There's this ONE DOG at the dog park that keeps bugging me out.

About 4 or 5 times in the last month, this pit bull (not breedism, it's just what it is) has continuously been aggressive with my 5 month-35 lb puppy. Kingsley does great with all dogs of all sizes. He's learned to step down when a dog doesn't want to play, and he has great manners. He doesn't jump on other humans, in fact, he usually runs up to other people and greets them first.

So anyway, this pit bull. His owner says that he's a puppy (but he's seriously like 70lbs). Every time he's there, he singles my dog out, tracks him, gets on him, growls, and bites his neck. Kingsley immediately starts crying. He does NOT want to play. His owner says that that's just the way he plays, but I tell him that I don't see him playing that way with any other dog. Even when he owner comes to get him, the dog comes back and will make his way through like 20 dogs and be ugly with Kingsley. WTF.

So yesterday, we got there, and Kingsley started playing with a 4 month old chocolate lab. Then the pit bull came up out of freaking no where and starts to growl and bite my dog.

The owner took for FREAKING EVER to get over there. Like, I kept trying to push him off, and he would ignore me. I even went so far as picking up my dog and the pit was still jumping up biting my dog. And here comes the gdamn owner ALL SLOW. Like, no, if your dog is growling and my dog is on his back crying, you fucking run and get your dog.

Me: "Sir, you really need to run when your dog is attacking my puppy"
Him: "He's just playing, he's a puppy, too"
Me: "He's not playing, your dog always attacks my dog and he's crying."
Him: "Uhm, I don't think so."
Me: "Well I DO KNOW, because this is like the 5th time."
Owner of the lab puppy: "Yeah, your dog attacked my dog twice earlier, you really need to take your dog out or leash him up"
Him: "He's fine, he's just playing".

Then he took his dog like 30 feet away and let him loose. I had to ask the people on the small dog side (separate fenced in area for dogs 25 lbs and under) if it was ok if my dog played in there because the man with the pit wouldn't leave.

what the hell, i was SO pissed. what do i doooooooo?

How many times do you come across this dog? Maybe you need to figure out when and what times the other dog is there and avoid being there that same time? Just because it sounds like this jerk of an owner isn't going to do anything about it....

I know it's not fair that you and Kingsley have to go there on a scheduled time, but it may be the best for now to avoid this dog and his owner.

I go anywhere between 3-5 times a week, on weekdays after 4 and on weekends around noon. He's been there at all times, too. But I've only seen him 4-5 times total, so it's really unpredictable.

That's really unfortunate. Is there any kind of governing body for the park that you could file a report with?

In all honesty, his dog probably is playing. Where is he biting? How long does he hold it there?

I'm not all all doubting your judgement, but Pippa is like this with certain dogs sometimes. Not so much the growling, but she's VERY rough, and VERY mouthy. But, when she does this and throws a smaller dog around, I immediately remove her from the situation. If the dog is clearly distressed and Pippa won't leave them alone, we leave.

However, there are some people that bring there smaller dogs into the larger part that maybe shouldn't be there. There's one dog in particular that's a little asshole to Pippa. She runs along side her and bites at the sides of her face the entire time we're there. Pippa is very rough with her, but when I remove Pippa the other dog comes running back to her egging her on again. I let her go at that point. This happened last weekend and the lady SCREAMED and grabbed her dog and left claiming that, "She knew what nice play was, and that wasn't it."

Anyway, I'd say if you think Kingsley is upset, they need to leave. But if they won't, there's not much you can do.

I was reading this off of another site...

Dominant dogs will T-OFF on your dog. That means stand at your dogs shoulder and put their muzzle over the shoulders of your dog. This is a dominant display. When you see this:

1- Tell the dogs owner that he or she needs to get control of their dog.

2- If this does not work, then it's time to leave the park. If there was any aggression you may want to file a complaint or police report. Make sure you indicate that you were concerned for your personal safety and your dogs.

Besides this, I don't think there's anything much you can do since it is a public park.

katiesham wrote:

In all honesty, his dog probably is playing. Where is he biting? How long does he hold it there?

I believe him when he says that that's just how he plays, but I don't see him doing what he does to Kingsley to any other dog (bigger or smaller). It's like he sees Kingsley from far away, and LOCKS on him, and tracks him. He bites his neck, then puts Kingsley on his back, and gets spurred on when Kingsley cries bloody murder, all while continuously growling and baring teeth.


I just don't know what more I can do to get him to leave other than saying "YOU NEED TO GET YOUR DOG AND LEAVE".

Maya does that. She picks out the submissive small or big dogs, chases them and pins them to the ground. She doesn't leave them alone either, but she doesn't growl when she does it. Though the dogs scream bloody murder she isn't hurting them. I stopped taking her because of this and when i do take her it's on a long lead so i can grab her and put her in a time out when she does it. He should stop taking his dog if he's not training it to not be rough with other dogs.

DanielleCortez wrote:

katiesham wrote:

In all honesty, his dog probably is playing. Where is he biting? How long does he hold it there?

I believe him when he says that that's just how he plays, but I don't see him doing what he does to Kingsley to any other dog (bigger or smaller). It's like he sees Kingsley from far away, and LOCKS on him, and tracks him. He bites his neck, then puts Kingsley on his back, and gets spurred on when Kingsley cries bloody murder, all while continuously growling and baring teeth.


I just don't know what more I can do to get him to leave other than saying "YOU NEED TO GET YOUR DOG AND LEAVE".

How long have you guys been going to this park? Do you think maybe this dog is establishing dominence there, and he may be picking on your Kingsley to let him know he is king of the park?

Is there another dog park near you? Besides what has been posted above I don't see any other alternatives.

I went to one dog park and felt very uncomfortable. This dog park is a good 20 mins away if traffic is good and in a very nice neighborhood (big expensive houses). Anyways when I went I kept getting looks like "wtf is this Latino doing here with his dog" . Maybe not on those words but you the idea, they had a look of disgust.

Despite being a free dog park and read the rules I know where I wasn't welcomed. I now avoid dog parks altogether and take Meeka to the local regular park by my house (park is about 3 small houses put together, so very small). I let her off her leash and we play there when there is nobody around.

ateam043 wrote:

Is there another dog park near you? Besides what has been posted above I don't see any other alternatives.

I went to one dog park and felt very uncomfortable. This dog park is a good 20 mins away if traffic is good and in a very nice neighborhood (big expensive houses). Anyways when I went I kept getting looks like "wtf is this Latino doing here with his dog" . Maybe not on those words but you the idea, they had a look of disgust.

Despite being a free dog park and read the rules I know where I wasn't welcomed. I now avoid dog parks altogether and take Meeka to the local regular park by my house (park is about 3 small houses put together, so very small). I let her off her leash and we play there when there is nobody around.

Ya, I don't care too much for dog parks. I rarely go, and the times I've gone I've had unpleasant experiences!
Don't get me wrong dog parks have good sides, but they also have bad too. I think id rather take my dogs out for hikes in beautiful Lake Tahoe!!

Iluvmyhuskies wrote:

DanielleCortez wrote:

katiesham wrote:

In all honesty, his dog probably is playing. Where is he biting? How long does he hold it there?

I believe him when he says that that's just how he plays, but I don't see him doing what he does to Kingsley to any other dog (bigger or smaller). It's like he sees Kingsley from far away, and LOCKS on him, and tracks him. He bites his neck, then puts Kingsley on his back, and gets spurred on when Kingsley cries bloody murder, all while continuously growling and baring teeth.


I just don't know what more I can do to get him to leave other than saying "YOU NEED TO GET YOUR DOG AND LEAVE".

How long have you guys been going to this park? Do you think maybe this dog is establishing dominence there, and he may be picking on your Kingsley to let him know he is king of the park?

We've been bringing him here since February. The other dog is a bit older so he's been coming here first.

ateam043 wrote:

Is there another dog park near you? Besides what has been posted above I don't see any other alternatives.

I went to one dog park and felt very uncomfortable. This dog park is a good 20 mins away if traffic is good and in a very nice neighborhood (big expensive houses). Anyways when I went I kept getting looks like "wtf is this Latino doing here with his dog" . Maybe not on those words but you the idea, they had a look of disgust.

Despite being a free dog park and read the rules I know where I wasn't welcomed. I now avoid dog parks altogether and take Meeka to the local regular park by my house (park is about 3 small houses put together, so very small). I let her off her leash and we play there when there is nobody around.

Ironically, the owner of the pit is latino. But, so am I and so is my husband. There aren't too many of us in this area. Oh well.

Iluvmyhuskies wrote:

ateam043 wrote:

Is there another dog park near you? Besides what has been posted above I don't see any other alternatives.

I went to one dog park and felt very uncomfortable. This dog park is a good 20 mins away if traffic is good and in a very nice neighborhood (big expensive houses). Anyways when I went I kept getting looks like "wtf is this Latino doing here with his dog" . Maybe not on those words but you the idea, they had a look of disgust.

Despite being a free dog park and read the rules I know where I wasn't welcomed. I now avoid dog parks altogether and take Meeka to the local regular park by my house (park is about 3 small houses put together, so very small). I let her off her leash and we play there when there is nobody around.

Ya, I don't care too much for dog parks. I rarely go, and the times I've gone I've had unpleasant experiences!
Don't get me wrong dog parks have good sides, but they also have bad too. I think id rather take my dogs out for hikes in beautiful Lake Tahoe!!

Kingsley love's hikes as well, but our trail is a good 30 minutes away, and I like to let him run around and chase other dogs. There aren't any other dog parks in the area.

I hate this. Because as much of an asshole Pippa can be, I realize when she goes too far or for too long and I know when I should leave.

I'd try talking to other people there and see if anyone else feels the same way and if they'll say something too. There was a guy I wrote about on here a few months ago that would bring unsocialized, VERY aggressive fosters and enough of us finally said something and he hasn't been back with them.

If other owners are complaining about his dog "attacking" theirs (I use the term loosely as the pit may just be playing) then you guys need to tell him he doesn't belong there. If other people are uncomfortable with him and his dog being there, then he plain and simple shouldn't be there.

Our dog parks are ran by a group called "Omaha Dog Park Advocates" and when you have problems with dogs or owners, you let them know and they determine how to deal with it. If the offender is deemed they shouldn't be there anymore, a "representative" will go to the park and let them know they aren't welcomed anymore. If it gets too bad, then AC will get called.

Most owners leave in embarrassment when more then one person tells them to leave; that is why I suggest asking other owners how they feel about the guy and his pit. Sounds like the dog park is probably that dogs only source of exercise or socialization. Another stellar Pit owner..go figure.

Yep I agree with Kelsey...You'll might have to "gang" up on the owner...lol

Sheba&Kennedy wrote:

Most owners leave in embarrassment when more then one person tells them to leave; that is why I suggest asking other owners how they feel about the guy and his pit. Sounds like the dog park is probably that dogs only source of exercise or socialization. Another stellar Pit owner..go figure.

In the past, I've heard other dog owners say that he plays really rough. This one time, one of those HUGE St. Bernard's came in. He was a GIANT. He completely towered over every single dog there. The pit was the only one that would play with him. And it sounded like a dog fight. It was scary/interesting to watch, too, because this pit was so small compared to him, but they were just playing violently.

The owner brings two pits. The other one is older and much more docile.

I love dog parks, but once the negative experiences started stressing me out more than the positive experiences could calm and soothe me, I stopped going. You might be able to control your dog, but you will never be able to prepare for and control other people and the dogs they bring in with them. As much as I liked letting my dogs socialize at dog parks, it wasn't worth it anymore. Too many irresponsible dog owners with aggressive dogs "just playing."

Beowulf got attacked 3 weeks in a row, each time by different dog/s. Before he could even fight back, I was on top of it and broke it up. Each time, I was always the first one there. Sometimes the owners of the dogs who started the dominance/mounting/humping/fight/whatever wouldn't even come over to get their dogs, and then wouldn't apologize after I told them what happened and how my dog didn't like what their dog was doing to him. Each time, they weren't even watching their dogs, and then shrugged it off like it was no big deal with a "it happens." And after I confronted each owner, they didn't leave. They walked away with their dog on a leash, then let them back off leash, like the dog can't run back over and start another fight (one time, that's exactly what happened, so I had to leave even though Beowulf didn't do anything wrong).

Honestly, there are a lot of big puppies that don't realize how big they really are. He probably is playing, and doesn't really know he's too big to be doing that to Kingsley. Zoey was like that as a puppy, it stopped as she got older. I'd calm down a bit over the situation, is he actually hurting your puppy? Or do you think he's being hurt? Embry was a HUGE baby at the dog park and would cry whenever a dog ran at him, he was fine and I let him talk it. Don't caudle him, he'll be fine.

You never really know though. Pit's get the rep cause of bad owners or situations.
There's a pit mix that goes to the park near me and he picks on Yuri everytime. Thankfully Yuri just lays on the ground and lets the mix make his noise till i come get him away from there. The owner and me were both confused when it first happend and she took him into the area between the entrance (little gated spot) and stayed there for about 20 minutes till he calmed down.

They still cant be in the larger dog area together, but the small dog area lets us play in there from time to time.

Danielle, I hope that your situation has improved, but sadly these types of things happen all too often at dog parks, there is always one or two dogs/owners who just don't get how bad their angle of a dog is.

In some areas dog parks are well looked after and the governing bodies will enforce rules (random checks for tags and fined if not having them and monitoring at random times for aggressive dogs and making them leave if they can not control their dogs), but unfortunately in many cases this is not the case.

It is a shame that we have to deal with such dogs, but sometimes all you can do is leave yourself and come back later when that other dog is not there if they do not listen. While their dog may just be playing (by what that dog thinks is ok playing as improper play is never punished) and will not do any physical damage to your puppy, their is emotional damage that can be done (this is what the other owner is missing).

At the park I go to (closer, and has consistent group of people who go every day at the same time, and Maya has become particular about who she plays with so the other parks she may not play if the right dog is not there) we have this one elderly lady with a boxer who loves to very aggressively pin dogs down and loudly bark in there face. This traumatizes most dogs, but as the dog has never done physical damage the owner (who comes just to talk with another lady who have been going to this park for 10yrs or more together) refuses to do much more than yell from her seat and recently has started to yell at other owners who pull her dog off other dogs saying we caused her dog to pin the other dog by getting involved. Sadly, all that is able to be done is come at another time (she goes for 2.5-3hrs every evening, so this is hard), leave or go to one of the other parks. While I have been lucky that Maya has never been the victim of this problem dog (well she tried once and Maya was too strong and Maya pinned her and the dog is afraid of mine as a result), many people I have met have had to stop coming because of the owner who just does not listen because of the mental abuse their dog took and would result in their dog not playing and being afraid to be in the park.

These are some of the reasons many people hate dog parks, and it is a shame we have to deal with them with our sibs who can really use the play time with other dogs to get tired out.

My husky was GREAT at the dog park all up intill another dog brought a squeeky toy... then i guess it was war! after several time outs and lots of NO's and BADS's! he finilly left that squeeky toy and other dog alone.. It took a lot of patients but now hes even fine with squeeky toys.

what the owner needed to do was simply use time out when your dog is attacked and treat the pit when it leaves your dog alone...

that is exactly what my friend (who owns a pitbull) had to do when we introduced our dogs for the first time.. its was 8 months while my husky was 6 months. Now when they play its the EXACT opposite except the pitbull loves the neck massage

Its a shame the gentlemen at the park that you are having problems with doesn't know how to train... makes the dog park an unpleasnt place

Honestly I've stopped going to the dog park unless its for a husky meet because people accuse my dogs of being aggressive when they're just playing. In this situation, I would say its the owner fault for not getting his dog when you're dog is obviously distressed.

Yah it's a sad fact of life that 1 person can ruin things for the majority. We have two people at my park that everybody just leaves when they come. 1 guy has an akita mix and tells everyone it is a wolf(lol). Also, when anything aggressive happens, its the dogs fault for showing fear or "asking for it", because it is a wolf and it feeds on that. Wow!

We also have this one woman that brings her young kids that bring snacks... do I need to explain what happens...

You would think that if every time you come 6 people leave immediately you would get the message, but alas what in life is that easy.

Luckily Zoe is very submissive and a female so never gets into it with that Akita who obviously has dominance problems and is very poorly socialized. I don't know why anybody else doesn't but I would have a few words with the idiot.