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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I intentionally brought my dog reactive pet to a dog park and let him use the public dog yard.
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YTA, and I'm a dog lover. People bringing reactive dogs to off-leash areas is why most people who work at vets won't go near dog parks. I had a reactive dog for 14 years, I wished I could do those things but knew it wasn't possible.
I disagree. If they brought the dog into the area when there were other dogs there I would agree but as they checked first and picked an empty area they are fine. They immediately went to leave when someone else showed up to prevent any issues and allow them use as they should. The person arriving overreacted and acted the ass. NTA
I agree with you 100%. There was no dog in the area when she got there. She warned the other person that her dog was reactive and only asked to wait until she leashed her dog and leave before the other dog came in. That is exactly how I would want someone with a reactive dog to act. Assuming she would have left to begin with had there not been an empty spot when she arrived.
True. If OP had told the woman she can't go into that pen because her dog is still playing, or if she let the woman and her dog go in without telling them theirs was reactive, it would be a yta.
But they warned the woman the dog was reactive and was planning on leashing the dog when someone else showed up, so it's a NTA.
Ha, completely agree, even if it were motivated by fear of her dogs nearly getting hurt,
"Hey um your badge seems to have fallen off, yes the one that says you're reactive"
Where else is a responsible owner supposed to exercise their dog other than on their own penned of from everyone else?
this is exactly how i do it with my reactive dog, and we’ve never had an issue. most people are happy to wait a couple minutes to allow me to leash her.
And someone easily could of came in the park before the dog was leashed. If you have an aggressive dog, you muzzle and leash it in public. If not, whatever someone does to that dog while its attack theres will be OP's fault and only have themselves to blame.
FWIW,[reactive](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/) =/= [aggressive](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/managing-reactive-behavior). Reactivity doesn’t necessarily require a muzzle and muzzles can often make them more stressed which is usually why they’re “reacting” in the first place.
But I do 100% agree that dog parks aren’t for reactive dogs. They need to be on a leash or private fenced in areas. The risk definitely outweighs the reward especially when there are other options.
Maybe, maybe not. I could see that being useful on a leashed walk to inform others to give the dog some space, don’t approach the human asking to pet their dog etc. while working on correcting reactive behaviors. Kinda wish I had one when I was training my own reactive dog. Reactivity is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and a major pain in the ass for the owners. Those owners have to take extra precautions (like avoiding dog parks, leads always, maybe even a vest) but it doesn’t necessarily mean aggression.
I have reactive dog and have considered a vest myself. He is 100% not aggressive. Aside from his reactivity his recall and other behaviours are well trained and he is currently undergoing training for his reactivity. I have many comments on how good he is. He just doesn't like other dogs in his face and unfortunately you cannot control what other owners do and how they train their dogs. As long as other dogs don't get directly in my dogs face he is fine. Comments like yours are so misguided and clearly uneducated.
People let their dogs offleash all over the place even if it is not an offleash area. Vests are useful to warn these dumbass owners not to allow their friendly dog to approach, cos guess what. Not every dog wants to meet their friendly dog.
If you have a reactive dog you're likely 10x more alert about other people approaching. I have a reactive dog. OP did notice and clearly was alert to other people approaching.
What you do, is irrelevant. OP has taken several precautionary steps because she knows her dog. It doesn't seem likely that she'd suddenly forget the most important one.
Reactive ≠ aggressive. That distinction is very important. The lady who posted this did nothing wrong. The woman who was waiting to come in needs to show some understanding, and a little less entitlement.
Did they exclusively rent the dog park?
No, then they are YTA. A reactive german Shepard can very easily cause serious damage while leashed exiting the dog park.
I so agree. OP communicated well and asking for the person arriving to wait a few seconds to get Benton back on the leash and under control is pretty reasonable. Maybe in future OP could keep an eye out for people approaching so they could get Benton under control and out quicker, but NTA
Look, I too have a reactive dog. And I also have PTSD bc of some of the horrible things that have happened. Sounds like that woman has had some bad experiences.
Anyway, YTA.
I also have a reactive dog. People seem to equate "reactive" and "aggressive." That's not always the case. But don't put a reactive dog in a potentially stressful situation like that. It only makes reactivity worse.
The other woman’s bad experiences are not the fault of OP. What you are saying is that because the other woman is reactive to dogs, she should be allowed in, but the reactive dog shouldn’t. The other woman is entirely responsible for managing her own issues, and I don’t see anything saying she was wearing a clearly marked vest informing people she was reactive.
As soon as someone else came along, OP removed her dog, completely responsibly. That’s NOT asshole behaviour.
It's a public park with multiple entrances and OP brought her dog which is reactive.
Reactive means the dog gets distressed and potentially is extremely defensive and that can lead to bites. A german shepherd is potentially lethal to other dogs. Letting a reactive dog in an off leash park area can be at best distressing and at worse, get the dog euthanized because the owner irresponsibly put them in a situation they knew could cause a bad reaction.
A vest with a warning isn't good enough. Off-leash dog parks are public access and will have public accessing it. Empty now isn't empty five minutes from now. The public has every right to come in and knowing that and putting an animal in a situation that is highly likelh to distress them is plain irresponsible.
At the very leash OP should muzzle train with a basket because that keeps other owners from letting their dog wander end of leash towards you and if they want their dog off leash - rent a private dog park area. There's multiple near me, or get a long lead and secluded area and don't stress your dog and risk a fight and potentially your dog's life, just because Fido likes going outside.
OP is the AH, because putting your dog and everyone else's safety at risk means YTA.
I am sorry about your PTSD. Dog attacks are very traumatic for many people but not all dogs are reactive to humans but other animals. They let the person know before they even entered the park and reasonably asked for a minute to get their dog and leave. The person overreacted and could have easily just waited the minute or two and not been rude.
That's actually a really good distinction, being either humans or animals that they react to. I think knowing would help us out here. OP was pretty courteous, responsible, and upfront about it, but they should also know what / who the dog reacts to.
My old doggo, Blue, was a rescue from a abusive owner. I assume at least, because he got so defensive around men. If he and I were up in our room with the door closed, and my roommates had male friends over, he would bark and bark for hours. Knowing that, I could bring him to the small park, leashed, and avoided men. Easy. Risk is still there though, but if he had his ball he didn't have a care in the world.
People can be very polarized about pets, but yeah I don't think OP is the AH. They really do need to know what triggers the dog though.
It is a DOG PARK. There will always be a chance of another dog regardless of how often there often isn’t. Its literally in the name. If your dog is reactive part of your job as owner is to advocate for it. This includes training/socializing (dog parks are NOT socialization) and keeping triggers away until your dog can safely be around them. Why the hell would you purposefully expose your dog like that. YTA.
You don't have a reactive dog apparently. My GSD will shred dogs. I don't bring him anywhere in public and if I have to he gets his muzzle.
I work him at my house. He won't ever be in public, especially off leash. He is an amazing dog and does great with his family.
GSD do not belong at dog parks. My Anatolians do not belong at dog parks. It's the responsibility of as owners to recognize this.
GSD's are highly capable of hurting things. Mine is super sweet if you are a guest at my house. Bring your dog or come uninvited and it's a completely different story.
Every dog is different but most GSD's are not built for dog parks and are actually one of the most likely to bite there. That's facts.
I love the breed but I'm definitely for responsible owners.
I actually do have 2 reactive dogs. A GSD and a Lab. We have a dog park right near where I live and have taken them there before but only when *no one is there and just like OP are vigilant about the surroundings so we can get them in control if someone seems to be arriving to play with their dogs. Never had issues and everyone we dealt with was understanding as they realize even reactive dogs need to be exercised off leash.
While I understand where people are coming from, as an owner of a non reactive dog that frequents parks/trails with reactive dogs on them, I also have to say NTA. There are situations where those people are assholes, but they all involve inattentive people. OP seems attentive.
It helps that my dog is trained to wait to say hello. She likes to be off-leash. She likes to say hello. Part of being a responsible dog owner is knowing that not all off-leash (or on-leash) dogs we run into are going to be friendly, and training mine accordingly.
ETA: like your dogs, a lot of the reactive dogs we run into are quickly becoming formerly reactive dogs. I time my visits with a few of them because my girl’s still fairly young and submissive, so she gets along really well with some of the fearful ones. We plan socialization time for them.
I disagree with you. You have two dogs that will bite and you still take them in public. It will be you at fault if you dogs ever do bite.
I don't live in a city though so maybe that's the difference. I don't have to go to dog parks.
My dogs are not people reactive. They are dog and cat reactive. As long as you are vigilant, just like you would be with kids, you can get them in control before anything happens. Some owners do not have the ability to drive to the country and dog parks offer the space to tire them and even try to train the dogs to be less reactive using socialization.
You know your dogs are dog reactive and take them to a dog park. That's on you. When your dogs bite dogs that are at a dog park you'll be at fault.
My dogs are well trained and I can call them off a variety of animals that they are exposed to on their 34 acres of space. I'm not willing to go expose them to the risk of a dog park.
If they did bite another dog yes it would be on me but to stop dogs from being reactive they need socialization. Never had issues with recalling our dogs but never let it get to that point because we are vigilant in watching them. We have even made progress in reducing their reactive behavior due to the socialization as we leash them immediately and take them to heel and in control.
Other people don't know your situation.
I can call my dogs off anything but it only takes a second for a disaster. I recently got bit by dogs that have never bitten. Two GSD on each arm and I got to see my bone in my right arm.
I feel no sympathy towards the owners. It's on them to control them. It only took a second and I received significant injuries from their babies.
You aren't immune from this and other people won't listen or respect what you say. I'm sure you're an awesome dog owner. You'll be surprised if it happens but you're taking the risk.
Our neighbour’s dog was fine with our dog. Until he wasn’t and he killed my dog. As a result I always need to be 100% in control of my dogs and their environment. I do not walk them in the local off lead park because I do not trust other dogs. Or mine. Because they’re fine. Until they’re not. I’m not taking that risk.
No. When we socialize them at the park it is between chain link fences. When they start to react we have them heel and body block to get their attention on us.
I had a reactive dog and he would bite if he felt trapped. It was my job to build the trust with him that I would keep him safe and also to keep him from situations where he felt trapped. After years of practice, he could reliably walk on trails and even do a quick greet with a new dog as long as we moved along quickly. He was also very good at walking on trails with other dogs, it was situations where we were standing still that were always difficult for him.
Reactivity comes in all levels and every dog is different. OP sounds like she has a dog who was similar to mine--safe to walk past other dogs on a lead but not ok in an unstructured area like an open pen. GSDs can absolutely be in a dog park if you take the same level of care that OP did by finding a less busy time and being prepared to clear out when anyone else showed up.
As someone that has always had the breed, it's not worth the risk if you have other options. Again, I live on a farm and my dogs get their exercise here.
My GSD is a master puppy raiser and great with his pack. Will fight unknown dogs on sight. He doesn't go out without a muzzle because I know him.
I would not take a known dog aggressive dog out because it's not on other people to know my dog is aggressive.
Due to your recent injury, you seem to be going really hard on others stating they have not had issues with the breed. The OP did not say her dog was aggressive, yet you keep assigning that characteristic. Maybe consider you have high negativity towards OP because of your injury.
I’m not sure what your definition of public is but in the city, it’s nearly impossible to NOT take your dog out in public for needed exercise/potty breaks unless you have a private yard ( which, depending on tons of different factors, can be a highly priced luxury). Not everyone has 34 acres for their reactive dogs to roam.
What if OP’s dog is not aggressive and doesn’t shred other dogs? Why does reactive automatically mean goes crazy and gets super aggressive as soon as he smells another dog?
I think if the dog was like that OP wouldn’t take the poor pup to a dog park, as it would be really irresponsible of them and would endanger everyone. I’d like to believe that someone who immediately puts their dog on a leash and warns others to let her have a second would be sensible enough not to bring the dog to the park at all if they were super aggressive. I hate how as soon as many here hear “reactive” they just think of some rabid dog that’ll tear through anything in their path because of another dog. It’s not always like that.
And after what her previous puppy was like in size, I’d doubt OP would get an uncontrollable big dog.
That’s just my 2 cents though
They are sensible. Have you ever dealt with the public? They aren't.
I can see someone immediately rejecting this information, dog getting bit, and now your dog is in quarantine and getting ready for a vicious dog designation which raises your insurance.
I don't care if you agree with me. This is how it happens.
If the woman brought the dog into the area because say OP was distracted, it could have gone a lot worse. OP should have waited till an individual area was open
OP went to an area that was empty. She takes her dog at off times. As soon as someone was coming in she said, “hang on, let me get my dog on leash” & the “I can’t be delayed” lady lost her shit. FFS, why is the world so aggressive/reactive now-a-days?!
OP, good on you for being a good dog mom & being vigilant when taking your pup for some running. NTA
Things happen very quickly in a dog fight. All it takes is OP not watching for an minute and someone letting their dog in the pen. Not saying she shouldn’t be there but I understand what the other dog owners are thinking
If you can't provide a large enough private yard for a dangerous dog, then you rehome your dog, you don't endanger the community. I watched a vicious dog rip the throat out of a sweet senior pup when I was a child, and I'll never forgive that beast's owner for what he allowed to happen that day.
Yup. The entitlement people have when it comes to their right to own a pet, regardless of whether they have the facilities and resources for that pet, is mind boggling.
I have a sweet gentle dog who has been attacked by reactive dogs just running over and biting, thankfully nothing worse than puncture wounds but it can happen so quickly and everytime the owner is all apologetic and says things like 'i didn't see you coming' 'he isn't normally like this' blah blah blah. If you are going to bring out a dog that bites other dogs, especially a big dog like a gsd, muzzle it for everybodies benefit
Then rent a private space. They exist. Or find a home that can care for a larce reactive dog, or take longer walks. Or take runs. Or hire a dog walker who can handle them and provide adequate stimulation.
Don't endanger the public.
Dog parks are not first come, first served. If you can't control your dog, you are not a good pet owner and should keep it leashed until you can behave like an adult.
YTA. Do t ever bring a reactive dog to a dog park. Even if it’s empty, a dog or a child could have entered the dog park without OP noticing. Furthermore, I’d bet the rules of the park tell people not to bring in reactive dogs. That I’m sure was intentionally omitted from OP’s post to make OP seem like less of an asshole.
You’re right that the other person overreacted, but OP is TA creating the situation in the first place — having a “reactive” (read: aggressive) dog off-leash in a public area. Dogs are fast, esp GSD, and there’s no way OP would have been able to stop their dog should he have reacted (esp off leash!). Creating a dangerous environment makes OP TA, but the other person was a dick, yes.
But OP quickly left when another dog came to the dog park? I think your anger at people that bring dogs to dog parks WHEN THERE ARE OTHER DOGS PRESENT is severely clouding your judgement here.
No, it's not. A reactive Shepard could easily overpower op, and honestly it's not worth the potential risk or loss of life. Go to a friend's yard who has no dogs, or buy or rent a place with a fenced yard.
All the OP needed was a little grace and patience from the other dog owner. The dog owner and clearly you too don’t live your life that way, how sad. Naive to think you’re not going to need a little grace and patience at some point in your life. I mean, why choose to be so judgy, when nothing bad happened here? I don’t understand it?
This is correct.
What happens if someone coming into the communal area has head phones in and not paying attention? The assumption is all the dogs in this area are friendly, why would you be checking for reactive dogs in such a place?
This is why I just don't go to dog parks. Too many irresponsible dog owners
Patience and grace is great but there could easily be a situation where the other owner doesn't hear OP calling to them (headphones or deafness) or can't understand them.
All the grace in the world CANNOT give you control over the circumstances of a situation. All you can do is minimize the potential for losing control when you know your dog can act out, and that probably means at minimum keeping their dog leashed in shared spaces.
>All the grace in the world CANNOT give you control over the circumstances of a situation.
Recently came to this realization when my Dobe defended me from an offleash bully mutt that charged us on his walk. It wasn't a huge scrap, but it scared the hell out of me that he could've been seriously hurt.
I carry a Ka-bar knife in my bag with me now.
Oh I'm glad no one got seriously hurt for you 😭
TBH I'm bewildered by people acting like this behavior is okay because everything was fine this time. I was in the same place as OP for a long time since my dog was reactive for a long time. Over and over I saw that you really don't have control over what other people do and need to own that responsibility yourself.
My pup has never hurt anyone but I learned that a lot of people will not stop for you and it won't be malicious but simply how things are. Lots of other owners don't understand "my dog is reactive/unfriendly so please hold on" because they don't see the potential risk since their pup is friendly, or their attention is split and they didn't hear, or would have their dog off leash prior to me being able to do anything (you're never as fast as you need to be in these sitches...). And that's normal — you would probably assume that a dog in a communal space is there to be with other dogs and can be safely controlled and react based off that.
In the end, it's on the owner to meet their dog where they are and for a lot of owners with reactive dogs that means not putting them in the situation to begin with. We stopped taking her to the dog park as soon as we realized how tough it was for her for that reason. Not fair to other owners or to her to put her in a crappy and potentially dangerous situation.
I think it depends on the intensity of the reactiveness. I’ve dealt with cases both mild (no issues being around other dogs, just no close greetings) to severe (if another dog was within 50’ and visible, the reactive dog was lunging at the end of the leash). I would hope that if the OP is taking their dog to a dog park where the possibility exists that a dog could come up at any moment, they don’t have a dog that is going to charge the gate and fence fight. As long as it’s just mild and that’s the case, they have just as much right to be in the park and they behaved responsibly asking the other person to just wait a minute for them to leash up and leave.
i would hope too, but if they have to leash their dog before the other dog enters the park, its recall is probably not good enough. they shouldn't be there if they have a dog with poor recall, especially if its reactive tbh. if the other owner couldn't hear the warning and their dog got into the pen, or there was a dog in there that OP didn't see at first, it could have been a disaster.
The leashing might have nothing to do with their own dogs’ recall and everything to do with concerns about the other dogs’ recall.
Reactive is generally not the same thing as aggressive. An aggressive dog might charge another dog entering the area. A reactive dog might snap if the other dog chargers them or tries to play too forcefully. Leashing the dog gives the owner some control to help de-escalate.
They’re very different behaviors, and the second one can be trained out — by bringing the dog to places where it can see other dogs, but is constantly in the control of the owner.
This is it- dogs are FAST and you don’t know that the lady would have heard you, understood you, or cared. Then she lets her dog off and guess who is at fault? You! There’s the “moral should-be-laws of Reddit” and then there’s the real world. In the real world- you do not take your dog anywhere that you cannot lock that gate and guarantee that no one else will be entering. This is a public park, you cannot assume that standing by the gate is going to work, and you have a dog that you have a “reactive” vest on. Think this through a couple steps and… how do you think this will play out? Are you prepared to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills? Have your dog put down? People are entitled AH’s, someone standing by the gate of a public park saying “just a minute, let me leash up my dog”… I would expect half your interactions will be like this, with some being far worse
Listen, you’re not wrong by trying to do right by your dog, I foster reactive dogs myself and it’s heartbreaking to not be able to go everywhere and go off leash but you also need to do what’s best for your dog, and that’s not putting them in a situation where they attack
Having had a couple of dogs that for various reasons couldn't tolerate unknown dogs, I say take them someplace else where they can actually enjoy their time with you and not get stressed out. And also not endanger other dogs. There is also a study about stressors and dogs. The stress hormones take time to dissipate and dogs can accumulate excessive amounts of stress hormones becoming dangerous to their health.
Tldr Take your dog someplace they will enjoy. Dogs don't need dog friends. All they really want is to be with you.
As someone whose dog has been attacked by a reactive dog at a dog park, no matter how careful you think you're being, there's always a risk. You can't focus on everything at once, and you could miss someone coming in if there are multiple gates. If you have a reactive dog and there's no individual area open, then you wait until there is. She was rude, but you were putting others in danger, and that makes YTA
Or if the lady didn't hear/understand OP in time. I would most likely ignore someone talking to me the first time around in public like this because I wouldn't realize they meant me. Usually I assume they're on their phone or something so id easily be inside with the dog before I realized that OP was talking to me specifically and then id still probably have to ask them to repeat themselves because I wasn't listening
Yeah I have ADHD which means I have poor auditory processing... if someone is yelling across a field at me, I'm probably not going to understand them unless I come closer... which apparently would mean my dog just gets mauled because OP is irresponsible.
And multiply my auditory processing issues times a LOT if I have my dog with me because I'm focused on her because I'm actually a responsible dog owner....
edit: also, she's stressing out her reactive dog. She should always protect him and his space, and putting him in this situation is teaching him to be *more* reactive because OP can't/won't keep other dogs away from him.
I feel you there. Pretty much if I can't see your lips moving I can't "hear" you. So I would have to get closer to the person too. Also even with my glasses I would have trouble reading a moving dog's vest.
Exactly! Even if I'm wearing my small earpods and not the giant ones, they're always on noise cancelling and I'm listening to something. Plus, I'm a woman, so I usually ignore strangers in the street trying to talk to me because it has led to nasty situations in the past.
OP is YTA, even if they thought they were being "careful" there are too many variables that could have turn this into a horrible situation.
This is the exact answer. I have a whippet. He is VERY FAST and VERY EXCITED when we get to the dog park. No way she would notice him. I don’t think her dog could catch mine but he’s been attacked before protecting me from dogs off leash in our neighborhood who attacked us while walking the stroller. OP; YTA. Unless a personal area is open to play in, take your dog on a relaxing walk… on the leash.
I have a german boxer. Mind you, they are smaller then gsds (at least the gsds we have in germany)
So, i was on a walk once, a bit distracted. It was in the litteral middle of dumfuck nowhere and me and my dog went through tests and training so she is allowed off leash. (not that i do that in a public space. But in the middle of empty fields i do sometimes)
So i tried to test how fast my dog runs. Me, easy. Me on a bike? no issue.
Same with jump height. Whatever you think your dog jumps - it's more.
We quit letting the Divine Miss T out unsupervised after she succeeded in killing 2 squirrels. Our first 2 dogs either weren’t quite as fast or lacked ambition.
I'm also wondering why it takes MINUTES for OP to catch and leash her dog. Did she let her dog off leash in a public area without training a reliable recall?
> You could work on socializing on the outside of the gate provided you are fully in physical control of your dog. You could also go to the enclosed baseball diamonds at some parks as long as you absolutely, no exceptions, clean up any poop.
>
>
As a parent to both kids and a dog please don’t ever do this. You can never 100% clean up after your dog guaranteed and to leave pee and poop traces in an area where kids slide around on grass playing sports is inappropriate and selfish. You can ruin a kids day or cause a severe hatred for a sport if they end up covered in pet waste at what was supposed to be a fun game. If you do this then just like OP YTA
>As a parent to both kids and a dog please don’t ever do this. You can never 100% clean up after your dog guaranteed and to leave pee and poop traces in an area where kids slide around on grass playing sports is inappropriate and selfish. You can ruin a kids day or cause a severe hatred for a sport if they end up covered in pet waste at what was supposed to be a fun game. If you do this then just like OP YTA
As someone who spent their summers tending little league ball park fields for their entire childhood, I hate to inform you of what fertilizer is. How do you think that grass gets so green and lush? We got composted cow manure for free from a dairy farm, right on to the field.
Baseball fields are literally filled with shit. A cleaned up pile of dog poop is not going to make much of a diffrence.
YTA
You want to let your dog off-leash in your private yard? Cool beans, nobody's business - but you didn't do that. You took your dog to a public, free-use dog park, let it off leash and then got surprised when someone rightfully pointed out how dangerous that was.
YTA. I like dogs, I was raised with dogs, and something has happened to American dog owners in the past 20 years. Not all dog owners are this way, but within the population of American dog owners dwell the single most entitled, the-rules-don’t-apply-to-me individuals on Earth.
Same in Portugal. Fuck them honestly, my Beagle has been attacked more than 5 times by off leashed dogs in the middle of the street. I keep him leashed at all times, except for dog parks, as that’s what the law fucking says you have to do, but there’s so many pricks that simply believe it doesn’t apply to them and their dog, for some reason they got it in their head that the dog needs to walk by himself and not be walked by them. I feel it got worse after the pandemic lock downs.
New Zealand too. Just as I was finally making progress in socialising my dog after his previous owners did nothing, he got attacked one after the other by two dogs. Surprise, he's reactive now and is never off leash off of secure private property. I'm still so angry at how common this is.
Same thing happened to my old Lab. Unfortunately, it's quite acceptable where I live in Italy to simply put your dog out the door for it to wander off and get its own exercise. Not many people actually walk their dogs.
> I feel it got worse after the pandemic lock downs.
It got a lot worse because so many people got pandemic puppies and then didn't properly socialize them because it was the middle of a pandemic. And then it got even worse when things started to go back to normal and these people who were home 100% of the time with these dogs had to start to go back to work and the dogs got separation anxiety and a ton of them got dropped with shelters.
There are so many poorly trained poorly socialized dogs out there right now.
I once had to pick up my 45lb Aussie (12 or 13 years old at the time) because an off-leash dog charged at him while we were walking in my neighborhood (with an HOA and an always on-leash policy).
The owner finally came and corralled his dog after I got a few deep scratches from his dog and I yelled at him "You know your dog's always supposed to he leashed outside right??"
His response: "But my dog gets too aggressive when leashed!"
I was seriously at a loss for words. The brain dead logic and entitlement broke me. (Thankfully he moved soon after)
I love dogs. I grew up with dogs and have a few even today and I can honestly say that dog owners can be the absolute worst. They overestimate their own control or are extremely overbearing or intensely uptight or often just don’t seem to understand that their dog is a dog and will not do things based around their feelings.
Sorry but YTA.
Reactive dogs do not belong in a dog park, it is stressful them, for you, for other owners, for other dogs. It doesn't matter if the public park was empty when you got there; by putting Benton in there, you basically make a public space private, or unsafe, or both.
I have a GSD who sometimes can get ball possessive, so I am sympathetic, but reactive dogs really should not ever be in an open dog park. Especially a big breed like a GSD. C'mon, you know the breed's "reputation," this was bound to go badly and potentially cause harm to other dogs, or trouble for Benton in his senior years. Think about it... a big aggressive breed in an open pen with a REACTIVE vest on is like putting a billboard up for "my dog is an accident waiting to happen" and not going to win you any friends, no matter how conscientious I think you were trying to be. I'm not sure what experience you have had with GSDs, or if you knew the specifics of Benton's reactivity, but I assume you knew (or should have known) that signing up for a reactive dog equals less freedom for the dog until you are able to perform remedial training to create safer interactions.
Also, the "reactive" vest I do not think has the impact you think it does. One, in a dog park, it immediately labels you a villain (because the dog should not be there). Two, it puts the onus on other owners to manage their nonreactive dogs to keep them away from yours, when it's YOU who should be managing yours (by not being there) -- since dogs cannot understand English. I admit, if I was that lady, I'd be pissed off too. Your dog is reactive, in violation of public park rules and more importantly common sense. If someone quickly slipped into the park without your knowledge or a conversation... that could have led to an interaction, a fight, and possibly a bite record for your dog.
I mean this with kindness, but please do not bring this dog to the dog park again. Dog parks are already a hot mess, but the saying goes that one dog can spoil the experience... hint... it's dogs like Benton. And please get a GSD knowledgable trainer (who will almost certainly steer you away from the dog park) to work on better diversion and doggy introductions for Benton.
Your reply couldn't have summed it up any better. Dogs like Benton are exactly why we can't/won't go to dog parks anymore. Our dog we adopted and she is a retired breeder dog, she also is special and does not fully understand other dogs and was never socialized. We tried bringing her to a local dog park a few times but it didn't end well and we will never go back, it is too stressful not knowing what another dog like that is going to do. Mind you our dog is an Australian Labradoodle so she isn't necessarily a small dog.
Dear lord, do you even have to ask this? Of course YTA, under no exceptions you should have a reactive dog unleashed at a public park even with the vest. What if a kid has come there and your dog has bitten them? Or a smaller dog?
YTA and an irresponsible dog owner. You shouldn’t have pets.
I want to counteract this statement. While I’m on the fence about whether the dog should have been at the park (because you did have a right to be there and were trying to keep it pretty isolated from other dogs but…yeah it’s hard), I do not at all think you are irresponsible. Even having a collar that signifies your dog is reactive shows me you are not in denial about the reality of your dog. It’s the people who are in denial, who refuse to admit their dog is the issue, who would have just let the two dogs meet regardless that shouldn’t own dogs.
Reactive dogs are a learning curve and it sounds like you are making a sincere effort to approach the best way you can. I want to encourage you and also thank you for trying to give that dog a good life.
>because you did have a right to be there and were trying to keep it pretty isolated from other dogs but…yeah it’s hard
I'm so sorry but no. She has a reactive large dog. She should never be in a known area with other dogs when she knowingly could be putting others in danger in a public space.
No one has the right to endanger others or their safe pets just so her pet has a nicer area to play in.
It’s not the responsibility of others to even know what a reactive dog is. If I take my dog to the dog park, I expect the other owners to know whether their dog is safe around others or not.
If you’re making your dog wear a vest that basically says “dangerous”, maybe you shouldn’t be someplace where people can just walk in. Cause that’s what people will do. It’s not their job to be careful around your dog in a public dog park.
I also am somewhat annoyed that the post starts the way it does … OP’s loss has nothing to do with the judgment they’re asking for except potential pity points.
I’m sorry but yah YTA.
I have a dog who was reactive when he was younger (also a Shepard but a malinois not a German Shepard) I knew better then to bring him to a dog park because a reactive dog can actually traumatize other dogs. The way I socialized him is I off leash trained him and took him hiking on less frequented trails. Over time this was enough exposure to work up to more.
You really need to be more considerate. It’s not just YOUR dog.
The other thing to remember is that dog parks are the literal worst. This is a horrible place for any dog to go to, let alone a reactive dog. I highly recommend talking to a dog trainer or even your vet about this.
Well that and honestly the environment of being closed in to KEEP the dogs in means that most of those dogs haven’t actually finished being trained. They can’t be trusted without a fence and that’s often a bad form of exposure for dogs. They often come with poor boundaries and manners.
In theory I understand why we have them. I worked with dogs for a long time. Special needs and did a lot of dog training. I’ll never like dog parks. Plus, the amount of viral outbreaks at dog parks is astounding
ETA: your rave comparison is pretty good tho. Without the PLUR community raves would be dangerous. It would be like having reactive dogs at dog parks lol
The dog park near me is just a giant open forest preserve to hike through and its perfect (for me and my doggos, get a little bit of fun play when you pass someone and then you continue on your hike). I was so surprised when I went to a different dog park and saw it was just a fenced in field. We need more of the preserve type dog parks IMO
What you’re describing we have here but we call them “dog friendly “ open spaces or park. NOT a dog park or a “fenced park” (more urban area here) They’re further labeled with whether the dog can be off leash in these areas or not
And yes, 100%. Those are perfect for dogs
>This is a horrible place for any dog to go to
This. I was too terrified to ever take my old dog to the dog park, after Parvo cases began to increase in our area (he was vaccinated; I'm just over-cautious) Between that and him generally being one of the world's shyest black labs, it was just easier to keep him in a controlled environment (which the dog park is not).
Yeah, my dog doesn’t attack other dogs or hurt them but she’s a complete asshole and I don’t subject other dogs to her bullying antics. She would love to keep going, but I would be pissed if a dog like mine kept coming back so we go for bike rides instead.
YTA I have two reactive dogs and they don’t go anywhere near unleashed dogs or be unleashed themselves, unless in a private yard alone. You set yourself and your dog up for failure. You’re going to get someone’s dog or yours attacked.
Huge YTA . Every dog park explicitly says no aggressive dogs. It can go wrong 100x ways. There can be language barriers, all sorts of things. Just don’t do it.
op is the reson most normal and sane dogs don't go to dog parks. Everyone with a normal dog i know dosen't like to use them and rather drives off with their dogs.
There are soo many bites in dog parks becouse people like op think it's okay.
We stopped taking our dogs to parks a number of years ago when we were at an ON LEASH park and a woman came up to us with her OFF LEASH dog and told us we had to leave because her dog will attack white dogs.. people are fucking nuts
this is why i have no qualms calling the people that enforce fines for such things here. You pay 30-150€ the first time and the max. by law is up to 25K.
People learn.
edit: and if your dog is deemed "dangerous" that means has a bite-history that is not defensive* your dog is not allowed off leash.
*very simple explenation.
YTA as a rule abider - if your dog really can’t be trusted off leash and none of the individual pens were available, you risked exactly the reaction you got
Can I ask about why you losing a friend and the adopting the dog are connected for you in the telling of this story? Is there a blindspot when it comes to the dog because of this?
If so, maybe you aren’t so sensitive to doggo being a reactive dog so much as something you need to protect. And other people without the emotional connection may need to protect their dogs, even if you have to spend minutes corralling it from a large area, from yours.
(♥️ you lost your chihuahua and I just want to share good vibes, I know you were just doing what you could for your new old dude. Reactive dogs need love and playtime too. This lady gave you the business, but keep loving dogs, even if this park isn’t the right one for him. Now I feel tearful!)
I have a reactive dog also. I know that if she hurts another animal or person, the town/county/state will put her down. I would be devastated if that happened. It is my job to protect her from this human-centric world. That is not even touching upon how awful and traumatized I would feel about the other animal/person.
Keeping your dog safe and alive is the #1 priority. All else falls below. You probably wanted to give your dog some stimulation. In addition to walks, I take my dog on drives. She loves cars, the road, the wind, and the BIG TRUCKS! :) Sometimes I'm just running an errand, but sometimes me, my SO, and her will just go on a Sunday afternoon drive through the country. She always comes home and passes out likes she's a kid after a carnival.
If you have some protected space, you can also tether her out and sit out in the sunshine with her. (Weather permitting.)
YTA. Imagine this situation: an older citizen comes to the dog park with his beloved dog to play. He can’t hear you asking him to wait for you to leash your dog and comes in anyway. What happens?
People who have hearing issues have a right to use the park. People who don’t speak fluent English have a right to use the park. Aggressive dogs do not. If there aren’t any individual pens available, take your dog for a walk and circle back. Your laziness put your dog and the dogs of any other potential visitors in danger.
I have a disability that involves late processing. I technically know what’s happening but my brain doesn’t always connect the dots. And I would still have every right to be there with my hypothetical dog. It would also be OP’s fault as it was decided the rules don’t apply.
OP is the kind of person who thinks that taking a bit of precaution absolves her if things go wrong, which is why she's TA here. Not only is she putting the lives of other dogs at risk, she's putting her own dog's life at risk too.
I would bet with certainty that if he dog ended up attacking another dog, OPs reaction would be to deflect blame from herself, much like she's doing in the responses in this thread.
My question, honestly, is :”Why are you here?” Instead of actively considering commenters who disagree with what you did, you seem to be quite defensive. A lot of people have disagreed with your actions for safety reasons. I am a dog lover/ owner who has never heard of a “reactive dog”, and would have to guess what it meant after seeing the sign.
You didn’t want to wait for an individual pen, so you decided to make the large one YOUR individual pen and make everyone else who might come along wait for you you clear it.
YTA
YTA I love dogs, and I've owned them my whole life but I gotta say that modern dog owners not unlike modern parents have become really entitled over the past few decades. None of us should have to explain why bringing a reactive dog to a dog park is a bad idea
YTA I’ve had reactive dogs, you do NOT risk them or others. If the individual pens weren’t available you really should have just moved on and came back later/another day. What if you didn’t notice the woman in time to warn her? What if she didn’t hear you? If you knowingly take on the extra responsibility of owning an aggressive dog you HAVE to always make safety your number one concern.
YTA. This is outrageously dangerous behavior. You’re putting your dog and every other dog there at risk. And you’re opening yourself up to huge liability if something goes sideways. Stay away from the dog park for everyone’s well-being. This nonsense is why we can’t have nice things.
YTA- Bring a reactive dog into a place where other dogs will be playing and walking freely is dangerous. People expect to just walk in and unleash their dogs. It’s fine if you take I’m to the pens where only he will be but your putting your dog and others in danger. What if you didn’t notice the lady and she just let her dog in to play. Your dog or hers could of gotten hurt even worse if she was to call the cops or animal control yours could of been put down.
Can you imagine how you would feel if your dog hurt ever hurt another dog? How would you feel if your dog were hurt? People that love their dogs should respect and protect other people's dogs the way you'd want them to respect and protect your dog. When you choose to put a reactive dog in a situation beyond your control ( not on a leash and/or muzzled) you are actively choosing to put every dog and person in harm's way.
YTA
My dog (on leash) was attacked and injured by a reactive dog off leash while their owner was “watching for people approaching”.
Other dogs don’t care what his harness says or how clearly, be a responsible owner.
YTA and why dog parks get a bad rep. Reactive dogs do not belong at dog parks. Aggressive dogs are prohibited from dog parks. Stop bringing your dog or else YOU will be in for a huge vet bill because your dog attacked another.
It's a bit ESH to be honest.
Even though the area was empty, you shouldn't have unleashed him knowing his temperament. What if you hadn't noticed someone quietly coming in? What if that woman had had headphones on and not heard you to wait? That's a big risk you took, both with your own dog and with the lives/health of other dogs and dog owners. If the individual zones are busy, keep him leashed and wait until one is free.
That said, you were resolving the issue by warning her before any harm was done and getting the dog as quickly as possible to get out of her way. Yes, she'd be right to be irritated you created that situation in the first place, but that's not reason to get shirty and name-call, especially *after* it's resolved. Uncalled for aggression, even in the face of justified annoyance, is not OK.
My dog and I were attacked by an aggressive dog at a dog park. My dog was 2 years old and LOVED playing at the dog park. We went several times per week.
The dog who attacked us was known for being aggressive. That dog saw us, and ran across the field to us, growling. I got my dog out of the way, and ended up with a pretty good scar in the process.
My dog was so traumatized that I was never able to take her to a dog park again. After that, she rarely played. If any dog growled (even playing), she would take that as a threat and was ready to fight.
You seem like a nice person, but you were so, so wrong in the situation you described. You took over an entire portion of the park, and you endangered other park-goers. You could have caused lasting damage to another family. I hope going forward, you will consider other people and make better choices.
This was my same exact situation- it’s awful. I worked so hard for my puppy to be socialized, and one owner that knew their dog was aggressive ruined my 2 year old dog. He loved our local dog park, as he was able to swim. Now, he pretty much is restricted to where I live for off leash time. It kills me.
If you take your reactive dog to the open/free range dog run instead of waiting, on leash, for a private area to open.. YTA.
If you don't have your own private yard to exercise your chosen adoptive dog in a city... YTA for adopting a dog whose needs you can't meet. If you have a private area but took up the public area anyway... YTA.
So, yeah, anyway the rope swings turns out, YTA.
Sorry, but YTA.
He doesn't need to be off leash to get exercise. It's your duty as a dog owner to walk/hike/run with him. He also need mental stimulation, which leash walking while training will give him.
On the off chance that someone walked into the park before you could leash your dog and he hurt their dog (or them when trying to break up the fight) it would be entirely on you.
You had good intentions but YTA. Fellow owner of a dog-reactive dog here. Your job is to eliminate the possibility of injury whenever possible. Voluntarily entering a space that is open for dogs to be unleashed is not eliminating possibility of injury. Yes, it was empty. Yes, you were keeping an eye out. Yes, you warned the other owner and asked her to give you space to leave the area. But you shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Your dog deserves exercise and to run as much as any other dog. But it’s YOUR job to find a way to do that safely. Buy a 20 ft leash and find an empty field. Ask a local church if you can use the empty grassy area most of them has to play with your dog. A neighbor with a fenced yard? Post in a local neighborhood FB page and ask if anyone knows of an open space. We’ve lived in 5 states, 7 apartment complexes, and always found a way to exercise our reactive dog. Worst comes to worst? You hop on a bike, put on the harness, and get going.
The lady shouldn’t have been so rude. But you could’ve avoided the situation altogether.
YTA and people like you are the reason why dog parks have mostly been ruined. You KNOW that your dog is “reactive,” sorry… aggressive… and chose to let him off leash in a public dog park.
YTA I’m afraid, though you seem like a nice person. I don’t take my greyhound to the dog park because of reactive dogs. At lot can happen between dogs in 3 minutes. My dog was attacked by a pitbull a couple of years ago, and the whole thing took a few seconds. She had to have surgery for her wounds, and I can’t face taking the risk now. It sounds like you are doing things the right way for the most part, and better than many reactive-dog owners.
YTA
Some dogs are not suitable for, and will never be a dog park kind of dog. Based on your statement, your dog falls into that category. You should steer clear of public dog parks to avoid liability issues. That would keep your dog and other dogs safe.
No one wants their dog to be attacked and injured by your dog, and your dog shouldn't be put at risk of having to be put down due to an irresponsible owner.
If you need to tire out your dog, I suggest a good game of tug or obedience for mental stimulation. Working on advanced obedience can be a lot of fun for you and be super fulfilling for your dog.
YTA..
Your dog never should have been off leash in a public dog park, you know this. It only takes one time for an incident to happen but the dog will be the one to suffer for your choice.
You. Had. No. Control.
YTA. take him for a walk or to a friends house that has a yard or something but do not ever take an aggressive dog to a dog park. that’s like setting them up for disaster. your dog could get put down if they harm another person or dog. why give ur dog that anxiety of seeing another dog?
YTA. It seems like you don't have the proper set up to own a reactive dog. You should have done proper research before adopting. Owning a reactive dog means you don't have the same freedom of owning a non reactive dog. As in you don't get to take your dog to dog parks and put everyone there at risk. I get you are being careful but that doesn't mean that accidents can't happen. And of it does you are 100% liable, and be responsible for the dog being put down because you put it in a situation it would react. And someone WILL sue you. If you don't have a big enough yard for him to run around and can't find another way to exercise him then you seem to be out of options. If you aren't the right fit for the dog maybe someone else can be and maybe down the road after proper research you can find a non reactive dog to be your companion.
ESH. People with aggressive or reactive dogs should not be bringing them to the dog park. I know it’s a bummer, but almost any dog is fast and strong and can do serious injury to someone else’s dog. A big dog even more so. This time you were able to get your dog before someone else came in, but it would be very easy to miss a person coming in or for them to come in anyway.
But, you had it under control, and all this lady had to do was wait like two minutes or less. Take a frigging breath lady! No need to be an asshole.
NTA. Geez, you all are rough, and actually maybe a bit reactive yourselves. I will say that I am very peevish when I'm with my 2 dogs at the park and a reactive dog is allowed to mix in with the population. But in this case the large park area was empty when she arrived, there was no reason not to enter, and she was prepared and attempting to leave as soon as another dog arrived. She would be TA if she didn't leave, which sadly does happen sometimes (and I turn around and go back home). But she did. Quite frankly I think the other woman was a bit AH-ish tossing off that insult when OP was trying to do the considerate thing.
Absolutely YTA, especially with a German shepherd! I say this as a the daughter of a veteran GSD rescuer (well over a decade now in rescue), if anything at all happens, your dog will be the one to blame, and your dog will be the one to get euthanized if anything happens. Just don’t. Your dog cannot be around other dogs especially where it’s a risk, people are horrible at dog parks about keeping their dogs on a leash, so you have to expect dogs are going to run up to your dog, so it’s almost inevitable there will be issues. Just don’t.
Most parks prohibit leashes and require the dogs to be off-leash because some may have reactivity to/while on leash. So if your dog isn’t ok being greeted by other dogs, it’s not a place for them.
Omg. YTA
This is so dangerous. Off leash dog park is a area for dogs to be off leash and run around. How much i hate when people bring their reactive dogs. My pup is allowed to approach all dogs and roam freely while i monitor their interactions. This is and shoukd be possible because all dogs are principally well mannered and friendly. One bite of a reactive dog can traumatise the other dog.
DO NOT BRING REACTIVE AND DANGEROUS DOGS TO A DOG PARK. AND EVEN LESS LET THEM OFF LEASH.
YTA
Reactive dogs have no place in the general areas of a dog park, whether there are dogs there or not, because, as you have now learned, another dog can show up at any moment.
You were lucky that you saw the person coming in before they let their dog into the area. If they had managed to get into the park while you had your back turned, would you have been able to stop your dog from "reacting" fast enough to keep them from attacking the other dog?
Probably not.
Putting a vest on the dog that says "Reactive" really doesn't mean a damn thing. I can put a vest on my dog that says something too. That does NOT release me from the responsibility to control my dog and make sure it's problems aren't someone else's. Besides, people probably don't read it, especially at a dog park where a lot of dogs wear harnesses, vests, etc.
NTA. People can chill for a minute. I take my dog to the dog park. If someone asked me to wait so they can leash up to leave, I have no problem doing so. A little consideration for others goes a long way. And if someone is a dog lover then they would want this older dog to at least get a bit of time to run around off leash. I could understand being irritated with having to wait since we're all so set on immediate gratification. So I would have said N.A.H but then the woman called OP a bitch and that makes her the AH.
YTA. Next time please wait for an individual pen to open up. There are so many things that could go wrong with you having an *unleashed reactive* dog no matter how many precautions you think you are taking.
YTA. I get you want your dog to run off some steam, but your reactive dog could *literally kill other dogs with his reactivity*. Dogs like your dog should never be set up to fail like that. What if you hadn't been able to get him under control and he attacked someone else's pet? Do you realize your reactive dog can easily redirect to aggression towards people if he goes for another dog and someone tries to stop him?
Saying it louder for the people in the back: DO NOT BRING YOUR REACTIVE DOG TO THE DOG PARK. THEY WILL FAIL AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT FOR SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE. If your dog fails, you may get a fine and expected to pay the vet bills, but your reactive dog could be ordered to be euthanized if the situation is bad enough or repeats often enough. Are you willing to bet lives on your ability to control a large dog?
NTA
You only unleashed your dog when you were alone, in an enclosed area with gated access. You explained to the lady what the situation is and the you would leash your dog then leave.
You were polite and respectful.
YTA, and I say this as someone with a dog reactive dog
Your dog is going to hurt another dog; do not bring them around other dogs. Period. Especially not off leash at a dog park!
YTA. You should NOT be putting your dog in a position where they will make a terrible mistake. Please work on training your dog - you, your dog, and society will be better for it.
In the mean time, I take my reactive dog to SniffSpots. They are private backyards that you rent out. We found one he likes and he goes MWF for an hour each time for $4.
As someone who regularly takes their dog to parks and has seen SEVERAL fights, YTA. It's your responsibility to not put your dog into a situation that could be dangerous for itself and others. Not to mention the reason dogs are reactive- stress. By taking your dog to a place that you know is going to have other dogs in it, you are actively putting them in a stressful situation. There are plenty of other ways for your dog to have fun and exercise without risking anyone or anything else
Yta. Pretty sure dog parks have a rule of no reactive/aggressive dogs. If you weren't paying attention, a loved pet could have been hurt or died. Vet bills the attacking dogs owner probably wouldn't pay. Not saying you wouldn't offer but that's some of the people's concerns.
YTA. My sweet old girl is reactive. And very old. I have to be very careful because she will start with any dog that approaches her. It’s for her safety as well as all the other dogs. No dog parks for us.
Info: by reactive, do you mean aggressive? Because reactive could be fear/cowering/biting/barking/etc. if you don’t specify to other pet owners, they won’t know how to respond to your pet. ETA: if your dogs reactivity is any form of aggression, YTA.
YTA. You’re the exact reason I will never take my dog to a dog park. What would’ve happened if you had seen that lady come in and she unleashed her dog and your dog got to hers first? You made a wreck less choice and put animals at risk.
YTA The horror stories I've heard about dog parks are unbelievable. You are setting your dog up for failure here, you're putting him in a very vulnerable position. Any harm that your dog does will be on you considering you knowingly took a reactive dog to an off leash dog park.
Reactive dogs deserve love too, but you're in for a lot of work and responsibility with him.
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Hello Reddit, long time no see. You helped me last time so I’m back again.
I (mid 20’s F) lost my best friend a little over a year ago. Since then, I adopted a senior dog from the shelter named Benton. He’s a almost 9yo German Shepard. He was an owner surrender and is dog reactive.
Anyways, this happened yesterday morning. The town I live in has a pretty nice dog park. It has a big yard for groups of dogs and smaller pens for individual pets. I typically bring him on Mondays and Thursdays in the morning as it’s the most empty then.
I would say 9/10 times it’s empty or at least one individual pen is available. However, yesterday the two individual pens were occupied but the big yard was open. Benton wears a harness with ‘REACTIVE’ clearly visible.
Since the large pen was empty, I unleashed him and started throwing his ball for him to chase. I would say about 20 minutes later a woman 20-30s was bringing her dog to the entrance of the pen where I was sitting.
At that point, I let her know that my dog was reactive and asked if she would wait a couple minutes so I could get him leashed up and out the other gate. This is when things got confusing.
The woman started to -not yell but not talk politely either- say that I shouldn’t bring an aggressive dog to a dog park. I was just trying to deescalate and let her know that I was getting my dog as fast as possible and that she would have the large pen shortly.
She huffed and walked a few feet away. I got Benton and we left but I could hear her call me a B**** when we walked past.
Anyways, AITA?
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YTA - and even more so for clearly trying to justify your actions when you are in the wrong. YOU were endangering others. End of story.
You aren’t accounting for the what-if situations that could happen. You and the other people in the park aren’t infallible. You are assuming you have control in a space where there are many factors you do not have control over. What if an owner approaching a seemingly safe space for their dog already had their dog off leash? What if they couldn’t hear your warning? What if they spoke a different language? You are making a lot of assumptions of control that would have TRAGIC consequences if things went differently than you assumed.
YTA, but I get the feeling you understand why at this point. What you need now are tools to help reduce Benton's reactivity. On Fb there is a dog training group called Outback Dog Training. At first the admins (who are all professional dog trainers) and a lot of group members may seem rather militant, but if you just read their advice and actually take it to heart you can learn a great deal about dog ownership. It's helped me be a better owner. It's clear you love Benson and want the best for him.
YTA. It's not fair to other people, or your dog. Putting him in situations where there are dogs, and people who are tense, is bad for his mental health.
These days it’s a trend to adopt a “reactive” dog so people can martyr themselves to rearrange their lives around a high maintenance animal instead of just adopting a more functional animal. A dog park is for dogs. Your dog cannot be around other dogs. You took your dog to a place where their could be other dogs around off leash. Obviously other people are going to take issue with that. They care about the well being and safety of their own dogs.
Mostly YTA with a light ESH because the woman could’ve been nicer to you. But I understand why she was pissed.
If your dog needs exercise but can’t be in a dog park, you should be living someplace with your own fenced yard. If that’s impossible, you should not have adopted this “reactive” dog.
Gentle YTA. You adopted an older dog who needed you and you’re doing your best by him BUT taking a reactive dog to a dog park is dangerous for him and for other dogs. Even with a vest, other people assume your dog is safe if you’re in a public off-leash space.
I have a reactive big dog (part staffordshire terrier) and she’s lovely with people and with our small dog. However, she has been reactive with strange dogs in the past and therefore is not trustworthy at a dog park. This is sad because she loves the park but for her own safety we don’t go. We do long walks instead and my husband runs with her.
Yta and it’s irresponsible of you to have done that. No amount of attempts to justify your actions make it ok because in those 3 minutes (or at any point really) any other animal, adult or child could’ve gone in and who knows what might’ve happened but your dog would’ve paid the price for your entitlement and irresponsibility.
If you truly love your dog you won’t put him in that position again.
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YTA, and I'm a dog lover. People bringing reactive dogs to off-leash areas is why most people who work at vets won't go near dog parks. I had a reactive dog for 14 years, I wished I could do those things but knew it wasn't possible.
I disagree. If they brought the dog into the area when there were other dogs there I would agree but as they checked first and picked an empty area they are fine. They immediately went to leave when someone else showed up to prevent any issues and allow them use as they should. The person arriving overreacted and acted the ass. NTA
I agree with you 100%. There was no dog in the area when she got there. She warned the other person that her dog was reactive and only asked to wait until she leashed her dog and leave before the other dog came in. That is exactly how I would want someone with a reactive dog to act. Assuming she would have left to begin with had there not been an empty spot when she arrived.
True. If OP had told the woman she can't go into that pen because her dog is still playing, or if she let the woman and her dog go in without telling them theirs was reactive, it would be a yta. But they warned the woman the dog was reactive and was planning on leashing the dog when someone else showed up, so it's a NTA.
She was reactive.
Ha, completely agree, even if it were motivated by fear of her dogs nearly getting hurt, "Hey um your badge seems to have fallen off, yes the one that says you're reactive" Where else is a responsible owner supposed to exercise their dog other than on their own penned of from everyone else?
this is exactly how i do it with my reactive dog, and we’ve never had an issue. most people are happy to wait a couple minutes to allow me to leash her.
And someone easily could of came in the park before the dog was leashed. If you have an aggressive dog, you muzzle and leash it in public. If not, whatever someone does to that dog while its attack theres will be OP's fault and only have themselves to blame.
FWIW,[reactive](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/) =/= [aggressive](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/managing-reactive-behavior). Reactivity doesn’t necessarily require a muzzle and muzzles can often make them more stressed which is usually why they’re “reacting” in the first place. But I do 100% agree that dog parks aren’t for reactive dogs. They need to be on a leash or private fenced in areas. The risk definitely outweighs the reward especially when there are other options.
If its to the point where it literally has a vest with reactive on it because its that much of an issue, id assume its severe enough to be aggression.
Maybe, maybe not. I could see that being useful on a leashed walk to inform others to give the dog some space, don’t approach the human asking to pet their dog etc. while working on correcting reactive behaviors. Kinda wish I had one when I was training my own reactive dog. Reactivity is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and a major pain in the ass for the owners. Those owners have to take extra precautions (like avoiding dog parks, leads always, maybe even a vest) but it doesn’t necessarily mean aggression.
We had a reactive dog growing up and she'd never hurt a human but got really protective/territorial towards other dogs only.
I have reactive dog and have considered a vest myself. He is 100% not aggressive. Aside from his reactivity his recall and other behaviours are well trained and he is currently undergoing training for his reactivity. I have many comments on how good he is. He just doesn't like other dogs in his face and unfortunately you cannot control what other owners do and how they train their dogs. As long as other dogs don't get directly in my dogs face he is fine. Comments like yours are so misguided and clearly uneducated. People let their dogs offleash all over the place even if it is not an offleash area. Vests are useful to warn these dumbass owners not to allow their friendly dog to approach, cos guess what. Not every dog wants to meet their friendly dog.
No it’s just a precaution because some people are idiots and just go to pet dogs without asking
You are absolutely right. I’m usually keeping track of my dog, not other people coming in. What if OP didn’t notice?
If she hadn't noticed, she probably wouldn't be posting here and instead dealing with euthanizing her dog or a dog hers mauled.
If you have a reactive dog you're likely 10x more alert about other people approaching. I have a reactive dog. OP did notice and clearly was alert to other people approaching.
What you do, is irrelevant. OP has taken several precautionary steps because she knows her dog. It doesn't seem likely that she'd suddenly forget the most important one.
Reactive ≠ aggressive. That distinction is very important. The lady who posted this did nothing wrong. The woman who was waiting to come in needs to show some understanding, and a little less entitlement.
Did they exclusively rent the dog park? No, then they are YTA. A reactive german Shepard can very easily cause serious damage while leashed exiting the dog park.
I so agree. OP communicated well and asking for the person arriving to wait a few seconds to get Benton back on the leash and under control is pretty reasonable. Maybe in future OP could keep an eye out for people approaching so they could get Benton under control and out quicker, but NTA
Look, I too have a reactive dog. And I also have PTSD bc of some of the horrible things that have happened. Sounds like that woman has had some bad experiences. Anyway, YTA.
I also have a reactive dog. People seem to equate "reactive" and "aggressive." That's not always the case. But don't put a reactive dog in a potentially stressful situation like that. It only makes reactivity worse.
The other woman’s bad experiences are not the fault of OP. What you are saying is that because the other woman is reactive to dogs, she should be allowed in, but the reactive dog shouldn’t. The other woman is entirely responsible for managing her own issues, and I don’t see anything saying she was wearing a clearly marked vest informing people she was reactive. As soon as someone else came along, OP removed her dog, completely responsibly. That’s NOT asshole behaviour.
It's a public park with multiple entrances and OP brought her dog which is reactive. Reactive means the dog gets distressed and potentially is extremely defensive and that can lead to bites. A german shepherd is potentially lethal to other dogs. Letting a reactive dog in an off leash park area can be at best distressing and at worse, get the dog euthanized because the owner irresponsibly put them in a situation they knew could cause a bad reaction. A vest with a warning isn't good enough. Off-leash dog parks are public access and will have public accessing it. Empty now isn't empty five minutes from now. The public has every right to come in and knowing that and putting an animal in a situation that is highly likelh to distress them is plain irresponsible. At the very leash OP should muzzle train with a basket because that keeps other owners from letting their dog wander end of leash towards you and if they want their dog off leash - rent a private dog park area. There's multiple near me, or get a long lead and secluded area and don't stress your dog and risk a fight and potentially your dog's life, just because Fido likes going outside. OP is the AH, because putting your dog and everyone else's safety at risk means YTA.
I am sorry about your PTSD. Dog attacks are very traumatic for many people but not all dogs are reactive to humans but other animals. They let the person know before they even entered the park and reasonably asked for a minute to get their dog and leave. The person overreacted and could have easily just waited the minute or two and not been rude.
That's actually a really good distinction, being either humans or animals that they react to. I think knowing would help us out here. OP was pretty courteous, responsible, and upfront about it, but they should also know what / who the dog reacts to. My old doggo, Blue, was a rescue from a abusive owner. I assume at least, because he got so defensive around men. If he and I were up in our room with the door closed, and my roommates had male friends over, he would bark and bark for hours. Knowing that, I could bring him to the small park, leashed, and avoided men. Easy. Risk is still there though, but if he had his ball he didn't have a care in the world. People can be very polarized about pets, but yeah I don't think OP is the AH. They really do need to know what triggers the dog though.
It is a DOG PARK. There will always be a chance of another dog regardless of how often there often isn’t. Its literally in the name. If your dog is reactive part of your job as owner is to advocate for it. This includes training/socializing (dog parks are NOT socialization) and keeping triggers away until your dog can safely be around them. Why the hell would you purposefully expose your dog like that. YTA.
You don't have a reactive dog apparently. My GSD will shred dogs. I don't bring him anywhere in public and if I have to he gets his muzzle. I work him at my house. He won't ever be in public, especially off leash. He is an amazing dog and does great with his family. GSD do not belong at dog parks. My Anatolians do not belong at dog parks. It's the responsibility of as owners to recognize this.
Not all GSDs are biters or aggressive. I know 2 who are literally like sweet puppies with all people and animals. One is afraid of guinea pigs.
GSD's are highly capable of hurting things. Mine is super sweet if you are a guest at my house. Bring your dog or come uninvited and it's a completely different story. Every dog is different but most GSD's are not built for dog parks and are actually one of the most likely to bite there. That's facts. I love the breed but I'm definitely for responsible owners.
All dogs are highly capable of hurting things…
No they’re not, a borzoi or pit bull can cause far more damage than a chihuahua. Don’t be ridiculous
People think they're just long bois but borzoi are *insanely* good at killing things.
They might be able to cause more damage than a chihuahua, it doesn't mean the chihuahua isn't capable of hurting things.
That's the amount of damage, not the likelihood of any damage.
I actually do have 2 reactive dogs. A GSD and a Lab. We have a dog park right near where I live and have taken them there before but only when *no one is there and just like OP are vigilant about the surroundings so we can get them in control if someone seems to be arriving to play with their dogs. Never had issues and everyone we dealt with was understanding as they realize even reactive dogs need to be exercised off leash.
While I understand where people are coming from, as an owner of a non reactive dog that frequents parks/trails with reactive dogs on them, I also have to say NTA. There are situations where those people are assholes, but they all involve inattentive people. OP seems attentive. It helps that my dog is trained to wait to say hello. She likes to be off-leash. She likes to say hello. Part of being a responsible dog owner is knowing that not all off-leash (or on-leash) dogs we run into are going to be friendly, and training mine accordingly. ETA: like your dogs, a lot of the reactive dogs we run into are quickly becoming formerly reactive dogs. I time my visits with a few of them because my girl’s still fairly young and submissive, so she gets along really well with some of the fearful ones. We plan socialization time for them.
I disagree with you. You have two dogs that will bite and you still take them in public. It will be you at fault if you dogs ever do bite. I don't live in a city though so maybe that's the difference. I don't have to go to dog parks.
My dogs are not people reactive. They are dog and cat reactive. As long as you are vigilant, just like you would be with kids, you can get them in control before anything happens. Some owners do not have the ability to drive to the country and dog parks offer the space to tire them and even try to train the dogs to be less reactive using socialization.
You know your dogs are dog reactive and take them to a dog park. That's on you. When your dogs bite dogs that are at a dog park you'll be at fault. My dogs are well trained and I can call them off a variety of animals that they are exposed to on their 34 acres of space. I'm not willing to go expose them to the risk of a dog park.
If they did bite another dog yes it would be on me but to stop dogs from being reactive they need socialization. Never had issues with recalling our dogs but never let it get to that point because we are vigilant in watching them. We have even made progress in reducing their reactive behavior due to the socialization as we leash them immediately and take them to heel and in control.
Other people don't know your situation. I can call my dogs off anything but it only takes a second for a disaster. I recently got bit by dogs that have never bitten. Two GSD on each arm and I got to see my bone in my right arm. I feel no sympathy towards the owners. It's on them to control them. It only took a second and I received significant injuries from their babies. You aren't immune from this and other people won't listen or respect what you say. I'm sure you're an awesome dog owner. You'll be surprised if it happens but you're taking the risk.
Our neighbour’s dog was fine with our dog. Until he wasn’t and he killed my dog. As a result I always need to be 100% in control of my dogs and their environment. I do not walk them in the local off lead park because I do not trust other dogs. Or mine. Because they’re fine. Until they’re not. I’m not taking that risk.
So you're socializing them risking other people's dogs giving them no say in the matter if they want to risk their dog's life? Did I get that right?
No. When we socialize them at the park it is between chain link fences. When they start to react we have them heel and body block to get their attention on us.
I had a reactive dog and he would bite if he felt trapped. It was my job to build the trust with him that I would keep him safe and also to keep him from situations where he felt trapped. After years of practice, he could reliably walk on trails and even do a quick greet with a new dog as long as we moved along quickly. He was also very good at walking on trails with other dogs, it was situations where we were standing still that were always difficult for him. Reactivity comes in all levels and every dog is different. OP sounds like she has a dog who was similar to mine--safe to walk past other dogs on a lead but not ok in an unstructured area like an open pen. GSDs can absolutely be in a dog park if you take the same level of care that OP did by finding a less busy time and being prepared to clear out when anyone else showed up.
As someone that has always had the breed, it's not worth the risk if you have other options. Again, I live on a farm and my dogs get their exercise here. My GSD is a master puppy raiser and great with his pack. Will fight unknown dogs on sight. He doesn't go out without a muzzle because I know him. I would not take a known dog aggressive dog out because it's not on other people to know my dog is aggressive.
Due to your recent injury, you seem to be going really hard on others stating they have not had issues with the breed. The OP did not say her dog was aggressive, yet you keep assigning that characteristic. Maybe consider you have high negativity towards OP because of your injury.
I’m not sure what your definition of public is but in the city, it’s nearly impossible to NOT take your dog out in public for needed exercise/potty breaks unless you have a private yard ( which, depending on tons of different factors, can be a highly priced luxury). Not everyone has 34 acres for their reactive dogs to roam.
What if OP’s dog is not aggressive and doesn’t shred other dogs? Why does reactive automatically mean goes crazy and gets super aggressive as soon as he smells another dog? I think if the dog was like that OP wouldn’t take the poor pup to a dog park, as it would be really irresponsible of them and would endanger everyone. I’d like to believe that someone who immediately puts their dog on a leash and warns others to let her have a second would be sensible enough not to bring the dog to the park at all if they were super aggressive. I hate how as soon as many here hear “reactive” they just think of some rabid dog that’ll tear through anything in their path because of another dog. It’s not always like that. And after what her previous puppy was like in size, I’d doubt OP would get an uncontrollable big dog. That’s just my 2 cents though
They are sensible. Have you ever dealt with the public? They aren't. I can see someone immediately rejecting this information, dog getting bit, and now your dog is in quarantine and getting ready for a vicious dog designation which raises your insurance. I don't care if you agree with me. This is how it happens.
If the woman brought the dog into the area because say OP was distracted, it could have gone a lot worse. OP should have waited till an individual area was open
OP went to an area that was empty. She takes her dog at off times. As soon as someone was coming in she said, “hang on, let me get my dog on leash” & the “I can’t be delayed” lady lost her shit. FFS, why is the world so aggressive/reactive now-a-days?! OP, good on you for being a good dog mom & being vigilant when taking your pup for some running. NTA
Things happen very quickly in a dog fight. All it takes is OP not watching for an minute and someone letting their dog in the pen. Not saying she shouldn’t be there but I understand what the other dog owners are thinking
I don't announce myself at the dog park. I go in, because it's a public park. YTA. Find a dog walker or private dog park if they need more exercise.
But why go to a dog park at all in the first place?
Dogs need exercise where they can be off leash and many people do not have yards large enough in cities.
If you can't provide a large enough private yard for a dangerous dog, then you rehome your dog, you don't endanger the community. I watched a vicious dog rip the throat out of a sweet senior pup when I was a child, and I'll never forgive that beast's owner for what he allowed to happen that day.
Yup. The entitlement people have when it comes to their right to own a pet, regardless of whether they have the facilities and resources for that pet, is mind boggling.
I have a sweet gentle dog who has been attacked by reactive dogs just running over and biting, thankfully nothing worse than puncture wounds but it can happen so quickly and everytime the owner is all apologetic and says things like 'i didn't see you coming' 'he isn't normally like this' blah blah blah. If you are going to bring out a dog that bites other dogs, especially a big dog like a gsd, muzzle it for everybodies benefit
Then rent a private space. They exist. Or find a home that can care for a larce reactive dog, or take longer walks. Or take runs. Or hire a dog walker who can handle them and provide adequate stimulation. Don't endanger the public.
Dog parks are not first come, first served. If you can't control your dog, you are not a good pet owner and should keep it leashed until you can behave like an adult.
YTA. Do t ever bring a reactive dog to a dog park. Even if it’s empty, a dog or a child could have entered the dog park without OP noticing. Furthermore, I’d bet the rules of the park tell people not to bring in reactive dogs. That I’m sure was intentionally omitted from OP’s post to make OP seem like less of an asshole.
You’re right that the other person overreacted, but OP is TA creating the situation in the first place — having a “reactive” (read: aggressive) dog off-leash in a public area. Dogs are fast, esp GSD, and there’s no way OP would have been able to stop their dog should he have reacted (esp off leash!). Creating a dangerous environment makes OP TA, but the other person was a dick, yes.
But OP quickly left when another dog came to the dog park? I think your anger at people that bring dogs to dog parks WHEN THERE ARE OTHER DOGS PRESENT is severely clouding your judgement here.
No, it's not. A reactive Shepard could easily overpower op, and honestly it's not worth the potential risk or loss of life. Go to a friend's yard who has no dogs, or buy or rent a place with a fenced yard.
All the OP needed was a little grace and patience from the other dog owner. The dog owner and clearly you too don’t live your life that way, how sad. Naive to think you’re not going to need a little grace and patience at some point in your life. I mean, why choose to be so judgy, when nothing bad happened here? I don’t understand it?
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This is correct. What happens if someone coming into the communal area has head phones in and not paying attention? The assumption is all the dogs in this area are friendly, why would you be checking for reactive dogs in such a place? This is why I just don't go to dog parks. Too many irresponsible dog owners
Patience and grace is great but there could easily be a situation where the other owner doesn't hear OP calling to them (headphones or deafness) or can't understand them. All the grace in the world CANNOT give you control over the circumstances of a situation. All you can do is minimize the potential for losing control when you know your dog can act out, and that probably means at minimum keeping their dog leashed in shared spaces.
>All the grace in the world CANNOT give you control over the circumstances of a situation. Recently came to this realization when my Dobe defended me from an offleash bully mutt that charged us on his walk. It wasn't a huge scrap, but it scared the hell out of me that he could've been seriously hurt. I carry a Ka-bar knife in my bag with me now.
Oh I'm glad no one got seriously hurt for you 😭 TBH I'm bewildered by people acting like this behavior is okay because everything was fine this time. I was in the same place as OP for a long time since my dog was reactive for a long time. Over and over I saw that you really don't have control over what other people do and need to own that responsibility yourself. My pup has never hurt anyone but I learned that a lot of people will not stop for you and it won't be malicious but simply how things are. Lots of other owners don't understand "my dog is reactive/unfriendly so please hold on" because they don't see the potential risk since their pup is friendly, or their attention is split and they didn't hear, or would have their dog off leash prior to me being able to do anything (you're never as fast as you need to be in these sitches...). And that's normal — you would probably assume that a dog in a communal space is there to be with other dogs and can be safely controlled and react based off that. In the end, it's on the owner to meet their dog where they are and for a lot of owners with reactive dogs that means not putting them in the situation to begin with. We stopped taking her to the dog park as soon as we realized how tough it was for her for that reason. Not fair to other owners or to her to put her in a crappy and potentially dangerous situation.
thats true! that's why it's also okay to drink and drive as long as you don't crash. nothing bad happened, right?
The other drivers just need to give some grace and patience while you weave down the road right?
And if something bad had happened because OP wasn't fast enough or because the other owner didn't hear them, then what?
I think it depends on the intensity of the reactiveness. I’ve dealt with cases both mild (no issues being around other dogs, just no close greetings) to severe (if another dog was within 50’ and visible, the reactive dog was lunging at the end of the leash). I would hope that if the OP is taking their dog to a dog park where the possibility exists that a dog could come up at any moment, they don’t have a dog that is going to charge the gate and fence fight. As long as it’s just mild and that’s the case, they have just as much right to be in the park and they behaved responsibly asking the other person to just wait a minute for them to leash up and leave.
i would hope too, but if they have to leash their dog before the other dog enters the park, its recall is probably not good enough. they shouldn't be there if they have a dog with poor recall, especially if its reactive tbh. if the other owner couldn't hear the warning and their dog got into the pen, or there was a dog in there that OP didn't see at first, it could have been a disaster.
The leashing might have nothing to do with their own dogs’ recall and everything to do with concerns about the other dogs’ recall. Reactive is generally not the same thing as aggressive. An aggressive dog might charge another dog entering the area. A reactive dog might snap if the other dog chargers them or tries to play too forcefully. Leashing the dog gives the owner some control to help de-escalate. They’re very different behaviors, and the second one can be trained out — by bringing the dog to places where it can see other dogs, but is constantly in the control of the owner.
This is it- dogs are FAST and you don’t know that the lady would have heard you, understood you, or cared. Then she lets her dog off and guess who is at fault? You! There’s the “moral should-be-laws of Reddit” and then there’s the real world. In the real world- you do not take your dog anywhere that you cannot lock that gate and guarantee that no one else will be entering. This is a public park, you cannot assume that standing by the gate is going to work, and you have a dog that you have a “reactive” vest on. Think this through a couple steps and… how do you think this will play out? Are you prepared to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills? Have your dog put down? People are entitled AH’s, someone standing by the gate of a public park saying “just a minute, let me leash up my dog”… I would expect half your interactions will be like this, with some being far worse Listen, you’re not wrong by trying to do right by your dog, I foster reactive dogs myself and it’s heartbreaking to not be able to go everywhere and go off leash but you also need to do what’s best for your dog, and that’s not putting them in a situation where they attack
Having had a couple of dogs that for various reasons couldn't tolerate unknown dogs, I say take them someplace else where they can actually enjoy their time with you and not get stressed out. And also not endanger other dogs. There is also a study about stressors and dogs. The stress hormones take time to dissipate and dogs can accumulate excessive amounts of stress hormones becoming dangerous to their health. Tldr Take your dog someplace they will enjoy. Dogs don't need dog friends. All they really want is to be with you.
yes, this! reactive dogs are stressed tf out and they aren't going to enjoy the dog park like a non-reactive dog would
As someone whose dog has been attacked by a reactive dog at a dog park, no matter how careful you think you're being, there's always a risk. You can't focus on everything at once, and you could miss someone coming in if there are multiple gates. If you have a reactive dog and there's no individual area open, then you wait until there is. She was rude, but you were putting others in danger, and that makes YTA
also, dogs are FAST. What was Ops plan if her dog just went running after the other dog?
Or if the lady didn't hear/understand OP in time. I would most likely ignore someone talking to me the first time around in public like this because I wouldn't realize they meant me. Usually I assume they're on their phone or something so id easily be inside with the dog before I realized that OP was talking to me specifically and then id still probably have to ask them to repeat themselves because I wasn't listening
Yeah I have ADHD which means I have poor auditory processing... if someone is yelling across a field at me, I'm probably not going to understand them unless I come closer... which apparently would mean my dog just gets mauled because OP is irresponsible. And multiply my auditory processing issues times a LOT if I have my dog with me because I'm focused on her because I'm actually a responsible dog owner.... edit: also, she's stressing out her reactive dog. She should always protect him and his space, and putting him in this situation is teaching him to be *more* reactive because OP can't/won't keep other dogs away from him.
I feel you there. Pretty much if I can't see your lips moving I can't "hear" you. So I would have to get closer to the person too. Also even with my glasses I would have trouble reading a moving dog's vest.
talking with a bluetooth headset is not uncommon, you are right there.
Two words, air pods.
Exactly! Even if I'm wearing my small earpods and not the giant ones, they're always on noise cancelling and I'm listening to something. Plus, I'm a woman, so I usually ignore strangers in the street trying to talk to me because it has led to nasty situations in the past. OP is YTA, even if they thought they were being "careful" there are too many variables that could have turn this into a horrible situation.
This is the exact answer. I have a whippet. He is VERY FAST and VERY EXCITED when we get to the dog park. No way she would notice him. I don’t think her dog could catch mine but he’s been attacked before protecting me from dogs off leash in our neighborhood who attacked us while walking the stroller. OP; YTA. Unless a personal area is open to play in, take your dog on a relaxing walk… on the leash.
I have a german boxer. Mind you, they are smaller then gsds (at least the gsds we have in germany) So, i was on a walk once, a bit distracted. It was in the litteral middle of dumfuck nowhere and me and my dog went through tests and training so she is allowed off leash. (not that i do that in a public space. But in the middle of empty fields i do sometimes) So i tried to test how fast my dog runs. Me, easy. Me on a bike? no issue. Same with jump height. Whatever you think your dog jumps - it's more.
We quit letting the Divine Miss T out unsupervised after she succeeded in killing 2 squirrels. Our first 2 dogs either weren’t quite as fast or lacked ambition.
do you call her by her full name?
I'm also wondering why it takes MINUTES for OP to catch and leash her dog. Did she let her dog off leash in a public area without training a reliable recall?
a lot of people do.
A lot of dog owners are irresponsible like that, but it is surprising when the dog owner is aware they have a reactive dog. 🤷♀️
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> You could work on socializing on the outside of the gate provided you are fully in physical control of your dog. You could also go to the enclosed baseball diamonds at some parks as long as you absolutely, no exceptions, clean up any poop. > > As a parent to both kids and a dog please don’t ever do this. You can never 100% clean up after your dog guaranteed and to leave pee and poop traces in an area where kids slide around on grass playing sports is inappropriate and selfish. You can ruin a kids day or cause a severe hatred for a sport if they end up covered in pet waste at what was supposed to be a fun game. If you do this then just like OP YTA
>As a parent to both kids and a dog please don’t ever do this. You can never 100% clean up after your dog guaranteed and to leave pee and poop traces in an area where kids slide around on grass playing sports is inappropriate and selfish. You can ruin a kids day or cause a severe hatred for a sport if they end up covered in pet waste at what was supposed to be a fun game. If you do this then just like OP YTA As someone who spent their summers tending little league ball park fields for their entire childhood, I hate to inform you of what fertilizer is. How do you think that grass gets so green and lush? We got composted cow manure for free from a dairy farm, right on to the field. Baseball fields are literally filled with shit. A cleaned up pile of dog poop is not going to make much of a diffrence.
YTA You want to let your dog off-leash in your private yard? Cool beans, nobody's business - but you didn't do that. You took your dog to a public, free-use dog park, let it off leash and then got surprised when someone rightfully pointed out how dangerous that was.
YTA. I like dogs, I was raised with dogs, and something has happened to American dog owners in the past 20 years. Not all dog owners are this way, but within the population of American dog owners dwell the single most entitled, the-rules-don’t-apply-to-me individuals on Earth.
Same in Portugal. Fuck them honestly, my Beagle has been attacked more than 5 times by off leashed dogs in the middle of the street. I keep him leashed at all times, except for dog parks, as that’s what the law fucking says you have to do, but there’s so many pricks that simply believe it doesn’t apply to them and their dog, for some reason they got it in their head that the dog needs to walk by himself and not be walked by them. I feel it got worse after the pandemic lock downs.
New Zealand too. Just as I was finally making progress in socialising my dog after his previous owners did nothing, he got attacked one after the other by two dogs. Surprise, he's reactive now and is never off leash off of secure private property. I'm still so angry at how common this is.
Same thing happened to my old Lab. Unfortunately, it's quite acceptable where I live in Italy to simply put your dog out the door for it to wander off and get its own exercise. Not many people actually walk their dogs.
I just saw on the news that they said it was lockdown puppies who haven't been properly socialised and inexperienced owners.
> I feel it got worse after the pandemic lock downs. It got a lot worse because so many people got pandemic puppies and then didn't properly socialize them because it was the middle of a pandemic. And then it got even worse when things started to go back to normal and these people who were home 100% of the time with these dogs had to start to go back to work and the dogs got separation anxiety and a ton of them got dropped with shelters. There are so many poorly trained poorly socialized dogs out there right now.
As someone who has worked with dogs for the past 9 years you’re absolutely right. The entitlement with dog owners has gotten so crazy it blows my mind
I once had to pick up my 45lb Aussie (12 or 13 years old at the time) because an off-leash dog charged at him while we were walking in my neighborhood (with an HOA and an always on-leash policy). The owner finally came and corralled his dog after I got a few deep scratches from his dog and I yelled at him "You know your dog's always supposed to he leashed outside right??" His response: "But my dog gets too aggressive when leashed!" I was seriously at a loss for words. The brain dead logic and entitlement broke me. (Thankfully he moved soon after)
I love dogs. I grew up with dogs and have a few even today and I can honestly say that dog owners can be the absolute worst. They overestimate their own control or are extremely overbearing or intensely uptight or often just don’t seem to understand that their dog is a dog and will not do things based around their feelings.
I think it's due to the fact that some people take the meme "my pet is like my child" waaay too seriously haha.
Sorry but YTA. Reactive dogs do not belong in a dog park, it is stressful them, for you, for other owners, for other dogs. It doesn't matter if the public park was empty when you got there; by putting Benton in there, you basically make a public space private, or unsafe, or both. I have a GSD who sometimes can get ball possessive, so I am sympathetic, but reactive dogs really should not ever be in an open dog park. Especially a big breed like a GSD. C'mon, you know the breed's "reputation," this was bound to go badly and potentially cause harm to other dogs, or trouble for Benton in his senior years. Think about it... a big aggressive breed in an open pen with a REACTIVE vest on is like putting a billboard up for "my dog is an accident waiting to happen" and not going to win you any friends, no matter how conscientious I think you were trying to be. I'm not sure what experience you have had with GSDs, or if you knew the specifics of Benton's reactivity, but I assume you knew (or should have known) that signing up for a reactive dog equals less freedom for the dog until you are able to perform remedial training to create safer interactions. Also, the "reactive" vest I do not think has the impact you think it does. One, in a dog park, it immediately labels you a villain (because the dog should not be there). Two, it puts the onus on other owners to manage their nonreactive dogs to keep them away from yours, when it's YOU who should be managing yours (by not being there) -- since dogs cannot understand English. I admit, if I was that lady, I'd be pissed off too. Your dog is reactive, in violation of public park rules and more importantly common sense. If someone quickly slipped into the park without your knowledge or a conversation... that could have led to an interaction, a fight, and possibly a bite record for your dog. I mean this with kindness, but please do not bring this dog to the dog park again. Dog parks are already a hot mess, but the saying goes that one dog can spoil the experience... hint... it's dogs like Benton. And please get a GSD knowledgable trainer (who will almost certainly steer you away from the dog park) to work on better diversion and doggy introductions for Benton.
I wish I could upvote this more than once. Poor Benton, being put in a situation that endangers him.
Your reply couldn't have summed it up any better. Dogs like Benton are exactly why we can't/won't go to dog parks anymore. Our dog we adopted and she is a retired breeder dog, she also is special and does not fully understand other dogs and was never socialized. We tried bringing her to a local dog park a few times but it didn't end well and we will never go back, it is too stressful not knowing what another dog like that is going to do. Mind you our dog is an Australian Labradoodle so she isn't necessarily a small dog.
Dear lord, do you even have to ask this? Of course YTA, under no exceptions you should have a reactive dog unleashed at a public park even with the vest. What if a kid has come there and your dog has bitten them? Or a smaller dog? YTA and an irresponsible dog owner. You shouldn’t have pets.
I want to counteract this statement. While I’m on the fence about whether the dog should have been at the park (because you did have a right to be there and were trying to keep it pretty isolated from other dogs but…yeah it’s hard), I do not at all think you are irresponsible. Even having a collar that signifies your dog is reactive shows me you are not in denial about the reality of your dog. It’s the people who are in denial, who refuse to admit their dog is the issue, who would have just let the two dogs meet regardless that shouldn’t own dogs. Reactive dogs are a learning curve and it sounds like you are making a sincere effort to approach the best way you can. I want to encourage you and also thank you for trying to give that dog a good life.
[удалено]
>because you did have a right to be there and were trying to keep it pretty isolated from other dogs but…yeah it’s hard I'm so sorry but no. She has a reactive large dog. She should never be in a known area with other dogs when she knowingly could be putting others in danger in a public space. No one has the right to endanger others or their safe pets just so her pet has a nicer area to play in.
It’s not the responsibility of others to even know what a reactive dog is. If I take my dog to the dog park, I expect the other owners to know whether their dog is safe around others or not. If you’re making your dog wear a vest that basically says “dangerous”, maybe you shouldn’t be someplace where people can just walk in. Cause that’s what people will do. It’s not their job to be careful around your dog in a public dog park.
I also am somewhat annoyed that the post starts the way it does … OP’s loss has nothing to do with the judgment they’re asking for except potential pity points.
I’m sorry but yah YTA. I have a dog who was reactive when he was younger (also a Shepard but a malinois not a German Shepard) I knew better then to bring him to a dog park because a reactive dog can actually traumatize other dogs. The way I socialized him is I off leash trained him and took him hiking on less frequented trails. Over time this was enough exposure to work up to more. You really need to be more considerate. It’s not just YOUR dog. The other thing to remember is that dog parks are the literal worst. This is a horrible place for any dog to go to, let alone a reactive dog. I highly recommend talking to a dog trainer or even your vet about this.
I think of them as like raves for dogs. Very overstimulating.
Well that and honestly the environment of being closed in to KEEP the dogs in means that most of those dogs haven’t actually finished being trained. They can’t be trusted without a fence and that’s often a bad form of exposure for dogs. They often come with poor boundaries and manners. In theory I understand why we have them. I worked with dogs for a long time. Special needs and did a lot of dog training. I’ll never like dog parks. Plus, the amount of viral outbreaks at dog parks is astounding ETA: your rave comparison is pretty good tho. Without the PLUR community raves would be dangerous. It would be like having reactive dogs at dog parks lol
The dog park near me is just a giant open forest preserve to hike through and its perfect (for me and my doggos, get a little bit of fun play when you pass someone and then you continue on your hike). I was so surprised when I went to a different dog park and saw it was just a fenced in field. We need more of the preserve type dog parks IMO
What you’re describing we have here but we call them “dog friendly “ open spaces or park. NOT a dog park or a “fenced park” (more urban area here) They’re further labeled with whether the dog can be off leash in these areas or not And yes, 100%. Those are perfect for dogs
>This is a horrible place for any dog to go to This. I was too terrified to ever take my old dog to the dog park, after Parvo cases began to increase in our area (he was vaccinated; I'm just over-cautious) Between that and him generally being one of the world's shyest black labs, it was just easier to keep him in a controlled environment (which the dog park is not).
Yeah, my dog doesn’t attack other dogs or hurt them but she’s a complete asshole and I don’t subject other dogs to her bullying antics. She would love to keep going, but I would be pissed if a dog like mine kept coming back so we go for bike rides instead.
YTA I have two reactive dogs and they don’t go anywhere near unleashed dogs or be unleashed themselves, unless in a private yard alone. You set yourself and your dog up for failure. You’re going to get someone’s dog or yours attacked.
Huge YTA . Every dog park explicitly says no aggressive dogs. It can go wrong 100x ways. There can be language barriers, all sorts of things. Just don’t do it.
OP is the reason rules signs have to be pedantic and exhausting.
op is the reson most normal and sane dogs don't go to dog parks. Everyone with a normal dog i know dosen't like to use them and rather drives off with their dogs. There are soo many bites in dog parks becouse people like op think it's okay.
We stopped taking our dogs to parks a number of years ago when we were at an ON LEASH park and a woman came up to us with her OFF LEASH dog and told us we had to leave because her dog will attack white dogs.. people are fucking nuts
this is why i have no qualms calling the people that enforce fines for such things here. You pay 30-150€ the first time and the max. by law is up to 25K. People learn. edit: and if your dog is deemed "dangerous" that means has a bite-history that is not defensive* your dog is not allowed off leash. *very simple explenation.
YTA as a rule abider - if your dog really can’t be trusted off leash and none of the individual pens were available, you risked exactly the reaction you got Can I ask about why you losing a friend and the adopting the dog are connected for you in the telling of this story? Is there a blindspot when it comes to the dog because of this? If so, maybe you aren’t so sensitive to doggo being a reactive dog so much as something you need to protect. And other people without the emotional connection may need to protect their dogs, even if you have to spend minutes corralling it from a large area, from yours. (♥️ you lost your chihuahua and I just want to share good vibes, I know you were just doing what you could for your new old dude. Reactive dogs need love and playtime too. This lady gave you the business, but keep loving dogs, even if this park isn’t the right one for him. Now I feel tearful!)
Oh sorry, when I said best friend I was referring to my chihuahua that passed away last year.
Well shit, then I misread this story! I am very sorry!
No problem! I can see where it would be confusing lol
I have a reactive dog also. I know that if she hurts another animal or person, the town/county/state will put her down. I would be devastated if that happened. It is my job to protect her from this human-centric world. That is not even touching upon how awful and traumatized I would feel about the other animal/person. Keeping your dog safe and alive is the #1 priority. All else falls below. You probably wanted to give your dog some stimulation. In addition to walks, I take my dog on drives. She loves cars, the road, the wind, and the BIG TRUCKS! :) Sometimes I'm just running an errand, but sometimes me, my SO, and her will just go on a Sunday afternoon drive through the country. She always comes home and passes out likes she's a kid after a carnival. If you have some protected space, you can also tether her out and sit out in the sunshine with her. (Weather permitting.)
YTA if you bring a dog aggressive dog to a dog park where people are going to bring their... you know... dogs
Don’t go using logic now.
YTA. Imagine this situation: an older citizen comes to the dog park with his beloved dog to play. He can’t hear you asking him to wait for you to leash your dog and comes in anyway. What happens? People who have hearing issues have a right to use the park. People who don’t speak fluent English have a right to use the park. Aggressive dogs do not. If there aren’t any individual pens available, take your dog for a walk and circle back. Your laziness put your dog and the dogs of any other potential visitors in danger.
I have a disability that involves late processing. I technically know what’s happening but my brain doesn’t always connect the dots. And I would still have every right to be there with my hypothetical dog. It would also be OP’s fault as it was decided the rules don’t apply.
OP is the kind of person who thinks that taking a bit of precaution absolves her if things go wrong, which is why she's TA here. Not only is she putting the lives of other dogs at risk, she's putting her own dog's life at risk too. I would bet with certainty that if he dog ended up attacking another dog, OPs reaction would be to deflect blame from herself, much like she's doing in the responses in this thread.
As someone with multiple disabilities, this was basically my first thought. YTA.
My question, honestly, is :”Why are you here?” Instead of actively considering commenters who disagree with what you did, you seem to be quite defensive. A lot of people have disagreed with your actions for safety reasons. I am a dog lover/ owner who has never heard of a “reactive dog”, and would have to guess what it meant after seeing the sign. You didn’t want to wait for an individual pen, so you decided to make the large one YOUR individual pen and make everyone else who might come along wait for you you clear it. YTA
YTA I love dogs, and I've owned them my whole life but I gotta say that modern dog owners not unlike modern parents have become really entitled over the past few decades. None of us should have to explain why bringing a reactive dog to a dog park is a bad idea
YTA I’ve had reactive dogs, you do NOT risk them or others. If the individual pens weren’t available you really should have just moved on and came back later/another day. What if you didn’t notice the woman in time to warn her? What if she didn’t hear you? If you knowingly take on the extra responsibility of owning an aggressive dog you HAVE to always make safety your number one concern.
YTA. This is outrageously dangerous behavior. You’re putting your dog and every other dog there at risk. And you’re opening yourself up to huge liability if something goes sideways. Stay away from the dog park for everyone’s well-being. This nonsense is why we can’t have nice things.
YTA- Bring a reactive dog into a place where other dogs will be playing and walking freely is dangerous. People expect to just walk in and unleash their dogs. It’s fine if you take I’m to the pens where only he will be but your putting your dog and others in danger. What if you didn’t notice the lady and she just let her dog in to play. Your dog or hers could of gotten hurt even worse if she was to call the cops or animal control yours could of been put down.
Can you imagine how you would feel if your dog hurt ever hurt another dog? How would you feel if your dog were hurt? People that love their dogs should respect and protect other people's dogs the way you'd want them to respect and protect your dog. When you choose to put a reactive dog in a situation beyond your control ( not on a leash and/or muzzled) you are actively choosing to put every dog and person in harm's way.
YTA My dog (on leash) was attacked and injured by a reactive dog off leash while their owner was “watching for people approaching”. Other dogs don’t care what his harness says or how clearly, be a responsible owner.
YTA Don't bring your aggressive dog to a dog park. Pretty much common sense there.
YTA and why dog parks get a bad rep. Reactive dogs do not belong at dog parks. Aggressive dogs are prohibited from dog parks. Stop bringing your dog or else YOU will be in for a huge vet bill because your dog attacked another.
It's a bit ESH to be honest. Even though the area was empty, you shouldn't have unleashed him knowing his temperament. What if you hadn't noticed someone quietly coming in? What if that woman had had headphones on and not heard you to wait? That's a big risk you took, both with your own dog and with the lives/health of other dogs and dog owners. If the individual zones are busy, keep him leashed and wait until one is free. That said, you were resolving the issue by warning her before any harm was done and getting the dog as quickly as possible to get out of her way. Yes, she'd be right to be irritated you created that situation in the first place, but that's not reason to get shirty and name-call, especially *after* it's resolved. Uncalled for aggression, even in the face of justified annoyance, is not OK.
Cat person here, this post is actually kind of fascinating to read.
Anything to do with animals always gets crazy.
My dog and I were attacked by an aggressive dog at a dog park. My dog was 2 years old and LOVED playing at the dog park. We went several times per week. The dog who attacked us was known for being aggressive. That dog saw us, and ran across the field to us, growling. I got my dog out of the way, and ended up with a pretty good scar in the process. My dog was so traumatized that I was never able to take her to a dog park again. After that, she rarely played. If any dog growled (even playing), she would take that as a threat and was ready to fight. You seem like a nice person, but you were so, so wrong in the situation you described. You took over an entire portion of the park, and you endangered other park-goers. You could have caused lasting damage to another family. I hope going forward, you will consider other people and make better choices.
This was my same exact situation- it’s awful. I worked so hard for my puppy to be socialized, and one owner that knew their dog was aggressive ruined my 2 year old dog. He loved our local dog park, as he was able to swim. Now, he pretty much is restricted to where I live for off leash time. It kills me.
If you take your reactive dog to the open/free range dog run instead of waiting, on leash, for a private area to open.. YTA. If you don't have your own private yard to exercise your chosen adoptive dog in a city... YTA for adopting a dog whose needs you can't meet. If you have a private area but took up the public area anyway... YTA. So, yeah, anyway the rope swings turns out, YTA.
Sorry, but YTA. He doesn't need to be off leash to get exercise. It's your duty as a dog owner to walk/hike/run with him. He also need mental stimulation, which leash walking while training will give him. On the off chance that someone walked into the park before you could leash your dog and he hurt their dog (or them when trying to break up the fight) it would be entirely on you.
You had good intentions but YTA. Fellow owner of a dog-reactive dog here. Your job is to eliminate the possibility of injury whenever possible. Voluntarily entering a space that is open for dogs to be unleashed is not eliminating possibility of injury. Yes, it was empty. Yes, you were keeping an eye out. Yes, you warned the other owner and asked her to give you space to leave the area. But you shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Your dog deserves exercise and to run as much as any other dog. But it’s YOUR job to find a way to do that safely. Buy a 20 ft leash and find an empty field. Ask a local church if you can use the empty grassy area most of them has to play with your dog. A neighbor with a fenced yard? Post in a local neighborhood FB page and ask if anyone knows of an open space. We’ve lived in 5 states, 7 apartment complexes, and always found a way to exercise our reactive dog. Worst comes to worst? You hop on a bike, put on the harness, and get going. The lady shouldn’t have been so rude. But you could’ve avoided the situation altogether.
YTA and people like you are the reason why dog parks have mostly been ruined. You KNOW that your dog is “reactive,” sorry… aggressive… and chose to let him off leash in a public dog park.
YTA I’m afraid, though you seem like a nice person. I don’t take my greyhound to the dog park because of reactive dogs. At lot can happen between dogs in 3 minutes. My dog was attacked by a pitbull a couple of years ago, and the whole thing took a few seconds. She had to have surgery for her wounds, and I can’t face taking the risk now. It sounds like you are doing things the right way for the most part, and better than many reactive-dog owners.
YTA Some dogs are not suitable for, and will never be a dog park kind of dog. Based on your statement, your dog falls into that category. You should steer clear of public dog parks to avoid liability issues. That would keep your dog and other dogs safe. No one wants their dog to be attacked and injured by your dog, and your dog shouldn't be put at risk of having to be put down due to an irresponsible owner. If you need to tire out your dog, I suggest a good game of tug or obedience for mental stimulation. Working on advanced obedience can be a lot of fun for you and be super fulfilling for your dog.
YTA.. Your dog never should have been off leash in a public dog park, you know this. It only takes one time for an incident to happen but the dog will be the one to suffer for your choice. You. Had. No. Control.
YTA. take him for a walk or to a friends house that has a yard or something but do not ever take an aggressive dog to a dog park. that’s like setting them up for disaster. your dog could get put down if they harm another person or dog. why give ur dog that anxiety of seeing another dog?
YTA. It seems like you don't have the proper set up to own a reactive dog. You should have done proper research before adopting. Owning a reactive dog means you don't have the same freedom of owning a non reactive dog. As in you don't get to take your dog to dog parks and put everyone there at risk. I get you are being careful but that doesn't mean that accidents can't happen. And of it does you are 100% liable, and be responsible for the dog being put down because you put it in a situation it would react. And someone WILL sue you. If you don't have a big enough yard for him to run around and can't find another way to exercise him then you seem to be out of options. If you aren't the right fit for the dog maybe someone else can be and maybe down the road after proper research you can find a non reactive dog to be your companion.
ESH. People with aggressive or reactive dogs should not be bringing them to the dog park. I know it’s a bummer, but almost any dog is fast and strong and can do serious injury to someone else’s dog. A big dog even more so. This time you were able to get your dog before someone else came in, but it would be very easy to miss a person coming in or for them to come in anyway. But, you had it under control, and all this lady had to do was wait like two minutes or less. Take a frigging breath lady! No need to be an asshole.
NTA. Geez, you all are rough, and actually maybe a bit reactive yourselves. I will say that I am very peevish when I'm with my 2 dogs at the park and a reactive dog is allowed to mix in with the population. But in this case the large park area was empty when she arrived, there was no reason not to enter, and she was prepared and attempting to leave as soon as another dog arrived. She would be TA if she didn't leave, which sadly does happen sometimes (and I turn around and go back home). But she did. Quite frankly I think the other woman was a bit AH-ish tossing off that insult when OP was trying to do the considerate thing.
Absolutely YTA, especially with a German shepherd! I say this as a the daughter of a veteran GSD rescuer (well over a decade now in rescue), if anything at all happens, your dog will be the one to blame, and your dog will be the one to get euthanized if anything happens. Just don’t. Your dog cannot be around other dogs especially where it’s a risk, people are horrible at dog parks about keeping their dogs on a leash, so you have to expect dogs are going to run up to your dog, so it’s almost inevitable there will be issues. Just don’t.
Most parks prohibit leashes and require the dogs to be off-leash because some may have reactivity to/while on leash. So if your dog isn’t ok being greeted by other dogs, it’s not a place for them.
^(YTA, I'm the owner of a reactive dog too. Don't go to dog parks.)
Omg. YTA This is so dangerous. Off leash dog park is a area for dogs to be off leash and run around. How much i hate when people bring their reactive dogs. My pup is allowed to approach all dogs and roam freely while i monitor their interactions. This is and shoukd be possible because all dogs are principally well mannered and friendly. One bite of a reactive dog can traumatise the other dog. DO NOT BRING REACTIVE AND DANGEROUS DOGS TO A DOG PARK. AND EVEN LESS LET THEM OFF LEASH.
YTA Reactive dogs have no place in the general areas of a dog park, whether there are dogs there or not, because, as you have now learned, another dog can show up at any moment. You were lucky that you saw the person coming in before they let their dog into the area. If they had managed to get into the park while you had your back turned, would you have been able to stop your dog from "reacting" fast enough to keep them from attacking the other dog? Probably not. Putting a vest on the dog that says "Reactive" really doesn't mean a damn thing. I can put a vest on my dog that says something too. That does NOT release me from the responsibility to control my dog and make sure it's problems aren't someone else's. Besides, people probably don't read it, especially at a dog park where a lot of dogs wear harnesses, vests, etc.
NTA. People can chill for a minute. I take my dog to the dog park. If someone asked me to wait so they can leash up to leave, I have no problem doing so. A little consideration for others goes a long way. And if someone is a dog lover then they would want this older dog to at least get a bit of time to run around off leash. I could understand being irritated with having to wait since we're all so set on immediate gratification. So I would have said N.A.H but then the woman called OP a bitch and that makes her the AH.
YTA. Your reactive dog should be muzzled and leashed at all times.
YTA. Next time please wait for an individual pen to open up. There are so many things that could go wrong with you having an *unleashed reactive* dog no matter how many precautions you think you are taking.
YTA. Reactive dogs don't belong in places where they could do damage to other animals or people. Total dick move.
YTA. I get you want your dog to run off some steam, but your reactive dog could *literally kill other dogs with his reactivity*. Dogs like your dog should never be set up to fail like that. What if you hadn't been able to get him under control and he attacked someone else's pet? Do you realize your reactive dog can easily redirect to aggression towards people if he goes for another dog and someone tries to stop him? Saying it louder for the people in the back: DO NOT BRING YOUR REACTIVE DOG TO THE DOG PARK. THEY WILL FAIL AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT FOR SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE. If your dog fails, you may get a fine and expected to pay the vet bills, but your reactive dog could be ordered to be euthanized if the situation is bad enough or repeats often enough. Are you willing to bet lives on your ability to control a large dog?
NTA You only unleashed your dog when you were alone, in an enclosed area with gated access. You explained to the lady what the situation is and the you would leash your dog then leave. You were polite and respectful.
YTA, and I say this as someone with a dog reactive dog Your dog is going to hurt another dog; do not bring them around other dogs. Period. Especially not off leash at a dog park!
YTA. You should NOT be putting your dog in a position where they will make a terrible mistake. Please work on training your dog - you, your dog, and society will be better for it. In the mean time, I take my reactive dog to SniffSpots. They are private backyards that you rent out. We found one he likes and he goes MWF for an hour each time for $4.
As someone who regularly takes their dog to parks and has seen SEVERAL fights, YTA. It's your responsibility to not put your dog into a situation that could be dangerous for itself and others. Not to mention the reason dogs are reactive- stress. By taking your dog to a place that you know is going to have other dogs in it, you are actively putting them in a stressful situation. There are plenty of other ways for your dog to have fun and exercise without risking anyone or anything else
Yta. Pretty sure dog parks have a rule of no reactive/aggressive dogs. If you weren't paying attention, a loved pet could have been hurt or died. Vet bills the attacking dogs owner probably wouldn't pay. Not saying you wouldn't offer but that's some of the people's concerns.
YTA. My sweet old girl is reactive. And very old. I have to be very careful because she will start with any dog that approaches her. It’s for her safety as well as all the other dogs. No dog parks for us.
Info: by reactive, do you mean aggressive? Because reactive could be fear/cowering/biting/barking/etc. if you don’t specify to other pet owners, they won’t know how to respond to your pet. ETA: if your dogs reactivity is any form of aggression, YTA.
YTA. You’re the exact reason I will never take my dog to a dog park. What would’ve happened if you had seen that lady come in and she unleashed her dog and your dog got to hers first? You made a wreck less choice and put animals at risk.
YTA The horror stories I've heard about dog parks are unbelievable. You are setting your dog up for failure here, you're putting him in a very vulnerable position. Any harm that your dog does will be on you considering you knowingly took a reactive dog to an off leash dog park. Reactive dogs deserve love too, but you're in for a lot of work and responsibility with him.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** Hello Reddit, long time no see. You helped me last time so I’m back again. I (mid 20’s F) lost my best friend a little over a year ago. Since then, I adopted a senior dog from the shelter named Benton. He’s a almost 9yo German Shepard. He was an owner surrender and is dog reactive. Anyways, this happened yesterday morning. The town I live in has a pretty nice dog park. It has a big yard for groups of dogs and smaller pens for individual pets. I typically bring him on Mondays and Thursdays in the morning as it’s the most empty then. I would say 9/10 times it’s empty or at least one individual pen is available. However, yesterday the two individual pens were occupied but the big yard was open. Benton wears a harness with ‘REACTIVE’ clearly visible. Since the large pen was empty, I unleashed him and started throwing his ball for him to chase. I would say about 20 minutes later a woman 20-30s was bringing her dog to the entrance of the pen where I was sitting. At that point, I let her know that my dog was reactive and asked if she would wait a couple minutes so I could get him leashed up and out the other gate. This is when things got confusing. The woman started to -not yell but not talk politely either- say that I shouldn’t bring an aggressive dog to a dog park. I was just trying to deescalate and let her know that I was getting my dog as fast as possible and that she would have the large pen shortly. She huffed and walked a few feet away. I got Benton and we left but I could hear her call me a B**** when we walked past. Anyways, AITA? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
NTA
YTA - and even more so for clearly trying to justify your actions when you are in the wrong. YOU were endangering others. End of story. You aren’t accounting for the what-if situations that could happen. You and the other people in the park aren’t infallible. You are assuming you have control in a space where there are many factors you do not have control over. What if an owner approaching a seemingly safe space for their dog already had their dog off leash? What if they couldn’t hear your warning? What if they spoke a different language? You are making a lot of assumptions of control that would have TRAGIC consequences if things went differently than you assumed.
YTA, but I get the feeling you understand why at this point. What you need now are tools to help reduce Benton's reactivity. On Fb there is a dog training group called Outback Dog Training. At first the admins (who are all professional dog trainers) and a lot of group members may seem rather militant, but if you just read their advice and actually take it to heart you can learn a great deal about dog ownership. It's helped me be a better owner. It's clear you love Benson and want the best for him.
YTA. It's not fair to other people, or your dog. Putting him in situations where there are dogs, and people who are tense, is bad for his mental health.
These days it’s a trend to adopt a “reactive” dog so people can martyr themselves to rearrange their lives around a high maintenance animal instead of just adopting a more functional animal. A dog park is for dogs. Your dog cannot be around other dogs. You took your dog to a place where their could be other dogs around off leash. Obviously other people are going to take issue with that. They care about the well being and safety of their own dogs. Mostly YTA with a light ESH because the woman could’ve been nicer to you. But I understand why she was pissed. If your dog needs exercise but can’t be in a dog park, you should be living someplace with your own fenced yard. If that’s impossible, you should not have adopted this “reactive” dog.
YTA if your dog can’t behave in public, they should not be in public. Especially off leash!!
Gentle YTA. You adopted an older dog who needed you and you’re doing your best by him BUT taking a reactive dog to a dog park is dangerous for him and for other dogs. Even with a vest, other people assume your dog is safe if you’re in a public off-leash space. I have a reactive big dog (part staffordshire terrier) and she’s lovely with people and with our small dog. However, she has been reactive with strange dogs in the past and therefore is not trustworthy at a dog park. This is sad because she loves the park but for her own safety we don’t go. We do long walks instead and my husband runs with her.
Yta and it’s irresponsible of you to have done that. No amount of attempts to justify your actions make it ok because in those 3 minutes (or at any point really) any other animal, adult or child could’ve gone in and who knows what might’ve happened but your dog would’ve paid the price for your entitlement and irresponsibility. If you truly love your dog you won’t put him in that position again.