Since spring has sprung more and more people have decided to bring there dogs to the dog park. Some of these dogs are very aggressive. I know Duke is aggressive, but I know which dogs he picks on (and the owners of these dogs to do, and still encourage me to bring him and "get him used to there dog", and he has NEVER drawn blood). Hunter has been attacked twice at the dog park, once it was by a cocker spaniel so there wasn't any damage (as the dog was a lot smaller than Hunter), but the owner still insisted on giving me there information in case something was wrong afterwards. About a week ago Hunter was attacked by a very large rotti, and it left puncture marks/tears in his stomach, as well as puncture wounds all over his snout. At the dog park they looked pretty bad and had bled A lot. During the fight the owner never stepped in, another man who was at the park as well ran up and got the dog off Hunter... the owner right away stuck his dog on a leash and left. Thankfully someone got his license plate and the police contacted him and got him to pay the vet bill (Hunter's fine).

I returned this evening and lo and behold the rotti was back! I brought Hunter again, and as soon as the man saw us he grabbed his dog and left.. I just can't wrap my head around why this man would bring his dog back after it caused Hunter a lot of damage...

This isn't the first time I have seen a dog come back after it has drawn blood on another dog, one time a dog ripped open another dog.. it was horrible! Thankfully enough people stepped in and got the dogs separated and kept the other dogs away from the fight, but the dog who seriously injured the other dog and almost killed it still goes back... and he STILL fights, none have been that serious but still..

What are your opinions on people who bring there aggressive dogs back to the dog park? Is there anything we could do about it? Or do I simply have to suck it up and accept that is a "fact" about going to a dog park?

Personally, I wouldn't go back to that dog park.

At our dog park there are very strict rules. If your dog is aggressive then it's not allowed at the park. Dogs that aren't well trained and good with other dogs are not allowed off leash. The owners must have control over their dogs at all times.

Your dog park sounds like it's very poorly run. Aggressive dogs should not be allowed to mix with other dogs at the expense of the other dogs well being.

Who manages the park? They usually have rules posted and if they are allowing dogs "off leash" then there should be a claus for verbal command and control. Any dog that can not be under verbal command and control shouldn't be there. Some dogs are alpha in the home so when they go out with their owners they remain in the alpha stage. That is where the trouble begins. If there are violent dogs there then they should be on a leash until such a time as they can aclimate to the situation. Also is there a limit as to how many dogs can be there at one time? Overcrowding can cause problems too. They should have all of this posted in plain site at all enterances.

Our dog park also has these rules.. it just seems no one follows them. By-law will come by every so often to check for rabies tags, and to make sure the dog is registered with the city.. but that's about it. The other dog park is not fenced, so hunter wouldn't be able to be free. *sigh*, I guess dog parks might be out of our schedule.

-There is no set number on dogs that are allowed to be there, usually there is about 10-15 (at busy times) the park is 1 square block.

... yea.. that's why I don't like dog parks.. Out of control dogs with dumb owners.

Sounds like you need to find a different outlet for Hunter.

It doesn't matter if rules are posted. If people aren't abiding by them then it is a dangerous park. Why do you insist on putting your dog at risk of getting hurt? That's great that you have control of YOUR dog, but it sounds like no one else has control of theirs...

Some dogs just don't do well in dog parks, just like some people don't like parties. If you want a place or your dog to run free you could try cemeteries. If you go to the oldest part of the cemetery there you won't have to worry about your dog running into any other dogs. That's where I take my dog when I want to practice off leash behavior.

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Some dogs just don't do well in dog parks, just like some people don't like parties. If you want a place or your dog to run free you could try cemeteries. If you go to the oldest part of the cemetery there you won't have to worry about your dog running into any other dogs. That's where I take my dog when I want to practice off leash behavior.

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Wow! I'm in shock.

Our cemeteries are patrolled, and they're very strict. In fact, one time when we went to visit my husbands father, and we couldn't immediately find the grave site (it took us around 10 minutes) security was immediately on us, asking why we were "loitering".

Dogs aren't allowed in the cemetery, and for good reason. Most people aren't responsible enough to pick up after their dogs, and dog urine does ruin grass. People pay to have their loved ones buried in a nice place. They don't want patchy grass and dog crap everywhere.

Show a little respect for the dead and please stop using your local cemetery as a place to let your dog run around. :(

Our local cemetery where my pop is just has rows with plaques on the ground and lovely green grass in between.
Lots of people who visit sit down on the grass in front of the plaques.

Last time we were there for his birthday there was another group at a grave near his having a picnic, they all had cans of this horrible brand of beer, they didn't look like they were enjoying that part in the slightest, but they all toasted to the occupant of the grave with their cans... made me smile.

Even if you pick up after your dog, it doesn't make it any better, at our cemetery you are literally walking over the graves anyway, no need to have a dog paying its 'disrespects' on top of it.

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

Our local cemetery where my pop is just has rows with plaques on the ground and lovely green grass in between.
Lots of people who visit sit down on the grass in front of the plaques.

Last time we were there for his birthday there was another group at a grave near his having a picnic, they all had cans of this horrible brand of beer, they didn't look like they were enjoying that part in the slightest, but they all toasted to the occupant of the grave with their cans... made me smile.

Even if you pick up after your dog, it doesn't make it any better, at our cemetery you are literally walking over the graves anyway, no need to have a dog paying its 'disrespects' on top of it.

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Exactly.

Graveyards/cemeteries, have a purpose. It's not to walk your dog or allow him to have off leash training. People pay a lot of money to have their loved ones buried, to have a place they can visit to show their respect, and their love.

They don't need to be stepping over dog $hit, or brown grass. That's not what a cemetery is for. They pay to have this plot, and respect for the dead should be shown, as should respect for the loved ones of the dead.

Another one hit wonder - pops in, posts something which is at best questionable, is never seen again. I never thought I would have to make sure things were "safe" before I knelt at my husband's grave. If my dog goes with me, she stays in the car!

(Did Alty just say $hit?)

Concerning dog parks - one of my dogs is sweet and gentle and loves my second dog but HATES anything else that even faintly resembles a dog. For that reason alone I would never take her to a dog park, rules or no rules. My stepdaughter's dog was attacked by a much larger dog at a dog park several months ago.

In my area there is no requirement that the dog's shots be up to date, that the dog not have worms, anything else. Dogs in heat show up at the park with their (idiot) owners.

Not for me and my dogs, no thanks.

Budhasmom, no thank you. I have miles of fields I can let hunter run on, I like going to the dog park to socialize my dogs... I will not to take him to a cemetery just to play.

The dog park we go to has rules set by the city. I have noticed however that the other dog owners tend to police it themselves. Owen is a submissive dog and has had other aggressive dogs try to start things. Other owners have told the aggressive dog owner to "control their dog" "don't come back" etc. I am sadden to read that not all parks are like mine, I had assumed they all were.
One thing I have noticed about dog parks and other owners is them saying " My dog is not submissive". Unless I am wrong that does not make your dog better than mine. Emily are there other dog parks you can check out? Or maybe you can find other like minded people and dogs and set up a time to go to the park together to let them play together.

To all I offended I do apologize. I haven't been here in a while because I was having trouble with my computer.
To be honest, I never even thought about the harm I was doing. I made a mistake.
Where I live we have a cemetery that I found by accident while walking my dog in the park. It seemed like a good place for me to practice some off leash training to make sure my dog would come when I called him, and I had been using it ever since. And I like to read the headstones.

Aggressive dogs do not under any circumstances belong in a dog park they should be band they not only endanger other dogs they also endanger the humans and things can get out of control fast someone's pet could get killed. I someone has an aggressive they should seek out a qualified professional trainer to work with them and their dog. To many times people bring their aggressive dogs to a park and don't even watch them. Or they don't understand the dogs body language and are clueless about being able to be proactive and prevent fights.