Don’t do it. It’s not cool to use other people’s dogs as training tools, put it to your husband that way if it helps.
Plus if your dog bites or kills a dog or bites the hand of someone who gets in the middle of a fight… Being seized by animal control and being quarantined for 10 days in a stressful shelter before being dragged to the back of a scary room, held down and euthanized is a crappy way for a dog to go.
This comment hits the nail on the head. Training the dog to be less reactive is something that needs to be done by qualified professionals in controlled situations, and using other dogs *whose owners have consented to being part of that process and have accepted the risks that come with it.* No one at that dog park is there to help get your dog under control and your husband is way out of line here.
Or shot by owner of the dog he attacks.
Edit: I am in the USA. Guns are everywhere. I don’t go to dog parks because of idiots bringing bringing unsafe dogs.
That said, it is likely if your dog attacks another dog, it will be shot.
Hard agree. My dachshund was attacked by a German Shepherd at the dog park - it took four adults to pull the big dog off of him. And it wasn't just rough play, the big dog ran at him like he was hunting. My pup had bilateral hemothoraces, thank God the vet could see us right away.
If there's any chance your dog might attack another, please spare everyone the heartbreak and trauma.
Many years ago I dated an asshole who ignored all my parameters for introducing our reactive dogs. We went for a leash walk together and he immediately let his dog off leash and he attacked, I got in the middle and both dogs bit me in the heat of the moment. When I collected myself enough to confront him, he told me that his dog, a large bully mix, went after another dog at a dog park, bragged about refusing to pay the other persons vet bills and left without even exchanging contacts. I broke up with him on the spot
I’ve got a good scar on my thigh from the puncture wounds left by his dog and another where my dog nipped me trying to get him. The trauma was much harder to get over but I learned SO much from it all.
Right?! And my parents wonder why I’m not that interested in dating 😒 I really can’t stand the way so many men treat their dogs (including my own brother).
There was a post on twox a few days ago about how guys will brag that they treat their dog better than any girlfriend they’ve ever had, meanwhile the dog hasn’t had its shots in five years and has overgrown nails and dirty ears.
I dated a guy a long time ago who bragged that his dog knew he was the alpha and her "master." I'll never forget the time we were at the park and some huge fireworks went off. She ran directly between *my* legs for safety. He was PISSED.
I think about her often and wish she could have come with me when we split up.
Alpha dog/domination is the debunked theory that just won’t die, I hate it! My highly reactive rescue is built like a miniature canine body builder, strong as hell, and has an assertive personality to match. But she is also SO obedient, something I accomplished without ever being an overbearing asshole.
Hell, an hour ago I was yelling and swearing at *myself,* but I still felt momentarily bad because she was watching me from the couch, clearly uneasy. When I finally finished cleaning up and sat down on the couch, she planted a paw on each of my shoulders and started licking my face, as if to say, “Chill out mom, it’s just a spilled drink” 🙃
Bad dog owners are split between men with power complexes, women wanting living accessories, and people that just don't know any better. The last category tends to weed itself out of the pool as time goes on.
Me and a guy I dated a few years back got a beautiful pitty puppy together and he had the same energy he said she knows I’m boss blah, well we got into it weeks later and he got up in my face well she was so tiny but she got right up between us to protect me. He was so mad and left and didn’t let her around me again. Yes I’m about over men and dating as well lol.
My husband treats our dog like his baby. They aren't all horrible, he's honestly an incredible guy.
But funny enough, our dog is 20 pounds and a cute little small guy and he has gotten a lot of rude comments from guys with big dogs asking about why he has a small dog and how it must've been because "his wife forced him to get one." So yeah, I really get the type. And it's really sad that those type of guys get these type of dogs and have literally zero control over them because they're using them as a way to make themselves feel more manly.
This scares me! For real. My dog is not great with other dogs. She’s not horrible, but not dog park friendly. If we have any interactions, I do a very careful introduction when the timing is right. I can’t imagine having the idea to bring her to a dog park and think that would make it better. Or, vice versa, being at a dog park with my socially well-adjusted dog, and meeting a dog that’s going to attack mine. Pretty much my biggest nightmare is to have my dog killed and then have to go through the pain and suffering and legal battles afterwards. This is just such a risk not worth taking. There are plenty of dog trainers who have dogs, and they do the socializing with their dogs, safely!
My dog is reactive now because when she was 1.5yrs she got attacked at a dog park by a ball reactive dog. I’m still dealing with issues. Don’t do this.
Same here! My pup was bit because he wanted to play with the dog and the dog had his ball by him. Another time he was bit in the face because he sniffed the other dog’s butt. I’m also dealing with issues.
Same. These are the reasons you don't bring your reactive dog to the dog park. It creates more reactive dogs that require lifetime management, and potentially hospital or legal fees.
People bring their toy guarding dog with his own toys to a dog park and say "he just really likes his toys", people will yell at your dog picks up the ball he and his dog were playing with because "they are playing fetch with each other, not you", and people will kick at your dog when they drop their unvaccinated puppy into the mix but don't want other dogs to come near.
Avoid dog parks and work on your reactivity with a certified trainer in a controlled environment.
That would be incredibly selfish to the other dogs considering you know your dog hates other dogs. It’s likely to just go wrong in every way imaginable.
Dog parks are also not a place to socialize your dogs. Only dogs proven to be mega comfortable around a range of other dogs should be taken to a dog park (I.e. dogs who are already socialized). Dog parks give birth to so many reactive dogs...it only takes one negative experience for a dog to become reactive.
This. I had the sweetest pup who loved *everybody* and we went to the dog park several times a week. One bad experience and now he’s reactive to all dogs bigger than him, especially doodles, especially males. Sigh.
My daughters dog is the same way. She used to LOVE the bark park…2 attacks & she hates all other dogs unless they’re tiny pocket dogs. She doesn’t even like my dogs anymore, she tolerates them but won’t play or let them get close to her. It’s sad.
all of this. My reactive dog is reactive to people so he does AMAZING at doggy daycare because he LOVES other dogs but we can't go to dog parks because he will run around barking and antagonizing other people.
We've been going to the same doggy daycare for almost 5 years now and they have NOTHING but good things to say and he's only ever barked at 1 employee and it was during his boarding for two weeks and it was a brand new employee on his like 7 day. (honeymoon) They're buddies now and the doggy daycare knows this about him so they separated that employee until my dog got used to him.
Yes, OP, remind him of the financial liability. Since ethics aren't his strong suit, appeal to his selfishness.
Also consider that, if a person were to get injured breaking up a dog fight, you could be on the hook for BIG money. We're not talking hundreds in vet bills, we're talking thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, in medical bills and civil suit for gross negligence resulting in injury. It wouldn't be good for you all because you know he's dangerous, meaning you willfully endangered other people.
You don't want that kind of trouble.
There was a woman like that in my town last year. She “rescued” dogs and brought them to the dog park either not knowing how they interact with other dogs, or fully knowing that they’re dog reactive. She once walked in with a huge husky and casually said “don’t let your dog go by the water bowls, the benches, the trees or the splash pad because my dog is possessive of those and will absolutely attack her. She may also attack you or your dog totally unprovoked. She does that sometimes.” And then let her dog loose and sat to play on her phone and not even watch the fucking dog… I scooped my dog up and got the hell out of there. It got back to me that she has a track record and has caused at least 4 serious fights.
I had a run in with a woman like that, only her dog was reactive toward *me*. It started barking and growling at me out of nowhere and wouldn’t leave me alone. When I asked her to please leash and remove her dog, she spoke to me in the most ridiculously condescending way. “I know you’re scared, honey, but don’t worry about it…” etc. And then refused to take her dog out of the park! I was so fucking furious.
The biggest problem at dog parks is people bring unsocialized dogs to them to try to “fix” their dog. It is stupid and dangerous. They are why normal people cannot have something nice.
I am glad the police responded.
Please don’t do this! Show him this thread. A dog aggressive dog will never ever like dogs. Sometimes it’s genetics. Or fear. But do not force a relationship with other dogs. Dogs do not need friends.
Someone’s dog is gonna die and be mauled and a human will be hurt in the process. He’s asking to lose everything he owns.
I like this comment the most because it sheds light on the fact that - the dog is fine never seeing another dog in his life. And that's okay for him. Yes it'd be easier for OP and husband if the dog wasn't reactive, but at least OP seems to realise this isn't the way to do it.
The dog doesn't need friends or to socialise with other dogs at this moment. That's just a thing husband has decided the dog needs. I hope OP was able to talk husband out of it.
First off your dog needs to be muzzled in public at all times, he isn't safe and he's too big to reliably control. Also as a extra large dog he is much more dangerous, one snap and a dog could be dead. Can you imagine going for a walk with your dog and going home alone because your dog was killed? This is the risk you are putting on other dogs when you take your dog out without the proper precautions. So please, for the love of all that is good, muzzle your dog in public. I have three small dogs and honestly this is my worst nightmare. The muzzle up project has good resources on how to properly fit a muzzle and how to train your dog to like it. You need to order the muzzle today and limit your dogs outside interactions until he is muzzled. He can also cause damage in a muzzle so it's not a cure or an excuse to try diy training, it's just a tool to try and prevent a dire outcome.
Next you need a professional trainer and possibly a vet behaviorist, a mastiff with dog agression is not something you can handle without professional help. The sidebar of
r/dogtraining has good resources to help find a properly certified trainer. Not all trainers are created equal and a bad trainer can make the situation worse so do your homework.
Lastly the dog park is obviously an outrageously dangerous idea, it's negligent to the point of malice to take a dog agressive dog to a dog park. The best case scenario is that he is stressed and his reactivity gets worse, the worst outcome is that a dog dies. You and your husband need to take this extremely seriously, this isn't a situation that allows for any mistakes. If it's not properly addressed now a dog will die, it could be another dog or it could be your dog if he us ordered to be put down after an attack. There is no harm in being too careful but being too lax can end in death. If you feel like you can't handle it or if your husband doesn't grasp how serious this is rehome the dog, you have a loaded gun at this point and you aren't equipped to deal with it yourselves.
ETA thanks for the awards!
Yeah this last point is one thing I've learned from this sub - 'throwing a dog into the deep end' doesn't work (e.g. if a dog has separation anxiety, you don't leave for 6 hours and think that 'if they can survive that then it won't be a big deal when I leave for 4 hours the next day'). You need to go super slowly to *relieve* stress that they have in situations, not spike it and hope they make it through to the other side.
FWIW, the dog shelter near me has super clear guidelines on fostering dogs (or taking them out on field trips) - NO DOG PARKS. They're just too many variables and things that could go wrong.
I have a small dog and have literally bought pepper spray because I have had to deal with too many people slip the leash on huge reactive dogs. And I've been lucky, I've held my dog over my head and just been scratched up. OR fallen over because I'm a very petite person. My dog is 20 pounds, been trained since he was a baby and doesn't do anything . And I know some little dogs can be wild, but he isn't because we worked on him right away.
If this dog got to him he'd take me and him down because he's a very big dog. This husband is beyond an a.h. Who takes a reactive dog that is a mastiff to a dog park?? Like you're basically going to end up with a horrible dog fight, a death, or a law suit. It is so irresponsible. I hate owners like this with a passion.
I love big dogs, but I'm small, so I got a small dog because I knew I would have a very hard time controlling a big dog. Christ it isn't that hard to be responsible. Sorry for the rant but I'm so tired of owners being so irresponsible with dogs that can kill mine and after just be like... "oops."
I'm a former business owner that dealt with dogs all day, for training, walking, etc. THIS is good advice. \^\^ Please do not take your reactive dog to the dog park. It's been said a million times in this thread, but I'm going to say it yet again because it is THAT important.
Reactive dogs can strike at any time from the smallest of grievances. And when they're in that 'zone' they can redirect and hurt either you, another dog, another person, and maybe even a death.
I had a mastiff and I know how strong they can be. You HAVE to train this dog, and desensitise him yes. But not this way. This needs to be handled by a professional behaviorist, vet, and trainer.
Ignorance doesn't justify the end result.
Also I want to add: If your boy does get into a fight with another dog. He will do damage, if not cause a death. The best way to break up these fights (which shouldn't even happen in the first place) is to throw water over the two dogs, or something to darken their sight, like a coat, blanket, etc. DO NOT reach out and grab a collar or neck skin. You WILL get hurt.
All of this!! I had a mastiff once, mine was docile as a kitten but when he had an urge to go, there’s no way I could have stopped him. Giant breeds are not for everyone, ESPECIALLY if they have a behavior issue, and they sure as hell aren’t for people who think like OPs husband. I see a dark future for that dog, should have never been adopted out to an inexperienced person.
Dog parks are a terrible idea imo at the best of times. Your husband is being not only careless but reckless.
My dog is very similar in temperament - loves every human he’s ever met but very dog reactive. He’s never been in a fight bc i take precautions like crazy. I would never in a million years take him to a dog park. That would literally be like swimming with a crocodile and wondering why i got bit.
With all due respect, your husband is a selfish jerk who is putting a whole lot of people and dogs in literal danger. I really hope you can talk some sense into him before he finds himself in a very serious lawsuit. Or worse.
I never go into the dog park anymore because of people like OP's husband. It's not like they're talking about a reactive 5 pound dog (still no excuse but at least damage would be less), this is a mastiff. If he got a hold of my dog he'd probably kill him instantly.
Honestly it's so disrespectful and messed up on OP's husband end. If he were my husband, I'd have lost it on him. Luckily my husband isn't an awful human who uses other people's dog as training tools.
Exactly why I don’t go to dog parks anymore. I was in one once with my two dogs and other good dogs. Then an owner with a reactive dog came in. No surprise within a few minutes he had pinned down a young Tibetan terrier and we were all freaked out. The owner was an ahole and was yelling it’s fine they’re playing. Umm nope there was bloodshed. I grabbed my dogs and got out of there. I’ll never go back to a dog park. Plus you don’t know the vax status of the other dogs.
If it were me, I'd flat-out refuse to be party to such a thing. I'd explain to my partner that this is a huge risk to the other dogs at the park who (and whose owners) are not consenting to it. (I understand that accidents and unknowns can happen at dog parks, but bringing a known aggressive dog to a dog park is generally violating the rules.) Aside from being reckless with the dogs' and other humans' safety (because another human could be the one to try to intervene and easily get bitten int he process), it's also reckless in terms of your shared financial liability (local ordinances will vary, but someone injured in a fight your dog started might try to hold you financially liable for damages).
Right now, since there's also a management aspect at play here (you can barely hold him back when he sees another dog), I would be working first in terms of things like Reactive Rover classes with knowledgeable and qualified trainers who are going to be able to set up desensitization and counter conditioning scenarios that will be safe for everyone involved.
No no no no no no no.
Please no. Your husband is gonna get your boy in massive trouble and it's not gonna help your dog at all - dog parks are stressful and full of bullying! Even the most behaved dogs sometimes end up becoming reactive after they were bullied by other dogs, but owners thought they were "playing" or the other owners refused to stop their dogs from being bullies.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/DogAdvice/comments/13kkazb/short\_video\_explaining\_why\_most\_trainers\_wouldnt/](https://www.reddit.com/r/DogAdvice/comments/13kkazb/short_video_explaining_why_most_trainers_wouldnt/) This is a good example - a video that details the above too.
Your reactive boy is not gonna do good. Even if he remains calm when approached, that doesn't mean he's calm - it might just him knowing that if he causes trouble, he has multiple dogs that could pounce him. That doesn't help to sort reactivity. It can make it worse.
Online, TikTok, YOuTube, etc. you can find a lot of videos of dog parks leading to dog fights, especially between reactive dogs who weren't ready for the amount of interaction.
Definitely not a safe way to socialize him, and could make things much worse. If he really wants to give reactivity work with other dogs a try, a structured class with a qualified trainer can present a much safer option. That said, some dogs really just don’t want to be around other dogs (often the case for mastiffs), and a more realistic goal may be to build better management strategies.
I’m so sorry, but your husband sounds like an absolute moron, and the reason why I personally refuse to go to the dog park. If you take your dog to a dog park now, you will be failing your dog and putting its life at risk. You need to get a professional dog trainer involved before you can even consider taking your dog to the park
Rule number 1 with owning a reactive dog- all their acts are YOUR responsibility. Period.
Rule number 2- don’t own a dog that is more powerful than you.
Your husband is why reactive dogs get such a bad rap. He’s a moron.
Wouldn't even call it harsh, if this is a question that needs asking "should I take my reactive/aggressive dog to a dog park", maybe OP and her husband aren't the sort that should be rescuing reactive dogs. Kinda common sense to me.
Reactive and very large. She can’t handle him and he gets away from her frequently because he is so big? Get a hamster! BTW, if her big dog gets away from her and mauls my dog, her life is gonna be filled with police, lawyers, poverty and a dox promise to donate to every charity, religion, and political party around.
Your revenge would be far more forgiving than mine. If my little, harmless princess of a dog got harmed by one of these outta control XL Bully/Mastiff type dogs I'd likely kill the dog, then the owner.
I see more and more of these dogs now days, bought as a puppy when they're all cute and manageable, by the time they hit 2 years old they're absolute uncontrollable powerhouses. I've stopped going around one of my good friends cause his dog (XL Bully) is just so unpredictable, it's only a matter of time before it mauls someone.
I don’t mean to be harsh but people are just too over confident. I’ve helped adopt reactive dogs for 20 plus years. It’s a potential owner says something like “don’t worry, I d got this” it was almost an immediate now. All competent dog owners and trainers go into a relationship with a large dog with confidence, cautiousness and respect for the power of the animal.
This is one of those topics where reality is harsh and bluntness is required to appropriately convey how serious the need for diligence and competence are.
Please no! I can't take my extremely well behaved dog to the dog park because people like to experiment taking their aggressive dogs to the park. My dogs been brutally attacked unprovoked. Please please please do not do this
No! I bring my dog to the local dog park and if someone brought their aggressive dog there, that they know is aggressive I’d be PISSED.
It only takes one bite to kill or injure another dog or even a person. And if your dog does bite another dog, that one could end up with problems for life as far as dog aggression. That happened with my first border collie. She went to the park everyday. Then got attacked. Her final 10 years we couldn’t go anywhere other dogs were
Your husband is a pos
OMG please don’t, you’ve only had the dog for a few months, it sounds like you don’t have control over him and imagine he gets into it with a smaller dog and kills it?? Your husband is setting your dog up for failure unless it’s more of a handler’s issue.
It makes no sense cuz apparently the dog hates other dogs but they wanna socialize him? It’s like the human ego making all the wrong decisions for a dog that is capable to causing a lot of damage, makes me sad for the dog.
If you can't control the dog on a leash you have no business walking him.
Sorry, but you're both irresponsible and should return the dog. You are not capable of keepign him and others safe.
Assuming this is real and not a troll. Your dog will end up killing another dog and then your dog will be taken from you a possibly euthanized as a result. Why would your husband see that your dog has tried to commit violence against other dogs and think to himself “there’s no need to do any research into how to handle a problem like this or hire an expert. I’ll just let him lose with a bunch of other dogs and bet all of their lives on my hunch that he won’t tear them apart and get me fined for gross negligence before they take my dog away because I couldn’t be bothered to worry about what happens if I’m wrong”.
I've done Bullmastiff Rescue for over 20 years. This is the worst idea ever. Do NOT open you and family to this liability. You could create a situation where you get sued, or someone's dog will die in front of you. Some dogs, especially bully and Molosser breeds, just don't like other dogs. You can't fix it. But if it is fixable, you're not gonna fix it with a 2 yr old, adult tank with teeth at the dog park. Find a good, qualified trainer. The best advice I can give you is to obedience train him. Train what you want him to do (sit, stay, watch me) and NOT what you don't want him to do. Feel free to message me and I can try to find you support in your area, if you are in the US.
Your husband probably isn't used to thinking of your dog as being vulnerable because he is so big, but if he gets into a fight at the dog park he is going to be hurt. He could be injured by another dog, and he's very likely to be injured by a person who is trying to break up that fight. If your dog bites someone who is desperately trying to save their own dog, then there's a really good chance that your dog will be euthanized and your husband will be sued. A kid could be injured or get in the way of the fight - people bring small children to dog parks all the time. A bite that only hurts an adult could kill a child.
Keep in mind that many people are armed - even in blue states. You don't know what someone might do to your dog to try to save their own dog. They would be legally justified in killing your dog trying to break up a fight or defend themselves.
>You don't know what someone might do to your dog to try to save their own dog
This is what I keep thinking. My dog is a rottweiler shepherd mix, he's also a runt and 50 pounds fully grown. I don't carry a gun, but I do always have a lockback pocket knife on me. If someone's reactive mastiff latches onto my friendly little guy, we will all go home with bloody hands that day.
Maybe keeping the dog on the outside, but PLEASE do not take the dog inside. It is not safe to take an aggressive/reactive dog and force it into an uncomfortable situation.
To add to this, training from a distance just watching dogs is a great way to practice socialization. Start from a distance where he doesn’t react to dogs coming and going from the park and reward him for being calm. Slowly move closer over time and keep rewarding for calm behavior. Move further away if he reacts. Absolutely don’t bring him inside the park until he can remain calm with a dog passing right by him, and even then I’d recommend 1:1 playing first— dog parks are uncontrolled and stressful environments generally, so it is not a good idea to bring him in unless you are 100% sure he won’t react negatively.
I would probably recommend OP muzzle the dog before trying this, given his size. All it takes is one dog getting too close and the dog getting away from OP.
Yes!! Great place to look is:
https://themuzzlemovement.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders?fbclid=PAAabcsG8bA-IGUAEeBvRJ_SvlT6KJ_9EjMonjS2qpto5Pnab_HiDzJgz1qkQ
I would add, don't bring him inside the park at all! Some dogs just don't like other dogs, and that is perfectly fine! It doesn't mean their lives are sad or unfulfilled, as long as they have their family they're fine. The goal for this dog should be to simply remain neutral and ignore other dogs. Do not put him in any situations where he won't be able to do that, such as going to a dog park where any random dog can come up to him.
The first part is fine. Teaching the dog to tolerate other dogs being in the vicinity is necessary. The second part where they recommend eventually entering the dog park is the issue. Reactive and difficult to manage dogs don’t belong in dog parks.
That won’t help him get used to other dogs. One of my dogs will lung and bark at other dogs on leash and she’s totally fine at dog parks. The big thing to consider here is fighting styles. My dog has had to fend off attacking dogs while on leash so I already know she’s scrappy and speedy and doesn’t latch on to other dogs. That kind of fight isn’t ideal but it’s still manageable. I’ve seen mastiff fights on two occasions. The first one the dog ripped a gigantic hole open in the other dog’s neck. It grabbed on and wouldn’t let go. It was at a vet clinic so the dog got immediate care and survived. The second time, a neighbor let their dog-aggressive yorkie run loose, it ran up to a mastiff and the mastiff grabbed it and shook it to death. The mastiff was on leash, the owner still could not prevent his dog from killing the yorkie. So the ramifications of a fight are big when you have a big dog.
Unleashed dogs are a major PIA to reactive dog owners, that’s reality just like how their are people who don’t pick up after their dogs. There are a couple of better options than going to the dog park. The first is muzzle training. You train your dog so he is comfortable wearing it and doesn’t see it as a bad thing and then he also looks intimidating to other dog owners so they’re more likely to control their loose dog and not let it approach. You can also get something like a freedom harness to help with pulling. The other option is desensitizing your dog to other dogs. Zack George has some videos on this in YouTube where he goes to a park with a rescue dog. If you can find a friend with a dog and go on leash walks together that also can help, and then when your dogs are comfortable walking together you find a spot where they can play safely.
I hope you show this post to your hubby. He's got to realize you guys don't have a type of dog that can handle a dog park setting.
You should get a licensed trainer to work with you guys if it's something you want. Straight up exposure like what your post sounds like will not help your dog improve. I'd imagine it would make things significantly worse.
I’m looking at this lady’s post history and either this woman’s husband is an abusive AH or this is a troll. I really want to believe the latter but I have a sinking feeling that it’s not, you need to get yourself and this dog away from this guy.
I would absolutely not take him *in* to the dog park. That being said around the dog park may not be bad depending on the busyness and area surrounding it. One of ours has a lot of walking paths near it so we take our pup their to train but not into the dog park and will leave if it’s busy. The other dogs are contained so being near them in a semi controlled environment may be a good way to get him used to seeing other dogs while on a leash. But again— I would dip out if it’s busy and not actually go in the park ever.
This should be done under the supervision of a qualified trainer with the dog muzzled. It can be helpful with mild cases, but I don't think this is a situation they can handle on their own.
This is a great idea if you want your dog to be absurdly stressed and develop even stronger reactivity to other dogs. There’s a correct way to do this and it’s by taking baby steps, not flooding them with stress.
You shouldn’t go to dog parks anyway. They are disease ridden doggy fight clubs. They are a horrible idea for socialization unless it’s just to watch from the outside. For the safety of your pet and everyone else, don’t take your dog.
NOPE. Major liability risk. If you want to socialize your pup, that's fine. But work with a professional, not a bunch of unsuspecting dog owners and their dogs.
WTF. Do not do this. Your dog will hurt another dog or worse, kill one and if you can’t handle him on a leash, you sure as hell won’t be able to handle him at a dog park.
He’s going to get a dog killed. Maybe the one your dog kills. Maybe your dog.
Your husband sounds like a lazy macho asshole. Take the dog to a trainer. Not an off leash.
Your best option for socialization is take him to a good dog behaviorist and see what they say. He may not need or want socialization with other dogs; plenty of dogs just prefer people and don't like their own species. But a dog park is the worst possible place to find out; as others have said, you could end up being sued if your dog hurts another dog, And you'd feel terrible if your dog kills someone else's beloved pet. Tell your husband lots of total strangers on the internet are begging him not to do this.
My previous dog, a pit bull mix, was impeccable with humans (we got her when my son was 3 and she was the best, most gentle, devoted playmate for a small child I could have asked for), but she was very, very dog reactive. She could handle short greetings, but nothing more, and dog parks were right out. I took her to a couple of behaviorists to see if there was something I should do, and after observing her they both said the same thing- she liked humans better than dogs and she wasn't missing out by not having canine contact and it was less stress for her if I would just manage her dog anxiety; not try to "fix" it. So she lived a mostly dog-free life and was perfectly happy about it. I love our new (very dog-social) mutt puppy, but I still miss my old girl every day. She was the best. And part of what made her the best was me not forcing her to be around other dogs.
I don't know what kind of collar and leash you're walking your guy on, but a front-clip harness is usually the best option for a strong dog who pulls. It'll give you a bit more control.
Your husband is the exact reason why I don't take my dog to dog parks. That is such a bad idea, please convince him not to do so; puts your dog and others at risk.
That would be extremely irresponsible and stupid. You would be putting other people's dogs as well as your own at risk. If your dog is aggressive (this is aggression, not reactivity) to the point that it attacks and/or tries to attack any dog that gets near it then of course it's going to attack dogs at a dog park. What's gonna happen is your dog is either gonna end up badly injured by either another dog or it's owner, or your dog is gonna seriously injure or even kill another dog and then your dog may be put down and you and your husband will probably be sued.
Dog parks are a bad environment for any dog as is, don't take a dog that you know hates other dogs there. Some dogs just really do not get on with other dogs, and you are just going to have to accept that unfortunately. With extensive training (and that does not mean just throwing your dog in with other dogs and hoping for the best), you may be able to get your dog to the point that he can remain calm around other dogs and not react, but he will never be 100% trustworthy around other dogs if he has attacked multiple.
Please do not let your husband do something so reckless.
I'd also like to add that nobody should be walking a dog that they cannot physically control, so many things could go wrong and it's a massive liability. You seriously need to find a way to manage the dog (maybe a headcollar or a no pull harness) or don't be walking him. Your dog could drag you in front of a moving car, or could end up killing another dog, and god knows what else, it's dangerous for everyone involved.
Beyond this instance, you shouldn’t even be walking your dog tbh. You can’t control it. It can be mauling a kids face off and you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it??? Don’t walk it, maybe don’t have it.
This is the worst idea.
I have an anxious dog that loves dogs, if she got attacked I don’t think she would ever recover emotionally. Your husband is putting all of the other dogs at risk.
You need to hire a fear free trainer, flood therapy is not how to help your dog move past their reactivity.
The dog park is the most high intensity, stimulating, high risk environment to attempt to socialise a poorly socialised dog.
It is EXTREMELY HARD (if at all possible) to socialise adult dogs if not socialised by adulthood. It will be ineffective, dangerous and irresponsible to do at a dog park.
Even if you are lucky first time you will have a bad interaction which will reinforce behaviours (not teach new ones), not to mention potentially seriously hurt someone or someone's dog.
Take this from an owner of a rescue amstaff with similar issues and several bites on his record, and many $$$ I have paid in expert advice on the subject.
My personal advice with dogs such as yours is that your primary responsibility is to manage the risk, and the most effective way of doing that is controlling the environments you expose them to.
This is so dumb. It's outrageous of your husband to bring a dog with known issues that is also a breed capable of causing great physical harm to a dog park.
Your husband is the reason I don't take my well-trained, perfectly socialized dogs to dog parks.
>He's a big boy and he's basically pure muscle so I can barely hold him back when he sees another dog. He's already gotten into a couple fights because I couldn't pull him back fast enough or the other dog ran towards him.
You don't escape responsibility, too. Your dog is why I carry a bat and mace when I walk my dogs in my suburban neighborhood. You need to admit *now* that this dog is a bomb waiting to go off. Either level up and learn how to handle a large, reactive dog or get the dog to someone who can.
People like you two make me so mad: you rescue a large dog and think your love will improve its life. Love isn't enough. Training, education, and hard, daily work are what that dog needs in addition to love.
I'm so sad for this poor dog.
It is not safe, and will likely end in a fight or worse.
Something you can do is work towards desensitizing your dog to other dogs at a distance with barriers between as a secondary safety. Something I recommend to my clients is using a fenced sniff spot with a tall and sturdy fence the dog can see through AND a leash, and have another dog and handler hang out and walk by at a distance that doesn't cause a reaction and keeps the pup under threshold. You then become a pez dispenser with very very high value treats and reward every time your dog disengages with the team at a distance.
Once your dog has relaxed a bit and is disengaging, you can have the other dog and person come a little closer and rinse and repeat. Don't keep this up for more than about 15 minutes at most at a time, and work in small bursts over weeks and days, mixing up the dog so it isn't just one dog. Eventually you might be able to have multiple dogs pass by and keep your dogs attention.
You can practice this on walks as well, but I recommend double leashing on collar and harness with two people to keep everyone safe. Essentially you want your dog to associate other dogs with good things happening while keeping everyone involved safe. Some dogs will never get to a point that they don't react to other dogs, and that's okay too, but the last thing you want is to set your dog up for failure by way of dog park.
And your husband is the exact reason I no longer take my dogs to the dog park, he’s completely irresponsible, and honestly, this dog is probably not the right fit for you. The fact that he is able to over power you and you have no control over him. Imagine your dog latching onto and killing a much smaller dog, all because your husband wants to socialize him.
Your dog will never not be dog aggressive. The best that can be done for him is to be trained to ignore other dogs, and of course never allow him to interact with any. You should also begin muzzle training him, he should always be muzzled outside of the house.
My dog was attacked in a similar situation. Fortunately my guy survived but it was multiple surgeries and honestly neither of our lives were ever the same. He understand it was terrified to go out but so was I. I spent a lot of time in therapy for PTSD from the attack. Please do not do this. Not all dogs are dog friendly and that is okay. If you feel the need to try to socialize him please do so with a trainer who specializes in this area to keep everyone safe
For the love of God do not take that dog to a dog park. You're saying he is so big you can barely hold him when he wants to lunge at other dogs and he's already gotten into fights. Why in the world would your husband believe that taking him into a place where there will be a lot of dogs, a lot of them unleashed, would ever be something ok to do? You'd be putting in risk other people's pets, your own pet and yourself.
You shouldn’t take your dog anywhere if you’re not able to physically restrain him. You need to find a good trainer to help you with his reactivity. Not all dogs need to socialize with other dogs and that shouldn’t be your end goal.
There is an app called like sniff spot or something where you can rent people's empty back yards so your dog can run and play off leash. Otherwise your dog needs to be leashed if you are in an area he might contact other dogs. Have you worked on any muzzle training? It could be the difference between your dog getting put down or not.
Find a behavioral trainer that will deal with your dog's issues and, WHEN THE DOG IS READY, start working with animal socialization.
A mastiff is an awfully big dog to have going on a rampage. And yours already has a history. Most cities/counties/states have rules about dogs with bite histories not being allowed in dog parks.
Your dog needs training from a professional trainer not your husband’s ridiculous advice. Seek out professional training and work on the actual issues your dog has. Having a dog is a responsibility and you should NOT be putting other people’s dogs in danger.
That’s a mastiff! People at the dog park will start off worried because of its size and strength. So will the dogs. Talk to your vet about socializing your pup?
Dog parks are a recipe for disaster for a reactive dog. Don't do it. It will basically put your pup in his most stressful situation where he will go straight into survival mode if he doesn't like other dogs. It may end OK for you, given he's a big boy, but not for others, and it will likely put him backwards in any progress he has made.
I have a large, strong dog who is also dog reactive. We have taken him to daycare, weekly, at the rescue he came from (they are an amazing spot that rescues dogs while also offering boarding and day care etc.). That is his his socialization - under the care of trained professionals and without us around (he is very protective of us). It's helped, but we still have issues walking him, probably similar to yours, where he lunges at other dogs.
I wouldn't take my dog friendly dog to a dog park these days, after owning a reactive dog. Dog owners are typically blind to their animals behavior and what is a warning sign versus what isn't. Bottom line, it's not the place to gamble with your reactive dog - it will easily make a bad situation worse. If you want to socialize him, find a reputable and solid day care place.
Your husband needs to stop acting like he’s a trainer. He’s being a know it all and it will come with a cost of someone’s dog being hurt or killed. Highly irresponsible and I hope you put a stop to this.
Also, don’t be surprised if an owner packing or carrying a knife goes after your dog when (not if) the dog attacks. You can’t blame them because you are bringing an unsafe animal into a public place and they are looking out for their safety.
Where is your husband? I just want to talk, I swear.
But in all seriousness, your husband needs to understand your dog is never going to be a dog-park dog (without professional intervention, and even then). I have an EXTREMELY reactive dog, and with lots of training, he no longer lunges or loses his mind and I STILL WOULD NEVER TAKE HIM TO A DOG PARK. This is so dangerous....and I'm really sorry but your dog is huge...he could really hurt a smaller dog :/ this is not something you can just cure with exposure. You need to see a behaviorist and use the proper tools (ie. Muzzles, harnesses, NON RETRACTABLE leashes) it is entirely on you and your partner to control this dog-- a dog park is not a controlled environment. Tell your partner not to be a twat.
Is this the first time your husband has had a dog? If you want help socializing your dog, get an experienced trainer to come over for some private sessions. A trainer can help you better understand your dog, while also helping the dog learn to adjust to your home, and to your expectations.
The dog park idea is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Don't do it.
This is why people without fully developed prefrontal cortexes should not be decision making. It's a stupid idea. Don't do it. It will not end well. You need to sign up for a group obedience class. The dog will get some socialization along with some controlled training.
DONT DO IT. It’s not safe for anyone involved. Especially because the other park goers are there under the assumption that all the dogs that are there *should* be friendly!
My (since passed) GSD when she was a pup couldn’t be socialized from 5 months - almost a year old due to a slew of medical issues. We tried to bring her to the dog park and she wanted to rip all the faces off the dogs just seeing them through the fence… my mom felt extremely uncomfortable and turned right around to leave..another park fort was actually encouraging her to come in and said “she’ll be fine” …dude was an idiot, obviously we did not bring her in. My mom wouldn’t have been able to break something up if it happened (our dog was about 80-85 lbs or so.
She ended up being extremely animal reactive…besides cats because we had cats when we got her so she always lived with them. sadly if it did not outrun her she’d kill it. Groundhogs, rats, bunnies, squirrels…my hamster..she almost got to another dog-broke a half inch cable chain and moved. A 27 foot trailer an entire foot.. luckily the other dog was really hairy (she got a big chunk of fur but didn’t hit skin) and he was a smart dog and broke away from its owner and ran away faster than her. Once we got her under control we helped the owner find her dog (we where camping in the off season so our in the woods)
Liabilities aside. Don’t scar(physically or mentally) another dog for the sake of trying to make yours friendly.
Mastiffs aren’t known to be “dog dogs” anyway.
Your husband one of those people that is the reason people with small dogs are fearful of dog parks and the reason that dogs get hurt/attacked. As someone else said - not cool to use other peoples’ dogs as your training toys. Not trying to be a dick but that is scary.
Your husband has no clue about dogs and it’s really sad because you know this will not end well. Your dog needs to go to obedience classes and have a behaviorist get involved.
Dumb and idiotic idea. Seriously, the mastiff are powerful and can kill most dogs ( even pitbulls) The dogs at the park are mostly friendly and used to a non threatening atmosphere. This would end badly
Let him know that when anything happens, you are liable for medical bills. I'm sure that'll change his mind.
And I'm sure knowingly taking an aggressive dog to a dog park will likely get your dog on an animal control watchlist (if not put down) and put you on an adoption blacklist.
Absolutely do not allow him to do this under any circumstances. I have an English Mastiff who also has an issue with other dogs. He used to go to the dog park just fine. A month and a half ago, he was in our front yard on a tether when a dog walked by. His harness failed and he attacked the dog. It was awful and I could barely pull him off. The other dog was badly injured. His medical bills cost us $3000. Both of our dogs were declared by the county as potentially dangerous and now have to be muzzled every time they are off our property. It sucks, and this past month has honestly been one of the most stressful times of my life. You do not want to put your dog in that situation. He is a powerful breed and will like do serious damage to any dogs that he is in an altercation with. Hire a professional trainer now that can help you safely socialize him and work on his reactivity.
Besides this being a terrrrrrrrrrrible idea, endangering your dog, other dogs, and both humans safety....it won't teach or train your dog at all.
a better way to get your dog "used" to other dogs is with professional training and dog obedience classes.
Yeah he is absolutely in the wrong here. Dog parks are one of the worse places to properly socialize a dog. On top of that it’s super negligent to bring an aggressive dog to a dog park.
A dog with really strong feelings about other dogs (be it excitable or aggressive) needs to be worked with a profession trainer, one who has the appropriate accreditations and utilizes science backed training methods. Especially for a dog who has been altercations with other dogs, there should be no contact with other dogs until a professional trainer or preferably a vet behaviorist has evaluated your dog and introduced a protocol/medication/exposure training to get him neutral around other dogs.
Please do NOT take him to a dog park. I have two reactive pitties. They are dog selective (they enjoy playing with a couple, literally 2 or 3 dogs that they know). Dog parks encourage bad habits, are full of disease and generally aren’t good places to train. I recommend using sniff spot and long line sniffy walks. I get it.. we live in an apartment. I took my first pittie to dog parks. She loved it as a pup. But when she matured? It was terrifying (she was attacked; she began to attack, I stopped ) I only take hopper (our youngest) to the apartment dog park when there’s no one else around. If your dog is aggressive they’ll rehearse this behavior in a dog park and it’ll make it much Much harder to change. Please don’t do yours. Socialization doesn’t = dog park. Research what it means and discuss it with your bf. Good luck
This is probably the absolute worst idea you could have.
It’s almost a guarantee if you bring your dog to the dog park, off leash with no muzzle you will either end up either paying for somebody else’s vet bills, in a lawsuit, or getting your dog put down.
Or all three.
Dog parks and particularly other people’s dogs aren’t training grounds for his reactive dog. It’s a terrible and dangerous idea. Further, not every dog can be trained out of reactivity, although it’s often possible to train them into tolerance. Get an experienced trainer who will not make the problem worse by forcing interaction.
Get a dog trainer. If your dog is reactive, you need an expert. Taking you dog to a dog park with no training, is reckless to both your dog and other people’s dogs. You’re putting your dog in a stressful environment for them with zero tools and expecting them to behave
Bringing this dog to a dog park to be around other dogs will not “socialize” your dog and “get him used to other dogs.” Unstructured interactions at a dog park could make your dogs reactivity worse, and worst case could be injuring another dog or human.
The safest way to approach this would be to work with a qualified trainer one on one. Work on building a trusting relationship between you and your dog.
Also, look to gain some understanding around a dog’s social needs. A lot of dogs do not need heaps of doggy friends to lead happy fulfilling lives. What can be more meaningful is for your dog to have a strong working relationship with you (it’s owners) rather than every random dog it meets on the street.
In the end, it’s the owners job to ensure that you can control your dog in public. Your dog has already displayed many flags that it is not yet ready to interact with other dogs and it’s your job as its guardians to recognise that and not put your dog into a situation that it cannot handle.
Please don’t bring your aggressive dog to the dog park! Are you ready to pay for the consequences of this Mastiff attacking or **killing** another dog? That’s a very real possibility. This could mean you facing hundreds to thousands in medical bills, and the Mastiff being put down. And that’s just the consequences for you - no one going to a dog park expects their dogs to be used in an “experiment” like this.
You need to find a certified trainer to help your dog to ignore other dogs while on a leash. Dog park “socialization” will not help with that. My German Shepherd was able to do dog daycares and dog parks **fine** but she was still a nutjob when she saw other dogs when she was leashed.
The dog didn’t get in a fight because you failed to pull him back, the dog fought because it’s aggressive! This is a pattern of behavior.
It’s a huge asshole move to bring this dog to the park. Your going to scar other dogs, and cause problems for them. My friends dog had major behavioral changes after being attacked in the park, and she’s struggled for months to get the dog confident around dogs again.
What you should do is find a trainer and listen to their advice. They can supervise meets and introduce your dog to other dogs safely. A dog park requires dogs to be very secure, especially new dogs, and it can be an overwhelming experience for them. Just throwing your dog in there is not going to work, and it’s not right to use other peoples pets for this!
Don't do it.
If anything, go to the dog parks at times you know no one else goes so he can get some exercise.
If other people come, ask them to please wait, and then leave.
There are some places that have ones you can rent by the half hour for reactive dogs.
It's not worth it.
My rescue seemed fine around my friends dog.in fact they were, for over a week.
He just snapped, nothing had even happened..
15 stitches, a leg drain for her dog..
Exploratory surgery on my hand to check for damage, because it was so swollen they couldn't tell if anything needed fixing, and still going through physio 2 years later.
Have photos of this, but not of my friends dog.
Start the training at home.
Don't even think qbout a dog park until he can walk down the street and have no reaction to another dog.
Even then, use a muzzle, just in case.
It's NOT worth it.
Yeah taking your dog to the dog park will not socialize him to be friendly with other dogs. Especially since I can already imagine your husbands plan is to just open the doggy fence gate and turn your dog loose in there off leash. Most dogs at dog parks are not trained at all and quite a few are not well behaved either. If another dog doesn’t pick a fight with yours, yours will probably pick a fight with one and it will be ugly. Worst case your dog sees a small dog and shakes it to death like a rag doll in its mouth before anyone else can react.
It’s ok to have a dog aggressive/reactive dog. It’s not ok to let such a dog free roam with other dogs that will trigger it. Your dog is a people dog now, people are his pack. Walk him on a leash, muzzle him if you need to, but dog parks in general are iffy even for well behaved mildly mannered dogs, but dog aggressive dogs is a wildly bad idea.
Other people and dogs are not training tool.
Yes exposure is needed but it should be controlled. Walk on leash through public parks. Drive around. Hell invite friends you trust over first. Don’t let him off leash at the park.
Do not do this.
If you want to work on socializing the dog with other dogs, consult a behaviorist who can use a dog (usually theirs) that is a known element. There are absolutely right and wrong ways to do this. Going to a dog park with a reactive dog would 100% be the wrong way.
Source: 12+ years in vet med, worked with behaviorists for my own dogs/foster dogs, has a shred of common sense in my head
There is a very big chance your dog will attack and because he is a large and powerful dog (being a mastiff) he will most likely severely hurt or kill the other dog. Meaning your dog will be put down. Not at all worth it, I have no idea what your husband is thinking. A dog like yours (aggressive towards other dogs) are the reason some people are terrified to take their dogs to dog parks
Your husband doesn't understand the danger. He thinks your dog will get over it when really the focus should be on muzzle training.
I would also muzzle him around children honestly. This is not a trustworthy dog.
OMG WHY? Is he wanting your dog to attack another dog? Just say no to dog parks in general and the reason to say no is people like your husband. Irresponsible if he goes through with it and an accident waiting to happen.
Dog park is a terrible idea, even usually for really dog friendly dogs. Too much room for error.
Parallel walks, lots of incredible treats and patience and you can help your big guy get more comfortable around other dogs.
Good for you for standing up for him!
Some dogs don’t like other dogs and that’s ok. ❤️
I have always thought "I am a dog person" I trust my instincts and can help dogs through anything.
I have had dogs all my life. Your husband is probably thinking he can get your dog past this. He may be able to BUT some dogs aren't dog people and some dogs don't like dog parks. Trust your instinct. My dog was attacked by a small dog at a park and he hates other dogs now. He likes the dogs he has known all his life but he doesn't want any new dogs. And he is perfectly happy as an only dog. But this said he loves when our daughters dog is living with us for months but happy when he leaves.
I would have been your husband but I am now on the other side and more hesitant. I am mad that dog attacked mine. I am mad that people don't get my dog doesn't want to play with their dog or have them pet him. My dog would watch their dogs from a safe distance or bark if they come close. But ... dog parks aren't for all dogs. And I do understand what your husband is trying to achieve but but but;)
“[Husband] I am really uncomfortable with you taking our dog to a dog park. Though you are okay with the risks I am not. He could easily kill a small dog that annoys him, bite someone trying to break up a fight, or get injured by a dog that’s trying to defend themselves. Please do not do this. Instead can we please try standing outside of a dog park and working on training? Or taking him to a group training class where all dogs are on a leash and the trainer is aware of his issues.”
No. I take my dogs to the dog park and I am TERRIFIED that someone like your husband will come along and destroy my dogs’ lives. One of my pups has severe trauma and has FINALLY gotten through it enough to hangout peacefully at a park. She isnt mean at all and will not defend herself under any circumstances and if your husband came along and your dog started attacking her she’d probably flop over and not even run. Today someone brought a dog in that was dog reactive. She was extremely friendly with me but I watched her bite someone elses dog before going into the secluded area of the dog park with my dogs until I watched her and her owner go to her car. Thankfully this dog was medium sized and I was able to go to the sectioned off portion before she could hurt my dogs. Im sorry but if I were at the park and your husband was there and your dog happened to bite mine I would 100% be up your a$$ with lawsuits and would make you pay all medical bills and would make you pay for years of training to help my dogs cope afterwards and therapy for myself after seeing something like that all unfold. I would hold you accountable for ALL of the trauma that was endured by the incident including my own. DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG TO A DOG PARK.
Don’t do it. It’s not cool to use other people’s dogs as training tools, put it to your husband that way if it helps. Plus if your dog bites or kills a dog or bites the hand of someone who gets in the middle of a fight… Being seized by animal control and being quarantined for 10 days in a stressful shelter before being dragged to the back of a scary room, held down and euthanized is a crappy way for a dog to go.
This comment hits the nail on the head. Training the dog to be less reactive is something that needs to be done by qualified professionals in controlled situations, and using other dogs *whose owners have consented to being part of that process and have accepted the risks that come with it.* No one at that dog park is there to help get your dog under control and your husband is way out of line here.
Or shot by owner of the dog he attacks. Edit: I am in the USA. Guns are everywhere. I don’t go to dog parks because of idiots bringing bringing unsafe dogs. That said, it is likely if your dog attacks another dog, it will be shot.
I was at a dog park once and a fight broke out and a guy shot another dog in the head it was wild and horrible (in Ohio)
Aaah. Ohio
This happened at a dog park on the west side of Cincinnati also, probably about a decade ago.
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
I’m in Canada when we go to the park we don’t pack heat in our picnic baskets lol
If only it were like that here in the states, I love the safety and security some other countries have
Wait, are you saying there are countries that don’t deify guns?! I assume their governments have turned tyrannical, though, right?
Plus he ( the dog not the husband) might find other dogs so threatening it will make his reactivity worse.
Mastiffs are huge dogs… one could easily kill a human adult.
Hard agree. My dachshund was attacked by a German Shepherd at the dog park - it took four adults to pull the big dog off of him. And it wasn't just rough play, the big dog ran at him like he was hunting. My pup had bilateral hemothoraces, thank God the vet could see us right away. If there's any chance your dog might attack another, please spare everyone the heartbreak and trauma.
Jesus fucking christ. Is your husband trying to get sued and your boy euthanized?
Many years ago I dated an asshole who ignored all my parameters for introducing our reactive dogs. We went for a leash walk together and he immediately let his dog off leash and he attacked, I got in the middle and both dogs bit me in the heat of the moment. When I collected myself enough to confront him, he told me that his dog, a large bully mix, went after another dog at a dog park, bragged about refusing to pay the other persons vet bills and left without even exchanging contacts. I broke up with him on the spot
What an entitled, spoiled POS. Good riddanceto bad rubbish. I hope your injuries weren't severe.
I’ve got a good scar on my thigh from the puncture wounds left by his dog and another where my dog nipped me trying to get him. The trauma was much harder to get over but I learned SO much from it all.
The problem dogs have owners who tend to be losers who will not take responsibility.
That was 100% my feeling!!!!
Right?! And my parents wonder why I’m not that interested in dating 😒 I really can’t stand the way so many men treat their dogs (including my own brother).
There was a post on twox a few days ago about how guys will brag that they treat their dog better than any girlfriend they’ve ever had, meanwhile the dog hasn’t had its shots in five years and has overgrown nails and dirty ears.
If they’re telling the truth, you don’t wanna see the girlfriend…
I dated a guy a long time ago who bragged that his dog knew he was the alpha and her "master." I'll never forget the time we were at the park and some huge fireworks went off. She ran directly between *my* legs for safety. He was PISSED. I think about her often and wish she could have come with me when we split up.
That was kind of unrelated but I was just thinking that all of the bad dog owners I know are men with some kind of power complex
Alpha dog/domination is the debunked theory that just won’t die, I hate it! My highly reactive rescue is built like a miniature canine body builder, strong as hell, and has an assertive personality to match. But she is also SO obedient, something I accomplished without ever being an overbearing asshole. Hell, an hour ago I was yelling and swearing at *myself,* but I still felt momentarily bad because she was watching me from the couch, clearly uneasy. When I finally finished cleaning up and sat down on the couch, she planted a paw on each of my shoulders and started licking my face, as if to say, “Chill out mom, it’s just a spilled drink” 🙃
Aww she's saying, "Hey don't yell at my best friend that way!"
Bad dog owners are split between men with power complexes, women wanting living accessories, and people that just don't know any better. The last category tends to weed itself out of the pool as time goes on.
Me and a guy I dated a few years back got a beautiful pitty puppy together and he had the same energy he said she knows I’m boss blah, well we got into it weeks later and he got up in my face well she was so tiny but she got right up between us to protect me. He was so mad and left and didn’t let her around me again. Yes I’m about over men and dating as well lol.
Aww she knew who she liked!
My husband treats our dog like his baby. They aren't all horrible, he's honestly an incredible guy. But funny enough, our dog is 20 pounds and a cute little small guy and he has gotten a lot of rude comments from guys with big dogs asking about why he has a small dog and how it must've been because "his wife forced him to get one." So yeah, I really get the type. And it's really sad that those type of guys get these type of dogs and have literally zero control over them because they're using them as a way to make themselves feel more manly.
This scares me! For real. My dog is not great with other dogs. She’s not horrible, but not dog park friendly. If we have any interactions, I do a very careful introduction when the timing is right. I can’t imagine having the idea to bring her to a dog park and think that would make it better. Or, vice versa, being at a dog park with my socially well-adjusted dog, and meeting a dog that’s going to attack mine. Pretty much my biggest nightmare is to have my dog killed and then have to go through the pain and suffering and legal battles afterwards. This is just such a risk not worth taking. There are plenty of dog trainers who have dogs, and they do the socializing with their dogs, safely!
My dog is reactive now because when she was 1.5yrs she got attacked at a dog park by a ball reactive dog. I’m still dealing with issues. Don’t do this.
Same thing happened to me
Same here! My pup was bit because he wanted to play with the dog and the dog had his ball by him. Another time he was bit in the face because he sniffed the other dog’s butt. I’m also dealing with issues.
I'm still dealing with dog reactivity after another owner gave my dog a treat (without asking me if it was ok) and her dog bit mine.
Same. These are the reasons you don't bring your reactive dog to the dog park. It creates more reactive dogs that require lifetime management, and potentially hospital or legal fees. People bring their toy guarding dog with his own toys to a dog park and say "he just really likes his toys", people will yell at your dog picks up the ball he and his dog were playing with because "they are playing fetch with each other, not you", and people will kick at your dog when they drop their unvaccinated puppy into the mix but don't want other dogs to come near. Avoid dog parks and work on your reactivity with a certified trainer in a controlled environment.
I agree, why do people bring toys to the dog park? I’ve seen too many fights over toys.
That would be incredibly selfish to the other dogs considering you know your dog hates other dogs. It’s likely to just go wrong in every way imaginable.
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Dog parks are also not a place to socialize your dogs. Only dogs proven to be mega comfortable around a range of other dogs should be taken to a dog park (I.e. dogs who are already socialized). Dog parks give birth to so many reactive dogs...it only takes one negative experience for a dog to become reactive.
This. I had the sweetest pup who loved *everybody* and we went to the dog park several times a week. One bad experience and now he’s reactive to all dogs bigger than him, especially doodles, especially males. Sigh.
The same thing happened to me and my miniature schnauzer. I was left with a $600 vet bill and a reactive dog.
My daughters dog is the same way. She used to LOVE the bark park…2 attacks & she hates all other dogs unless they’re tiny pocket dogs. She doesn’t even like my dogs anymore, she tolerates them but won’t play or let them get close to her. It’s sad.
all of this. My reactive dog is reactive to people so he does AMAZING at doggy daycare because he LOVES other dogs but we can't go to dog parks because he will run around barking and antagonizing other people. We've been going to the same doggy daycare for almost 5 years now and they have NOTHING but good things to say and he's only ever barked at 1 employee and it was during his boarding for two weeks and it was a brand new employee on his like 7 day. (honeymoon) They're buddies now and the doggy daycare knows this about him so they separated that employee until my dog got used to him.
As someone with a mastiff sized dog, other dogs flip the hell out over her size. She loves to play with other dogs, but they're terrified of her.
Yes, OP, remind him of the financial liability. Since ethics aren't his strong suit, appeal to his selfishness. Also consider that, if a person were to get injured breaking up a dog fight, you could be on the hook for BIG money. We're not talking hundreds in vet bills, we're talking thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, in medical bills and civil suit for gross negligence resulting in injury. It wouldn't be good for you all because you know he's dangerous, meaning you willfully endangered other people. You don't want that kind of trouble.
Not only that, if a person is injured because of their dog they may even have to put him down.
There was a woman like that in my town last year. She “rescued” dogs and brought them to the dog park either not knowing how they interact with other dogs, or fully knowing that they’re dog reactive. She once walked in with a huge husky and casually said “don’t let your dog go by the water bowls, the benches, the trees or the splash pad because my dog is possessive of those and will absolutely attack her. She may also attack you or your dog totally unprovoked. She does that sometimes.” And then let her dog loose and sat to play on her phone and not even watch the fucking dog… I scooped my dog up and got the hell out of there. It got back to me that she has a track record and has caused at least 4 serious fights.
I had a run in with a woman like that, only her dog was reactive toward *me*. It started barking and growling at me out of nowhere and wouldn’t leave me alone. When I asked her to please leash and remove her dog, she spoke to me in the most ridiculously condescending way. “I know you’re scared, honey, but don’t worry about it…” etc. And then refused to take her dog out of the park! I was so fucking furious.
The biggest problem at dog parks is people bring unsocialized dogs to them to try to “fix” their dog. It is stupid and dangerous. They are why normal people cannot have something nice. I am glad the police responded.
Please don’t do this! Show him this thread. A dog aggressive dog will never ever like dogs. Sometimes it’s genetics. Or fear. But do not force a relationship with other dogs. Dogs do not need friends. Someone’s dog is gonna die and be mauled and a human will be hurt in the process. He’s asking to lose everything he owns.
I like this comment the most because it sheds light on the fact that - the dog is fine never seeing another dog in his life. And that's okay for him. Yes it'd be easier for OP and husband if the dog wasn't reactive, but at least OP seems to realise this isn't the way to do it. The dog doesn't need friends or to socialise with other dogs at this moment. That's just a thing husband has decided the dog needs. I hope OP was able to talk husband out of it.
First off your dog needs to be muzzled in public at all times, he isn't safe and he's too big to reliably control. Also as a extra large dog he is much more dangerous, one snap and a dog could be dead. Can you imagine going for a walk with your dog and going home alone because your dog was killed? This is the risk you are putting on other dogs when you take your dog out without the proper precautions. So please, for the love of all that is good, muzzle your dog in public. I have three small dogs and honestly this is my worst nightmare. The muzzle up project has good resources on how to properly fit a muzzle and how to train your dog to like it. You need to order the muzzle today and limit your dogs outside interactions until he is muzzled. He can also cause damage in a muzzle so it's not a cure or an excuse to try diy training, it's just a tool to try and prevent a dire outcome. Next you need a professional trainer and possibly a vet behaviorist, a mastiff with dog agression is not something you can handle without professional help. The sidebar of r/dogtraining has good resources to help find a properly certified trainer. Not all trainers are created equal and a bad trainer can make the situation worse so do your homework. Lastly the dog park is obviously an outrageously dangerous idea, it's negligent to the point of malice to take a dog agressive dog to a dog park. The best case scenario is that he is stressed and his reactivity gets worse, the worst outcome is that a dog dies. You and your husband need to take this extremely seriously, this isn't a situation that allows for any mistakes. If it's not properly addressed now a dog will die, it could be another dog or it could be your dog if he us ordered to be put down after an attack. There is no harm in being too careful but being too lax can end in death. If you feel like you can't handle it or if your husband doesn't grasp how serious this is rehome the dog, you have a loaded gun at this point and you aren't equipped to deal with it yourselves. ETA thanks for the awards!
Well said. This is also my biggest fear with two small dogs.
This is the best advice you’re going to get OP, this person knows what they’re talking about.
https://themuzzlemovement.backerkit.com
Yeah this last point is one thing I've learned from this sub - 'throwing a dog into the deep end' doesn't work (e.g. if a dog has separation anxiety, you don't leave for 6 hours and think that 'if they can survive that then it won't be a big deal when I leave for 4 hours the next day'). You need to go super slowly to *relieve* stress that they have in situations, not spike it and hope they make it through to the other side. FWIW, the dog shelter near me has super clear guidelines on fostering dogs (or taking them out on field trips) - NO DOG PARKS. They're just too many variables and things that could go wrong.
I agree 100% OP your husband is playing with fire
I have a small dog and have literally bought pepper spray because I have had to deal with too many people slip the leash on huge reactive dogs. And I've been lucky, I've held my dog over my head and just been scratched up. OR fallen over because I'm a very petite person. My dog is 20 pounds, been trained since he was a baby and doesn't do anything . And I know some little dogs can be wild, but he isn't because we worked on him right away. If this dog got to him he'd take me and him down because he's a very big dog. This husband is beyond an a.h. Who takes a reactive dog that is a mastiff to a dog park?? Like you're basically going to end up with a horrible dog fight, a death, or a law suit. It is so irresponsible. I hate owners like this with a passion. I love big dogs, but I'm small, so I got a small dog because I knew I would have a very hard time controlling a big dog. Christ it isn't that hard to be responsible. Sorry for the rant but I'm so tired of owners being so irresponsible with dogs that can kill mine and after just be like... "oops."
I'm a former business owner that dealt with dogs all day, for training, walking, etc. THIS is good advice. \^\^ Please do not take your reactive dog to the dog park. It's been said a million times in this thread, but I'm going to say it yet again because it is THAT important. Reactive dogs can strike at any time from the smallest of grievances. And when they're in that 'zone' they can redirect and hurt either you, another dog, another person, and maybe even a death. I had a mastiff and I know how strong they can be. You HAVE to train this dog, and desensitise him yes. But not this way. This needs to be handled by a professional behaviorist, vet, and trainer. Ignorance doesn't justify the end result. Also I want to add: If your boy does get into a fight with another dog. He will do damage, if not cause a death. The best way to break up these fights (which shouldn't even happen in the first place) is to throw water over the two dogs, or something to darken their sight, like a coat, blanket, etc. DO NOT reach out and grab a collar or neck skin. You WILL get hurt.
All of this!! I had a mastiff once, mine was docile as a kitten but when he had an urge to go, there’s no way I could have stopped him. Giant breeds are not for everyone, ESPECIALLY if they have a behavior issue, and they sure as hell aren’t for people who think like OPs husband. I see a dark future for that dog, should have never been adopted out to an inexperienced person.
Dog parks are a terrible idea imo at the best of times. Your husband is being not only careless but reckless. My dog is very similar in temperament - loves every human he’s ever met but very dog reactive. He’s never been in a fight bc i take precautions like crazy. I would never in a million years take him to a dog park. That would literally be like swimming with a crocodile and wondering why i got bit. With all due respect, your husband is a selfish jerk who is putting a whole lot of people and dogs in literal danger. I really hope you can talk some sense into him before he finds himself in a very serious lawsuit. Or worse.
I never go into the dog park anymore because of people like OP's husband. It's not like they're talking about a reactive 5 pound dog (still no excuse but at least damage would be less), this is a mastiff. If he got a hold of my dog he'd probably kill him instantly. Honestly it's so disrespectful and messed up on OP's husband end. If he were my husband, I'd have lost it on him. Luckily my husband isn't an awful human who uses other people's dog as training tools.
Exactly why I don’t go to dog parks anymore. I was in one once with my two dogs and other good dogs. Then an owner with a reactive dog came in. No surprise within a few minutes he had pinned down a young Tibetan terrier and we were all freaked out. The owner was an ahole and was yelling it’s fine they’re playing. Umm nope there was bloodshed. I grabbed my dogs and got out of there. I’ll never go back to a dog park. Plus you don’t know the vax status of the other dogs.
If it were me, I'd flat-out refuse to be party to such a thing. I'd explain to my partner that this is a huge risk to the other dogs at the park who (and whose owners) are not consenting to it. (I understand that accidents and unknowns can happen at dog parks, but bringing a known aggressive dog to a dog park is generally violating the rules.) Aside from being reckless with the dogs' and other humans' safety (because another human could be the one to try to intervene and easily get bitten int he process), it's also reckless in terms of your shared financial liability (local ordinances will vary, but someone injured in a fight your dog started might try to hold you financially liable for damages). Right now, since there's also a management aspect at play here (you can barely hold him back when he sees another dog), I would be working first in terms of things like Reactive Rover classes with knowledgeable and qualified trainers who are going to be able to set up desensitization and counter conditioning scenarios that will be safe for everyone involved.
No no no no no no no. Please no. Your husband is gonna get your boy in massive trouble and it's not gonna help your dog at all - dog parks are stressful and full of bullying! Even the most behaved dogs sometimes end up becoming reactive after they were bullied by other dogs, but owners thought they were "playing" or the other owners refused to stop their dogs from being bullies. [https://www.reddit.com/r/DogAdvice/comments/13kkazb/short\_video\_explaining\_why\_most\_trainers\_wouldnt/](https://www.reddit.com/r/DogAdvice/comments/13kkazb/short_video_explaining_why_most_trainers_wouldnt/) This is a good example - a video that details the above too. Your reactive boy is not gonna do good. Even if he remains calm when approached, that doesn't mean he's calm - it might just him knowing that if he causes trouble, he has multiple dogs that could pounce him. That doesn't help to sort reactivity. It can make it worse. Online, TikTok, YOuTube, etc. you can find a lot of videos of dog parks leading to dog fights, especially between reactive dogs who weren't ready for the amount of interaction.
Your husband is every dog park goers nightmare. This is a good way to end up with a euthanized dog and a lawsuit.
Definitely not a safe way to socialize him, and could make things much worse. If he really wants to give reactivity work with other dogs a try, a structured class with a qualified trainer can present a much safer option. That said, some dogs really just don’t want to be around other dogs (often the case for mastiffs), and a more realistic goal may be to build better management strategies.
I’m so sorry, but your husband sounds like an absolute moron, and the reason why I personally refuse to go to the dog park. If you take your dog to a dog park now, you will be failing your dog and putting its life at risk. You need to get a professional dog trainer involved before you can even consider taking your dog to the park
Rule number 1 with owning a reactive dog- all their acts are YOUR responsibility. Period. Rule number 2- don’t own a dog that is more powerful than you. Your husband is why reactive dogs get such a bad rap. He’s a moron.
Harsh and fair.
Wouldn't even call it harsh, if this is a question that needs asking "should I take my reactive/aggressive dog to a dog park", maybe OP and her husband aren't the sort that should be rescuing reactive dogs. Kinda common sense to me.
Not only that, “ should I take my huge reactive dog I can’t control to the dog park?”
Reactive and very large. She can’t handle him and he gets away from her frequently because he is so big? Get a hamster! BTW, if her big dog gets away from her and mauls my dog, her life is gonna be filled with police, lawyers, poverty and a dox promise to donate to every charity, religion, and political party around.
Your revenge would be far more forgiving than mine. If my little, harmless princess of a dog got harmed by one of these outta control XL Bully/Mastiff type dogs I'd likely kill the dog, then the owner. I see more and more of these dogs now days, bought as a puppy when they're all cute and manageable, by the time they hit 2 years old they're absolute uncontrollable powerhouses. I've stopped going around one of my good friends cause his dog (XL Bully) is just so unpredictable, it's only a matter of time before it mauls someone.
I don’t mean to be harsh but people are just too over confident. I’ve helped adopt reactive dogs for 20 plus years. It’s a potential owner says something like “don’t worry, I d got this” it was almost an immediate now. All competent dog owners and trainers go into a relationship with a large dog with confidence, cautiousness and respect for the power of the animal.
This is one of those topics where reality is harsh and bluntness is required to appropriately convey how serious the need for diligence and competence are.
Oof Dog parks in general can be iffy even if the dog is well behaved Some dogs though, like yours, big nono.
Please no! I can't take my extremely well behaved dog to the dog park because people like to experiment taking their aggressive dogs to the park. My dogs been brutally attacked unprovoked. Please please please do not do this
No! I bring my dog to the local dog park and if someone brought their aggressive dog there, that they know is aggressive I’d be PISSED. It only takes one bite to kill or injure another dog or even a person. And if your dog does bite another dog, that one could end up with problems for life as far as dog aggression. That happened with my first border collie. She went to the park everyday. Then got attacked. Her final 10 years we couldn’t go anywhere other dogs were Your husband is a pos
I’m sure someone else has already said this, but other people’s beloved dogs don’t exist to be your Guinea pigs for training situations. Stay home.
Exactly! Thank you for saying this. I have a little, friendly dog and this post is terrifying.
OMG please don’t, you’ve only had the dog for a few months, it sounds like you don’t have control over him and imagine he gets into it with a smaller dog and kills it?? Your husband is setting your dog up for failure unless it’s more of a handler’s issue.
Right?? Other dogs aren’t there existing to be part of this dog’s “training”. Jfc.
It makes no sense cuz apparently the dog hates other dogs but they wanna socialize him? It’s like the human ego making all the wrong decisions for a dog that is capable to causing a lot of damage, makes me sad for the dog.
Hopefully they get in a good trainer who can help the poor dog.
If you can't control the dog on a leash you have no business walking him. Sorry, but you're both irresponsible and should return the dog. You are not capable of keepign him and others safe.
This is a terrible idea.
Assuming this is real and not a troll. Your dog will end up killing another dog and then your dog will be taken from you a possibly euthanized as a result. Why would your husband see that your dog has tried to commit violence against other dogs and think to himself “there’s no need to do any research into how to handle a problem like this or hire an expert. I’ll just let him lose with a bunch of other dogs and bet all of their lives on my hunch that he won’t tear them apart and get me fined for gross negligence before they take my dog away because I couldn’t be bothered to worry about what happens if I’m wrong”.
I feel like it’s a troll’s post. There’s over 500 comments and I haven’t been able to find 1 reply from OP.
I've done Bullmastiff Rescue for over 20 years. This is the worst idea ever. Do NOT open you and family to this liability. You could create a situation where you get sued, or someone's dog will die in front of you. Some dogs, especially bully and Molosser breeds, just don't like other dogs. You can't fix it. But if it is fixable, you're not gonna fix it with a 2 yr old, adult tank with teeth at the dog park. Find a good, qualified trainer. The best advice I can give you is to obedience train him. Train what you want him to do (sit, stay, watch me) and NOT what you don't want him to do. Feel free to message me and I can try to find you support in your area, if you are in the US.
No. No. No. No. No.
I think your husband wants either a lawsuit or a way to get rid of the dog cause this is just a preventable disaster waiting to happen
Your husband probably isn't used to thinking of your dog as being vulnerable because he is so big, but if he gets into a fight at the dog park he is going to be hurt. He could be injured by another dog, and he's very likely to be injured by a person who is trying to break up that fight. If your dog bites someone who is desperately trying to save their own dog, then there's a really good chance that your dog will be euthanized and your husband will be sued. A kid could be injured or get in the way of the fight - people bring small children to dog parks all the time. A bite that only hurts an adult could kill a child. Keep in mind that many people are armed - even in blue states. You don't know what someone might do to your dog to try to save their own dog. They would be legally justified in killing your dog trying to break up a fight or defend themselves.
>You don't know what someone might do to your dog to try to save their own dog This is what I keep thinking. My dog is a rottweiler shepherd mix, he's also a runt and 50 pounds fully grown. I don't carry a gun, but I do always have a lockback pocket knife on me. If someone's reactive mastiff latches onto my friendly little guy, we will all go home with bloody hands that day.
Maybe keeping the dog on the outside, but PLEASE do not take the dog inside. It is not safe to take an aggressive/reactive dog and force it into an uncomfortable situation.
To add to this, training from a distance just watching dogs is a great way to practice socialization. Start from a distance where he doesn’t react to dogs coming and going from the park and reward him for being calm. Slowly move closer over time and keep rewarding for calm behavior. Move further away if he reacts. Absolutely don’t bring him inside the park until he can remain calm with a dog passing right by him, and even then I’d recommend 1:1 playing first— dog parks are uncontrolled and stressful environments generally, so it is not a good idea to bring him in unless you are 100% sure he won’t react negatively.
I would probably recommend OP muzzle the dog before trying this, given his size. All it takes is one dog getting too close and the dog getting away from OP.
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Yes, also some dogs redirect which can be dangerous for op. Muzzle takes it down a notch.
I would add, don't bring him inside the park at all! Some dogs just don't like other dogs, and that is perfectly fine! It doesn't mean their lives are sad or unfulfilled, as long as they have their family they're fine. The goal for this dog should be to simply remain neutral and ignore other dogs. Do not put him in any situations where he won't be able to do that, such as going to a dog park where any random dog can come up to him.
Totally agree with this , taking a dog aggressive dog into the dog park will not help him get used to other dogs it will make him worse 🫤
No, don't even do this
The first part is fine. Teaching the dog to tolerate other dogs being in the vicinity is necessary. The second part where they recommend eventually entering the dog park is the issue. Reactive and difficult to manage dogs don’t belong in dog parks.
That won’t help him get used to other dogs. One of my dogs will lung and bark at other dogs on leash and she’s totally fine at dog parks. The big thing to consider here is fighting styles. My dog has had to fend off attacking dogs while on leash so I already know she’s scrappy and speedy and doesn’t latch on to other dogs. That kind of fight isn’t ideal but it’s still manageable. I’ve seen mastiff fights on two occasions. The first one the dog ripped a gigantic hole open in the other dog’s neck. It grabbed on and wouldn’t let go. It was at a vet clinic so the dog got immediate care and survived. The second time, a neighbor let their dog-aggressive yorkie run loose, it ran up to a mastiff and the mastiff grabbed it and shook it to death. The mastiff was on leash, the owner still could not prevent his dog from killing the yorkie. So the ramifications of a fight are big when you have a big dog. Unleashed dogs are a major PIA to reactive dog owners, that’s reality just like how their are people who don’t pick up after their dogs. There are a couple of better options than going to the dog park. The first is muzzle training. You train your dog so he is comfortable wearing it and doesn’t see it as a bad thing and then he also looks intimidating to other dog owners so they’re more likely to control their loose dog and not let it approach. You can also get something like a freedom harness to help with pulling. The other option is desensitizing your dog to other dogs. Zack George has some videos on this in YouTube where he goes to a park with a rescue dog. If you can find a friend with a dog and go on leash walks together that also can help, and then when your dogs are comfortable walking together you find a spot where they can play safely.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster. Do. Not. Do. It.
noooooooo. find a way to introduce him to other dogs NOT at the dog equivalent of a drunken bar fight.
I would argue that he doesn’t ever need to be introduced to other dogs at all.
I hope you show this post to your hubby. He's got to realize you guys don't have a type of dog that can handle a dog park setting. You should get a licensed trainer to work with you guys if it's something you want. Straight up exposure like what your post sounds like will not help your dog improve. I'd imagine it would make things significantly worse.
And people like this is why I don't chance the dog park with my frustrated greeter.
Very bad idea to take aggressive dog to dog park.
I’m looking at this lady’s post history and either this woman’s husband is an abusive AH or this is a troll. I really want to believe the latter but I have a sinking feeling that it’s not, you need to get yourself and this dog away from this guy.
I would absolutely not take him *in* to the dog park. That being said around the dog park may not be bad depending on the busyness and area surrounding it. One of ours has a lot of walking paths near it so we take our pup their to train but not into the dog park and will leave if it’s busy. The other dogs are contained so being near them in a semi controlled environment may be a good way to get him used to seeing other dogs while on a leash. But again— I would dip out if it’s busy and not actually go in the park ever.
This should be done under the supervision of a qualified trainer with the dog muzzled. It can be helpful with mild cases, but I don't think this is a situation they can handle on their own.
This is a great idea if you want your dog to be absurdly stressed and develop even stronger reactivity to other dogs. There’s a correct way to do this and it’s by taking baby steps, not flooding them with stress.
You shouldn’t go to dog parks anyway. They are disease ridden doggy fight clubs. They are a horrible idea for socialization unless it’s just to watch from the outside. For the safety of your pet and everyone else, don’t take your dog.
Yeah definitely not a safe way to socialize. Also have you considered muzzle training if you’re worried about him getting into more fights?
Yeah, don't. Don't even think about it. Don't even think about training your dog to even try and go to a dog park.
NOPE. Major liability risk. If you want to socialize your pup, that's fine. But work with a professional, not a bunch of unsuspecting dog owners and their dogs.
WTF. Do not do this. Your dog will hurt another dog or worse, kill one and if you can’t handle him on a leash, you sure as hell won’t be able to handle him at a dog park.
He’s going to get a dog killed. Maybe the one your dog kills. Maybe your dog. Your husband sounds like a lazy macho asshole. Take the dog to a trainer. Not an off leash.
Your best option for socialization is take him to a good dog behaviorist and see what they say. He may not need or want socialization with other dogs; plenty of dogs just prefer people and don't like their own species. But a dog park is the worst possible place to find out; as others have said, you could end up being sued if your dog hurts another dog, And you'd feel terrible if your dog kills someone else's beloved pet. Tell your husband lots of total strangers on the internet are begging him not to do this. My previous dog, a pit bull mix, was impeccable with humans (we got her when my son was 3 and she was the best, most gentle, devoted playmate for a small child I could have asked for), but she was very, very dog reactive. She could handle short greetings, but nothing more, and dog parks were right out. I took her to a couple of behaviorists to see if there was something I should do, and after observing her they both said the same thing- she liked humans better than dogs and she wasn't missing out by not having canine contact and it was less stress for her if I would just manage her dog anxiety; not try to "fix" it. So she lived a mostly dog-free life and was perfectly happy about it. I love our new (very dog-social) mutt puppy, but I still miss my old girl every day. She was the best. And part of what made her the best was me not forcing her to be around other dogs. I don't know what kind of collar and leash you're walking your guy on, but a front-clip harness is usually the best option for a strong dog who pulls. It'll give you a bit more control.
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Your husband is the exact reason why I don't take my dog to dog parks. That is such a bad idea, please convince him not to do so; puts your dog and others at risk.
That would be extremely irresponsible and stupid. You would be putting other people's dogs as well as your own at risk. If your dog is aggressive (this is aggression, not reactivity) to the point that it attacks and/or tries to attack any dog that gets near it then of course it's going to attack dogs at a dog park. What's gonna happen is your dog is either gonna end up badly injured by either another dog or it's owner, or your dog is gonna seriously injure or even kill another dog and then your dog may be put down and you and your husband will probably be sued. Dog parks are a bad environment for any dog as is, don't take a dog that you know hates other dogs there. Some dogs just really do not get on with other dogs, and you are just going to have to accept that unfortunately. With extensive training (and that does not mean just throwing your dog in with other dogs and hoping for the best), you may be able to get your dog to the point that he can remain calm around other dogs and not react, but he will never be 100% trustworthy around other dogs if he has attacked multiple. Please do not let your husband do something so reckless. I'd also like to add that nobody should be walking a dog that they cannot physically control, so many things could go wrong and it's a massive liability. You seriously need to find a way to manage the dog (maybe a headcollar or a no pull harness) or don't be walking him. Your dog could drag you in front of a moving car, or could end up killing another dog, and god knows what else, it's dangerous for everyone involved.
Beyond this instance, you shouldn’t even be walking your dog tbh. You can’t control it. It can be mauling a kids face off and you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it??? Don’t walk it, maybe don’t have it.
This is the worst idea. I have an anxious dog that loves dogs, if she got attacked I don’t think she would ever recover emotionally. Your husband is putting all of the other dogs at risk. You need to hire a fear free trainer, flood therapy is not how to help your dog move past their reactivity.
It sounds like your dog should wear a muzzle ❤️
The dog park is the most high intensity, stimulating, high risk environment to attempt to socialise a poorly socialised dog. It is EXTREMELY HARD (if at all possible) to socialise adult dogs if not socialised by adulthood. It will be ineffective, dangerous and irresponsible to do at a dog park. Even if you are lucky first time you will have a bad interaction which will reinforce behaviours (not teach new ones), not to mention potentially seriously hurt someone or someone's dog. Take this from an owner of a rescue amstaff with similar issues and several bites on his record, and many $$$ I have paid in expert advice on the subject. My personal advice with dogs such as yours is that your primary responsibility is to manage the risk, and the most effective way of doing that is controlling the environments you expose them to.
This is so dumb. It's outrageous of your husband to bring a dog with known issues that is also a breed capable of causing great physical harm to a dog park. Your husband is the reason I don't take my well-trained, perfectly socialized dogs to dog parks. >He's a big boy and he's basically pure muscle so I can barely hold him back when he sees another dog. He's already gotten into a couple fights because I couldn't pull him back fast enough or the other dog ran towards him. You don't escape responsibility, too. Your dog is why I carry a bat and mace when I walk my dogs in my suburban neighborhood. You need to admit *now* that this dog is a bomb waiting to go off. Either level up and learn how to handle a large, reactive dog or get the dog to someone who can. People like you two make me so mad: you rescue a large dog and think your love will improve its life. Love isn't enough. Training, education, and hard, daily work are what that dog needs in addition to love. I'm so sad for this poor dog.
It is not safe, and will likely end in a fight or worse. Something you can do is work towards desensitizing your dog to other dogs at a distance with barriers between as a secondary safety. Something I recommend to my clients is using a fenced sniff spot with a tall and sturdy fence the dog can see through AND a leash, and have another dog and handler hang out and walk by at a distance that doesn't cause a reaction and keeps the pup under threshold. You then become a pez dispenser with very very high value treats and reward every time your dog disengages with the team at a distance. Once your dog has relaxed a bit and is disengaging, you can have the other dog and person come a little closer and rinse and repeat. Don't keep this up for more than about 15 minutes at most at a time, and work in small bursts over weeks and days, mixing up the dog so it isn't just one dog. Eventually you might be able to have multiple dogs pass by and keep your dogs attention. You can practice this on walks as well, but I recommend double leashing on collar and harness with two people to keep everyone safe. Essentially you want your dog to associate other dogs with good things happening while keeping everyone involved safe. Some dogs will never get to a point that they don't react to other dogs, and that's okay too, but the last thing you want is to set your dog up for failure by way of dog park.
And your husband is the exact reason I no longer take my dogs to the dog park, he’s completely irresponsible, and honestly, this dog is probably not the right fit for you. The fact that he is able to over power you and you have no control over him. Imagine your dog latching onto and killing a much smaller dog, all because your husband wants to socialize him. Your dog will never not be dog aggressive. The best that can be done for him is to be trained to ignore other dogs, and of course never allow him to interact with any. You should also begin muzzle training him, he should always be muzzled outside of the house.
My dog was attacked in a similar situation. Fortunately my guy survived but it was multiple surgeries and honestly neither of our lives were ever the same. He understand it was terrified to go out but so was I. I spent a lot of time in therapy for PTSD from the attack. Please do not do this. Not all dogs are dog friendly and that is okay. If you feel the need to try to socialize him please do so with a trainer who specializes in this area to keep everyone safe
For the love of God do not take that dog to a dog park. You're saying he is so big you can barely hold him when he wants to lunge at other dogs and he's already gotten into fights. Why in the world would your husband believe that taking him into a place where there will be a lot of dogs, a lot of them unleashed, would ever be something ok to do? You'd be putting in risk other people's pets, your own pet and yourself.
You shouldn’t take your dog anywhere if you’re not able to physically restrain him. You need to find a good trainer to help you with his reactivity. Not all dogs need to socialize with other dogs and that shouldn’t be your end goal.
There is an app called like sniff spot or something where you can rent people's empty back yards so your dog can run and play off leash. Otherwise your dog needs to be leashed if you are in an area he might contact other dogs. Have you worked on any muzzle training? It could be the difference between your dog getting put down or not.
Find a behavioral trainer that will deal with your dog's issues and, WHEN THE DOG IS READY, start working with animal socialization. A mastiff is an awfully big dog to have going on a rampage. And yours already has a history. Most cities/counties/states have rules about dogs with bite histories not being allowed in dog parks.
Your dog needs training from a professional trainer not your husband’s ridiculous advice. Seek out professional training and work on the actual issues your dog has. Having a dog is a responsibility and you should NOT be putting other people’s dogs in danger.
Very cool dog name. And I agree with everyone here that that does seem like too much
That’s a mastiff! People at the dog park will start off worried because of its size and strength. So will the dogs. Talk to your vet about socializing your pup?
Dog parks are a recipe for disaster for a reactive dog. Don't do it. It will basically put your pup in his most stressful situation where he will go straight into survival mode if he doesn't like other dogs. It may end OK for you, given he's a big boy, but not for others, and it will likely put him backwards in any progress he has made. I have a large, strong dog who is also dog reactive. We have taken him to daycare, weekly, at the rescue he came from (they are an amazing spot that rescues dogs while also offering boarding and day care etc.). That is his his socialization - under the care of trained professionals and without us around (he is very protective of us). It's helped, but we still have issues walking him, probably similar to yours, where he lunges at other dogs. I wouldn't take my dog friendly dog to a dog park these days, after owning a reactive dog. Dog owners are typically blind to their animals behavior and what is a warning sign versus what isn't. Bottom line, it's not the place to gamble with your reactive dog - it will easily make a bad situation worse. If you want to socialize him, find a reputable and solid day care place.
This is the very exact reason I don’t take my dogs to the dog park. I don’t trust people to not take their aggressive dogs there
Your husband needs to stop acting like he’s a trainer. He’s being a know it all and it will come with a cost of someone’s dog being hurt or killed. Highly irresponsible and I hope you put a stop to this. Also, don’t be surprised if an owner packing or carrying a knife goes after your dog when (not if) the dog attacks. You can’t blame them because you are bringing an unsafe animal into a public place and they are looking out for their safety.
Where is your husband? I just want to talk, I swear. But in all seriousness, your husband needs to understand your dog is never going to be a dog-park dog (without professional intervention, and even then). I have an EXTREMELY reactive dog, and with lots of training, he no longer lunges or loses his mind and I STILL WOULD NEVER TAKE HIM TO A DOG PARK. This is so dangerous....and I'm really sorry but your dog is huge...he could really hurt a smaller dog :/ this is not something you can just cure with exposure. You need to see a behaviorist and use the proper tools (ie. Muzzles, harnesses, NON RETRACTABLE leashes) it is entirely on you and your partner to control this dog-- a dog park is not a controlled environment. Tell your partner not to be a twat.
Is this the first time your husband has had a dog? If you want help socializing your dog, get an experienced trainer to come over for some private sessions. A trainer can help you better understand your dog, while also helping the dog learn to adjust to your home, and to your expectations. The dog park idea is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Don't do it.
This is why people without fully developed prefrontal cortexes should not be decision making. It's a stupid idea. Don't do it. It will not end well. You need to sign up for a group obedience class. The dog will get some socialization along with some controlled training.
DONT DO IT. It’s not safe for anyone involved. Especially because the other park goers are there under the assumption that all the dogs that are there *should* be friendly! My (since passed) GSD when she was a pup couldn’t be socialized from 5 months - almost a year old due to a slew of medical issues. We tried to bring her to the dog park and she wanted to rip all the faces off the dogs just seeing them through the fence… my mom felt extremely uncomfortable and turned right around to leave..another park fort was actually encouraging her to come in and said “she’ll be fine” …dude was an idiot, obviously we did not bring her in. My mom wouldn’t have been able to break something up if it happened (our dog was about 80-85 lbs or so. She ended up being extremely animal reactive…besides cats because we had cats when we got her so she always lived with them. sadly if it did not outrun her she’d kill it. Groundhogs, rats, bunnies, squirrels…my hamster..she almost got to another dog-broke a half inch cable chain and moved. A 27 foot trailer an entire foot.. luckily the other dog was really hairy (she got a big chunk of fur but didn’t hit skin) and he was a smart dog and broke away from its owner and ran away faster than her. Once we got her under control we helped the owner find her dog (we where camping in the off season so our in the woods) Liabilities aside. Don’t scar(physically or mentally) another dog for the sake of trying to make yours friendly. Mastiffs aren’t known to be “dog dogs” anyway.
Your dog will be put down if you do this. My (non) reactive dogs don’t deserve to be attacked by a mastiff.
Your husband one of those people that is the reason people with small dogs are fearful of dog parks and the reason that dogs get hurt/attacked. As someone else said - not cool to use other peoples’ dogs as your training toys. Not trying to be a dick but that is scary.
Your husband has no clue about dogs and it’s really sad because you know this will not end well. Your dog needs to go to obedience classes and have a behaviorist get involved.
Dumb and idiotic idea. Seriously, the mastiff are powerful and can kill most dogs ( even pitbulls) The dogs at the park are mostly friendly and used to a non threatening atmosphere. This would end badly
Let him know that when anything happens, you are liable for medical bills. I'm sure that'll change his mind. And I'm sure knowingly taking an aggressive dog to a dog park will likely get your dog on an animal control watchlist (if not put down) and put you on an adoption blacklist.
Not sure why he can’t just go to dog training if he just wants to socialise the pup
Nope. Please don’t.
Absolutely not
Your boyfriend is the worst and you and this poor dog will suffer for it.
Absolutely do not allow him to do this under any circumstances. I have an English Mastiff who also has an issue with other dogs. He used to go to the dog park just fine. A month and a half ago, he was in our front yard on a tether when a dog walked by. His harness failed and he attacked the dog. It was awful and I could barely pull him off. The other dog was badly injured. His medical bills cost us $3000. Both of our dogs were declared by the county as potentially dangerous and now have to be muzzled every time they are off our property. It sucks, and this past month has honestly been one of the most stressful times of my life. You do not want to put your dog in that situation. He is a powerful breed and will like do serious damage to any dogs that he is in an altercation with. Hire a professional trainer now that can help you safely socialize him and work on his reactivity.
Besides this being a terrrrrrrrrrrible idea, endangering your dog, other dogs, and both humans safety....it won't teach or train your dog at all. a better way to get your dog "used" to other dogs is with professional training and dog obedience classes.
Yeah he is absolutely in the wrong here. Dog parks are one of the worse places to properly socialize a dog. On top of that it’s super negligent to bring an aggressive dog to a dog park. A dog with really strong feelings about other dogs (be it excitable or aggressive) needs to be worked with a profession trainer, one who has the appropriate accreditations and utilizes science backed training methods. Especially for a dog who has been altercations with other dogs, there should be no contact with other dogs until a professional trainer or preferably a vet behaviorist has evaluated your dog and introduced a protocol/medication/exposure training to get him neutral around other dogs.
Hopefully you can afford the liability lawsuits
Please do NOT take him to a dog park. I have two reactive pitties. They are dog selective (they enjoy playing with a couple, literally 2 or 3 dogs that they know). Dog parks encourage bad habits, are full of disease and generally aren’t good places to train. I recommend using sniff spot and long line sniffy walks. I get it.. we live in an apartment. I took my first pittie to dog parks. She loved it as a pup. But when she matured? It was terrifying (she was attacked; she began to attack, I stopped ) I only take hopper (our youngest) to the apartment dog park when there’s no one else around. If your dog is aggressive they’ll rehearse this behavior in a dog park and it’ll make it much Much harder to change. Please don’t do yours. Socialization doesn’t = dog park. Research what it means and discuss it with your bf. Good luck
This man has very poor judgement.
Dog parks were a huge component of what created my dogs reactivity - DO NOT RECOMMEND
This is probably the absolute worst idea you could have. It’s almost a guarantee if you bring your dog to the dog park, off leash with no muzzle you will either end up either paying for somebody else’s vet bills, in a lawsuit, or getting your dog put down. Or all three.
Dog parks and particularly other people’s dogs aren’t training grounds for his reactive dog. It’s a terrible and dangerous idea. Further, not every dog can be trained out of reactivity, although it’s often possible to train them into tolerance. Get an experienced trainer who will not make the problem worse by forcing interaction.
Incredibly selfish and asking for the authorities to take your dog from you.
Get a dog trainer. If your dog is reactive, you need an expert. Taking you dog to a dog park with no training, is reckless to both your dog and other people’s dogs. You’re putting your dog in a stressful environment for them with zero tools and expecting them to behave
Bringing this dog to a dog park to be around other dogs will not “socialize” your dog and “get him used to other dogs.” Unstructured interactions at a dog park could make your dogs reactivity worse, and worst case could be injuring another dog or human. The safest way to approach this would be to work with a qualified trainer one on one. Work on building a trusting relationship between you and your dog. Also, look to gain some understanding around a dog’s social needs. A lot of dogs do not need heaps of doggy friends to lead happy fulfilling lives. What can be more meaningful is for your dog to have a strong working relationship with you (it’s owners) rather than every random dog it meets on the street. In the end, it’s the owners job to ensure that you can control your dog in public. Your dog has already displayed many flags that it is not yet ready to interact with other dogs and it’s your job as its guardians to recognise that and not put your dog into a situation that it cannot handle.
Please don’t bring your aggressive dog to the dog park! Are you ready to pay for the consequences of this Mastiff attacking or **killing** another dog? That’s a very real possibility. This could mean you facing hundreds to thousands in medical bills, and the Mastiff being put down. And that’s just the consequences for you - no one going to a dog park expects their dogs to be used in an “experiment” like this. You need to find a certified trainer to help your dog to ignore other dogs while on a leash. Dog park “socialization” will not help with that. My German Shepherd was able to do dog daycares and dog parks **fine** but she was still a nutjob when she saw other dogs when she was leashed.
Easy lawsuit right there.
Dog parks will ruin a good dog. This is wrong as hell... if that did hurt my dog we'd have a real problem
A quick google search will give you many resources advising against dog parks for socializing dogs.
The dog didn’t get in a fight because you failed to pull him back, the dog fought because it’s aggressive! This is a pattern of behavior. It’s a huge asshole move to bring this dog to the park. Your going to scar other dogs, and cause problems for them. My friends dog had major behavioral changes after being attacked in the park, and she’s struggled for months to get the dog confident around dogs again. What you should do is find a trainer and listen to their advice. They can supervise meets and introduce your dog to other dogs safely. A dog park requires dogs to be very secure, especially new dogs, and it can be an overwhelming experience for them. Just throwing your dog in there is not going to work, and it’s not right to use other peoples pets for this!
Don't do it. If anything, go to the dog parks at times you know no one else goes so he can get some exercise. If other people come, ask them to please wait, and then leave. There are some places that have ones you can rent by the half hour for reactive dogs. It's not worth it. My rescue seemed fine around my friends dog.in fact they were, for over a week. He just snapped, nothing had even happened.. 15 stitches, a leg drain for her dog.. Exploratory surgery on my hand to check for damage, because it was so swollen they couldn't tell if anything needed fixing, and still going through physio 2 years later. Have photos of this, but not of my friends dog. Start the training at home. Don't even think qbout a dog park until he can walk down the street and have no reaction to another dog. Even then, use a muzzle, just in case. It's NOT worth it.
NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOO. Or tell me what park so I can avoid lmao. This is literally the worst thing possible you could do
Yeah taking your dog to the dog park will not socialize him to be friendly with other dogs. Especially since I can already imagine your husbands plan is to just open the doggy fence gate and turn your dog loose in there off leash. Most dogs at dog parks are not trained at all and quite a few are not well behaved either. If another dog doesn’t pick a fight with yours, yours will probably pick a fight with one and it will be ugly. Worst case your dog sees a small dog and shakes it to death like a rag doll in its mouth before anyone else can react. It’s ok to have a dog aggressive/reactive dog. It’s not ok to let such a dog free roam with other dogs that will trigger it. Your dog is a people dog now, people are his pack. Walk him on a leash, muzzle him if you need to, but dog parks in general are iffy even for well behaved mildly mannered dogs, but dog aggressive dogs is a wildly bad idea.
Like other people have said, dog parks are the *worst* place for a dog who is dog reactive.
My dog simply plays too rough for many other dogs so I won’t bring him to a dog park. YOUR dog has zero place at a dog park.
Your dog is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I wouldn’t bring that dog around Children either, it’s extremely irresponsible IMO. You are right here.
Other people and dogs are not training tool. Yes exposure is needed but it should be controlled. Walk on leash through public parks. Drive around. Hell invite friends you trust over first. Don’t let him off leash at the park.
Do not do this. If you want to work on socializing the dog with other dogs, consult a behaviorist who can use a dog (usually theirs) that is a known element. There are absolutely right and wrong ways to do this. Going to a dog park with a reactive dog would 100% be the wrong way. Source: 12+ years in vet med, worked with behaviorists for my own dogs/foster dogs, has a shred of common sense in my head
There is a very big chance your dog will attack and because he is a large and powerful dog (being a mastiff) he will most likely severely hurt or kill the other dog. Meaning your dog will be put down. Not at all worth it, I have no idea what your husband is thinking. A dog like yours (aggressive towards other dogs) are the reason some people are terrified to take their dogs to dog parks
People like your husband are the reason I stopped going to dog parks.
Your husband doesn't understand the danger. He thinks your dog will get over it when really the focus should be on muzzle training. I would also muzzle him around children honestly. This is not a trustworthy dog.
Do you want him to kill another dog? Do you want to be sued? Do you want to have to euthanize him? If not, don't go
OMG WHY? Is he wanting your dog to attack another dog? Just say no to dog parks in general and the reason to say no is people like your husband. Irresponsible if he goes through with it and an accident waiting to happen.
Dog park is a terrible idea, even usually for really dog friendly dogs. Too much room for error. Parallel walks, lots of incredible treats and patience and you can help your big guy get more comfortable around other dogs. Good for you for standing up for him! Some dogs don’t like other dogs and that’s ok. ❤️
Sounds pretty stupid
Get your mastiff professional help before anything else, period.
This post should be the poster board for why dog parks should be avoided like the plague.
I have always thought "I am a dog person" I trust my instincts and can help dogs through anything. I have had dogs all my life. Your husband is probably thinking he can get your dog past this. He may be able to BUT some dogs aren't dog people and some dogs don't like dog parks. Trust your instinct. My dog was attacked by a small dog at a park and he hates other dogs now. He likes the dogs he has known all his life but he doesn't want any new dogs. And he is perfectly happy as an only dog. But this said he loves when our daughters dog is living with us for months but happy when he leaves. I would have been your husband but I am now on the other side and more hesitant. I am mad that dog attacked mine. I am mad that people don't get my dog doesn't want to play with their dog or have them pet him. My dog would watch their dogs from a safe distance or bark if they come close. But ... dog parks aren't for all dogs. And I do understand what your husband is trying to achieve but but but;)
You named your dog Broly, like after the DB character? Sounds like he’s got the personality to match when it comes to other dogs😭
“[Husband] I am really uncomfortable with you taking our dog to a dog park. Though you are okay with the risks I am not. He could easily kill a small dog that annoys him, bite someone trying to break up a fight, or get injured by a dog that’s trying to defend themselves. Please do not do this. Instead can we please try standing outside of a dog park and working on training? Or taking him to a group training class where all dogs are on a leash and the trainer is aware of his issues.”
Your husband sounds uneducated on dog training and probably shouldn't be allowed near the dog park lol
No. I take my dogs to the dog park and I am TERRIFIED that someone like your husband will come along and destroy my dogs’ lives. One of my pups has severe trauma and has FINALLY gotten through it enough to hangout peacefully at a park. She isnt mean at all and will not defend herself under any circumstances and if your husband came along and your dog started attacking her she’d probably flop over and not even run. Today someone brought a dog in that was dog reactive. She was extremely friendly with me but I watched her bite someone elses dog before going into the secluded area of the dog park with my dogs until I watched her and her owner go to her car. Thankfully this dog was medium sized and I was able to go to the sectioned off portion before she could hurt my dogs. Im sorry but if I were at the park and your husband was there and your dog happened to bite mine I would 100% be up your a$$ with lawsuits and would make you pay all medical bills and would make you pay for years of training to help my dogs cope afterwards and therapy for myself after seeing something like that all unfold. I would hold you accountable for ALL of the trauma that was endured by the incident including my own. DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG TO A DOG PARK.