A Common Sense Approach to Dog Parks and Pit bulls

Do Pit bulls belong in Dog Parks?

One of the most common places where dogs find conflict with other dogs is at the Dog Park...where adrenalin runs high and excitement is the name of the game. The concentrated chaos of an ever changing pack of dogs tempts even the most passive breeds past their limits. Scuffles and fights are common with ALL types of dogs and if one occurs, chances are big that your maturing pit bull will find himself smak dab in the middle of it. However it goes, you can bet that you and your dog will be labeled the bad guy. Avoiding this kind of drama scene separates the Responsible Pit bull Owners from the Irresponsible.

Pit bull People, You Aren't Alone - Even though many greyhounds enjoy dog parks, their advocates are quick to point out the risks.

These two play buddies are actually having a great time together. The young male on the right is submitting nicely to the pushy play style of the female on the left, but as he continues to mature, this kind of challenge and excitement may be enough to trigger an argument. This is especially true if a dog he's not familiar with pushes him past his limits.

But LOTS of people bring pit bulls to dog parks with no problems whatsoever. Wazzup with that ?

Easy answer: The pit bulls that do well with larger groups of unknown dogs are typically youngsters. The parks can be great places for easy going PUPS to blow off steam and socialize, but as dogs begin to feel their adult bravado, they lose patience with other dogs' rude behavior.

No matter how much good socializing and training you've done, your dog's dog-tolerance will disappearif he's triggered into conflict by another dog's challenge, a tussle over a toy, a tug-o-war game or even a friendly wrestling match that gets a little "too exciting."

Because we dog people love to be optimists, many of us let ourselves get lulled into a false sense of confidence after months or even years of success in the parks. We've ALL hoped: "Maybe MY dog is different" or "Socializing will keep him dog friendly" or "I can call him out of trouble; He listens to me" or (our least favorite excuse) "The place I got him from told me he's great with dogs." The first day your pit bull gets into a fight is usually a big shocker. Sadly, we hear it again and again: "But, he's never done anything like this before!"

Is this a 'Pit Bull Thing?'
No! Canine dog-dog aggression is as common in dogs as four legs and a tail. This normal behavior is generally easy to manage in small play groups with known dog-friends, although all bets are off in situations like dog parks where so many personalities are in a heightened state of arousal. Read how dog aggression was creating problems for dogs and their people in this Chicago Dog Park.

Here's why you REALLY don't want your dog to fight at the Dog Park:

Because dogs of all sizes visit dog parks, in a fight, your dog can potentially do a lot of damage to a smaller dog, can attract negative press and hurt the entire breed, cause you huge vet bills, problems with your local animal control, liability concerns, and, in the some instances, you could lose your dog for good. In addition, your pit bull will learn from his first fight and will do it better the next time. Want to increase his odds of staying dog tolerant? Never let him get into his first fight. For real. Whether or not your dog starts it, many a dog is forever changed by his first fight and is never the same around other dogs again. Bad Press? UGH - We don't need it! An Avoidable Dog Park Fiasco (From SF Gate's 'Urban Animal' column)

Please Remember: Dog-on-dog Aggression and Human Aggression are two VERY different behaviors. Any pit bull that shows aggression to a human is abnormal and may need to be humanely euthanized. Dog-on-dog aggression IS normal with this breed ... and it demands your smart management. We thank all the Responsible Dog Owners out there for showing the rest how it's done right!

Do we have to worry about every pit bull we see at the dog parks?

As we know, all breeds will fight. Success at the dog parks depends on how realistic owners are about their pets' limits. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for dog owners to overestimate their ability to prevent trouble and newer pit bull owners to underestimate their dog's potential. Most never see trouble coming until its too late. Murphy's Law Says: Your maturing pit bull WILL get entangled with a sour tempered bad boy on the one day you're feeling fuzzy, distracted and unprepared. Responsible, educated owners know their dogs' limits and know how to keep them out of trouble. These same owners know that keeping their pits out of dog parks is the very best decision for their mature dog. Honestly? The most responsible pit bull owners among us choose to avoid the unstructured, chaotic setting of crowded dog parks altogether and finds other ways to exercise/socialize their dog.

What can take the place of dog parks?
Tens of thousands of pit bull owners have sworn off dog parks and instead, find fun and socializing opps in other ways and other places. Left: These four dogs know each other very well and are playing nicely in a contained area, without the possibility of another dog entering the scene to challenge them or stir up excitement. Organized, supervised play groups can be a great way to keep your dog-social pit bull well socialized. If your dog isn't fond of other dogs - No sweat. he gets the fun of enjoying play time with you all to himself. Dogs don't have to have other dog friends in order to be happy.

Debby Wolfinsohn is a pit bull owner who designed this lovely site with great suggestions. Check it: Big Fun ~ Low Drama

If you see bully owners in the dog park who seem especially novice and/or overwhelmed by their dog's play style, please kindly point them towards breed education resources so they can make safe, wise decisions for their dog.

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