Dog Park Danger: Know the warning signs of aggression and how to prevent a dog fight
It’s a beautiful Spring day, and your pup is waiting, maybe not so patiently by the door, ready to go to his favorite place — the dog park! You pack up and head out.
As you approach the park, you see a bunch of other dogs; some are running, some are wrestling, but ALL look to be having fun. You enter with your pooch and much to your dismay, when introductions between your dog and others started, a seemingly unprovoked spat broke out, leaving your dog cowering between your legs.
What happened? You know bringing your pup to the park is good for him for many reasons, but now you’re nervous about his safety (rightfully so). So how can you prevent situations like this from happening, or worse, escalating to a full on brawl? Check out these warning signs that our canine friends often give before showing obvious aggression to help keep your dog safe at the dog park.
- The Tail Talks
Often dogs that are nervous or unsure of another dog will display a stiff posture, and will likely stand very still next to your dog. Their tail will not wag, or if it does, it will be just the tip of their tail that wags. Do not mistake this tail wag for a friendly greeting — it is actually much different than a full bodied wag!
2. Fear
Oftentimes, dogs will lash out at other dogs because they are afraid. While socializing dogs is super important, and the dog park seems like a great place to do so, be wary of dogs who show obvious signs of fear. Tucking the tail between her legs, running from other dogs, or hiding behind her owner or a bench can all be signs that this Fido is overwhelmed and should be given some space.
3. Toy-guarding
Lots of dogs become possessive over a toy (or treat!) that they love and will protect it from other dogs. Classic signs of toy-guarding is a lowered head with their mouth close to the toy, a stiff posture, and in more extreme circumstances, teeth baring. Whenever possible, leave your pooch’s toys at home to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
4. Over-stimulation
Sometimes, dogs who are perfectly friendly with other canine pals can simply just get over-stimulated. Maybe the energy in the park is really high when you arrive, or rough-play becomes a little too rough. Either way, sometimes it is necessary to give dogs a minute to calm down, much like when children need a quiet moment to regroup.
So you know the warning signs of a potential sticky situation — now what do you do? Diffusing a potential fight between dogs must be done carefully and correctly to avoid unintentionally escalating the situation. The first thing that should be tried and works rather well is distraction and redirection. You can redirect dogs’ attention with a loud noise or with a squirt of water. Another strategy to use in more extreme situations is for each owner to pull their dogs away from each other by their back legs. This technique is called the “wheelbarrow” and is safer than reaching for your dog’s collar.
Dog parks can be a scary place for dogs who haven’t been property socialized or exhibit warning signs of aggression and are left undetected by the humans. But it is still my firm belief that the dog park presents more benefits than risks, like social well-being and physical exercise. If we collectively raise awareness about what healthy play looks like versus an unhealthy interaction, we can start to diffuse a bad situation before it even has the chance to escalate. This will ensure positive experiences all around, and tired, happy pups!
