I swear....

There are many reasons I try to avoid the dog park when it's busy.

Rockey and Gerodi

There are people I know who avoid it altogether for one reason or another; some of them are responsible pitbull guardians, and prefer to keep their wonderful dogs away from any and all potential risk zones (I applaud this), some stay away because they have dogs who cannot handle being off lead, and some don't go because of the idiots who do attend.....

....This goes out to those idiots.

I usually go super early in the morning.  My dog park is gorgeous!  It's 102 acres of running.  It has a creek for playing in, or swimming; the grass is never mowed, so my guys can leap and wrestle and play hide and seek, and it is generally awesome.

The early morning crowd is normally a few older gentleman and their hunting dogs.  Dogs with manners who prefer to point at birds, or launch into the waterhole after a tennis ball.  The runners are out at dawn as well; the super fit who take owning a Vizla or a couple of sled dogs seriously.  They breeze on by while their dogs stop for a sniff or a fast circle tag game with mine, and then they are off.

The early morning crowd is changing.  I'm going to blame the weather (...so come on cold mornings!), it has been so warm by 8 or 9 a.m. that these well-meaning Humans are actually showing up when it is comfortable out.  Lately, I'm seeing a lot of dogs on leashes. 

This is bad.
This is really bad.

I see teenage dogs who Humans have finally gotten the all clear from their backwards veterinarians; dogs who are 6, 7 and even 8 months old, visiting the park for the first time.  These dogs are HUGE.  And they have had NO SOCIAL EXPOSURE because the vet told them to wait until they had finished all vaccinations before taking them around other dogs.  So here is a tiny woman, holding on to a tense, tight RETRACTABLE LEASH while her 90 lb Bernese Mtn Dog chokes himself out trying to reach every dog in sight.

Not a Bernese, but check out this body language!  This may be the world's friendliest pup, but this sure doesn't look like it.  Bracing to reach something creates an unnaturally "forward" stance.  This pup may be cruising for a fight.

I see a brindle boxer mix on a RETRACTABLE LEASH near the gates.  The Human has the leash locked to appx. 4 feet long, and this tense dog is not only reaching for other dogs, but she is battle-tailed stiff and nervous, and when I approach, I notice she is also wearing a shock-box.....Her Human says, "This is her first time here, we just got her yesterday."  "What's her name?" I inquire, attempting to open a conversation window.
"Uh, well, we haven't settled on one yet...we've been calling her _____(not mentioned, in case he happens to read this--not trying to offend, just educate)___________"

.............................................fantastic........................................................................................................

...you have a dog you don't know, in a situation she's obviously not comfortable in, on a device meant to enforce other training (yes, we'll talk about those more thoroughly another time) on a RETRACTABLE LEASH near the front gate.................................and she doesn't even know her name?
What the hell is wrong with you?!

I don't mean to yell, but honestly!

Can you see how another dog would read this guy as

predatory?

Ok, so here's where we get a little more informative, instead of just complaining about these Humans. When your dog meets another dog on lead, and they are pulling towards another dog, they are in a body stance that can accidentally communicate aggression to another dog approaching.  They are up on the toes, forward into the chest, ears and face are forward, and often times, they are pulling so hard the front feet come off the ground.  All of this can say "Hey, I'd like to eat your face" to another dog.  Allowing that tension on the leash creates tension in the energy of the dog, in yourself, and in the situation.  When there is tension, something can snap....in these cases, most likely those pieces of junk called Retractable Leashes....in most others, it's the dogs.  And you wind up with more scraps and fights then necessary. 

As Humans, we have a natural tendency to feel like pulling the dog back is preventing a problem, as we feel it will make it easier for us to pull the dog away should a problem arise.  But we are doing the exact opposite.  If you must allow your dog to meet other dogs on a leash, you must do your best to keep some slack on the leash.  If your dog cannot allow that, then he shouldn't be in this situation.  He is not listening nor is he focused on you at all, and you are an accident waiting to happen.  You are being amazingly irresponsible, and you are putting other dogs in danger.

When there is slack on the lead, your dog can exhibit more natural body language.  He is free to drop his head, wag his tail, fall into play invitations, move away if he's not comfortable, the whole bit.  Imagine what it would feel like if someone sent you to a restaurant for a fancy dinner.  You're all dressed up, and when you arrive at the lobby, the host makes you wear a Hannibal Lecter mask before seating you.  And you are the only person wearing it.  That's the social equivalent of making your dog be on a leash in the dog park.

Granted, there are certain situations that warrant allowing your dog to use a drag line.  But know how to use that line without creating a potentially dangerous situation before you attempt to do so.

My dogs are not allowed to interact with other dogs on leash.  They are required to ignore and walk past other dogs, or to sit and ignore other dogs when they are on lead.  Being on lead is time to pay attention to me, it is not play time.  It is not "talk smack" time, it is walking time.  I respect other people's dog-space, and I understand that some dogs who play fine off lead, may have a bit of an issue while on lead, so my dogs stay out of that area.  I would love it if more people would do the same.  It is only the polite thing to do. 

If it is your dogs first time at the park, and you are so nervous about her behavior around other dogs, that you feel a shock-box is necessary, she should not be there.  Period.  If she doesn't even know her name and you plan on shocking her for what you, who obviously doesn't know a thing about dog behavior or body language, deem as inappropriate, you are going to make a mess out of that dog.

You know what your better bet would be?
Start with a friends dog who is mellow.  Go for walks.  Lots of them.  Get your dog into a class.  Make sure your dog understands what YOU want of her before you turn her loose with a bunch of other dogs.  If you don't have access to one or two friendly dogs, call a Trainer and see if there are options for introducing your dog to a few good ones, before you try to tackle the dog park. 

And if you do finally get to the dog park:  Turn them loose.  Let your dog be a dog.  Allow proper interactions and play to happen.  Guess what Humans, Dogs bite and chase and hump and wrestle and snap and growl and get disgusting.

I suggest finding out if there is a Trainer in your area who offers Dog Park Classes.  No, I don't mean classes you take your dog to.  I mean a class on Dog Park etiquette.  How You should behave when you bring your dog to the dog park.

Some dogs are not cut out for the park.  Some dogs prefer long walks to social interaction.  That's ok.  Your dog doesn't have to go clubbing.  But if you do have a dog you want to do this with, all I'm asking is that you use more sense, and start thinking about how your dog feels.

And start thinking about how your dogs' behavior will effect other park goers.......