Dog park etiquette

I just took my dog to the dog park for he first time last year. Its in Bay Park 5 minutes from my house. I really thought it was going to be great for her. When I got their, there were other small dogs but mostly male. WELL, all they did was hump her the whole time!!! She even came home with sperm on her. I know its natural and dogs do that but they were relentless. Now my question is how should the other owners react to this. I was going nuts all my dog want to do was jump up on me and be saved. The owners of these dogs just sat there talking to eachother and ignoring this. She hated it. How should I handle it this year if I decide to go again??? I just left without saying anything the last time. I know if they were my dogs I would have tried to distract them or something!!??

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it's not a sexual thing unless you're dog is in heat. it's a dominance thing. for the most part, i don't care but i do say hey in a stern voice and the other dog owners usually stop their dogs. i'm vocal if a dog is doing something to my dog that i don't like. i also know not to react like crazy for stupid things. you must know when a dog is fighting or playing otherwise. otherwise you'll make an innocent situation into a bad situation.

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I am aware of the dominance thing but I sware she was being mauled. I am not an over reacter I really read alot and have some knowledge of dog behavior. She could not get away from them they weren't playing they were humping one after the other. It was my first time ever at a dog park as this is my first "dog of my own". I was afraid to repremand someone elses dog. I thought like a child they might be offended. But you are right I will be vocal and do it next time. I just kept picking her up. I also tried not to do that but it just became too much. She was not in heat because she has been altered.

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aww - yeah that is one of the hard parts with dog parks. we find a lot of times people do not discipline their dogs enough and they are not "on top of" their behavior enough... it's like with children lol! but, we just try the best we can to stop and intervene if a dog is bothering charlotte.

she has gotten "mounted" (lol) a few times and we have stopped the dog if the owners do not do it and if it continues we just try to move to another side of the park or if it is really bad we politely ask the owner if perhaps they can try to tell their dog "no" so maybe they'll stop. it is awkward when it gets to that point b/c it is like asking them to do the proper thing but some people just don't realize i guess?

the hardest part is when she is being attacked... some dogs will nip at her, chase her and be aggressive with her and that is when i step in... with dog parks, for the most part, people practice proper "etiquette" and make sure to stop their dogs and be stern with them when they misbehave but then other times we have to step in.

i would give it another try and just be a little tougher - i know it stinks and you shouldn't have to. we get frustrated from time to time too.

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You shouldn't have to put up with that behaviour- yes, mounting is "natural" behaviour for a dog, but unacceptable at a dog park. It is not funny, and with the wrong dog, can lead to a fight.
I am not sure where you live, but the Middle Island dog park will be opening before the end of April.
There will be rules in place and enforced by a park steward program at the park, and any offensive behaviour (mounting included) will be written up by a park steward and the owner issued a violation ticket. After 3 violations, their membership gets pulled.
A visit to a dog park should be a fun and happy day, not a stress filled excursion-

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its a DOG park, its sooooooooooooooo common.
BUT if your dog was trying to get away from them then i would definatly say "would you mind calling your dog away form her?"
thing is, its sad but true, the dog runs are full of dog snobs. people whose dogs sh*t dont stink.....
make sure you are polite but not a pushover.
if my dog even LOOKS like he is going to hump another dog i call him to me.
some ppl do not mind, others do.
i could care less what the owner thinks. i see how the other dog reacts.
sometimes, if its another male they play and do it back and forth. dominance, play, etc.... then its ok.
but if the other dog is trying to get away i get stern with my boy.
if he CONTINUES while the other dog still hates it i leave the park.

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I've been to the dog park 3 x's. The first time I felt like the over protective parent. I didn't want to over react and at the same time, I didn't want my puppy to get hurt. The dog owners were good about taking their dog away from ours when they got too ruff with him.

My second experience was great! At some point, I thought my dog was playing too rough with another dog and I reprimanded him but the dog owner said that they are just having fun.

The third time, there was an aggressive dog. The owner at first kept him away but then gave up. Everyone seemed annoyed. He was not nice with any of the dogs.

Don't give up on the dog park. YOu'll have good days and bad days.

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I have been to the dog run's a few times...I used to go to the park for a walk then got into taking her to the runs.
My experience...I have to make sure there are not too many dogs there.
Jasmnie is a Rottweiler but she is still a puppy and does not play aggressive and that is not something I want her to start.
She also HATES when a dog goes to mount her. She growls and I step in and alert the owner she freaks out when that happens. I would say it happend 3 times so far and other owners have been good and one even left when their dog is out of control.
With the nice weather and runs becoming so much more crowded I will start taking her to the park more for some walks. Runs can be rough think of throwing your child into a play pen with 20 something children all of different ages. It can be rough for them too! I love the run when I am feeling lazy not to walk and just let her play but I have gone and not put her in cause the dogs were big and aggressive.
Best of Luck!!!

Message edited 4/12/2008 7:53:10 AM.

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I am sorry, but it isn't ridiculous- I have ripped apart a schnauzer and a poodle at a dog park in a fight over mounting, and it can start fights with the wrong dog. It's best to keep fights at a minimum, don't you think?
You can't get a membership to Middle Island without your dog being spayed or neutered, and many unspayed females and neutered males still engage in mounting behaviour. So spaying and neutering doesn't curtail mounting- it is a show of dominance, and can lead to a fight.
Verbal warnings will be given to the park patron if their dog engages in this behaviour- if they do not control their dog after these warnings, they will be issued a violation.
Sorry you think this is so strict- but the majority of our members are tired of their dogs being harassed at a dog park in this way, and they support a vigilant park steward plan at the park.
It's for the owner's safety... and their dog.

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Oh and by the way, forgot to mention I DO know about dogs, dog parks and "pack behaviour-"
I have visited many parks in Florida, have broken up fights at many of them and observed what precipitated them, and also did Doberman Rescue for LI for many years and had EIGHT dobermans, living in house, UNCRATED, and they all got along (also attended Schutzhund classes with one of my dogs) I have also attended 2 Cesar Millan seminars, and plan on attending other seminars to further my knowledge regarding dogs, as there is ALWAYS something to learn. I made the rule of no mounting, as this was the most common complaint of dog park patrons EVERYWHERE and they were tired of dog parks, in THEIR words, being "free for alls-"

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Yes, we will try to educate that person about dog behaviour, show them how to correct if they request, and if all attempts fail and the person gets nasty and shows a total disinterest, then they will be issued a violation. I forgot to add that- sorry!

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Posted by Gertyrae

Posted by ginalewis

Oh and by the way, forgot to mention I DO know about dogs, dog parks and "pack behaviour-"
I have visited many parks in Florida, have broken up fights at many of them and observed what precipitated them, and also did Doberman Rescue for LI for many years and had EIGHT dobermans, living in house, UNCRATED, and they all got along (also attended Schutzhund classes with one of my dogs) I have also attended 2 Cesar Millan seminars, and plan on attending other seminars to further my knowledge regarding dogs, as there is ALWAYS something to learn. I made the rule of no mounting, as this was the most common complaint of dog park patrons EVERYWHERE and they were tired of dog parks, in THEIR words, being "free for alls-"

I just want to applaud you defending yourself....knowing what you have done in Suffolk County to create and improve dog parks - I have to commend you for the rules and regulations.

For others information, this person has helped to create two dog parks in Suffolk County and is working on more. She has organized many outings to help educate legislators about dogs and dog parks.
Taking your dog to a dog park and helping to create dog parks are two entirely different things...she should be commended for her actions and not ridiculed.

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Posted by dilb712


I do not think anyone was ridiculing her?? If I sounded like I was I want to apologize!! I thanked her for her input on my questions. I do not have a Steward in Bay Park. I have to handle this on my own. Unfortunately

Re: Dog park etiquette

Posted by Gertyrae

Posted by dilb712


I do not think anyone was ridiculing her?? If I sounded like I was I want to apologize!! I thanked her for her input on my questions. I do not have a Steward in Bay Park. I have to handle this on my own. Unfortunately

That totally wasn't directed at you....someone else said that having a steward who gave out tickets was ridiculous and that mounting is normal behaviour.

I apologize for having you think that it was you....