[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Captbob

It seems to be popular for many people to share their own personal experience with their particular dog , and assume that the outcome will be the same for everyone in the same situation. The person that wrote this article has dealt with thousands and thousands of dogs, and many of his clients are owners of aggressive dogs. It's obvious to me , that someone with that level of experience would be more likely to see the probable effect on the dogs that have been attacked, versus one dog owners experience with his or her dog.

I really don't think anyone is disputing the fact that dogs CAN become aggressive after being attacked...but more that not EVERY dog that has been attacked will be aggressive.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Captbob

It seems to be popular for many people to share their own personal experience with their particular dog , and assume that the outcome will be the same for everyone in the same situation. The person that wrote this article has dealt with thousands and thousands of dogs, and many of his clients are owners of aggressive dogs. It's obvious to me , that someone with that level of experience would be more likely to see the probable effect on the dogs that have been attacked, versus one dog owners experience with his or her dog.

Its like the old argument about the person that has a relative that smoked 3 packs a day and lived till they we 86 years old, telling everyone that the medical profession doesn't know what they are talking about when they say you shouldn't smoke, cause it is bad for your health.

By the way, here is my experience at the dog park today. I went to the park just before noon, and a friend of mine who has a Beagle told me that there were 2 PitBulls locked in the big dog area. He and another owner had corraled the 2 that had been running loose all over the park for the better part of the morning. Neither dog had any ID, no Rabies tag, and no way of contacting the owner. While we were waiting for animal control to come and get the dogs, another owner comes down with his 2 PitBulls who weren't very friendly, and decides to walk into the area where we had the dogs secured, despite us warning him to leave the dogs alone until aninmal control arrived. First thing that happens is his unneutered Male starts going after one of the strays. He finally gets his dogs into another section of the park after much yelling and chasing , where he had just come from. It was obvious that he had no control over either one of his dogs. Now he starts telling us that he doesn't believe in Training dogs with treats, he just uses a stick to train them. He also believes in "slow training" , and that is why his dogs are about 1 year old, aggresive, and are just learning the "come" command..... I made a mental note to myself that I would immediately head for the nearest exit if I saw this guy and his dogs approaching the gate in the future.

I am not saying that I know better than anyone one here nor than the author...in all reality, I probably know less about any of this stuff as I am a first time dog owner! I was just giving my point of view on the idea that all attacked dogs become aggressive...just saying that I don't agree with that statement because my personal situation's outcome is different. That's all, really.

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Captbob

It seems to be popular for many people to share their own personal experience with their particular dog , and assume that the outcome will be the same for everyone in the same situation.

You say this, yet you do the same thing. I don't understand. It has been clear to me from this thread and others that you have a lot of problems with YOUR dog park. In the pitbull thread you kept explaining your experience with aggressive pitbulls...well what is the difference between those experiences and the ones people are posting here?

I hope I am not coming off as rude, I am just getting confused here. You have clearly mentioned that on many occaisions you have run into aggressive dogs at your park and you use your experiences to tell people to be wary of dog parks. How is that any different than other people using their experiences to say the opposite?

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by CrzyBritNAmerica

You say this, yet you do the same thing. I don't understand. It has been clear to me from this thread and others that you have a lot of problems with YOUR dog park. In the pitbull thread you kept explaining your experience with aggressive pitbulls...well what is the difference between those experiences and the ones people are posting here?

I hope I am not coming off as rude, I am just getting confused here. You have clearly mentioned that on many occaisions you have run into aggressive dogs at your park and you use your experiences to tell people to be wary of dog parks. How is that any different than other people using their experiences to say the opposite?

The park I live next to is a new park, and we get alot of people that have never been to a dog park before. not only that, we are next to a few very large Apartment complexes, so we get dog owners from there. There are a set of Park Rules on a 6 by 4 foot sign as you enter the park, and almost everyone doesn't read them. We have to constantly tell people they can't bring a happy meal into the park, the prong collar has to be removed, no aggressive dogs, no dog's in heat and you have to have a R abies Tag on your dog. All these things and more are clearly spelled out on the sign, but people don't read them or think they are above the law, and shouldn't be bothered by any of these rules. Many of the dogs are not trained well if at all. The teenagers and 20 somethings like to have tough dogs, so there are alot of untrained PB's. Quite a few of them are unneutered. There are 3 other dogparks within 10 miles, but I hate to drive 20 miles rountrip, so I go to the park during the day when it isn't crowded. I don't know where the other posters are from, but I live in the fastest growing county in the US. Atlanta Metro area has over 4 million people and growing. It is not as bad as Miami or New York, but is getting there. People should do what they think is OK. I am just saying that when you go to a park you are taking a chance, and you need to be aware of that.

Just yesterday, a friend of mine came down with her 2 grown Rotties and 4 pups and another friend with another grown Rottie. A teenager was playing with a toy Chihuahua ( any way it was really small) in the small dog section of the park, and he decides to leave there and walk through the area where we were ( Big dog area) , with the Chihuaua. All of a sudden the Rotties started heading for his dog. Everyone freaked out, and frankly a couple of us expected to see Chihuahua parts flying though the air... Luckily the kid her us yelling and was able to grab his dog up, just as the Rotties got to it. We were explaining to him , that a dog that size, running around, looked like a Nathans Frankfurter or a Rabbit, to the large dogs. Up until then, he had no idea that his dog was in any kind of danger. Most people don't look to see if a new dog coming into the park is behaving in an aggressive manner, they are not watching their dog and how it's behaving every minute, they have no idea of how to break up a dog fight if one breaks out, and many times, they have no control over their own dog in a dogpark environment. They say their dog is trained, but they can't even get their dog to come when they call it. Now if parks in your area, don't have any of these problems, count yourself as being very lucky.

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Captbob

I am just saying that when you go to a park you are taking a chance, and you need to be aware of that.

Originally Posted by Captbob

Now if parks in your area, don't have any of these problems, count yourself as being very lucky.

Good post! Thanks for clarifying...I didn't mean to sound judgemental!

I totally agree with you on all your points! We don't usually have a problem at our dog park, but that doesn't mean we don't have ANY ignorant people. I see new people all the time that decide they aren't going to bother reading/following the rules. I (as well as many of the other people I know) are quick to point out to people that they are doing something wrong.

We had someone the other that decided they didn't need to pick up after their two dogs. (Which is SO annoying!) I politely pointed out that both dogs had done there business...sometimes that's all it takes for them to force themselves up off the bench and pick up.

Actually, just yesterday this guy came in with his Bull Terrier (a GORGEOUS boy...and very friendly) but he let him into the park and then went back out and sat in his car. I hate this! It is absolutely unacceptable, and he is lucky as hell that he doesn't have an aggressive Bull Terrier. He (surprisingly) walked back in when he saw his dog do a #2 and I reminded him that he should be watching his dog when he brings him to the park. He was a little annoyed I think because he quickly leashed his dog and left, to Bridgette's dismay. But it's probably my BIGGEST (and the most dangerous) pet peeve of all time.

We do have some people who bring their crazy dogs to the park, but I think there are enough of us who actually follow the rules to ask them to leave. It's nice that we don't have many problems...but I can definitely relatate to you and having ignorant people in the park. I still tell people to be cautious of dog parks, and to check them out thoroughly; more than once before bringing your dog.

[RonE]

I used to have nightmares about someone bringing a really aggressive dog to our dogpark and just turning him loose, but I've never seen it happen and I pretty much lived at the dogpark when I had my lab.

I would go out on Sunday morning to pick up a paper and maybe some donuts. Since Cubby always rode along, I'd swing by the dogpark for a quick run.

Three hours later, I'd realize I hadn't told anybody I was going out, so I'd call home and my wife would say, "'Sokay. I had a pretty good idea where you two were."

I HATE being so predictable.

Sometimes, even in the summer when it wouldn't get dark until after 9, some of us would shut the place down. It would get REALLY dark out there. I got some of those flashing LED lights that joggers use and put them on Cubby's collar and he looked like Robodog.

[Orange County Ca]

Actually he just lost the fight by giving up and getting mounted for a moment.

But I learned that any dog off its leash is suspect, if I already didn't know.

I don't trust one or two dogs in the park set aside a whole park load of em.

PatSmart's day camp seems benign enough tho.

[Ginny01OT]

The dog park near us (New York) does not have a "large" dog or a "small" dog section. All dogs are in one area and regardless of their size they are expected to be able to interact with eachother.

The rotties that went after the chihuahua (however you spell it) would be unexceptable in our dog park where size doesn't matter.

Regardless, I have seen too much stuff at the dog park that made me very uncomfortable--my dog was always "Switzerland" maybe one or two near incidents but mostly dogs don't really bother with him--he is well socialized, neutered and neither very dominant or very submissive; however, I have left there shaking after seeing people break up near blood brawls--and I have seen people with unsocialized dogs who think they are doing their dogs a service by trying to socialize them at the expense of the the other dogs at the dog park.

I have had more than one professional trainer tell me that it is only a matter of time before my dog would be pinned to the ground--or doing the pinning-- so I decided to stop going.

[Alpha]

It trully saddens me that those are the only pitbulls you've ever encountered Captbob.

I as well would be on the look out for that dog owner 24/7. Is there any type of "enforcement" for the dog park? Or just AC, and they only check in if someone calls? It's too bad that a few bad apples can ruin the fun for everyone.

As for dogs being attacked, I've been attacked numerous times with my guys, Roxy once by a SBT that latched onto her neck and didn't let go for what seemed like hours. She did absolutely nothing. NOt a squeal, no reaction at all. She doesn't seem to have changed. She's a bit leery of that particular dog, but I mean who wouldn't! LOL

I think it's totally dependent on the dog, the dog's life with the humans.. all sorts of factors. I've heard of some dogs going off the wall after being attacked, and being right out DA for the rest of their lives. In my experience, with my dogs though, they weren't affected with dogs in general, just the particular dogs that attacked us.

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by Alpha

It trully saddens me that those are the only pitbulls you've ever encountered Captbob.

I as well would be on the look out for that dog owner 24/7. Is there any type of "enforcement" for the dog park? Or just AC, and they only check in if someone calls? It's too bad that a few bad apples can ruin the fun for everyone.

Only AC, and it takes them sometimes 4 hours minimum to respond, so calling them for something other than a lost dog being confined to the park, is a waste of time. It is pretty much owner vs owner, amd the people with the worst dogs tend to be the owners with the worst attitudes. ( that figures, doesn't it? ....)

[Alpha]

That's what it's like where I live. I live out of town so it takes hours for AC to respond, and by that time, the dog has already attacked us and left, or pooped and left or what not.

Do you carry pepper spray? Not just for the aggressive dogs, but for the owners as well LOL

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by Alpha

That's what it's like where I live. I live out of town so it takes hours for AC to respond, and by that time, the dog has already attacked us and left, or pooped and left or what not.

Do you carry pepper spray? Not just for the aggressive dogs, but for the owners as well LOL

I carry it for both. I have some spray that is supposed to incapacitate a person for over a half hour , if you spray them with it...Hopefully I will never have to use it, and will just need the can of Halt I carry if a dog goes on the attack.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Captbob

I carry it for both. I have some spray that is supposed to incapacitate a person for over a half hour , if you spray them with it...Hopefully I will never have to use it, and will just need the can of Halt I carry if a dog goes on the attack.

This may be a dumb question but what's Halt?

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by Achilles

This may be a dumb question but what's Halt?

http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent/dp/B000AOA420

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Captbob

http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent/dp/B000AOA420

Oh wow! Great...thanx, Captbob. I didn't even know this existed! This may have come in handy during that dog attack. :P

Do many people carry this?

[Orange County Ca]

To answer the question Halt is the pepper spray used by the US Postal Service for the last 30 years. It causes extreme temporary discomfort for the dog. With 30 years of field testing they're stuck to it so I guess it works. But beware it is temporary. A relative told me about using it, the dog ran around the house, came back for a 2nd try, ran around the house and had to get it a 3rd time before he gave up.
Some police jurisdictions used to require a safety class and license to carry but I don't know if that's still true.
I'd certainly like to carry it to use against a few dog owners like mentioned above.

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by Achilles

Oh wow! Great...thanx, Captbob. I didn't even know this existed! This may have come in handy during that dog attack. :P

Do many people carry this?

Bicyclists have been using it for years to deter dog attacks. There are much stronger pepper sprays on the market for really aggressive dogs, but it will stop most attacks.

If you want something that will incapcitate both a dog and a human attacker for about a half hour, The Jogger Fogger is a good choice. It is about 100 times stronger than Halt. I wouldn't use this unless you felt really threatened by a dog or person.. I do carry both....

https://store.udap.com/merchant.mvc?...tegory_Code=PS