I've been to the dog park several times and there are bullies there....not the dogs, but their humans! They don't do a damm thing when their dog goes after another dog, they just watch and laugh. They won't be laughing if someone files a lawsuit if their dog attacks another!! I stopped going to that dog park. The City of Tracy needs to get involved before we see another dog attack another dog, like I saw earlier this year when the owner of the attacking dog acted dumbfounded and the other owner you could see was in tears because her Golden was attacked. Maybe it's time to have the Tracy Police check out this park once in a while or we'll have to call them when one of these large dogs start attacking other dogs or their owners!!!!

Can see some owners here do not train their dogs well!

Dog Park ought to be in several sections to fit each category of dogs, lightweight, midweight and heavy weight, got to make the fights fair if one breaks out!

abigsarcasticWOW!

Theres nothing I hate more then someone telling me to reread an article.

The problem lies in the fact that there was a pack forming. And you know so much about dog drool you know what a pack of dogs ca do I assume. And mounting may not be aggressive but the dog being mounted may not know it. He's already trying to assess the situation with the drooling dogs. More or less it was 4 against one for a moment. That would make me worry. BTW, I know enough about gog behavior that a dog can turn on anyone especially a stranger, that being the dogs owner.

I don't even know where to begin. First of all, dogs slobbering and mounting another dog is NOT aggression and should not be traumatizing enough for someone to write a letter to the editor about it.

Maybenot- please reread the letter. What more happend then dogs (Bulldogs that are notorious for their slobber and drool) slobbering on this writers dog and one mounting her dog? Things did NOT get out of hand and sounds like the write and maybe you need to educate themselves a little more about dog behavior.

If you are going to make a trip to the dog park please be rational and reasonable enough to conclude that 1) your dog will get dirty 2) Some dogs determine dominance by mounting and that does not mean the dog is aggressive. AND 3) Use the park at your own risk!

dogbark,

The writer of the article reported her dog was slobbered on. From this description, you infer she believes dogs don't "drool." Also, you seem so intent on invalidating her experience based on your cognitive bias. You use the word "unsubstantial" in reference to the writer's report, yet you seem to have a better perspective on "your children." (This statement concerns me.) Furthermore, your citation of her statement that "so dogs will be dogs" is out of context. Please reread what follows this observation. I don't know which is worse: a dog's drool or a human's drivel?

Really?!

A dog doesn't have to be mauled by another to be the interesting story. More happened to that dog then just being mounted. Yes you can expect peoples dogs to treat others without it turning into something no one could handle. Everyone needs to know how to keep their dog under control by commands while at the same time they can still play.

You stated that everyone, just as you, cannot expect every parent to teach their children manners. Dogs will be dogs. I say "Yes , Your dog should not be at a dog park if it shows sign of aggression or has not been taught manners."

People are compassionate about there loyal companion and she feared for her dog. You cannot tell her that she shouldn't have had a bad day. My dog had to have stitches that day so I was worried a good part of the day.

Most people know their dogs love them without conditions, perhaps you do not.

dogbark- You keep saying,"If this truly happened. There is no reason not to. Or to lie about it. Obviously this person was distressed over the incident and you just want to dismiss her(I think) feelings.

I truly feel you comment may never have happened.

ShiloN

The rules followed at the dog park are run on the honor system. Basically you do me right and I will do you right. One rule I do know of is to pick up your own dogs feces.

“Woman Bites Dog”- What it would be wrong to say that dog parks are for dogs? Last time I checked the name itself “Dog Park” was meant for dogs to play and run around. Watching your dog interact with other canines can turn an afternoon into a fascinating lesson in pack behavior. My understanding for the usage of the dog park is for our canine companions to socialize and play with other dogs while stretching their legs, canine style.

Your statements about “Bullies at the dog park” seem very over reacted and unsubstantial with the evidence of your story. Actually, it seems very arrogant and offensive as I am speaking for many owners about your concern. The first statement about “We have a beautiful dog park” is very much in your perspective, but have you really examined the park? The park grass has not been trimmed on a regular basis, half the grass is now dirt and it is just a field with a fenced cage with no pleasing aesthetic. I am not directing anything towards the city of Tracy; the intended usage of the facility is being used correctly. Yet, I scoff at your remark “beautiful” already your story has fallacy.

It is common for dogs to greet other dogs at the park, smelling each other’s rear end. Yes, this would be very rude for a human to walk up and start sniffing my rear end, but this is the canine world and accepted. Please remember this is a dog park where it is the dog world! These are dogs! True, they are close members of our family and treated as children but they are still dogs!

“Pinned…slobbered”. Have you ever seen a bulldog and do you know this is a common trait among this breed? Have you ever seen a dog drink? They lap the water from the water fountain bowl, sharing with other dogs. They do not use napkins to wipe their face. Due to this fact they tend to drool and slobber, this cannot be denied, but I did not know the dog park was a four star facility. Next time I plan to train my dog with a straw and make sure they have proper attire with dress/shirt/ tie to this elegant black and white ball. Your remark is offensive as the bulldog breed like many others tend to drool. Are you saying my dogs have retardation? This is not a defect but a trait of the breed. Your obnoxious statement is very ignorant to the dog world. Dogs drool; this is just a fact not a false statement. Once again, it is a dog park!

I cannot condone dogs mounting another dog at the park and agree with you if this truly happened, but your perspective aired seems very twisted. I have never seen an owner allow their dog to mount another dog, owners are aware this is not allowed. Now if the dogs are jumping around with energy or even playing this might be accepted by owners often with permission. If ever gets to rough it is always stopped but there is difference and many educated owners are responsive.

“Laughing”- your assumption that owners were laughing at your situation is very assuming. Please get over yourself as the almighty dog owner as owners tend to gather to watch the dogs play and also socialize. Did you ever consider that a conversation was taking place that nothing to do with your situation? This is very much like children at school playing while parents socialize. If there was a real problem was it difficult for you to communicate your problem? Two sides to every story, so on your end you decided not to communicate and allow abuse in front of you, if this truly happened. I believe it is irresponsible of you not to communicate a problem right away?

It would be nice to separate the field into small breed and large breed areas and agree with many comments. Yet owners know this is not the case. I am aware that it would not be fair for a pre-school child short in height to play basketball with a NBA player but until then the dog park remains the same with unchanged features. Deal with it. Most large dog owners are keenly aware of this issue as much as small dog owners.

You said it best as I will quote you “so dogs will be dogs”. They are dogs and it is a dog park!

P.S. Sad you still could not let you daughter play, is she only allowed at the dog park? Did you know there is a park outside the “beautiful” dog park made for people?

dumbpeoplesuck-who said anything about it being big news. That is not the point. Do you realize that what could have happened was a sudden loss of control into a major out and out dog fight? The dogs are equipped with canines that could rip and shred not only a dog, apart, but human arms, face and hands. Dogs don't understand what is causing their sudden aggressiveness, it is instinct that drives their behavior. I doubt the owners of the dogs that were winning the fight would lift a finger to intervene.

I have a passive dog and 5 dogs started in on mine. Playful at first but suddenly I think she couldn't take all the attention and on her back she went. You could see it start to escalate. Not one owner came to help me to get my dog to safety. It was stupid of me to risk my safety but humans have instinct as well to help a dog that is suddenly helpless and outnumbered.

dumbpeoplesuck,

I suspect you are ignorant of your membership in the cognitively-challenged club. Trying reading the article as if you had actualized your human intelligence, rather than as if you had a brain similar to a dog's.

A dog "mounting" another dog is not big news. It happens. Get over it. If it is going to ruin your day then maybe you should stay home.

Really,

Unfortunately, for many of us, ethical expectations aren't realistic (we have given up on others). Why can't we expect compliance of particular codes by everyone? Is it because we perversely value the the supposed idea of a human having the right to be destructive in spite of his supposed freedom?

There is a baseline of destructiveness in America which many people believe can never be lowered. Well, they are right, because, strangely, we perversely embrace this destructive baseline as a facet of our freedom: it serves to justify our success.

The writer was concerned about irresponsible people who thought her experience laughable. When you think about the indecency of many people in public, it can adversely affect your spirit, it is disheartening.

Clicking on this letter I expected to read that a dog was attacked or mauled by another in the dog park. Instead it is someone complaining about another dog "mounting" her dog and apparently ruining her Sunday. Really?! I agree that as a dog owner you have certain responsibilies, but you can't expect going into a dog park that everyone follows the same code. Just as you cannot expect every parent to teach their children manners. Dogs will be dogs and even the typical family Labrador can have a bad day and bite because a child cornered it. For that reason alone I do not take my dog to the dog park because I care about my dog and wish not to risk her safety.

But for it to ruin your day.... thats a little petty. It must not take a lot to get you to complain.

Many dog parks have sectioned off areas for different sized dogs and energy level. The regulars at the park ruin it for everyone else.

If owners refuse to follow the rules. Is there any way to know if they will follow the rules. Sounds like they are thinking like parents sometimes think.

'my dogs are the most well behaved on the planet'.

Would dog owners just infiltrate both parks thinking their pets are "a wonderful world with other quadraped's"?

Just wondering if any dog owners understand how that would work?

Maybe dog bullies should keep thier pets at home instead of letting them play pecking order at the park? Do these owners need a sign? Or two?

Docile and NOT carnivourouis

or

Does not play nice with others?