OP’s query seems to be variation #100,000 on DCUM’s favorite question: Why isn’t everyone else exactly like me?

Anonymous wrote:Dogs are social pack animals. They are happiest when they are playing with their pack. A dog park is not a pack, it’s a stressful situation for dogs. It tires them out and allows for off leash play and running for apartment or townhouse dogs.

We live in a house with a nice large fenced grassy yard and have two dogs along with kids.

Dogs are socialized to their human pack. That might be what you're saying, but I think it merits clarification. Your dog thinks you are its packmate. It doesn't need another dog.

Anonymous wrote:OP... here is the real answer:
My dog (and many other dogs) simply do not prefer to play/romp around with other dogs. They are perfectly content and polite, but they do not have any desire to wrestle/run with other dogs. What they desperately want to do, over and over again, is chase a tennis ball. Over and over and over. Until they collapse in a contented heap and watch the world go by.

Also this. My lab DGAF about your dog, but will fetch for hours.

Anonymous wrote:And don’t assume that dogs that dont go to the dog park are “isolated”….many of us have neighbors and friends with well behaved dogs who are friends with our dogs and play regularly.

This. Plenty of people learned how to train and "socialize" dogs before dog parks became such a common thing. Many people who think dog parks are some essential part of dog ownership don't really understand a lot about dog behavior, and their dogs have behavior issues that range from annoying to dangerous. My dog isn't "isolated" because I keep him out of that particular type of environment.

I don't take my medium-sized dog to parks at all, OP.

Despite having been adopted as a puppy into our household, cherished and trained repeatedly with both positive and then aversive techniques, he is hostile to dogs as big or bigger than he is, in particular to male dogs and those with dark fur. His vision isn't great, which might explain some of it, but the upshot of it all is that after 7 years old, we have given up trying. He dotes on his best friend, a small cockapoo, and does well with female, smaller or very calm, older dogs. I can't guarantee who is at the dog park on any given day, so I cannot go. We take long walks instead.

Dogs are social pack animals. They are happiest when they are playing with their pack. A dog park is not a pack, it’s a stressful situation for dogs. It tires them out and allows for off leash play and running for apartment or townhouse dogs.

We live in a house with a nice large fenced grassy yard and have two dogs along with kids.

My dog got attacked at a dog park. Needed stitches. Never again!

My dog loves most dogs, but hates maybe 10% of the dogs he sees. He’s about 120 pounds. I’m guessing you wouldn’t want to hang out with him at the dog park with a 10% chance for your dog to be chased all over by a bullying dog that’s not easily subdued? LMK if I’m wrong and I’m happy to let him hang out in your dog park instead of by himself!

Anonymous wrote:

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)?

Sure other people who did not walk their dog on a leash bit mine twice when she was a puppy.

Now she barks first at all dogs it stinks. I do not take her near people or dogs. She would never bite a human and has never bitten another dog however not pleasant to be around others.

Not all dogs are socialable.

Your dog isn't the problem, its the biters and they should have a muzzle or not be out.

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)?

Sure other people who did not walk their dog on a leash bit mine twice when she was a puppy.

Now she barks first at all dogs it stinks. I do not take her near people or dogs. She would never bite a human and has never bitten another dog however not pleasant to be around others.

Not all dogs are socialable.

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)?

Dogs aren't children, btw.

They don't need friend groups like human do

OP... here is the real answer:
My dog (and many other dogs) simply do not prefer to play/romp around with other dogs. They are perfectly content and polite, but they do not have any desire to wrestle/run with other dogs. What they desperately want to do, over and over again, is chase a tennis ball. Over and over and over. Until they collapse in a contented heap and watch the world go by.

Poor behavior during previous trips. Experience suggests keeping some distance.

I got tired of my dog being bit and she was scared to go back. And, it was costly for medical care. One dog bit multiple dogs and owners kept bringing the dog and refused to pay for the medical care.

Dog parks are terrible ideas. I would never subject my dog to them, for the same reason I don’t personally wrestle with large groups of people I don’t know.