Dog Behavior Question

[Biciclista]

here are her words of wisdom

Well I agree with everyone that kids and dog parks don't go hand in hand. Stoo-pid parents for putting their kids at risk allowing this and stoo-pid dog people for putting up with it. I certainly wouldn't have a problem telling the parent to get the kid on a leash. One second of hesitation because you are worried about offending someone is that second in time that your dogs life, not to mention the kids, could be changed forever.

No one of course really touched on the real issues here. Number one; people think that dogs need to romp and play with other dogs. Do you see wolf packs interacting with strange wolves? No. We humans use dog parks like "we" think dogs need them. It's an excuse to be a lazy *** and not spend time with your dog interacting with them. I see more dog people chatting with each other and/or talking on the cell phone than paying attention.

If this dog owner thinks letting a 140 lb dog mouth human skin is OK because he's gentle, she's an idiot. In this day and age even if the dog did no more than mouth someone she's setting herself up for a law suit and her dog for impoundment. The dog is barely a juvenile and it sounds like he hasn't even entered into the difficult phase that all dogs go through like teenagers. OK so she doesn't like kids, fine, but that isn't going to help if the dog chases a kid, the kid falls down and breaks an arm. The parents still have a right to suit her. Just because something isn't right doesn't mean that someone can't or won't suit you. I believe my grandmother called that biting your nose off to spite your face.

[XMcShiftersonX]

No one of course really touched on the real issues here. Number one; people think that dogs need to romp and play with other dogs. Do you see wolf packs interacting with strange wolves? No. We humans use dog parks like "we" think dogs need them. It's an excuse to be a lazy *** and not spend time with your dog interacting with them. I see more dog people chatting with each other and/or talking on the cell phone than paying attention.

Perhaps mention to your friend that in addition to going to the dog park a couple times a week... We also take Megatron on a 1 1/2-2 hour walk every morning, an hour walk mid day, and a 1/2 hour walk at night?

When we don't take him to the dog park for awhile, it's noticeable that he's even more high energy than usual and gets into things he normally wouldn't. We've socialized him since day one of having him because we were told with big dogs it's important to make sure they're socially well adjusted so they don't have fear-aggression and hurt people and other animals violently.

[Biciclista]

Perhaps mention to your friend that in addition to going to the dog park a couple times a week... We also take Megatron on a 1 1/2-2 hour walk every morning, an hour walk mid day, and a 1/2 hour walk at night?

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will do, yes.

[tulip]

XMcShftersonX, so why did you ask the question in the first place? You obviously don't want any other answer than your own.

Good luck, and I really hope that there's never an incident, real or perceived, between your dog and a kid. If there is, you WILL be held responsible.

[GLC1968]

Perhaps mention to your friend that in addition to going to the dog park a couple times a week... We also take Megatron on a 1 1/2-2 hour walk every morning, an hour walk mid day, and a 1/2 hour walk at night?

When we don't take him to the dog park for awhile, it's noticeable that he's even more high energy than usual and gets into things he normally wouldn't. We've socialized him since day one of having him because we were told with big dogs it's important to make sure they're socially well adjusted so they don't have fear-aggression and hurt people and other animals violently.

I think this is smart. I had a dog that was wonderfully socialized as a young dog because I worked very hard at it. Then I had to leave her with my mom for 3 months while I was sent out of state for work. When I got back, my dog had the beginings of dog-aggression that just escalated. My mom and dad walked her twice daily and played with her in the yard all the time. What they didn't do, was let her anywhere near any other dog. EVER. It was this behavior that taught her that dogs were a threat to the humans in her family/pack. It became a HUGE problem. She wouldn't allow any dog within 100 feet of me without turning into a viscious beast! Luckily, I'm strong and could control her physically...but man, it sucked. I am a FIRM believer that if dogs will be in contact with other dogs (like living in a city) then it is CRITICAL that they have supervised interaction with dogs so that they know how to act. Socialization is very important.

Now, I agree with what Mimi's friend said about people who take their dogs to dog parks and then ignore them while they are on the phone or gabbing with friends. That's not right either, but I certainly don't get that impression from the OP at all.

I also don't like kids and I'm a huge fan of dogs - particularly large ones. I totally want to meet Megatron now! Anyway, I agree that you should work on teaching him not to mouth humans as that's not very hard to do and probably a good idea anyway. I would also make sure that you are always paying attention when at the park (which it sounds like you are already) so that you can give the command to bring Megatron back to you if you see crazy children. We have one dog that won't start fights, but LOVES to insert is defective-hip-rear-end into the middle of them at the dog park. We have to be very viligent so that we can call him off when other dogs start to quibble or he'd get hurt in a hurry. Anyway, lastly, I would do as you suggest and nicely mention to people who's children are running around that it's a dangerous thing to do in a dog park and that while you know your dog is friendly, not all of them are... Frame it as your concern for their kids' safety and it might go over better.

Other than that, you are welcome to bring Megatron to our house to play with the 5 dogs we now regularly have tearing around our property. He'd have a blast! Honestly, no more need for dog parks is one of the best parts about living in the country!

(and our dogs are never left outside without supervision, so they are not the scary unleashed country dogs that chase bicyclists!)