cat saint
August 23rd, 2007, 05:36 PM
My dog is an unneutered 1 year old lab-shepherd mix. He is well socialized with other dogs, great lab demeanor. Often when we enter the dog park, other dogs, all sizes attack him. He is not an alpha dog, he does not bark or bite back, but turns his back to them, ears down. When he gets away from them, he runs and tries to have fun with the less aggressive ones, but the others chase him and go after him again. I end up leaving the park when owners do not hold their dogs and don't think this is fair. What dog (and or human ) behaviour should I know more about to understand why this is happening? THANKS!!!
pitgrrl
August 23rd, 2007, 05:52 PM
Are you allowed in the dog park with an un-altered dog?
Picking up a book like "Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog" is probably a good idea in general, but my guess would be, if the majority of dogs at the park are neutered, that they may be reacting to your dog's family jewels.
mummummum
August 23rd, 2007, 05:52 PM
Are you sure it is attacking and not just rough-play? Have you ever watched these dogs play with each other to make certain you can tell the difference? Some dogs do play rougher than others and if that is the case, you would be best to make "playdates" with the owners of dogs of your/ your dog's choosing.
crazydays
August 23rd, 2007, 06:00 PM
I am no expert but I think it has to do where your dog sits in the heirarchy in the pack of dogs at the Park. Even though he is not aggressive, he may be considered a threat to some of the others. Unneutered males draw alot of attention from other dogs--probably from unneutered (other) males at the park. I have seen so many flare ups between unneutered males at the Dog Park I go to. The fact that this has happened with your dog more than once tells me may be considered a threat -even though he isn't the instigator.
cat saint
August 23rd, 2007, 08:25 PM
Thank you for your input. What do you think I should do in that situation? Should I leave? What responsibility do the other owners have?
CS
cat saint
August 23rd, 2007, 08:36 PM
Are you allowed in the dog park with an un-altered dog?
Picking up a book like "Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog" is probably a good idea in general, but my guess would be, if the majority of dogs at the park are neutered, that they may be reacting to your dog's family jewels.
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Thanks for your input. This park allows unneutered males, but no females in heat. What is the best way to respond when this happens and my dog is not the aggressor? Today I simply left the park, but wonder if there is a better response.
Rottielover
August 23rd, 2007, 08:36 PM
Honestly, until he is neutered, you will run into this issue. You are lucky your dog has not been seriously hurt.
I would stay away until a few months after he is neutered, and grab that book about body language
TMac
August 23rd, 2007, 09:16 PM
Yep. Probably because he's un-neutered. Are you planning on neutering soon? That will help with so many problems...