Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2401783)

Dogs are generally "pack animals" and it's hard to learn life works, when you're in a "pack of 1".

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 2401593)

Borrow a big dog, and sort the Boston Terrier out.
See what the owner says about normal play then. :shrug:

Originally Posted by Aloha (Post 2401862)

Many dog lovers would never take their loved one to a so-called "dog park" and expose them to the trauma of being forced to interact with other unknown and possibly dangerous animals. In addition, many are concerned with disease spread and parasites, along with urine and feces in abundance in a closed-in area.
There are so many other choices to treat your loved pets in a positive and loving manner.

Originally Posted by Lynnesail (Post 2401512)

I am fairly new to the dog park world. I have a small 8 lb. Dog who loves to play with everyone, including probably some that are too big or strong for her. Everything is fine until that dog gets rough, pins her down and my dog yips as though she is being hurt. There is one particular Boston terrier who is like that, when I brought it to the attention of its owner she became quite angry and said I didn’t know anything about dogs and that is normal play! Is it? It’s ok when my dog yips in pain? I asked her to stop her dog from doing that and she said get your own dog out of here. Several of us at the dog park feel this way but she won’t be reasoned with. I’d love your opinions. Is there someone to report to if we feel the dog is too aggressive and the owner won’t be reasoned with?

Originally Posted by Lynnesail (Post 2401512)

I am fairly new to the dog park world. I have a small 8 lb. Dog who loves to play with everyone, including probably some that are too big or strong for her. Everything is fine until that dog gets rough, pins her down and my dog yips as though she is being hurt. There is one particular Boston terrier who is like that, when I brought it to the attention of its owner she became quite angry and said I didn’t know anything about dogs and that is normal play! Is it? It’s ok when my dog yips in pain? I asked her to stop her dog from doing that and she said get your own dog out of here. Several of us at the dog park feel this way but she won’t be reasoned with. I’d love your opinions. Is there someone to report to if we feel the dog is too aggressive and the owner won’t be reasoned with?

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2401865)

Many so-called "dog lovers" are determined not to let their dog, be a dog.

It's like refusing to allow your children to leave the house to go to school, meet other kids and learn how to interact in the wild. They just grow to be people who sit home in the house and play video games alone on their phone and have a phobia about being outside in the sunshine, interacting with their peer

Originally Posted by darkim (Post 2402073)

. keep your dog on a leash when you enter the park.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2402117)

Entering a Dog Park with a Dog on a Lease is a recipe for disaster, which is why most every Dog Park in the world, has a "2 part entrance".

You certainly wouldn't be welcome at any Dog Park I've ever been at.

Originally Posted by darkim (Post 2402073)

Start with walking your dog outside the fence line around the perimeter of the dog park. This will provide security for yourself and your dog plus it will get your dog used to being around a pack of dogs. This may take a few visits. Then when you're ready ... keep your dog on a leash when you enter the park. This will allow you the ability to protect your animal and show leadership among the pack. If you're not comfortable with that ... I strongly suggest a professional trainer to help you become a better pack leader.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 2402138)

That's why there's an airlock area as you enter, so you can safely let your dog off leash before entering the park.
At the shelter where I volunteer to take dogs out into the play yards, one of the rules most stressed is not to let them run the fence with the dog in the next yard.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 2402138)

Boy do I disagree with this. Walking your dog outside the fence line is going to incite every dog in the park to run the fence in a frenzy. It will not be pretty and may cause fear or aggression in your dog as a response.
Entering a dog park with your dog on a leash renders him unable to defend himself and incites aggression in certain other dogs. Dogs can sense the vulnerability of a dog on a leash when they are not . Many parks have rules forbidding having your dog on a leash inside the park. That's why there's an airlock area as you enter, so you can safely let your dog off leash before entering the park.
At the shelter where I volunteer to take dogs out into the play yards, one of the rules most stressed is not to let them run the fence with the dog in the next yard.