A Day at the Dog Park: A First-Time Owner's Dilemma

A Day at the Dog Park: As a first-time dog owner, I knew that navigating the world of dog parks could be tricky. I’d read all about the potential dangers and how quickly things could go wrong, especially with reactive dogs. My dog, a five-year-old Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix, had his quirks. After being attacked by an off-leash dog years ago, he developed a fear-based tendency to nip if startled by another dog. He wasn’t aggressive, but he was cautious—and frankly, so was I.

Today, I decided to take him to the park for a bit of off-leash time. The park has three gated sections for different dog sizes, and since one was empty, I let my dog roam freely for a few minutes. He loves running in open spaces, but I’m always on high alert for any incoming dogs. Sure enough, after a couple of minutes, I spotted someone approaching with a large golden retriever.

I quickly called out, “My dog’s not the friendliest, so we’ll leave and let you have the space. I just need a second to leash him up.” The man responded with an “okay,” and I thought he’d wait. But before I knew it, he let his retriever off-leash.

I hurried over, grabbing my dog’s harness, and as I led him out, the man questioned me. “So, your dog’s not friendly?” he asked with a tone that felt more judgmental than curious. I calmly explained that my dog wasn’t great with other dogs and started to walk away. My dog, as usual, wasn’t interested in the retriever or the interaction—he was just used to our routine. Dogs show up; we leave.

As we exited, I heard a woman from a couple approaching with their puppy say, “Isn’t it common courtesy not to bring an unfriendly dog to the park?” The words stung. Had I done something wrong? I thought I’d followed the rules—warning the other owner, leaving promptly, and trying to avoid any conflict. My dog didn’t cause trouble; he just wanted to be left alone.

I started to doubt myself. Was I wrong for bringing my dog to the park at all? He hadn’t misbehaved, and I wasn’t trying to hog the space. I knew he needed exercise, just like any other dog. Without a backyard, this was his only chance to run free.

Sure, I could’ve chosen a time when no one else was around, but there’s always a risk of running into other dogs. I just wish there were more options—smaller, private spaces where reactive dogs like mine could enjoy their freedom without the pressure of social interactions they don’t want or need.

My dog deserves a chance to run, too. He’s not perfect, but he’s not a danger. I just want him to live a full life, even if that means carefully navigating moments like today.

As we left the park, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. But deep down, I knew: my dog deserved his moment of freedom just as much as any other.