Joined
·
467 Posts
Oh, the dog park. I love the dog park, as does Pepper. She gets to run, play with other dogs, and have some free play time which, with 2 people working, obviously doesn't happen during the day.
Many people who frequent the dog park are great and have great dogs. There are a few with problem dogs, but they don't tend to return.
Then there are the people with dogs that are fine, but its the PEOPLE I take issue with. Dogs play. They play-fight. I know the difference between play and aggression. So does my dog, by the way, and if a dog is genuinely aggressive towards her, she comes back to me.
But there are a few dogs who, when playing, the owner goes ballistic. Starts yelling at their dog, pulls the dog off, scolds, hits even. I try and say "it's fine. They are playing" and the owner will snap back at me "SHE NEEDS TO LEARN!" Learn what? That if the dogs play they will be punished?
Poor Pepper will then give up and come back to me and we leave. It's sad for her.
I guess, I don't know -- is there anything I can say/do? It drives me nuts. Seriously, it takes away the fun of the park.
Many people who frequent the dog park are great and have great dogs. There are a few with problem dogs, but they don't tend to return.
Then there are the people with dogs that are fine, but its the PEOPLE I take issue with. Dogs play. They play-fight. I know the difference between play and aggression. So does my dog, by the way, and if a dog is genuinely aggressive towards her, she comes back to me.
But there are a few dogs who, when playing, the owner goes ballistic. Starts yelling at their dog, pulls the dog off, scolds, hits even. I try and say "it's fine. They are playing" and the owner will snap back at me "SHE NEEDS TO LEARN!" Learn what? That if the dogs play they will be punished?
Poor Pepper will then give up and come back to me and we leave. It's sad for her.
I guess, I don't know -- is there anything I can say/do? It drives me nuts. Seriously, it takes away the fun of the park.