Giant Breeds at dog parks.

TeddieXRuxpin

I can understand that. How many people went over to the small side after you did? That was a smart mov on your part.

The shotest way I see it is; dogs shouldn't go to a park unless they are some what trained. Sounds like that puppy was there to burn energy out..maybe doesn't get enough play/walk time at home?

If I took Britches to a park without wearing him our first..he would bounce all over everyone and probably be labeled as a "bad pitbull". There is a simply way of solving that though.

I don't see it as the same. Duncan weighing in at 40 pounds plays hard enough to stand up to Buster who was more than twice his size before he lost weight. It is going to depend on the dog itself, but no I don't see it the same as Ted 15lbs playing with Buster who would have been 6 times his size a few months ago.

Inga

Hm, I have 2 questions for the park people.
1. Are unaltered dogs allowed at the park?
2. What is considered large dogs? Above 50lbs? Above 80lbs? or only above 30lbs?

I have not brought my dogs to a dog park in years as each time was a bad experience. My dog was attacked by Golden Retrievers, West highland white terriers and a Yorkie. They were all in the large dog area. My dogs are all 85-120 pounds. Thank God mine were non-combative but it was unfair for them to have to put up with the ill mannered little dogs that were in the big dog side too. Just curious what you all think.

natureloverchris

To me, it seems like the owner is the problem not the dog. The guy may have been trying but when it wasn't working he should have moved on. I don't think large breeds should be excluded.

I have moved schmoo on a few times. He's an 80lb pup and actually plays very well with small dogs. Still he's a pup and even if it's "play" it needs to be comfortable for the other dogs and owners. The last time I was at the big, busy dog park I moved schmoo on. It wasn't even little dogs and he wasn't playing rough. However, his arrival (with much puppy enthusiastic running) seemed to stir everyone up and things were getting stressful and rough for several dogs and owners. There dogs were the ones being rough but since they'd all be quiet until I arrived I thought it was my responsibility.

Criosphynx

a whole bunch of NONE.

I've had to move on many occasions and thats fine with me, but i just sit over there alone and watch these little dogs get ravaged and trampled and the people don't leave or move, or even get off their butts and see whats going on (my other pet peeve) .
I watch person after person, walk in the gate with their small dog, look at me and mine on the small side and then go into the large dog area.
Im like, what are you nutts???

Durbkat

1. They are allowed at our dog park but your not allowed to bring a female dog in if its in heat.

2. A large dog to me has nothing to do with weight but more with size, such as height and length. What I would consider a large dog to be would be a lab or a golden or something like that.

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Criosphynx

Unaltered dogs are allowed but i must say they are very few and far between at this particular park...

Theres not a posted size/wieght limit anywhere. In theory a large, but shy or old dog can use the small dog side.


I think its unfair that any dog has to put up with any ill mannered dog at a place they are trying to have fun, i think its sad that people allow their dogs to obsess over another dog that is obviously and repeatedly trying to walk away... Aren't there staffed dog parks with selective membership out there?


Perhaps small dogs shouldn't be allowed on the other side because aside from trampling, don't som breeds think a small dog is prey? like sighthounds?

LMH

So what you are saying is just giant breeds shouldn't be allowed to dog parks because they make you feel uneasy. I don't think that's fair. Although I would love a giant breed dog park where all the dogs play hard with the same kind of energy. If someone has a small dog ,med, large or giant they should only take their dog if they are able to control him and they know that their dog knows how to play and be gentle with other dogs. Do you really think it's fair to give a free pass to illmannered dogs just because they are smaller?

Criosphynx

[quote=LMH;314309]So what you are saying is just giant breeds shouldn't be allowed to dog parks because they make you feel uneasy. I don't think that's fair. Although I would love a giant breed dog park where all the dogs play hard with the same kind of energy. If someone has a small dog ,med, large or giant they should only take their dog if they are able to control him and they know that their dog knows how to play and be gentle with other dogs. Do you really think it's fair to give a free pass to illmannered dogs just because they are smaller?[/QUOTE]



what on earth are you talking about? I've said the exact opposite.. I think you need to reread all the posts.


before this gets stupid let me clarify that i'am in no way bashing giant dogs or saying they shouldn't be at the park. Im just asking what everyone elses take on the idea is.

harrise

Well, I rarely go to dog parks anymore because of Bubba. There's something about him that little dogs freakin' HATE. He usually gets snarled at by some 15 pounder and hides in the corner for a while. My biggest issue is the one closest to us is very popular, and there are so many dogs that they start breaking off into packs of 5-7. Even during the week there's 30-50 something dogs in about 2.5-3 acres.

Mr Pooch

I have the same problem as Harrise Aslan attracts smaller dogs who want to kill him.LOL.

Personally i wouldnt let my 2 male dogs in any dog park with other dogs,Blake is a bit of a trouble maker and has a big pal(Aslan) to back him up.

Its just not fair on the other owners.(im assuming we are talking off-leash here?)

BoxMeIn21

I couldn't agree more! It should depend on temperment and your dog's ability to play well with others, not on size. I can't bring Disco to the dog park because of that very reason, she can't play nice and she's the tiniest boxer I have ever met.

winniec777

As Yoda says, "Size matters not." It's training that matters. My dog LOVES dogs, any dogs -- big little, friendly, mean -- makes no difference. She wants to PLAY. We've trained her to not stomp on the little ones and to back off on the mean ones. I wish the owner of the little toy poodle who hamstringed her and took her down at a full run (she was running away from the little pest when he bit her) had trained his dog.

Bottom line: I've seen ill-behaved dogs (and owners!) of all sizes. Which is why the next dog park we go to will be a members-only monitored park where dogs are screened, where proof of up-to-date shots and spay/neutering is mandatory, where big and little dogs have separate play areas, and where the owner of the park can police all the bullies -- no matter the size -- and kick them out!

BTW, RE big breeds...my dog is no judge. She loves big breeds. She's about 70 lbs but she loves to mix it up with great danes, mastiffs, huge rottweilers, pyrenees, etc. twice her size -- when they stomp her she thinks it's great fun and just goes back for more. So again, I don't think it's a size thing. I think it's a training and temperament thing. My dog runs like a sissy rabbit from cardboard boxes but put a 200 lb drooling, play-bowing, charging dog in front of her and she's in heaven! So bring 'em on!!

Durbkat

Move to our city then because our city dog park is exactly like that. Well they don't require spay/neutering but almost everyone's dog is fixed and female dogs in heat aren't allowed. And we have the authority to ask anyone to leave with a problem dog but if there are any problems the owners of the dogs involved usually leave if their dogs get into it more than once.

LMH

Calm down Crio-nothing has to get stupid. And what on earth I am talking about is it sounds like being in a dog park with a giant breed gets you nervous, especially if they are being unruly(which of course would get anyone nervous). I don't think you are giant breed bashing either. I think you should re-read my post.
It also sounds like you are saying that giant breeds may be too much of a liability at a dog park,but since you haven't come right out and said it, I'm not sure where you stand on the situation.
My opinion is that yes it's a huge liability to let giant breeds and small breed play together,especially when they don't know each other well.

MuttHunter

I think it depends a lot on the large dog--some are a lot less excitable than others, and pose little threat to other dogs. Equally some small dogs play quite aggressively and may provoke another dog (of whatever size) that does not roll that way. Some small dogs are intolerant of excited puppies, but happily roughhouse with much larger dogs.


It's not as simple as big vs. small. All other things being equal (they never are of course) I guess I would be warier of big dogs, but I don't think I would let any dog run around in a completely open-to-the-public dog park, unless I was pretty confident about the other dogs and their owners, and that my dog was in good standing with the park pack.

Mr Pooch

Wouldnt the world be great if everyone thought like you
Wish some dog owners where i live were as laid back as you.

Laurelin

As someone with a small breed, I think both sides have to use proper judgement in these situations.

Neither can really tell the other to leave (especially if it's not a segregated dog park). Technically both a toy and a giant could be there. But to me, it's too dangerous, so as the owner of a small dog, I need to understand that my small dog is at more risk than other dogs in the area. You have to protect the little guys because they can't really fight off a big dog. I'd hope large breed owners and owners of prey driven dogs would take similar precautions and remove their dogs from potentially dangerous situations as well. But since I can't count on others being repsonsible, I think it's best just to not risk it by going to the dog park.

But just thinking... in some parks, my sheltie would have to go to the 'large dog side' but compared to a dane or something, she's TINY. Part of why I think dog parks really aren't too safe an option...

JenTN

You know, I think some dog owners are just so over-protective, they get scared, their dog senses it, then BAM their dog is afraid of big dogs!

In Bo's puppy class, there was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that was TINY compared to Bo. She would walk up to Bo and the other bigger puppy, sniff them, and was fine. Her owner was obviously afraid of big dogs, but wouldn't say so. She would say her puppy was. One day her pup was sitting there sniffing the freaking air and she said "can the big puppies go over there, please, she's just really freaking out right now!".

Dogs and puppies play rough, and size usually doesn't matter, until the owners get involved, from what I've seen.

Mr Pooch

Agreed JenTn,although i wouldnt let Aslan mingle with smaller dogs he doesnt know(he thinks he is an Giant SBT.LOL) i think some people should chill a little,the more socialized the pooch the less chance of agression i think.

Me having 3 dogs i just dont do the offleash park thing,had too much hassle in the past and Blake is a real s*** sometimes.

Tankstar

That sstupid IMO. Thats like saying that pomerianians, chiuahahas ect shouldnt be allowed in as they are to small and may get stepped on. Every dog deserves a chance at a good time at a dog park. Its great for socialization ect. Maybe propose to whom ever runs your dog park to have a small section for small dogs. How do I feel about large dogs at dog parks? Well Blazes best friend is a irish wolfhound and heis other 3 best buds are all newfs. Im totaly fine with them all, the newfs out weight blaze by atleast 110lbs and the irish wolfhound is taller then blaze by about 12 inchs.

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