Dog Parks
I thought there was a debate thread up about this but I didn't see it. =xSo yes, dog parks. I'm sure you've all heard of them, correct? I'd like hear what everyone has to say about them, as I've heard a lot of good and bad. Prior to typing this I tried to do a little research on different views people have on dog parks and found very few negative ones.
Now then, I guess I'll start off with my own personal experiences. I use to take my American Cocker Spaniel, Lucy, to the dog park. She enjoys running around with dogs her size, its really the only chance she got to play with other dogs and she enjoyed it. Lucy is a very mellow, well-behaved girl. I had to take her early in the morning to beat the rush because of so many people bringing in their giant, uncontrollable puppies that would tackle her and try to play so rough with my dog that I'd just have to pick up Lucy and leave. After a while I stopped going, I never liked how our dog park was set up to have large dogs in with small dogs.
Then I got Draco, my German Shepherd mix. I was young when I got him and everyone stressed that Draco needs socialization, as he is a mix prone to dog aggression. I approached a few trainers at Petsmart, probably a stupid move on my part but again, I was young, and they suggested that I take Draco to the dog park. Okay, Draco is a bigger dog now, was around 7 months of age. He wouldn't be getting tackled like Lucy. So I figured why not? Drakie has met many dogs, knows how to behave around small dogs as he lives with one and minds me well.
Biggest mistake I ever made with him. Draco's first visits went wonderfully. He got to meet other playful pups and got to play with dogs more his size, something he doesn't get at home. It was great socialization for him. Then on our fourth or fifth visit, was earlier in the day when it was still cool so there wasn't many dogs there, me and Draco were playing fetch when someone came into the dog park with a bull terrier. We paid it little mind, Draco and I were at the far end of the park and Drakie was more interested in this tennis ball than a new dog.
This bull terrier ran straight across the dog park the moment that leash came off, mind you our dog park isn't all that huge, and attacked my dog. I don't know why. I STILL don't know what went through that dogs mind. He didn't just bite Draco or throw my dog to the ground. He MAULED him. It took this dogs owner beating the bull terriers face to get him to let go of Draco's face. My dog was screaming and crying, bleeding everywhere. That man left without an apology and before I could even say much to him. My mother wanted to go after him, she was there with me with Lucy, but I was more interested in getting Draco to a vet.
Draco got stitches on his lips, his face, and to this day can't trust strange dogs larger than a cocker spaniel, aside from his two pit bull buddies. That one moment imprinted on him so badly it completely destroyed his puppyhood, we spent the next few months retraining him to be confident on walks and trust the world again. I haven't stepped foot in a dog park since, nor do I have anything good to say about them.
However, I heard that we have another dog park in another town, about an hour drive from us, that HAS small dog and big dog sections, which brings me to point of this debate. Sometime early next year my girlfriend and I plan to get two puppies, a Corgi and an Italian Greyhound. Would it be wise to take them to this new dog park? I've seen it once and it's far better set up. What do you guys think? Is my dog park just a mess and poorly set up or are all dog parks a generally bad idea? I'd love to hear some opinions on this because as of right now I'm really not for taking a dog into a dog park again.