I've been traveling a year now with no issues, but in this camp, at least two dog owners have brought their animals to the large K9 park, announced their (boxer and a terrier) were "not really socialized" and then let them off leash to have a go at my Australian Shepherd. Now she is big enough to defend herself, but I do not wish to pay vet bills.
Please. If your dog is not socialized, do not bring them to a park until they are, or do not use the park. Walk around with the leash on, greet people with other dogs on leashes. Walk together, on leash, while you continue to train on off-leash commands.
How do expect people to socialize their dogs unless they bring them to a dog park. I’d agree that they need to be on a leash until such time they do get socialized. Talking from experience our Lhasa Apso wasn’t socialized until we began full timing. Even a 1 1/2 yrs later I won’t let her off the leash. I allow her to meet and sniff other dogs, just as do but rarely do I allow her to come in contact with other dogs OFF their leash. She getting better but at 17 yrs she is somewhat set in her ways
So to answer your question - yes I will continue to take her to dog parks.
Our two medium sized dogs were socialized at dog parks but due to their nature they would take an alert stance to any approaching dog. If the dog acted aggressive then it could get rough, if on the other hand the dog acted friendly they would play with the dog.
Most of the time there was never a problem and they along with the other dogs had a good time.
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"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
The above discussion is one of the reasons we don’t have a dog.
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
Anyone who has a problem dog, and you know if you do, should not have that dog in a dog park period, leash or no leash. I have had two dogs in my life, one a very mild mannered dog (an English setter) and another a fairly aggressive dog (German Sheppard/collie mix most likely). I would have had no qualms about taking the first dog to a dog park, apart from possibly kennel cough danger, but not due to aggression toward other dogs or people. The second dog I wouldn't take around anyone or any dog that she didn't know. It was to protect both myself from liability and the other dog or person from injury. I think that anyone who takes an aggressive dog to any social setting is just asking for a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. Is having your dog at a dog park really worth that risk? I know what my decision was and they didn't even have dog parks when I had these dogs.
Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.