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An Interesting Study about Dog Parks
I was recently able to take a look at a presentation about dog parks and aggression. It was a nifty observational study that included 30 minutes of daily recording of dog activity at two different dog parks over a 6-month period.
Some of the key takeaways included:
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Dog play bouts that lead to aggression occurred 18% of the time
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Unsurprisingly, a smaller park with more crowded conditions had an increased likelihood of aggression
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Play style mattered, with dogs who wrestled together being more likely to have an aggressive outcome 25% of the time
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The likelihood of aggression increased if there were 3 or more dogs playing together
I often have clients ask me about whether they should take their dog to a dog park, and I imagine you get questions about this as well. What sort of guidance do you provide?
And have you personally had positive experiences at a dog park with your own dog(s)?
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14 Replies
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This is such a great topic, and I’ve seen similar research results. It’s interesting because so many trainers (myself included) took/take a hard line at NO DOG PARKS EVER! But. They can be truly lifesaving for some dogs and their humans… it’s just a matter of being careful, really careful to mitigate risks. Who was it who has a nice membership model at her private dog park? I’m sorry I don’t remember… I hope she jumps in! @Cyn ? Was it you?
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I have playgroups that range from 4-11 dogs. I’ve had a few growly resource-guarding moments (toys) and one ritualized aggression episode, but other than that no issues.
Problems will most likely occur when a new dog enters the gate. So, I have new dogs come early. That way they can greet dogs one at a time rather than having a pack come at them all at once.
Sometimes dogs will “gang up” on a certain dog so it’s important to watch out for arousal when multiple dogs play. I interrupt dogs before arousal gets out of hand usually, by calling them and taking a walk.
One thing I’m alert for is herding behavior. I separate large and small dogs because of this issue. It’s scary when you see herding behavior turn into predatory behavior. It’s also something that pet parents don’t recognize.
Pet parents often don’t recognize problem behaviors. They can be offended when you say something. It helps to point out the behavior as it happens stressing body language and the reaction of the other dog/s.
Many people use dog parks, and/or playgroups to help dogs with poor social skills. I stress my groups are for well-socialized dogs only.
It worries me that no one is around to watch for these issues in dog parks. One incident learning is real. It can take just one scary interaction to create a fearful/reactive/aggressive dog. I’m not willing to risk that.
On the other hand, it’s a great way to: release energy, let dogs be dogs, and provide social interaction. So I get why people go.
BTW my small dog group, #20 and under, has the most issues. Is anyone surprised by that?? 🙂
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This is such great input, @Cyn ! Thank you so much for sharing.
Sometimes I would work with clients and their dogs well outside of a dog park (for on-leash issues) and then had ample opportunity to observe dog behavior within the dog park before and after my lessons. It can be truly horrifying to see the close calls and near-dangerous interactions while the dog owners just stand by oblivious to the early signs of danger. How amazing would it be if dog parks could provide an experienced ‘monitor’ to help keep things safe and enjoyable in the park.I love when my clients ask in advance about dog parks so I can educate them about body language, how to keep things safe for their pups, and how to know if that venue is even fun for their pups.
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@Cyn Thanks again, as always, for coming back with some really great insights and experience. You offer your customers such value in your park and training.
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So many variables can influence dog park opinions!
Great topic for discussion though!
When I was in a college course for animal behavior, we had to write a short paper on dog parks.
Dogs parks have evolved since that short time and I am not sure all has been for the better. Talking with colleagues in other states, I have learned there are dog parks that serve alcohol; what could possibly go wrong? A few from what I understand do have “staff” monitoring the dogs while owners drink.
I personally have not had a positive experience with dog parks prior to becoming educated in understanding behavior. In fact, I am in the percentage that had a negative experience involving a fight. Luckily, it was more ritualized aggression and no one one injured. The owner of dogs who initiated the fight was also very apologetic and empathetic. I think that is rare today- people usually blame the other dog.
I am also not a fan of day cares for the same reason. They are inside dog parks in my opinion.
When asked about dog parks, I try to understand the client and the dog as individuals first. I have had clients with Pro-social dogs who have had no issues.
Since I also have a personal training background, I am from the mindset that people should be active for health reasons. The dog trainer in me says dogs should be active for health reasons. Combine the two agendas and, people should be getting out with their dogs to enjoy activities together for mental, emotional and physical health reasons. Most times I am recommending Sniffspot locations or activities that get the humans involved, too. I will recommend daycares for 1-1 interactions versus group.
I try to minimize any risk of injury or negative experience that can be traumatizing to the dog or human.
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Thanks so much for chiming in and sharing your experiences, @jenz ! I can hardly believe a dog park would serve alcohol — OMD!!!!!
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When asked about dog parks, I try to understand the client and the dog as individuals first. – Jen Z.
Love this, @jenz
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This is a great topic, and one I hope to study more of in the future. I do a lot of my dog behavior observing at dog parks. Here is my experience and context:
I have two two-yearish old mixed breeds (one Great Pyr one Belgian Malinois/Husky) who I have had for one year. They play together a lot in my yard/house. I also have an 8 year old Aussie/Shepherd mix.
Due to time constraints and me not being able to run as much as I used to, coupled with these two not being trust-worthy off-leash, my yard not being that large and having three dogs to one human, I had to turn to dog parks for both exercise and socialization. I also use doggy daycare for the same reasons. I never went to dog parks before with my dogs, but they got a lot of exercise and freedom to run because they were trust-worthy. I should note that my area of the country has a lot of really great dog parks. I am in NW Arkansas and we have experienced a growth boom and crazy expansion of our parks and trails in this area. They are everywhere. So I have my pick of several large parks (1-2 acres) with varied terrain/hills/tunnels, etc.
My dogs absolutely LOVE the dog parks and daycare. They get so excited and just seeing them be able to let loose and RUN FREELY makes it worth the “expense” of visiting. I can throw the Chuck-It ball as far as I can chuck it and Ranger can cross a large space in no time to retrieve it. He is my high-maintenance Malinois/Husky mix. He needs a lot of activity! My dogs are very friendly to everyone – dogs and people. They also have pretty rough playing styles – think body slams, wrestling, and play fighting that lots of dog owners are scared of (not knowing it is rough and wild play!). So, when some inexperienced dog owner brings their 10 pound puppy into the big dog park and Honey Bear (Great Pyr mix) continually runs and rolls the pup over, I intervene and call her away and try to say something to the owner that might make them think twice about bringing a pup to the big dog park (we have separate parks for 30+ dogs vs smaller dogs). I also will share observations or insights with other dog owners who are hanging around. I keep a close eye on my dogs, and the others due to the risk of a gang-up on one dog, a dog not having fun due to not wanting to play with another dog, and all of the other things that can happen at the park. Most owners are pretty good about staying nearby their dogs and these parks are large enough that dogs can go to their own section and avoid others if they want to. The dogs tend to find their friends naturally and the same dogs return so there are a lot of friends made there and they play well together.
People often ask questions and share info with each other so it’s a good environment for the owners, too. My dogs have only been involved in one fight – Ranger got “beat up” by another Malinois, and it was his own fault because he was chasing the chaser (prey drive) of a ball repeatedly. After Ranger jumped on Max and derailed him from getting his ball, Max had had enough and told Ranger so by “attacking”, which wasn’t scary to me because I saw what he was doing and didn’t think it would escalate. Ranger was on his back, Max made his point, and they both shook it off. Max’s owner asked if he started the fight, and I said no, that it was my dog who instigated because he was essentially “attacking” Max by jumping him at the neck scruff and impeding him doing his task. All was fine.
I have seen a few times a “gang up” scenario, and I will intervene if I am close enough or call my dogs away if they are in that area. There are sometimes scenarios where the humans cause trouble after the dogs get in a scuffle – I have heard men yelling at each other across the park after one claims one’s dog attacked his dog. Police came – good times.
I do see a lot of things I would like to correct for others – haha – at the parks. Like owners who don’t know how to get their dog away from the fun — ummm, what? — they have to “catch them”. Yikes. And then there are several “ball thieves” I call them who steal balls and will NOT let them go. Their owners have no idea how to get the ball away from their dogs. I have spent a lot of time waiting around for our special ball to be returned from these people!
Daycare – they love it – but I do know that it has had some negative effects, mostly that Ranger thinks every other dog he sees is for playtime now. He needs to be in group classes again where it is not playtime. He is easily excitable and gets overly stimulated easily so it’s sometimes a challenge, and we will be working on that, so he can peacefully sit in the vet’s office or a group class waiting his turn.
But overall, it has been a God-send for these two rambunctious kids that I didn’t exactly plan on owning. Plus, I meet a lot of other dog lovers and the info sharing is great. My dogs might be super-lucky because I am actually building a private dog park and training center on 3 acres. This will be used for more controlled play-groups that I think is a better way to accomplish socialization, stimulation and exercise in a group. The daycares are nice, I have been in them, but they do have sometimes 60-80 (more?) dogs in a small space – from what I saw the inside area for my dogs’ group would be around 1200 sf and then there is an outdoor area maybe of similar size, maybe smaller. So that many dogs just seems like too many in that size space. They are well-staffed, and I know that Ranger had to take breaks one time because he was overly-enthusiastic/energizer bunny playing one day. So they are trained in how to handle these large groups.
Anyway – I think a lot about socialization and these large unmonitored groups since I am around them weekly. I am interested to read more on the study you mentioned!
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I enjoyed reading your post, Amy, and am glad you’ve had a positive experience with your dogs.
And your plans for a private dog park — swoon!! I’d love to hear how that all goes for you down the road. ????
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I will keep you posted! It’s very exciting, but it’s slow going currently. I really need the fence installed!!
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I know what a huge investment fencing is! But what an amazing space you’ll have.
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Wow, @awolfe ! This is an amazing post. You have described all of the positives and negatives with first-hand experience. It’s great to read what a boon dog parks have been for your pups, and those folks are so lucky to have you in their midst, to show them what you see. Your private park and facility is exciting!! Please share posts as you go along… I know there are many here who would love to see how you are putting it all together. Living the dream!
Thank you again for sharing your experiences. I really enjoyed reading them.
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I’ve had, alongside my dog, plenty of positive experiences and two awful ones. It’s always wise, I tell clients, to check the parks before you take your dog and also to have kits ready just in case. Overall, though depending on the dog park, they can be a great place to go for us.
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Such a great point, @Shaggydog , to check out the parks first, before taking a dog. Very good advice!
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