All week I took Luca to his favorite dog park. He had a great time everyday we went. He would run and play and wrestle with the other dogs with little to problems. Today was different. As soon as we entered the park Luca got into it with a dog about his size. The owners were were two older Latino ladies; a mother and daughter pair I believe. The older cursed at me in Spanish or Portuguese while I separated the dogs. The younger was more level headed. They checked for injury but seemed to find none though their dog was visibly shaken up. They the left. The younger returned a few minutes later to retrieve a bag that was left behind. She then proclaimed to me that her dog was in fact hurt and would be now going to the vet. I don't know if its just the tone of her voice or her body language but something about her was ticking me off. I told her I'm sorry but this happens at the dog park from time to time. And how do we know it was all my dogs fault? Basically I was a jerk. I understand why she was upset. I shoulda been nicer about it. This is maybe the fourth time Luca has gotten into it with another dog there. Half the time he is provoked as the other half it's him being the jerk. I know now that he is a liability. If I ever see this lady again I would apologize and throw her some cash for the supposed injury but likely wont see her again as I'm turned off from the dog park for good. Luca is not a vicious dog and I'm not just saying that cause he is mine. Most days he just runs with the other dogs and playfully wrestles but one day he's gonna get into a scuffle and go too far and cost daddy some $ or god forbid cause some other family a lot of heartache. I can't have that on my conscience. I don't want to be one of those people who have to go to the park early before every gets there because they know their dog is an #%*hole.
My girlfriend says we should keep bringing him because cutting off his socialization will make matters worse. I just don't know what to do. Maybe this is my fault. Maybe it's cause he and I play rough and he's getting aggressive with other dogs because that's his idea of playtime? I'm not hypocrite. Nothing bothers me more than a parent who refuses to admit their child is a shmuck. Luca is definately on his way.
My girlfriend says we should keep bringing him because cutting off his socialization will make matters worse. I just don't know what to do. Maybe this is my fault. Maybe it's cause he and I play rough and he's getting aggressive with other dogs because that's his idea of playtime? I'm not hypocrite. Nothing bothers me more than a parent who refuses to admit their child is a shmuck. Luca is definately on his way.