Still Bitchy After All These Years...

[sisabet]

So. I told someone off today.

Well, I told someone off for me. I am very proud of me for doing this - I think soon enough I might qualify to replace my ballcap that says "Princess" with one that says "Tough Chick" or something.

Faith better just watch out.

I am at the dog park with Sid-the-dog-faced-boy and twenty gazillion of his closest pals (and their people) and this IDIOT comes through the gate. She is obviously with this chick who has a tiny dog on a leash (and why were they even *there*? Tiny dog did not want to play with the other dogs - she was never once let off leash - why WERE THEY THERE?)

Idiot starts mouthing "If a dog bites me I am gonna bite him back! If a dog slobbers on me - I am gonna slobber back!" and then starts screaming when a few of the more exuberant of the pack rush her in the traditional greeting.

Normally I would have rolled my eyes and gone back to the converation I was having with the bulldogs' mom about places Sid hides socks - but remember - this is not a good time to find myself pissed off (as apparently I am super-saturated irritated lately).

So I stood up a little higher and pointed to the sign on the gate and said, "This is the dog park. It says so right on the gate. If you don't like dogs, there are acres and acres of park available that are not the dog park."

I would have said more but a that moment I was caught in a flying tackle by the 8 month old Golden and she was just so cute and adorable that I was distracted by the sound of my heart breaking over the "OMG I WANT TO KEEP YOOOOUUU!!!" and Idiot moved away.

Which is all for the best.

But seriously, people? If you don't like dogs - don't go to the one place in the city where we are allowed to let them run around unleashed. If you do like dogs - don't bring food to the dog park. I don't care if you are stupid and want to have a picnic. Go elsewhere in the park for your picnic.

Don't bring your unneutered male dog to the park if you think for a moment he might have aggressive tendencies. If you can't stand to see him fixed - then deal with his unique socialization issues on your own. Don't bring your puppy to the park if he has a boo-boo. Dogs don't process dealing with an injured playmate the way people would. Remember the whole "pack animal" thing? Not a frelling good idea.

Do no do not DO NOT bring young children to the dog park. Most of the dogs playing out there would be great with small kids normally - and kids should get a chance to play with dogs (I totally believe this) BUT!! These are strange dogs you do not know. They do not know your child. Also, dogs involved with other dogs *will* revert to pack behavior and we cannot always predict how they will react to small kids. At the very least, the best socialized and obedience trained dog may get really excited by his surroundings and could jump on the kid.

It just is not a good idea. If you have to bring a child to the park - carry them. I'm serious.

Finally: Don't bring treats into the dog park. Bring water and fetch toys and your dog. That is it. I know you think you are doing something nice - but all you are really doing is causing potential aggressive behaviors and distracting the dogs from playing and runnning and exercising with food - something they don't need.

/rant.

Comments

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes. And I barely go to the dog park.

Also, I really don't care how wonderfully behaved you think your pair of Labs, Goldens, whatevers are. Keep them on a damn leash until you get in the park. Nothing better than trying to make my dog not freak out at the loose dogs running around his tied up (to me) self.

Gah. And more yes

We just do go that often, because Miles really doesn't get the whole play-with-other-dogs thing. And I socialized him, I swear to god. He's just a loner. A rebel even. And I have to be careful to make sure to hide his leash and drool rags while we're in the park. Even those are worth defending in his world. And god-forbid someone is dumb enough to break the treat rule.

Maybe if I had a little dog that would have to work really hard to do real damage, I'd get to be as careless and thoughtless as all of those fun people.

Good rant topic.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

"We just *don't* go that often"... :P

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

Miles really doesn't get the whole play-with-other-dogs thing. And I socialized him, I swear to god.

We did this with Sophie, too. She went to puppy preschool and socialized with dogs and all of that, but she just does not like any dog except Sydney. He's her only dog pal. We don't understand why she likes him and can't stand any other dogs.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

Miles was the same way, he only played with Chelsea, our family dog, and he grew up with her around. We lost her to cancer before Gerry and I moved to our own house. Beyond her, he never showed any interest in other dogs. Not healthy interest, anyway. :P

I just blame it on his breed. Some of them do have a tendency toward dog-agression with their livestock guardian history. Nevermind that plenty of them don't have issues as well. ;)

[valancy.livejournal.com]

I wish they posted this at the dog park. Seriously. *nods*

[metamorphogenic.livejournal.com]

Hear hear! I have an Aussie Cattle dog - he's got natural herding instinct, and loves to bark, and this is just normal behaviour for him. but morons persist in *jogging* through my local dog park, and then freaking out when he runs up barking. I got threatened with a muzzle order for him this year, because he behaves normally for his breed.
Rarrr!

[mintwitch.livejournal.com]

::applause::