A Rant, A Request, A Rave, and A Question… All involving Dogs

[Spudly]

First the Rant – I frequent the Westcrest off-leash dog park often, and I realize that offleash dogs can create an issue, even if it is in a semi-controlled environment. But in the last four months my dog has been bit twice by dogs that were not in control of their humans. The first time my pooch had 14 stiches, the second 20.

Each time, I was playing fetch with my dog and he was chased down by a shepard/hearding type of dog who were trying to corral him and nipped his side. The first time, the owner was not watching the dog as he was halfway across the park. The second time, the owner tried to call the dog back, but the dog did not listen. So a big rant for the dog’s humans who were not attentive and couldn’t call there dog back from chasing my dog.

And to clarify… I do not blame the dogs. I do not want them taken by animal control or anything. This rant belongs to the dog’s owners.

And now a Request to all people who frequent the dog park to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be attentive to your pooches and try to control them through commands, etc. And if you can’t maintain control of your dog… please leave them at home. You ruin everyone else’s fun at the dog park by having an unruly dog.

Now, a HUGE RAVE for Lein Animal Clinic who did awesome care on my dog each time! They were great and I would reccomend them to anyone.

And lastly, the question. I have no intentions of going back to Westcrest… Bite my dog once once, shame on you… bite my dog twice, shame on me. So I was wondering if there were any ideas where a dog who loves to play fetch can go? A less busy dog park? Is there a less busy time at Westcreast (I usually go after work)? Anything?

Thanks

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[j]

We go to Luther Burbank in Mercer Island. It was recently upgraded, however, it’s all sand and no grass. The beach is absolutely awesome and I our dog loves to swim. It’s our dog park of choice because it’s generally less busy.

No matter what dog park we go to, we always find dogs that nip. Our dog is an Aussie/Golden Ret. mix and we try to keep her away from dogs that nip so she doesn’t pick up on the behavior. We always used to go to Westcrest until she was nipped in the neck. We’ll still go on occasion. During the week she just goes to Doggy Day Care where there are water bottles present to help the doggies stay in line while playing. We’ll all about appropriate play and the dog parks usually have some problems with that.

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[ellenater]

What kind of dog do you have? Maybe doggie playdates would be a better way to go. I am ambivalent about Westcrest in general but we still go because my dog is very social.

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[JoB]

water bottles work at dog parks too…

though i would suggest a really good squirtgun…

also..there is a small dog area next to the bigger dog park at westcrest that works well for playing with your good dog… and minimizes damage if you run into less well behaved dogs.

th

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[changingtimes]

sandpoint if far the best i found that is closer then the one in redmond…so much space! but i would avoid saturday and sundays! everyone….and there doggy is there! ha ha ha

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[hopey]

I second the idea of bringing your own squirt bottle. You can use diluted vinegar to be more effective — 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water should be plenty. It doesn’t harm the dog in any way, just makes the squirt that much more unpleasant.

The nice thing about a squirt bottle (or water-pistol) is that it’s fairly well understood by most dog owners. It shouldn’t cause any uproar to squirt someone else’s dog.

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[guidosmom]

I love Robinswood in Bellevue (I do hate going to Bellevue though) and Lurther Burbank. Robinswood has two dog park areas and about 99% of the time one of them is empty, so it is great for throwing a ball for your dog.

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[thee]

this whole vinegar/squirtgun thing… i dunno… it just doesn’t sound like such a real brainstorm…

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[Anonymous]

Spudly,

I would stop taking my dog to an off-leash park area after fourteen and then twenty stitches. Those are significant (maybe life-threatening) wounds.

If you feel you must take your dog to an off-leash park area despite your dog needing fourteen stitches the first time and twenty stitches the second time, then I suggest Magnuson Park. My theory is that it is the most heavily used, so problem dogs would be more quickly ostracized.

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[JoB]

i was at discovery park the other day and there is an area there that is used by off leash dogs.. to it is not fenced so you might be risking a ticket.

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[anonyme]

Please, please do not let your dog off leash in Discovery Park, or any other non off-leash area. Discovery Park is a natural area intended as a wildlife sanctuary. Nothing guarantees the disappearance of all forms of wildlife like loose dogs. Many, many species of ground nesting birds, mammals, salamanders, etc. have disappeared in recent years due to such illegal use of the park. It has also become a big open air dog toilet. I’ve observed that those who choose to disregard leash laws also ignore scoop laws as well. Visitors to natural parks should be able to observe the eagles instead of having to watch every step to avoid a pile of dog crap. I have a dog myself, and understand the temptation, but I beg you to think of the bigger picture. Your dog doesn’t know the difference, but you do.

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[PDieter]

sorry but I’m not going to tell you about my favorite fishing holes or parks to play with my dog…no good can come from sharing this information.

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[B-squared]

Suggesting the use of discovery park is akin to suggesting the use of Lincoln. shame. please leave the natural areas natural. there are natural areas in many parks in seattle where an effort is being made to re-introduce native plants where invasives have crowded them out. dogs run amok in the woods trashes this effort. not so good.

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[hammerhead]

I am really sorry you have to go thru that. My dogs do listen and I don’t like to hang the with pack of dogs. I usually go in the OFF hours. That makes a huge difference. Yes my dogs listen. I do second Mercer Island park. Parking is a bit difficult at least it was last summer. While I do let my dogs off leash at the westcrest in the hiking area, I don’t in Lincoln or Discovery park. I know I know just let go. As for the squirt gun not really useful when the dogs are down the field.

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[Author]

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