I take my dog to the dog park every day to play, and a lot of people have commented to me that I seem mean or too strict on my dog.
Why? Because I do not allow him to run up and down the fence and bark. I do not allow him to bark at passing dogs. I don't allow him to jump on people comming in to the park.
People will sa to me, " why don't you just let him bark? He's just saying hello"
That's not true though. It's an annoying constant bark that agitates other dogs and that can cause fights. If he's just barkign a little because he's playing, that's fine. I also got a comment because I didnt allow him to run up and down the fence barking at other dogs. I think it's annoyign bad behavior and I stop it. But people think I'm mean cause I don't allow him to get away with it. I also when we go into the park, I make him sit down calmly before we enter. I got commented on because of that. " he's just excited. Let him go!" Yes, he is excited. And when you put a dog full of excited energy into a park with 15 other dogs, fights can break out. So I want him calm first. Plus, it reminds him that I am the boss, and he needs to listen. As a result of all this, when a fight does break out between other dogs, my dog knows to stay out of it. When I call him, he comes to me right away. When it's time to go, he leaves without a fight. he is better behaved than most dogs at the park.
But now I'm starting to doubt myself and wonder if "dogs will be dogs" and I am to strict or mean. I never ever hit him or even yell at him. When he's barking, all I hve to say is " Quiet!" and he will shut up. I'm never mean to my dog...so why do peope think I am because I don't let him act up like all the other dogs. Peple think my dog being obedient is a bad thing?
Am I wrong? Or should I just be letting him run around with no rules and no obedience at the park? Is the dog park a place where all bets are off and dogs aren't supposed to listen to their owners? A place to just run wild?


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