.

My wouldn’t you want to help your dog learn to socialize? Did you not do this when he was a puppy?

Yes, of course I did but, my dog doesn't have to play with every dog we see. Do you talk to every person you see?

[Anonymous]

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.

https://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm?srsltid=AfmBOoqIf18Yxn3XmCfEOoHHwnhJ88cYOq-uJ2SuFpaU9sr6s-MzuH9V

[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.

Wow you are judgy. How about my dog was attacked and then became reactive. It has nothing to do with how I felt 'psychological' and that is strange. Would you want me to take my dog to the dog park to test your theory? Or for the safety of others perhaps I should 'isolate' and play with my dog without you?

[Anonymous]

I have a small dog, and years ago I took him to a dog park and he became the prey. I was petrified that he would be torn apart. As he was running to the park with a large group of large dogs, chasing him not one of the owners stepped in. This was definitely not play, it was definitely dogs chasing a rabbit kind of situation. Fortunately, I was able to call him to me and he ran directly to me so I was able to pick him up and protect him from all those dogs. And the way those dogs are jumping at me scared me. And again the owners did nothing. They just smiled as if it was a big game.

My conclusion was that the dog owners who take their dogs to the dog park are clueless and do not understand dog behavior.

I blame myself for thinking that it was a good idea to socialize my dog at a dog park. I learned the hard way that not all dogs belong in a dog park. Certainly not my dog #NeverAgain.

[Anonymous]

I take my dog to our local dog park. We rarely have bad experiences, and when we have, they’re easily rectified. Dogs typically know how to work things out among themselves, and I’ve found that it is often the owners who get the most stressed if they see dogs play fighting.

But there are a lot of VERY high strung people who post in the Pet forum. You won’t get a normal answer here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a small dog, and years ago I took him to a dog park and he became the prey. I was petrified that he would be torn apart. As he was running to the park with a large group of large dogs, chasing him not one of the owners stepped in. This was definitely not play, it was definitely dogs chasing a rabbit kind of situation. Fortunately, I was able to call him to me and he ran directly to me so I was able to pick him up and protect him from all those dogs. And the way those dogs are jumping at me scared me. And again the owners did nothing. They just smiled as if it was a big game.

My conclusion was that the dog owners who take their dogs to the dog park are clueless and do not understand dog behavior.

I blame myself for thinking that it was a good idea to socialize my dog at a dog park. I learned the hard way that not all dogs belong in a dog park. Certainly not my dog #NeverAgain.

Most people at dog parks separate their dogs by size. But it doesn’t seem like your dog was actually ‘prey’ for those dogs. They could have caught her if they wanted to, no?

[Anonymous]

Because I don’t trust any dog outside of mine. I’m not risking my dog so your 70lb mut can mount her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because I don’t trust any dog outside of mine. I’m not risking my dog so your 70lb mut can mount her

So angry! Is your dog not spayed? Obviously you wouldn’t be welcomed in a dog park- your personality is not appropriate.

[Anonymous]

https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/benefits-of-having-dog-park-in-community

There are so many benefits to dog parks obviously. I often wonder if the same people who object to them so strenuously would also consider playgrounds for children a bad idea. The same arguments can be made for why these are a bad idea for children, but obviously no sane person would think to keep kids away from them!

It strikes me as part of the continued commercialization and humanization of dog ownership. It’s not all bad, but it is odd to see people running to say they need to enroll their dogs in socialization classes, hire dog behaviorists, etc. A little crazy imho

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/benefits-of-having-dog-park-in-community

There are so many benefits to dog parks obviously. I often wonder if the same people who object to them so strenuously would also consider playgrounds for children a bad idea. The same arguments can be made for why these are a bad idea for children, but obviously no sane person would think to keep kids away from them!

It strikes me as part of the continued commercialization and humanization of dog ownership. It’s not all bad, but it is odd to see people running to say they need to enroll their dogs in socialization classes, hire dog behaviorists, etc. A little crazy imho

This is just some random article written by some random person.

Here's a different article written by a random person who happens to a certified dog behaviorist: https://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-the-truth-about-dog-parks.html

Like most things in life - there are good things and bad things about dog parks and we don't need to judge others for the decisions they make that have no impact on our own lifes.

End of thread.

[Anonymous]

I loved the dog parks when mine was a puppy. The concept is great for the dogs and owners that it fits. But around two, he became less predictable and fussier about which dogs he liked. He's big and bulky, so that made me nervous he could inadvertently hurt a smaller dog, especially if startled.

Also, some owners get how dogs correct each other, but plenty don't know and think the dog is being aggressive when they didn't properly observe the preceding behavior by the pup behaving badly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/benefits-of-having-dog-park-in-community

There are so many benefits to dog parks obviously. I often wonder if the same people who object to them so strenuously would also consider playgrounds for children a bad idea. The same arguments can be made for why these are a bad idea for children, but obviously no sane person would think to keep kids away from them!

It strikes me as part of the continued commercialization and humanization of dog ownership. It’s not all bad, but it is odd to see people running to say they need to enroll their dogs in socialization classes, hire dog behaviorists, etc. A little crazy imho

This is just some random article written by some random person.

Here's a different article written by a random person who happens to a certified dog behaviorist: https://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-the-truth-about-dog-parks.html

Like most things in life - there are good things and bad things about dog parks and we don't need to judge others for the decisions they make that have no impact on our own lifes.

End of thread.

PP that was my point sort of. Why the over humanization and commercialization of dog ownership? Why do we need dog behaviorists and trainers etc? Human beings are homeless and going hungry right now in the US, but we need to hire dog behaviorists who advise us on not going to dog parks? A relatively safe, free way to get a dog much needed exercise and socialization (and yes, I believe this is important). I’ll never agree that they’re bad. The benefits far outweigh the downsides imo.