dog parks

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

There are dog parks and then there are off leash areas. Off leash areas tend to not have fencing and are just within certain boundaries. I prefer those over the "dog parks" as people who are able to keep their dog under voice control tend to have better control over their animals in general than the people who "let their dog loose" in the fenced parks. They tend to think it's a free for all.

If you think there are a lot of pit bulls here, you should have seen SF in the 90s!!! It's seems like it's only recently become a big thing here (last few years). I like pit bulls with PEOPLE but it never ceases to amaze me that people think that an animal bred for animal agression can have their genetics erased just because they have nice owners. They will never be fully safe around other dogs, especially in a hectic place like a dog park. My Border Collie can't have her herding traits done away with just because I don't own sheep! I still have to watch her closely around cyclists and skaters because she goes into herding mode, despite being very well trained.

I'm sure I opened a can of worms saying that but having known responsible pit bull owners, I can attest that they too shared my philosophy about pit bulls and dog parks--after age 1 or so it's not a good thing! Puppies are a different story!!

Much like your Border Collie, there is a difference between letting a dog do whatever its instincts tell it and making sure your dog is a peaceful member of the dog park community. My dog is a pitbull mix and she's dominant, somewhat animal aggressive - meaning that when the overly rambunctious lab/husky tries to pin her up against the fence, she'll snarl and nip at him, which is why I call her away from that particular dog. It DOESN'T mean that she chases other dogs nor does it mean that she attacks them. She has plenty of dog "friends" at the park that she plays with every day (she likes chasing games and incites other dogs to chase her by picking up a stick, showing it to the other dog and then running away - she'll do that until the other dog decides it wants the stick and chases her for it, and then she can outrun anything). It does mean that she's never out of my sight and that I watch her body language to make sure she's always in "play" mode - something that ALL dog owners should do.

[oldtintype]

Most dogs can't do the damage to another animal a pit bull can do, nor do most dogs have the genetic drive towards animal aggression that pits do. I personally like pit bulls, I just don't think they're safe around other animals, no matter how great the owner or dog.

We lived in a building in SF where the above neighbors had a pit bull. She and my roommate's lab would play in the yard all the time (supervised). They played for over a year in complete harmony. One day, she wanted a toy that the lab took and she went for her. It took 2 seconds for her to attack and 20 minutes to separate them. Lab had $3000 in vet bills. Pit Bull was sweet, friendly and loved to play. But she went for the throat of a much bigger dog with no hesitation and did severe, permanent damage, despite always being nice, having great owners, being supervised, never even showing animal aggression before, etc. All dogs can become aggressive, but the damage is much greater when the dog has instinct and strength to pull it off. I witnessed other attacks, including by some of the "St. Francis Terriers" that the SFSPCA was adopting out--dogs heavily temperament tested and trained, placed with supurb owners, etc. Everyone said the same thing--I watch my dog, she's always been friendly, etc. But the attacks happened. In the 1990s SF was pit bull central for some reason so there were A LOT of pit bulls in the parks. I saw too many attacks. I like the breed with people, but I will never let one near my dog.

[IDreamOfPNW]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

I'm sure I opened a can of worms saying that but having known responsible pit bull owners, I can attest that they too shared my philosophy about pit bulls and dog parks--after age 1 or so it's not a good thing! Puppies are a different story!!

No no. You are absolutely right. I'm a Pit Bull owner and have been practically all my life. I've never had a problem with any of my dogs at a park myself, but a Pittie and a dog park is just NOT a good idea. And there are many other very responsible Pit Bull owners that will attest and agree to this.

A dog park is often chaotic and exciting, this much excitement can cause a dog to act up and start something, it is especially hazardous with a breed such as a Pit Bull because of their high prey drive and dominance level. This is the same for MANY other dog breeds as well, especially Terrier breeds.

I don't take my dogs (I have one Pit Bull, but the rest are Herding breeds) to offlead parks for this sole reason. Too much potential for a dog fight.

I have to say, I'm happy to see that no one here has gone on to breed bashing, especially since this is generally a non-dog forum. I have yet to see an exceedingly stupid remark.