Apology for Behavior at Dog Park Sunday

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Permalink Reply by Rose and Alfie on May 19, 2008 at 8:37pm

In my opinion people shouldn't be taking dogs that show aggression towards ANY other dog to the dog park. If you take your dog to the park you MUST expect to see all types and sizes of dogs. Your dog MUST be able to behave around any other dog. It is absolutely unacceptable to bring your dog to the park otherwise. It is supposed to be a safe environment for your dogs to play regardless if you choose the small or mixed dog areas.
You shouldn't be apologizing for that irresponsible pet owner. I hope karma comes around soon for them.
Sorry to hear about the little corgi! I hope he is doing well and I hope this experience hasn't deterred the owners from bringing him back to the park.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Schneider on May 20, 2008 at 2:37pm

Hi Steph,
It takes a lot of courage to write what you have - an open letter of apology. I admire you for doing it and putting it on pdxdog.com.

The issue of appropriate dog behavior, leash-off lease areas/greetings and many other related topics are very current now, I'm hearing a lot about it from members on this site. I'm sorry for the little Corgi and the experience of the owner and what you must have felt.

Thanks for giving us something to think about, how we all react to these tough situations.

Andrea

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Permalink Reply by Steph Frye on May 20, 2008 at 9:18pm

You are too kind. I sincerely appreciate the comments left. I just felt so bad and am grateful for the forum to post this incident. I know I will not hesitate again if presented with this scenario but I hope it will never occur for anyone. I knew that if this had happened to me, I would have gone home crying! My three Beagles are "kids" and I am sure this owner felt terrible. Ironic, isn't it, that she was the one to leave and not the dog/owner who caused this?
Steph

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Permalink Reply by A Sweet Life For Pets! on May 21, 2008 at 12:23am

I agree with Andrea, and appreciate seeing your post. As someone new to the dog park environment, I was faced with something similar a few weekends ago and I was so caught by surprise that I didn't respond as quickly as I could have. Although the owner was right there and could and should have.

I also understand that dogs can do unpredictable things sometimes, although obviously it's our ideal to have them so well trained that it never happens. Unfortunately, that isn't reality and so sometimes being at the dog parks can be stressful as you never know when it's just a growl and when it's crossed the line. So I'm sure we're all doing the best we can and appreciate conscientious people like you who really care about the people and their pets... I hope the person you intended this for has been able to read it, I'm sure she'd appreciate it too!

Take care,

Sheri @ A Sweet Life For Pets!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara and Ruby the 'Silky' one on May 21, 2008 at 6:19pm

Thank you Steph

Barb and Ruby

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Permalink Reply by Sunday (craziest get a straight jacket dog/cat person) on June 4, 2008 at 10:07am

This why I recommend a daycare with a controlled setting, that only has employes people who know what they are doing (nurses, trainers). Dog will get positive reinforcement while being baby sat and with tons of positive socialized dogs that have great petiquette. Or just a few at a time. Whatever acclimation the dog needs. Parks are muddy and have an insurmountable amount of urine, feces, pesticides, fertilizers, strange people and too many untrained dogs, many with high prey drive (not the dog's fault).
Sunday Costell

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Permalink Reply by QZ on June 5, 2008 at 7:24pm

Thank you as well for the apology. Though it may not have been your fault- as a dog parent you felt the responsibility this other person lacked and that means *something*. If enough people feel something there will be results eventually.
:)
QZ

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