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What is your opinion re: my dog park?
Two days ago, a dog was attacked while out with his owners...this didn't happen at the small dog park and I found out about it because he emailed the people who use this dog park.
Today he was at the park with the dog who was attacked. She has a few injuries, but nothing life threatening. However, I noticed several times that when my dog would approach her to smell her and interact, the dog would snarl and snap at my dog. The dog also snapped at a couple other dogs.
At this park, all dogs must pass behavioral tests and such to be admitted as a member, so I know this dog is not normally aggressive. I also know the dog has all it's shots. I wonder if the dog is skittish from the attack she suffered from the two larger dogs, which I understand. But at the same time, I don't want to be afraid of his dog biting mine out of fear.
Would you contact the dog park manager? Email the owner? Let it be? While I don't think the dog should be banned from the park, I am concerned that perhaps she wasn't ready to be around other dogs so soon.
ETA: I might be more upset about this than I should be, but I feel that if my girl had to pass tests and I pay a decent amount of money for a dog park that is said to be safe due to all animals being tested for behavior issues, I shouldn't have to worry about her being bitten for simply approaching another dog. Also, this park is fenced off, as it's for small dogs only. You can only get in if you are a member by using a special entry card. TIA!
Re: What is your opinion re: my dog park?
If the dog has never had any other problems (aggresiveness, etc), and she passed the behavioral test, I believe she is just being skittish about the attack. She may not have these horrible attach marks to you or anyone else, but she's probably still really sore and having other dogs come around her is probably making her very nervous.
It sounds like the owner probably needs to maybe go the park at a time when there are fewer dogs for a while so that his dog might be able to get use to being around other dogs again, and getting that security feeling back. But if you don't feel comforable talking to him about it, maybe there is someone else who goes to the dog park that is closer to the owner who may feel more comfortable speaking to him about that topic.
But I do feel that if someone (you or any of the other dog owners) calls the dog park manager will probably be over kill and could ruffle some feathers if there's really nothing to worry about. Just my opion though.
We have dogs and I know I like to keep them safe at our dog park also.
You can either keep your dog away from that dog or go at another time.
It's kind of a catch 22. I didn't immediately start resocializing duke after another dog bit him...and now I have a dog that's very fearful of other dogs.
But your feelings are also completely understandable.
I'm curious how the guy reacted to the snapping.
I would probably suggest to the guy that he might want to start coming at less populated times because his pup is obviously stressed out around other dogs. If his dog is that on edge at the dog park, it's not fun for him anymore. He may need to do just some small playmates with one or two of his doggy friends for a bit.
Have you seen my monkey?
He completely ignored it. I had to just keep my dog away as best I could. He did leave after a while, but he didn't seem to think the snapping and snarling was a big deal.
Quincy and Dexter, new BFFs
I used to be kris216.
Thanks, everyone
I did email the dog's owner and he just said that wants her to get used to other dogs again and not be afraid. He also felt that the snapping and such was a natural reaction and he thinks she'll be ok "with time".
I don't really feel like it was resolved, but maybe now he'll be more aware? Either way, thanks for all the advice!
I would probably write back and tell him that he should probably be a little more involved in managing her interaction with other dogs until he sees her getting back to normal. Ignoring repeated snapping is not fair to other dogs.
In the future, I wouldn't hesitate to call him over as soon as you see his dog start to react.
Quincy and Dexter, new BFFs
I used to be kris216.
That's a fantastic idea