Don't do it. Not worth the risk.
I used to take Shanoa to dog parks but I don't anymore.
I used to take Shanoa to dog parks but I don't anymore.
Dog Parks
Thinking of bringing my dobes to a dog park near my house in chicago. I have heard some real horror stories about dog attacks and stupid owners? Any input?
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We go 4-5 times a week. Ours is huge not just a fenced in field but a trail system on the prarie that allows dogs off leash.
Atlas loves it. We meet new people/dogs every time we go. I would not deny him that fun. Throw the ball, run in the water...its great.
Your gonna get mostly bad experiences to this topic. Most people aren't fans. I think its because they don't want even a single hair out of place on their dog. Expect growling/barking/sniffing/dog communication.
Weekends are super busy
Atlas loves it. We meet new people/dogs every time we go. I would not deny him that fun. Throw the ball, run in the water...its great.
Your gonna get mostly bad experiences to this topic. Most people aren't fans. I think its because they don't want even a single hair out of place on their dog. Expect growling/barking/sniffing/dog communication.
Weekends are super busy
Edit....and use the search feature next time...theirs 2 TRILLION threads on this topic already
I don't think that's fair. I have no problem with my dogs playing rough. They play like that together at home, and with dogs that we have playdates with.Your gonna get mostly bad experiences to this topic. Most people aren't fans. I think its because they don't want even a single hair out of place on their dog. Expect growling/barking/sniffing/dog communication.
What I do have a problem with at dog parks is aggressive dogs and clueless owners. People bring dogs to dog parks that are very unsuitable for that type of environment. People do not watch their dogs. People don't know how to read dog body language.
I'm glad you've had good experiences at your park. I've personally seen some very, very nasty fights with dogs that end up at the vet with serious damage. So it's not for me anymore. But it's not because dogs play rough and I don't want my dogs' hairs out of place.
That is an ignorant, condescending and inflammatory statement.Most people aren't fans. I think its because they don't want even a single hair out of place on their dog.
Most knowledgeable doberman people aren't fans of dog parks for the obvious reasons. As was stated, there are a LOT of threads here already on dog parks if you do a search you can read for days about the topic.
Fair enough.I don't think that's fair. I have no problem with my dogs playing rough. They play like that together at home, and with dogs that we have playdates with.
What I do have a problem with at dog parks is aggressive dogs and clueless owners. People bring dogs to dog parks that are very unsuitable for that type of environment. People do not watch their dogs. People don't know how to read dog body language.
I'm glad you've had good experiences at your park. I've personally seen some very, very nasty fights with dogs that end up at the vet with serious damage. So it's not for me anymore. But it's not because dogs play rough and I don't want my dogs' hairs out of place.
I wasn't directing that at you or anyone BTW, just trying to make a point.
I will agree about clueless owners and people who can't read dog body language. Definitely some idiots but I can't say my dog has ever been ruthlessly attacked
Mine has. Fortunately she was physically okay. She was just a puppy, though, and that did some serious mental damage to her.Fair enough.
Definitely some idiots but I can't say my dog has ever been ruthlessly attacked
You will get a fair mix of responses on this. What it comes down to is that when something goes bad, chances are it will go VERY bad. More times than not a dog park will be full of ignorant owners with terribly socialized dogs (or just plain aggressive ones) who shouldn't be there. Also, because the doberman is an "aggressive" breed, chances are your dog is going to be blamed for whatever happens, if anything happens, simply based on his breed. You also need to take into consideration the potential for male/male aggression that is rather prominent in the breed.
That being said... When I was living where there was a dog park I was taking my boy there 5-7 times a week. He LOVED it. I was lucky for two reasons though. First, he has been very well socialized around people and dogs. I worked at a dog boarding/day care facility so he learned how to play with dogs of all sizes from a young age. Second, and this is the big one, the "regulars" at the park that I went to were pretty competent and, since I went so often, I was also a regular. The advantage to that is that if anything were to happen they know my dog and would stand up for him (unless he truly did start it). It was never an issue with my boy but it happened with a dog belonging to another regular.
I personally love dog parks and think they're especially good if you don't have a large yard and/or can't afford a daycare (or if you don't have one near you). I don't trust my boy off leash anywhere so taking him to an open field isn't really an option (I'm sure he'd be fine but I couldn't live with myself if he took off after something and didn't come back). I've taken him places on a long line but dobies are large enough that a 30-50 ft lead doesn't really allow for much space. If you're going to take your dogs to a dog park my biggest suggestion is read up on dog body language and stress signals. Along with that, make sure you watch your dogs like a hawk and be fair. For the first few visits I'd suggest going during a "down time." Avoid the weekends, avoid 5-6 o'clock when most people get out of work and bring their dogs. I'd suggest going in the afternoon or in the morning where there are little or no people there so that the dogs can get used to the place. Also remember that the "new guy" is ALWAYS the most interesting and the moment other dogs notice your dogs they will run up to them and surround them to sniff and get acquainted. This is REALLY stressful for some dogs (its even worse for a leashed dog) and this is one of the reasons I suggest the first few visits being made during a less popular time.
That being said... When I was living where there was a dog park I was taking my boy there 5-7 times a week. He LOVED it. I was lucky for two reasons though. First, he has been very well socialized around people and dogs. I worked at a dog boarding/day care facility so he learned how to play with dogs of all sizes from a young age. Second, and this is the big one, the "regulars" at the park that I went to were pretty competent and, since I went so often, I was also a regular. The advantage to that is that if anything were to happen they know my dog and would stand up for him (unless he truly did start it). It was never an issue with my boy but it happened with a dog belonging to another regular.
I personally love dog parks and think they're especially good if you don't have a large yard and/or can't afford a daycare (or if you don't have one near you). I don't trust my boy off leash anywhere so taking him to an open field isn't really an option (I'm sure he'd be fine but I couldn't live with myself if he took off after something and didn't come back). I've taken him places on a long line but dobies are large enough that a 30-50 ft lead doesn't really allow for much space. If you're going to take your dogs to a dog park my biggest suggestion is read up on dog body language and stress signals. Along with that, make sure you watch your dogs like a hawk and be fair. For the first few visits I'd suggest going during a "down time." Avoid the weekends, avoid 5-6 o'clock when most people get out of work and bring their dogs. I'd suggest going in the afternoon or in the morning where there are little or no people there so that the dogs can get used to the place. Also remember that the "new guy" is ALWAYS the most interesting and the moment other dogs notice your dogs they will run up to them and surround them to sniff and get acquainted. This is REALLY stressful for some dogs (its even worse for a leashed dog) and this is one of the reasons I suggest the first few visits being made during a less popular time.
I take Elke to the dog park but I advise caution and checking things out. I am fortunate that Elke doesn't like aggressive dogs and she prefers to stay away from them, so she is not likely to get into something unless attacked. I also take a look at who is there when we arrive and I supervise while she is playing (walking around, keeping close to her, keeping an eye on what's going on). She loves it so I would hate to deny her the opportunity to play with the friendly dogs she knows, but I have also taken her and left when the wrong mix of dogs was there.
This weekend there was a clueless/ignorant/annoying guy with an unneutered male mastiff type of dog that kept mounting other people's dogs (not Elke). The owner was ignoring everything his dog was doing and when another person called him on it, they got into an argument and basically he refused to leave and refused to control his dog. He accused other people of hitting his dog, which had not happened (someone had tried to shoo the dog off a smaller puppy). I would have left except one of Elke's favorite friends (Dobe mix her age and size) was there and they wanted to play, so we went to the other end of the park (large park) by ourselves and they had a great time. We both left at the same time when the aggressive dog started wandering over to where our dogs were.
There is one dog park near me where I like to go, because I know the people and the dogs that frequent it, and it is mainly patronized by responsible dog owners. However you still have to be vigilant and make sure that play doesn't escalate.
There are a couple other dog parks in the area and I generally don't go to them because of the people and dogs I've seen there. Too many clueless or ignorant owners, too many untrained dogs with behavioral issues. Too much of a risk.
I personally feel you have to decide for yourself based on what you encounter. For me, the dog park is one of the few places I can take Elke to really play and get her energy out. Plus our dog park (my preferred one) has other Dobes and the other people who go there love them, so I don't get the breed bias. However, I still exercise the caution and vigilance I can to try to keep it a fun experience.
This weekend there was a clueless/ignorant/annoying guy with an unneutered male mastiff type of dog that kept mounting other people's dogs (not Elke). The owner was ignoring everything his dog was doing and when another person called him on it, they got into an argument and basically he refused to leave and refused to control his dog. He accused other people of hitting his dog, which had not happened (someone had tried to shoo the dog off a smaller puppy). I would have left except one of Elke's favorite friends (Dobe mix her age and size) was there and they wanted to play, so we went to the other end of the park (large park) by ourselves and they had a great time. We both left at the same time when the aggressive dog started wandering over to where our dogs were.
There is one dog park near me where I like to go, because I know the people and the dogs that frequent it, and it is mainly patronized by responsible dog owners. However you still have to be vigilant and make sure that play doesn't escalate.
There are a couple other dog parks in the area and I generally don't go to them because of the people and dogs I've seen there. Too many clueless or ignorant owners, too many untrained dogs with behavioral issues. Too much of a risk.
I personally feel you have to decide for yourself based on what you encounter. For me, the dog park is one of the few places I can take Elke to really play and get her energy out. Plus our dog park (my preferred one) has other Dobes and the other people who go there love them, so I don't get the breed bias. However, I still exercise the caution and vigilance I can to try to keep it a fun experience.
If I were to use a dog park (and I do occasionally) I have some personal rules.
1. I only take dogs that are dog park appropriate. I take dogs LOOKING to interact with other dogs and dogs that will not fly off the handle if some idiot brings an ******* dog in the park. All 3 of my dogs would prefer to avoid the conflict.
2. I take dogs with extremely good recall and leaev it commands.
3. I would go to the park without my dogs and watch. See what kind of people come/go. I'd do this the days/times I plan on visiting.
4. Start by bringing 1 dog at a time when I decide to go and
5. When I get tehre I sit in the car and watch who is in the park and the energy level. Many times I have turned around and come right back home.
6. If a possible trouble maker comes into the park I leave IMMEDIATELY. No sense in waiting for something bad to happen. It's not worth it. I leash the dogs up and go PERIOD. Many many times if you read a dog park horror story it starts with talking about how the aggressive dog had 2-3 incidents BEFORE THE horrid incident and yet people still didn't leave.
1. I only take dogs that are dog park appropriate. I take dogs LOOKING to interact with other dogs and dogs that will not fly off the handle if some idiot brings an ******* dog in the park. All 3 of my dogs would prefer to avoid the conflict.
2. I take dogs with extremely good recall and leaev it commands.
3. I would go to the park without my dogs and watch. See what kind of people come/go. I'd do this the days/times I plan on visiting.
4. Start by bringing 1 dog at a time when I decide to go and
5. When I get tehre I sit in the car and watch who is in the park and the energy level. Many times I have turned around and come right back home.
6. If a possible trouble maker comes into the park I leave IMMEDIATELY. No sense in waiting for something bad to happen. It's not worth it. I leash the dogs up and go PERIOD. Many many times if you read a dog park horror story it starts with talking about how the aggressive dog had 2-3 incidents BEFORE THE horrid incident and yet people still didn't leave.
I like our local dog park, but only during "down times" weekdays, during the day. I used to go on weekends, but one day I saw a woman walking a ferret on a leash. That's when I realized how positively, absolutely clueless people can be.
Without jumping on the pro/con band wagon, I would ask:Thinking of bringing my dobes to a dog park near my house in chicago. I have heard some real horror stories about dog attacks and stupid owners? Any input?
gideup - how well trained is your dog...as your new here to DT.
Does your dobe have a solid recall...are you in control, at all times.
Is it submissive, aggressive, or some were OK in the middle.
With this very limited input from the Poster...I can't recommend or take a logical position...to the question.
Personal point of view - my senior Amy has never been to a dog park / one was not available locally, till a few years ago.
She never missed anything in her personal training & socialization...with her Dad.
(while she would probably do very well and could have fun...at one)
Provided there are no idiot dogs present...as she won't take any crap, from bad 4-legged manners / directed to her.
Can I ask, do you muzzle your Dobe? (it is the law here in Spain that all dangerous breeds, to which the Dobe belongs here be muzzled out in public along with kept on a leash). If he is muzzled and leashed (fixed or extendable) are you worried he will be attacked or that there will be some kind of problem?
As we don't have dog parks here in Spain I am wondering is it somewhere, where you go and let your dogs run free? If so, is it policed by someone, or is it just a free for all where no rules apply.
As we don't have dog parks here in Spain I am wondering is it somewhere, where you go and let your dogs run free? If so, is it policed by someone, or is it just a free for all where no rules apply.
Dog parks (USUALLY) are a large-ish fenced in area for dogs to play off-leash. Generally there are multiple areas, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs, and they don't have any sort of "lifeguard" persay but the owners are supposed to be responsible for watching and monitoring their dog(s). As for muzzling, I doubt it. That's not a law that I've ever heard of in North America. Sometimes we have breed bans in cities and town for specific breeds, but I've never heard of a muzzling law.Can I ask, do you muzzle your Dobe? (it is the law here in Spain that all dangerous breeds, to which the Dobe belongs here be muzzled out in public along with kept on a leash). If he is muzzled and leashed (fixed or extendable) are you worried he will be attacked or that there will be some kind of problem?
As we don't have dog parks here in Spain I am wondering is it somewhere, where you go and let your dogs run free? If so, is it policed by someone, or is it just a free for all where no rules apply.
Make an informed decision.
1) scout out the dog park by yourself. Leave puppers at home. Just observe. Owner behavior. Dog behavior. The clientele. See lots of Mr. T's in chains? hoodies? owners that seem in control of their dogs? clueless owners? If you determine it looks to be a well controlled, well mannered park, try it out.
2) don't walk your dog around in the park on leash. Not that you would, but I've seen people doing this thinking they'll 'introduce' thier dog around first. It puts your dog on the defensive against the other off leash dogs.
3) understand and watch dog body language. Any signs of the boy-on-boy stare downs, go interrupt it. some owners over-react to any dog play behavior - they don't understand dog body language. Just laugh at them.
4) be prepared for the worst. Have a plan of what you will do if/when your dog is involved in a scrap. Are you even willing to take this chance?
5) be prepared to pick up and leave at the first hint of anything. Even if its a simple spidey-sense tingling you get when Mr Badass saunters in.
We use a local dog park infrequently. Its a good outlet and generally a good group of owners/dogs. quincy has his 'friends' there.
1) scout out the dog park by yourself. Leave puppers at home. Just observe. Owner behavior. Dog behavior. The clientele. See lots of Mr. T's in chains? hoodies? owners that seem in control of their dogs? clueless owners? If you determine it looks to be a well controlled, well mannered park, try it out.
2) don't walk your dog around in the park on leash. Not that you would, but I've seen people doing this thinking they'll 'introduce' thier dog around first. It puts your dog on the defensive against the other off leash dogs.
3) understand and watch dog body language. Any signs of the boy-on-boy stare downs, go interrupt it. some owners over-react to any dog play behavior - they don't understand dog body language. Just laugh at them.
4) be prepared for the worst. Have a plan of what you will do if/when your dog is involved in a scrap. Are you even willing to take this chance?
5) be prepared to pick up and leave at the first hint of anything. Even if its a simple spidey-sense tingling you get when Mr Badass saunters in.
We use a local dog park infrequently. Its a good outlet and generally a good group of owners/dogs. quincy has his 'friends' there.
We go to the park daily BUT we do not enter the off leash enclosure area. Many years ago I witnessed a dog mauling (in the enclosure area) and to this day it still haunts me. I would never, ever, in a billion years EVER want my dogs to go through that or subject them to an at-risk environment.
Wow, the USA sounds far more relaxed about dangerous breeds (which is what they call Dobes here) than they are in Spain. In all honesty I rarely meet any other dog owners or their dogs due to the reaction my Dobe pup engenders. Don't get me wrong, he isn't a problem, usually it is the other dogs that have a go at him. I am required by law here to walk my dog muzzled and always on a lead. But occasionally when I am in the middle of nowhere I do let him off for a run, however, he is still muzzled just in case we meet anyone for safeties sake He really has a wonderful run about and loves it so much. It is just so sad folk have so negative a view of Dobes here, bad press, a few bad owners allowing their Dobes to become a problem has done so much damage that even the most angelic of Dobes would find it impossible to make a good impression. (Mind seeing a Dobe in muzzle hardly helps with the image of nice dog does it, but you cannot tell folk, especially the police hereabouts that not all Dobes are vicious killers as they view them, they just won't listen and can and do shoot any dog classed as dangerous they see who isn't muzzled and/or leashed, no matter what you say or do).Dog parks (USUALLY) are a large-ish fenced in area for dogs to play off-leash. Generally there are multiple areas, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs, and they don't have any sort of "lifeguard" persay but the owners are supposed to be responsible for watching and monitoring their dog(s). As for muzzling, I doubt it. That's not a law that I've ever heard of in North America. Sometimes we have breed bans in cities and town for specific breeds, but I've never heard of a muzzling law.
wow, any walks you take he has to be muzzled? 
What other breeds have this requirement?
What other breeds have this requirement?
Wow, the USA sounds far more relaxed about dangerous breeds (which is what they call Dobes here) than they are in Spain. In all honesty I rarely meet any other dog owners or their dogs due to the reaction my Dobe pup engenders. Don't get me wrong, he isn't a problem, usually it is the other dogs that have a go at him. I am required by law here to walk my dog muzzled and always on a lead. But occasionally when I am in the middle of nowhere I do let him off for a run, however, he is still muzzled just in case we meet anyone for safeties sake He really has a wonderful run about and loves it so much. It is just so sad folk have so negative a view of Dobes here, bad press, a few bad owners allowing their Dobes to become a problem has done so much damage that even the most angelic of Dobes would find it impossible to make a good impression. (Mind seeing a Dobe in muzzle hardly helps with the image of nice dog does it, but you cannot tell folk, especially the police hereabouts that not all Dobes are vicious killers as they view them, they just won't listen and can and do shoot any dog classed as dangerous they see who isn't muzzled and/or leashed, no matter what you say or do).
Aren't both your dobes intact, gideup? I wouldn't risk it, not at all. The other dogs at the park will know when Drama goes into her first heat, possibly before you do.
And doberman males are prone to male-male aggression, an intact doberman at a dog park is liable to have a problem with another male there sooner rather than later.
Aren't you showing/working/testing both of them with the possible intent to breed one day too? A bad set back at a dog park sounds like far too much risk to either of them.
Simon actually walks very well on a leash for a ferret. He's been to the pet store and a couple of pet-friendly events. But I cannot imagine what would possess someone to bring a small furry critter to an off-leash dog park! It boggles the mind.
And doberman males are prone to male-male aggression, an intact doberman at a dog park is liable to have a problem with another male there sooner rather than later.
Aren't you showing/working/testing both of them with the possible intent to breed one day too? A bad set back at a dog park sounds like far too much risk to either of them.
... 0_oI like our local dog park, but only during "down times" weekdays, during the day. I used to go on weekends, but one day I saw a woman walking a ferret on a leash. That's when I realized how positively, absolutely clueless people can be.
Simon actually walks very well on a leash for a ferret. He's been to the pet store and a couple of pet-friendly events. But I cannot imagine what would possess someone to bring a small furry critter to an off-leash dog park! It boggles the mind.
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