Some dog owners.....

[OzGirl]

Took Roxy to park yesterday, she had a great time playing with dogs that we've met before - who I know don't mind her "in your face" games. She is always jumping at their faces to get them to play.

After a while a couple came into the park with a pair of border collies and Roxy just raced across to them - ignoring my calls to come back (they were too close to the road). Well I ran over to get her and these 2 dogs were not happy to meet her, so I'm trying to grab Roxy while she dances around trying to play. The owners just ignored me and didn't even try to help the situation - me and my dog were not worthy of them I finally grabbed her and took her back to the other dogs where she played again till she decided to run way across the park to these 2 dogs again. Again I was treated to stoney silence trying to control my very out-of-control pup. When I caught her this time we went home. I just got cross with their attitude, okay not everyone likes little dogs - but sheesh you don't have to be rude.

Thanks for letting me rant on... (I needed that!)

[kcsdogs]

There are way too many rude dog owners out there. I would have let Roxy play with us!

[tena]

My particular favorite are the ones talking on cell phones while their dog is half dragging them down the street to start lunging at Sophie. Who of course is more than willing to respond in kind. I always quickly stop her, and will pick her up to control her but they always glare at me.

If you don't want your dogs to play with other dogs, why take them to a dog park?

Roxy could play with us too.

[binkyrab]

The ones that really get me cross are those that wont stop walking, and they know your cairn is just going to follow, I would'nt mind if they shew your dog away,but they just mindlessly keep walking

Binky

[Milopup]

What about those owners who always act surprised when you ask why their dog is not leashed when lounging in front of their house "why should i tie up my 150 pound dog? he is so gentle he would never hurt anyone...." or those who walk in the park (not the dog-park area) with their pup offleash because their pup is "just curious and playful, not aggressive or fierce". uh huh, sure.....

(sorry off-leash pups get me upset especially after we were attacked in front of our own house last year. of course being off-leash in the dog park is fine and expected.)

[hallswel]

Now you scare me with the "(they were too close to the road). " Was she off leash and not in a fence?

You would have gotten mad at me I would have scooped her up and told you she needs to be on a leash when not in a fence.

If you were in a fenced area I apologize to you for ranting. I just want Roxy to be safe.

[OzGirl]

Was she off leash and not in a fence?

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a fenced dog park here Dogs are supposed to be under control at all times - a bit hard with a cairn. It's a large park and I have only recently been letting her off when she is really pre occupied playing with another dog, only this time it went wrong. Its really hard cos she just wants to play with other dogs and that's not possible on a lead. I don't really know what to do, I know I shouldn't trust she won't run off, but is it fair to not let her play with other dogs? After this incident I will be reluctent to let her off again.

[Maggie15]

hey ozgirl... i get the same with maggie, she is aggressive to get others to play and likes to jump in their face and ears!! (not biting agressive, she just likes to play!)...a bunch of dog owners in the neighbourhood let their 10-15 dogs play in a fenced in school area nearby but maggie was too much for their dogs, and it was embarrassing for us to have to try to catch her!! and all the other dogs were big ones, except one mini-shnauzer... maggie plays like a big dog.

A trick i use to let maggie 'loose' in an unfenced park is a long rope... works much better than a leash -since that'll get tangled if you are holding the end-and its too short for her to 'feel' free! ...i use a 60'+ long rope (20M) and leave the end loose, this way i practice my come commands, and can let her rome pretty far away, and i know i can always run and grab the rope or just step on it and she can't get too far... this works great, trust me, might take a bit of bravery to do it around a bunch of other dog owners as they'd wonder why she has such a long rope on her but it works and is safe for her/him.

I've also tried walking her with the rope to test her... she walks within 5-8 meters in front of us and doesn't run off or get too far ahead, but we live in an area with no front streets, just a sidewalk between the houses, so its quite safe for kids and dogs alike.

good luck!

a

[Anna_525]

Last year we were so good taking Alfie to the dog run everyday but because Alfie gets into trouble (he's also the in-your-face type) and most dog owners in the dog run seemed to prefer the bigger dogs over the small ones (I also get the stone cold silence), it didn't feel as much fun to go back. Most small dog owners felt the same. We couldn't coordinate our schedules to meet up with other small dogs......

[sanford]

Dear Ozgirl - We also had a dog park with no fence. The dog owners banded together, contacted the Parks Dep't and got permission for them to install a fence, with the stipulation that we would pay for it and maintain it. We all donated money & set up a table for contributions and the fence was built for us.

This takes a lot of time and commitment, but all the dog owners were happy to join in and support the project.

[Tracy A.]

I carry a bottle of dog spray (pepper spray) same brand that the postal people carry when making rounds. Might sound a bit mean, but if a dog trys to attack I will spray it....

[Lisad]

Hey Ozgirl, I don't know what it is but I had a similar experience with a border collie's OWNER. The owner and the dog started hiking up a trail and my pup and I had just got to the trail head. I politely asked if the woman's dog got along with other dogs and the woman's response just seemed so rude. She said, "My dog is a border collie." And I'm thinking to myself, "Ah, yah, and mine is a cairn. So what?? Would you please answer my original question." Furthermore this woman didn't even turn to speak to me face to face it was more of an over the shoulder comment. Needless to say, I said ('cause I'm a little defensive), "Well, gee, we're gonna go over to this other hiking trail instead where I know there are friendlier dogs." My dh says I take things too much to heart. Oh well.

[OzGirl]

A trick i use to let maggie 'loose' in an unfenced park is a long rope...

I decided to give this a go, I went out today and bought a roll of rope. I'm not sure how other dog owners in the park will react but hey who cares? At least my fur baby will be safe, that was a bit too scarey the other day.

As for rude dog owners I guess I'll have to learn not to get upset by them.

[Maggie15]

Let us know how it works for you... make sure you have the knots tied tight (i've learned that one already!)...and i tied a beener on mine (on of those climbing clips) makes it easy to put on... the only real pain is rolling it up and undoing tangles when its stored...it seems no matter how perfect you roll it, when you take it out again there's knots!

A funny thing I like to do when we meet up with big dogs, they say to their dogs "be nice look how small she is" ...so i ask if its o.k. if they sniff eachother "because maggie plays rough and i dont want your dog scared" ...they look at me puzzled... but she's got more attitude than a lab or collie, thats for sure!

cheers,

a

[toomanypaws]

A trick i use to let maggie 'loose' in an unfenced park is a long rope...

I decided to give this a go, I went out today and bought a roll of rope. I'm not sure how other dog owners in the park will react but hey who cares? At least my fur baby will be safe, that was a bit too scarey the other day.

As for rude dog owners I guess I'll have to learn not to get upset by them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think A and J had an excellent idea for you. I too think it's better to be safe than say, "he/she's never run away like that before!" All it takes is once and your life could be changed forever. Ignore the rude dog owners, there's plenty of nice people out there too.

[OzGirl]

Just thought I'd let you know how we've been going with the long rope.

The only time she was off before was when there was another dog to distract her, so it's made our trips to the parks much more fun and interesting cos I just let her go off to sniff and explore as she wants. She has fun even if there nobody to play with. Before she had to stay close now she can wander off on her own, I just have to watch out for the kangaroo poo (she loves eating it )

The only trouble I've had is when she plays with little dogs the rope can get a bit tangled around their legs, it doesn't seem to be such a problem with the big dogs - who she loves to play with.

I'm enjoying taking her to different parks now know that I won't lose her - it was always a bit stressful before.

Thank you A and J for the great idea.