Etiquette for people that go to dog parks.  With my experiences at dog parks, I suggest the following tips:

-Watch your dog.  You may think your dog is an angel, but while you are talking on your cell phone, or socializing with other people at the park, it could be causing trouble.  Sometimes play gets too rough.

-Don't pretend you did not see your dog poop.  This is a common trick at the park.  Many of us do not like playing minesweeper with your dog's bombs.

-If your dog is out of control, don't just stand there and watch it jump all over a person trying to eat their small dog that they picked up to keep away from your dog.  Some believe you should never pick up your dog, but sometimes it must be done to avoid trouble.

-If your dog is aggressive and starts fights all the time, consider not bringing it to the park.  Most people do not want their dogs attacked.

-If your dog is overly timid also consider slow introduction during more quiet times, and not thrusting it into the pack.  I have seen many dogs totally freak due to poor introduction.

-If you have a huge mastiff named Duke, how about intervening when he is all over a person instead of standing 20 feet away and watching, then STFU when your dog has to be enticed away with a treat by another to get him off that person. 

-In other words pay attention, and just be considerate. 

Dog parks can be great.  They offer such great socialization opportunities and lots of play time.  People just need to stick to the general guidelines in order for everybody to have a good time.  It only takes a few bad owners & dogs to ruin the chemistry at the dog park.

lol..I thought I was on the wrong forum. 

Our dog park has a section for big dogs, and a section for little dogs.   The President of the dog park is pretty relentless about sending out e-mails when people break the rules, but all in all we have very few problems! 

Also, don't poop in the dog park, no matter how many times you see it done.

Don't forget that if your dog isn't fixed, it shouldn't be running around a park with other dogs. It drives me nuts when I see horny dogs with balls running free around other dogs, because unfortunately the same people with the judgement to take those dogs to the park are the same people who never seem to care that their dog is running around doing nothing but trying to hump everyone else's dog.

Quote from: tt_four on February 29, 2012, 06:44:25 PM
Don't forget that if your dog isn't fixed, it shouldn't be running around a park with other dogs. It drives me nuts when I see horny dogs with balls running free around other dogs, because unfortunately the same people with the judgement to take those dogs to the park are the same people who never seem to care that their dog is running around doing nothing but trying to hump everyone else's dog.

rue. it should be on a leash. im not for banning unfixed dogs. but they need to be under control. because at LEAST one other dog will be in heat.

yeah, you can't tell when a female dog isn't fixed, so it's incredible irresponsible to let your dog run loose around others. Don't get me wrong, it's just wrong to let your unfixed female loose in the park too, especially because again if you're that irresponsible, you're probably the quality of human that will drop a box full of puppies off at the shelter too, but it's always the male dogs that come to mind because they're the ones you see running around trying to hump my dogs(although they're both fixed). Luckily the one is too fast and HATES being humped, and the other will keep spinning around and letting you know he's pissed. It's just sad how many dogs get put down in shelters every day and some people continue to think that they're little gem is so precious that they want to keep open the option to breed them in the future.

Another good reason to get your dog fixed ( male and female ) is the fact that they tend to live an average of 2 to 3 years longer than intact dogs. I believe the average age is even higher in cats who are fixed.

Quote from: ojstinson on February 29, 2012, 09:19:46 PM
Another good reason to get your dog fixed ( male and female ) is the fact that they tend to live an average of 2 to 3 years longer than intact dogs. I believe the average age is even higher in cats who are fixed.

its why i live in a segregated house. a male cat upstairs, and my male cat. ( dominant/alpha) in basement. PLENTY of room +- 1000 ft/sq BUT 2 males = cats pissing on everything. both of which need batteries removed. but will wait till funds are avail. that and we dont need any kittens around here.