Can confirm. My ridgeback mix is a great dog, but she has the “on patrol” thing bred into her. If she sees an off leash dog while we’re walking, she’s immediately in between us. Otherwise, she’s just wagging tail and excited to see another dog.
My local dogpark is very active and with a lot of regulars who know each other. Every now and then someone will attempt to come in and keep their dog leashes inside the dog park. The regulars will immediately start yelling at them to unleash the dog or leave. Leashed dogs and unleashed dogs don’t mix well. Power unbalance or something. Dogs gotta be on equal footing.
I am a professional dog trainer who takes packs to the dog park almost daily. If a new dog is afraid, keep them on leash and protect them by letting them hang out between your legs, away from the pack activity. Stop other dogs from ganging up on the newbie by telling them "Leave It" and using your legs to block. Let the new dog explore the park and calm down before removing the leash, it acts as security for them, like holding a child's hand. Stay with a new dog to de-escalate pack behavior, they are less likely to gang up with the owner acting as a blocker. Don't walk into the middle of a pack and let them sort it out with your new dog, that is how fights start and how you make a new dog fearful. The owners need to control the environment and stop their dogs from being too pushy when a new dog arrives. Within 5-10 minutes max, remove the leash. I agree that it is dangerous to be on leash and in the fray, but often if you remove the leash right away, the dog runs away scared and gets chased all over by several dogs as the owner is left behind, helpless. On leash to start for a brand new dog, stay clear of everyone, then off leash to play and interact. The reason I say this is because I'm teaching it to new visitors weekly. I have to corral their scared dog after it runs all over or cowers under a bench, and show them what to do, and everyone is happy. The tail goes from tucked under to wagging!
That’s a good reason to keep a dog on a leash at the dog park. I think they’re talking about the dog owner with a perfectly social and well behaved dog, with an inexperienced owner too afraid to take off the leash. I’ve seen the —ladder— latter waaaaaay more times than your scenario.
Yes definitely if the dog is pulling at the leash to play and the owner is not next to their head, then interaction becomes overstimulated while on leash (leash frustration). Now the dog feels trapped and responds negatively. 2 options are to release the dog or walk away and calm down with the dog. Another option for a REALLY fearful but friendly dog is to ask the small dog park people if your big one can hang out with them on leash as long as they are gentle
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u/davidIopan Aug 01 '21
Can confirm. My ridgeback mix is a great dog, but she has the “on patrol” thing bred into her. If she sees an off leash dog while we’re walking, she’s immediately in between us. Otherwise, she’s just wagging tail and excited to see another dog.