[Samson]

We have a new player in the dog park - a black Lab that lives to play ball - frisbee whatever !

My two are just not ball dogs at the park and they really look forward to interacting with other dogs ( whether the dogs like it or not )

Well this morning when I first saw the dog my two run over to play and after a few minutes they realised that the black lab wasn't interested and we continued on our walk.

Well this evening I got into the park and the same lab was there minding his own business so I held my two on their lead until we were away from it but as soon as I let them loose they zoomed off into the distance to say hi to the lab.

The woman immediately grabbed hold of her dog's collar and marched him off out of the field with my two in pusuit towards the main road.

In all of this both morning and afternoon I was in hot pusuit of my disobedient pair and not just letting them do what they wanted.

 

[BoatDog]

Col - what's the question?

 

[Samson]

Col - what's the question?

Do I let them off the lead next time I'm there and the Lab beats us to it ?

Could I shuld I have done more - kept thm on the lead ( No fun ) ?

 

[kiddsmom]

No dog should be leashed in a dog park. The woman is a twit.

 

[HersheyK's Dad]

I assume its an official offlead park. A place for the peeps to walk and exercise and for the dogs to interact. I assume that voice control is not a requirement at the park. (We have a couple parks here, not dog parks, where dogs can be off-lead in certain areas if under effective voice control.) Assuming I am right, you are just fine leaving your dogs off-lead as long as they are not aggressive toward peeps or other dogs. In fact, dogs should not be leashed in off-lead parks according to the rules here.

 

[Trickster]

I'd probably just keep my distance, Colin. I usually find that 95% of Lab owners are quite alike and enjoy watching their dogs have a run around together and stop for a quick chat. I guess this woman is one of those 5% that doesn't like either of those things...

If Jasper and Dylan are playing up on their recalls you may want to work on that. If they are used to running around with the 'regulars' and doing their own thing, this may be why they ignored you today (assuming you told them to stay by you?). It is amazing how quickly they can lapse on basic commands if we don't re-enforce them enough. I am very guilty of it to, as where we walk we know most people and I don't technically HAVE to recall them for any reason. So, I try and practice some formal recalls with a whistle a couple times a week to keep them sharp.

 

[Trickster]

I assume its an official offlead park. A place for the peeps to walk and exercise and for the dogs to interact. I assume that voice control is not a requirement at the park. (We have a couple parks here, not dog parks, where dogs can be off-lead in certain areas if under effective voice control.) Assuming I am right, you are just fine leaving your dogs off-lead as long as they are not aggressive toward peeps or other dogs. In fact, dogs should not be leashed in off-lead parks according to the rules here.

I doubt it is an 'official' dog park, Ed, as we don't have those here. But we do have plenty of parks that act exactly as dog parks in the unofficial sence, only without the fences.

 

[BoatDog]

Col - you did nothing wrong. If the woman isn't a twit - perhaps you could talk to her? Let your boys PLAY!!!

 

[nellies mom]

She sounds strange. It's a dog park let them off leash. There was a black lab at our dog park who acted the same. The owner was cool and the dogs all got along.

 

[kaznalf]

No dog should be leashed in a dog park. The woman is a twit.

As Rosie said parks over here are for people and dogs, a bit of a footy field, childrens playground, no fences and no rules. Nothing is in place and nothing can be enforced.

Im with Colin I havent always got complete control over Alfie if something is more interesting to him but hell yeah I want him to run about and play and not stay on leash..wheres the exercise in that

Colin Id probably try and keep my distance from them next time and try and stop your dogs before they start to sprint

 

[Samson]

Thanks for the opinions ! Rosie and Karen are right about the unofficial dog parks !

I'll keep them on the lead if this woman shows again but I'll be a bit peed if it's a frequent thing !

Do you think that dogs reflect their owners views i.e. if the owner is antisocail then the dog can be too ??

I spoke to the woman this morning ! Why should she ignore me tonight ?

 

[Dukesdad]

Do you think that dogs reflect their owners views i.e. if the owner is antisocail then the dog can be too

From my experience a Lab does not have an antisocial bone in its body. Like you dogs they just seem to like everyone and everydog. Twice in the last year I have spotted a Lab running loose while I was driving home in my neighborhood. Knowing Labs, all I had to do was stop, open the car door, and say "want a ride". In both cases the Lab happily jumped into my car where I got to check out their tags, both had address tags, and drive them home.

Colin, Please post an update tomorrow.

 

[BoatDog]

What exactly did you imply to her this morning, Col? You did have your pants on, right?

 

[Samson]

What exactly did you imply to her this morning, Col? You did have your pants on, right?

*Scowl*

 

[Tanya]

Ok, I'm a tad antisocial by nature but own a lab and love it.

Anyhoo, if your dogs just say hello and come back to you i'd say that's cool, but you should be able to call them away from her and her dog in the future (they don't HAVE to go say hello). For example, Rocky doesn't play with other dogs, we play fetch. So I DO get pissed when other people's dogs come to us and steel his ball (and then the owner doesn't give it back, or can't get it back). I know, I'm abit of a bithc, but it's the only way for Rocky to run (otherwise he's off eating dog poop).

When I have a foster I don't go to dog parks (specific use dog parks) as I don't know their temperment enough for that to be good. SO I go to multi purpose areas and keep them on a long line. Sometimes this means when another dog comes running up I grab the foster (gently and calmly) in order to monitor the greeting. Ready to interveen if anything happens. Usually I try to avoid the actual meeting, most of the time people see what I'm doing and call their dog back and I thank them. But again, i'm not at an official off leash dog park, i'm in a multi purpose area.

 

[patm]

I'd try to keep them away, but if they go over, do a meet and greet and come back, all without a scuffle, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure there will be other dogs coming up to greet the black lab, and if the lady really doesn't want that for some reason, then she won't return, or will come at times when she is less likely to meet other dogs there. She might not be a twit - there might be a good reason for her not wanting dogs running up to hers - but that will be for her to decide.

 

[kaytris]

She might have a very good reason for not wanting her dog close to yours.. possessiveness of its toy, an old injury, dog is in season, might be working on structured training at this time - who knows? If she doesn't want her dog to play with yours, why not respect her (obviously clear) decision?

(And work on getting a more reliable recall! )