Lessons at the Dog Park

My roommate recently rescued a dog and I’m the designated dog-park person. She finds it intolerably boring but I just love it. Why? Because you get to see the interactions among the dogs – all their personalities and behaviors – and frankly, there are a lot of life lessons in those observations.  You also get to see how different people act with their dogs and react to other people and their dogs. It’s a weird microcosm of life that is fascinating in a different way each time I go.

There are definitely archtypes at the dog park – among dogs they are:

The Timid Dog – really miserable at the dog park and I often wonder why the owner even bothers, but usually the owners are a little stand-offish too. They will sit at a remote bench with the dog either hiding under their legs or on their lap. The dog will yelp and tuck its tale between its legs if anyone comes over to play.  The dog I bring barks relentlessly at these dogs if he happens to like them, as if to say, why don’t you come out and play silly, this is the dog park!

The Nasty Dog – similar to the timid dog – hiding behind the owner – but much more aggressive toward interlopers. Chihuahuas seem to fit in this category more than any other species.  They will snap and chase away other dogs. They clearly freaking hate these other dogs, so again I wonder why even bother bringing them!

The Observant Dog – not really timid or nasty, but prefers to watch the action rather than participate – sometimes runs along with other dogs, but if it gets too playful or rough, they back off and go sniffing.

The Extra-Dose-of-Happy Dog – Hi! Hi! Hi! Whatcha doing! Hi! Hi! You get the picture.  Hyperactive, running, wrestling, jumping. Happy! Happy! Hi! Hi!  The dog I bring finds these dogs a bit overwhelming.

The Fat Lazy Dog – sits with the owner, fat and lazy.  Can’t do much. Too fat. No one bothers the fat and lazy dog much. No point. Too fat. Too lazy.

The Friend-to-All Dog – this is the dog that just attracts a crowd. All the dogs cluster around him or her. They are playful and fun. Never over the top with excitement, they can really get the pack into a game of chase that is fun and exhausting, but it never gets out of hand

The Humper Dog – no need for explanation here

The I-Love-to-Play-but-Only-with-my-Human Dog – will chase balls endlessly and carry them back to their owner. Dogs need not apply.

Among the owners, some are very friendly and interact with other dogs and dog owners. Some want to just be left alone to play with their own dog. There are a few wet blankets – why are all these dogs trying to play with my dog?  Go away!  I mean, really, what the heck are you doing at the dog park if you don’t want your dog to play with other dogs??!!

Then there are the Irresponsible-Dog-Owners. Worse case I saw was a couple that brought a pit bull female who was clearly still nursing a litter – and they brought one of her puppies, not yet weaned, and allowed it to run around with BIG dogs.  Bizarre, irresponsible – that puppy hasn’t even had it’s shots yet, and the mum could be aggressive in protecting him.

Most people are really decent at the dog park. It’s a community of people who love animals and enjoy seeing their dog make friends (and get so tired they are zonked asleep as soon as they get home).