Dog park behaviour?

Animal Lover

So our town has FINALLY opened a dog park, after about 2 years of petitions. I took Bella today with my neighbour and her dog Tex. We went during the quiet hours only because its her first time so I don't know how she'd react. Everything was going great, her and tex are already friends so I no worries about them, but a lady brought over a male boxer and immediately tex and the boxer started rough housing. We didn't mind the wrestling but every once it awhile it would get out of hand and seemed like a fight was about to break out. Now my question is...Bella would be playing with both dogs no problems, but as soon as the other two started growling at each other Bella seemed to get aggressive and went after the boxer with more force than I've ever seen. The hairs weren't raised but she was showing teeth and growling, trying to constantly get ontop of the boxer. Do you think if I took her alone without tex (he's way to hyper and he's not fixed) she wouldn't want to take things so far?
The owner of the boxer didn't seem to mind and thought they were just playing but she's never growled before while playing.

Mikey

GREAT news That's wonderful

Sometimes it SEEMS aggressive-but dogs are predators-so their 'play' is acting out hunting and predator behaviors.

Go with your gut-BUT I would say-if there wasn't blood and it seemed out of hand-it wasn't.

We go often to the dog park (about 5 times a week minium) and less then two days a month go by without Mikey playing with dogs-either at the dog park or at home or at friend's houses. He is super well socialized imo and a very safe, dog friendly dog.

When you see him playing it can look and sound awful-they are growling, excited, baring teeth, rolling, biting legs, biting ears, biting necks, biting collars, chasing and jumping -and in general look nuts. I admit-the first few trips or times he played with others-I was alarmed at it!

But they are just playing.

And in short-if you didn't get bit prying a dog off your dog, or didn't need to pry a dog off your dog-then they were not fighting.

Crio has an excellent idea on this-pull the two dogs apart-and let the dog go who seemed to be the underdog-the one you thought was being attacked. If he runs right back to the other-the one you thought was aggressive-they are just playing

I want to disclaimer this with 'use your gut instinct' because you don't want to 'turn off' if they are fighting or there is danger-but I really doubt that

In short-to answer your question-yes I think she would be different if you brought her by herself-as she might be more timid or something to that effect. I'm sure she was more confident with buddy at her side.

Also it's important to have room to escape-is the dog park large enough that a dog can leave-run away a bit if they are being bothered? It's when dogs are leashed or trapped that they can fight.

Another way to tell is if they do any 'play bows' -thats a definite sign of play

Animal Lover

haha Thanks Mikey, I figured I was seeing more into it than it actually was, I've just never taken a dog to a dog park before. So I'm not sure whats normal and whats not. I'll be taking her again tomorrow by herself to see how it is, There probably won't even be other dogs there (we go in the morning for now when everyones working)
The dog park is fairly large, and its divided into a small dog section and large dog section. I didn't see any bows, all I saw was each other running after the other baring teeth and growling and trying to get on top of the other dog. but it was very easy to break them up so maybe next time I'll relax a little.

another question, is there a way to make the dogs play a far distance away from us? The whole time we were there the dogs kept knocking into us in their wrestling match, we'd move away and they would follow us LOL I'm going to have really sore knees constantly being knocked to the ground.

Mikey

IF you figure that out-let me know!! I once had my shoes knocked off as five dogs in a ball rammed me

We all leanred it's best to stand with bent knees-that way they don't buckle when they hit you They seem to want to play so close to us -standard issue

If you walk along with them-they'll ususally play out in front but thats that just bend at the knees

Animal Lover

well at least its normal! phew. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea that Bella is out of hand when she's rough housing. The park still isn't populated yet I guess because its so new, so far at the busy times theres maybe 4-5 dogs.

Mikey

Lucky You'll be the first regular

She sounds totally normal Definitely

Animal Lover

Did a little expirement today. Took Bella and Tex back this morning to see how it would turn out. Tex got way out of hand and started a fight, both me and the other owner have battle scars. Bella seemed she wanted to either stop the fight or protect Tex so she got all upidy. Took just Bella back about an hour ago, There were about 6-7 dogs there and she did amazingly well. She was the calmest out of the whole bunch which really surprised me. I let my neighbour know today that I won't be taking Tex back anymore. He seems to do great with females, but hates males. Could be the fact he's intact?

fawkese1

it is not necessarily because he is intact, but the fact that he is doesn't help.
that type of behavior can be caused by all sorts of things... he may not like being around dogs he doesn't know, it may be the type of dogs there, he may not be well socialized at doggie greetings... it is really hard to say.

Criosphynx

IMO if there is a fight that draws blood, that dog isn't apropriate for the park. Its not fair to the other owners...no matter who started it...there will always be another dog to "start it" . Only dogs with endlessly long fuses belong at dog parks IMO.


I do see more fights between intact males than any other combo.

yeah, and keep your knees bent...I actually was injured pretty badly at a DP when a GSD hit my knee sideways.

Mikey

I have to agree with both Crio and Fawkese on that It's not the sole cause but it doesn't help. Also don't think its fair for any intact dog to be at the park-they interact differently-technically here only fixed utd dogs allowed but sometimes people bring intact animals.

I hope you weren't too hurt! And that's super at least that your dog is wonderful
Yeah at any rate sounds like your dog did fine which is what is important. Honestly I'd never thought at all about EVER taking my dog to a dogpark nor letting a dog offleash-we go ALOT now -love it
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