Dog Park Etiquette

[ThePlumVan]

We have an indoor dog park locally attached to a pet superstore type place. Fully enclosed with ramps, ball pits, etc.
Dogs are supervised, but off leads so it does get noisy and boisterous, which is fine and to be expected.

However, would you expect dogs to be mounting other dogs without being corrected/taken out ?
Would you expect dogs to be allowed to jump excitedly all over other owners without being corrected/taken out ?

Owners seemed oblivious so we had to leave as we have 2 bitches who they wouldn’t leave alone (not on heat), and ended up with big muddy footprints on coats and a pull in my new jumper. Other owners seem to laugh it off as they were also muddied up.

Are normal dog walk etiquettes abandoned as soon as you cross a dog park threshold?

I wouldn't let my dog do that. But my dog would hate me for taking him anywhere like that 🤣 My mum's dog would love it!

I wouldn't allow my dog to do that - but I wouldn't in a million years take him to such a park. Bundling a load of strange dogs in an enclosed space is a recipe for trouble, imo.

However, if by some weird stroke of fate he did end up in a park being humped by other dogs, I would see it as my role to advocate for him and stop them doing that - which almost certainly would mean removing him from the situation.

Dog parks are a very American/Canadian concept IME. They're not really a "thing" over here in the UK so I think the answers you get will sway very much towards the "I'd never send my dog to a dog park" frame of thought.

And that's my opinion too I'm afraid. I think dog parks are a horrendous idea - letting a whole load of unknown dogs of unknown temperament mix in an enclosed area is asking for trouble and for a fight to break out. I think they're awful for socialisation too as they basically flood dogs with so many noises, sounds, smells and experiences as they just become overwhelmed.

If you want your dogs to socialise, it should be in small groups and in an open space so any dog that feels uncomfortable can walk away without being cornered. All dogs should be supervised (by their owners or by a professional like a dog walker) and any sign of stress or upset should result in the session ending and the upset dog being removed to safety.

This place would be a punishment for my collies.all that noise and humping dogs,awful.

@Thatldo

This place would be a punishment for my collies.all that noise and humping dogs,awful.

Mines a collie. It would be his nightmare !

Where is this barking mad dog park? Asking for a friend obviously.

A dog park? Like soft play for dogs? Who the f**k thought of this as a concept? Insane. Recipe for total disaster and carnage.

Not sure if similar but a local park has a dogs only area. To be fair a lot of people use it as it’s somewhere safe for puppies, dogs with crap recall etc. Therefore you do expect a bit of being jumped on by puppies, but a dog being mounted etc is not ok.

It’s a bit like a soft play area yes, and huge with an outside area.
My dogs use to enjoy it, but today was full of unsocialised overgrown puppies who haven’t been out much.

@AllThingsServeTheBeam.collies eh...all the same😀.Best dogs though,so clever!