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Guest Comment: Dog owners need to act responsibly

By Roger Nelson

Published: Saturday, October 31, 2009 8:05 PM MST

I am a dog trainer. I counsel people with dog behavioral issues, teach obedience classes, and run a doggie day care center.

Recently I have heard some disturbing incidents that have taken place at local dog parks.

One client told me she was sitting at Quail Creek Park, minding her own business and supervising her dog, when another dog went up and bit her.

The owner’s response was to allow the person who was bitten to hit the dog!

This was not a responsible way of handling the situation - it put the onus on the other person, not on the owner.

Another client said her dog had been bitten the night before.

I myself was at Anamax Park a couple of years ago when a dog was acting out somewhat aggressively toward my border collie, who was only trying to play Frisbee with me.

I left the park angry and frustrated because the owner did not take control of his dog.

Then, at the Continental School, a similar thing happened.

This time, my dog was bitten after repeated nips to the back of the neck by a dog whose owner stood around NOT watching her dog’s behavior, but socializing with the people instead.

I did not even realize my dog had been bitten until I got home and felt a huge welt on her neck and saw two puncture wounds.

That incident cost me $180 at the vet.

All of this should give dog owners pause, and an opportunity to try to understand the nature of their beasts.

If a dog shows any tendencies to act out, be disobedient, or exhibit any aggressive behavior, then that dog has not yet earned the right to play at a dog park.

Friendly play is one thing, but aggression is a serious matter.

Dog owners need to be able to read the signs and take immediate corrective action.

If the owner allows inappropriate behavior, then s/he is the problem, because this gives the dog the go-ahead to misbehave.

Dogs need a strong pack leader who will absolutely not put up with aggression.

They need rules, boundaries, and limitations, like good ol’ Cesar says.

Read dog behavior books, take a class, get counseling, but the worst thing is to do nothing.

Trainers and behaviorists have to educate themselves continually about dog behavior, and owners should do the same.

This is especially true for new owners who have adopted dogs they are not familiar with.

To turn these new dogs loose in a dog park and expect other dogs and owners to manage the socialization and disciplinary processes is both irresponsible and potentially dangerous.

It took a long time for us to get the dog parks in Sahuarita where we could go to train, exercise, socialize, and play with our dogs.

Let’s all do everything we can to keep these parks open by being courteous to other owners and encouraging good manners and leadership.

Roger Nelson lives in Green Valley and is owner of Green Valley Canine. He is a certified dog trainer. The views expressed above are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.


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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of gvnews.com.

Rena wrote on Nov 3, 2009 11:17 AM:

" In response to Rogers opinion. First I would like to say you based the start of your article on dog park gossip told by one side as always gossip is. So this dog just came up and bit her for no reason whatsoever? No dogs playing around her feet? I do agree that the incident should have been handled better right there by the two owners. Instead it turns into gossip and hard feelings. Sometimes the people have more of the problems with communication then the dogs. I have seen very aggressive human interactions at the park.
As someone that has gone almost everyday, sometimes twice and used all three of these parks I don’t believe your article was fair to the Dog Park dynamics. You sometimes have twenty dogs and owners all different levels with all different personalities and breeds. It’s a dynamic that changes every minute.
What dog has never ever acted out at least once at the park in at some point? I can’t name one? Not coming when called, ECT. Owners should monitor their dogs, I agree, but you are being unrealistic as far as a public park owners must understand the risks of a public place as they are posted on the rules.
Anyone that would bring a toy into the dog park and expect no other dog to want to chase it or play with your dog when it is running across the park does not understand what a dog park is and when to go. I recommend you go when no one is there to play Frisbee alone with your dog, not when there are Labs, ECT. , , in the park that are going to want to play with your dog or your toy Frisbee or territorial toy aggesition.
Dogs do have social hierarchies that change every time a new dog comes in. They all rush over for a sniff. All owners should be alert to new dogs coming in and watch for territorial aggression, dominance aggression or fear aggression and pack mentality. And if shown taken out or disciplined.
These parks should have users that should band together to create a sense of welcoming community, who use education, peer pressure and, when necessary (not every squabble it wasts taxpayers dollars and police time), call in the appropriate authorities to help regulate those who won’t follow the rules of doggy etiquette and common sense. Also a side note to owners of small dog, large dogs the rules posted as stated for the parks QC and Amamax
The dog park area identified for small dogs is for smaller OR very passive dogs.
The dog park area identified for large dogs is for larger AND active dogs. "

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