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Post by ladydon on May 12, 2011 7:36:15 GMT -5
So I was googling last night about dog meetings and came across this group. Someone has organized "May Madness with the Doberdogs" at the off leash dog park in High Park on Sunday May 29,2011 around 1 pm. I just wanted to share this with everyone (especially the ones who live in and around Toronto) to come out and bring your furry babies. I was scrolling through the members and OMG!!!! I saw Reyna! So Joanne I know we've emailed each other about Diesel meeting his sis....I think this day is it. I live far from High Park but don't mind trekking all he way down there so he can meet her...and I'm also not working that day YAY!!! So fellow members and guests of this forum, Dobereich owners or not...this is a great opportunity for us and our doggies to meet. For those who live a bit further away we can always organize some kind of dober reunion at some location we can all agree on or over @ Monica's. I'm sure she'll be happy to see them
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Post by toyzshopgary on May 12, 2011 10:34:43 GMT -5
I don't want to be a spolier and rain on the parade but you need to be very carefull about Male/ Male doberman agression and dog parks are bad places for ego driven owners with agressive dogs or just lack of care and control of dogs as owners let them run around and ignore the dogs and talk about other things ignorant to any tell tale signs of pending trouble. Once males are older you really run a big risk of trouble letting males be free together.
I did join and I did attend one Toronto Doberman meet group wiith Zeus when he was still pretty young and if memory is right it was at High Park. I wasn't as knowledgable about Male/male agression and how it can be even more in dobermans. I turned a blind eye and went anyway.
I think it was High Park and they have 2 fenced in areas one for big dogs and one for small dogs and to be honest it was wet and muddy and the owners were spending most of their time talking and nobody was paying attention to the dogs at all. A girl showed up with a very agressive red male and she kept him leashed but if he had been set free there would have been trouble and for sure some kind of dog fight.
Lindsay Shostal is the organizer and a very nice lady. She's on DT as Aquaholic and it's great what she does with all the meets. I remembered reading a thread and the pictures of what happened to her male Logan and I THINK it was at a dog park. I just searched DT and can't find the thread or I would post the link. Logan was attacked and bit up pretty bad. I saw Logan when i was there and he's not agressive at all and a big happy baby so even at that he was attacked.
I used to spend lots of time on DT and I read so many horror stories and pictures of attacks at dog parks and usually male/male that to me it's not worth risking going to a dog park for free runs with other dogs.
Sorry to be a spolier but if i didn't say anything in case people reading are unaware I feel that I'm not doing what i should being aware that dog parks can be an accident waiting to happen.
An event were the dogs are leashed and controlled and walks etc is different and a good idea but just unclip the lead and let males run with males they don't know in a fenced park with lots of dogs, is a big risk not if, but when an incident happen.
Monica can jump in with her thoughts if she reads this.
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Post by dobereyna on May 12, 2011 12:38:40 GMT -5
Yes! Reyna has been to 2 meetups! First time she was very little, but really wanted all the big dogs to chase her LOL. I have some really sweet pics and video. Re Male Agression: Gary makes some very good points. It is imperative to be cautious and alert whenever your dog is off-leash, something that some dog owners seem to forget. The 2 meetups I have been to were very uneventful. All the dogs running about, no issues at all... I do find High Park to be an odd place sometimes. The dog owners there (not necessarily dobe owners) just sit and drink starbucks and don't pay attention to their dogs. I am the one with the chuckit enticing ALL the other dogs to run and play. People 'thank me' for burning out their dogs... all fine and dandy, but the fun of having a dog is playing with them!! I have removed Reyna from there on two different occasions when I felt that there were agressive males (not dobes) with idiot owners. Someone with an INTACT male mastiff/pit bull type cross that is no taller than Reyna, but about 95lbs of muscle who CLEARS THE FENCE on the way in by jumping over it, has no place in an off-leash dog park. Especially with no license (he asked me who the 'dog police' where... never heard of them) and a stubborn/moron owner who, in my opinion, has no business owning a dog. OK rant over... LOL. Another time, there was once another girl just sitting about while her ridgeback barked perpetually in the face of every dog there, really annoying, and was making other dogs agressive. That bbeing said, that was twice out of umpteen times and there are a lot of sweet, fun dogs there with great owners. My take on it is that Reyna loves the off-leash parks, and it is great for her to run and play. We go every day to a different one, mostly Sherwood Park to the trails, which she just LOVES. I always scope out the scene before letting her free, and am vigilant in watching her and the other dogs. I have no issue with telling someone that their dog needs to be leashed, or that perhaps a very busy park is not the place for them. Today Reyna met 2 HUGE male dobes (95lbs each!) at High Park. They had never met and the males couldn't have cared less about each other - FYI both were fixed. Reyna ran around and wrestled with one of them (don't worry Zeus, you're still her FAV!!! ), easily out running him and having a grand ol' time! Incidently, this guys owner was awesome, and feels the same way as me about High Park. I am not sure if Diesel is fixed yet, or if he goes to the park alot like Reyna. You know your boy, and what is best for him! In my experience, the doberman meetups are fun and harmless. Seems the dobeowners that go really care a lot about their babies, and know if they are good in an off-leash area. Eric brought Isis, but not Ronin. Andrew & Sam bring Ryder (not Dobereich, but male) and Scout (female Dobereich K-litter I think?). I love the meetups. Seeing all the other dobes together is very cool. And perhaps I am biased, but the DOBEREICH dogs always stand out as the 'BEST LOOKING' of the crew!!! But we all know that... LOL. SO - Reyna will be going FOR SURE! And would LOVE to see Diesel again!! We can always take them for a walk through the park, if you find there are any agressive males there. There are great trails for both on and off-leash walks! Honestly, I felt Reyna was completely safe, however, like I said it is totally your call.
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Post by ladydon on May 12, 2011 17:27:39 GMT -5
OMG!!!! I never really though about that. I've been bringing Diesel to the Thompson Park off leash dog park here in Scarborough (about 3-5 times a week) since he was about 4 months old or so and so far I haven't had any problems. He's met other dobes both males and females (fixed and unfixed) and no problems. There are some dogs that he just wont get along with and usually he just leaves them alone or I move to another side of the park. Sometimes, he can get vocal so I really pay attention more at that time but as long as the hair on his back is not standing or I don't see some kind of aggressive stance then he's ok. People have often commented on how calm he is but regardless, as a responsible owner, I still pay close attention. I do find that he's getting more humpy and the dominance in him is coming out more as he gets older but I either give him a time out or play time is over and we head home when that happens. I've heard stories and signs of aggression in this park (mostly other breeds not dobes) but I do feel that most owners that I've met in this park keep a close eye on their dog. Most of them talk to each other...and I've done the same but we still keep a close watch on our dogs just in case things get a little bit rough. I've learned quite a lot from them and its really fun to know about their dog. It just really sucks that some owners really don't pay attention to their dogs. Gary, I do thank you for warning me and spoiler or not...its better to know at least I'm more prepared. I still do, however, would like to see Reyna but since he's never been to this park before, I will be extra cautious. So Joanne, I do hope to see you that day and hope Reyna and Diesel get along. If anything, we can always meet somewhere else if I'm not too comfortable with that park.
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Post by dobereyna on May 12, 2011 18:24:59 GMT -5
YAY! Well, since Diesel has been going to the park for a long time, he should be fine there. One of Reyna's first 'off-leash' experiences was at a doberman meetup... she was quite a little star being the smallest puppy there haha! Of course, all the other owners were waxing poetic about 'puppy time'... lots of ladies cooing to their hubbies... 'i want another one!' haha. There are pics on the meetup site of that day... Oct 31 2010.
I hope Reyna loves her big brother!
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Post by dobermoms on May 12, 2011 21:44:02 GMT -5
My 2 cents on off-leash dog parks....we have 3 in London, and when Dante was a puppy up to about 1 1/2 years old, he was fine at the parks....just wanted to run and meet dogs and have fun.
But there's always 1 dog who spoils it for everyone, and from that age on, we stopped taking him to the off-leash parks. Believe me, if your doberman ever gets into a scrap with another dog, it will be the dobermans fault, bar none. After all, in peoples eyes, they are an aggressive dog......just last Saturday while I was walking our 14 1/2 week old puppy in the small dog area of the park, someone was telling me about the story 2 years ago where a doberman killed a small dog in the off-leash park by grabbing a hold of it and shaking it to death. All the owner said was that a small dog shouldn't be in the big-dog area....whatever. I remember hearing of the story then, and they even looked at our Dante, who was 6 months old at the time, as a possible "killer".
We stopped going because we noticed that by the time the dogs owner noticed that his/her dog was being aggressive with another dog, it was usually too late as the 2 dogs were already going at it. Irresponsible in our eyes is what the dog owners are. So we made the decision not to take Dante there as we didn't want him to start being aggressive with another dog who was being agressive with him....we didn't want him to learn that agression was "okay".
So enjoy your time with your dog there, but always be cautious of ALL the dogs that he/she interacts with......for sure the owners are engaged in conversations of their own, oblivious to ALL their dogs actions. All it takes is for your dog to bit someone and draw blood, then it's game over for them.
I'm only going to take Kazi to the small dog areas in the off-leash parks, and believe me they look at me because she is over the weight limit....but I don't care....no way is she going into the "pit" with the big dogs. No way! I have seen too much and I don't trust that all the owners have a eye on their dog like I do!
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Post by dobereyna on May 12, 2011 23:39:00 GMT -5
As in many situations, there is sometimes that one person that ruins things for the majority... a sad part of life for sure. I keep my eyes peeled and hope that I never have to restrict Reyna from play due to the ignorance of others. She has 'scared' her share of people by simply being around, however, she has also enlightened 10x as many people with her sweetness and charm. I warn parents that she is a 'baby-kisser' and loves infants in strollers... haha... and to my surprise 9 out of 10 times they ask if she can come say hi to their child! Awesome!
Reyna's temperment makes her an excellent and willing doberman ambassador. She has helped me educate people in our neighborhood on what we know our dobes really are. I have found that many people here are dobe fans, and dog people or not, know that dobes get a bad rep, and are really big suckies.
That being said, there are people that freak out when she comes near their little 5lb fluffball. I simply, and confidently say 'she loves little dogs!' and let her do her thing. She has walked away from a yappy little dog more than once, and treats old dogs with genuine respect and sweetness.
All that being said, she is not perfect, and has scared the pants off unsuspecting neighbours or strangers whom approach her that she deems 'unacceptable'. She just stands there, lets them come over, and then REALLY LOUDLY barks in their face. This is a point we are working on, but I must say that she seems to be a good judge of character LOL.
Off leash parks are great for play and socialization, however, as dobe-owners, we have to be more careful of our pups than others, regardless of temperment, simply due to the misconception of others. I refuse to apologize to people for their own thoughts and beliefs, and if they choose to bbe 'scared' of Reyna just because she is a doberman, so be it. All I can do is ensure that she is in control, and not allow her to be in a situation where her safety or actions could ever be questioned.
I knew that dobe-motherhood would be more challenging than having a little fluffy dog, but it comes with the territory for sure. A few weeks ago a lady exited the elevator in our building (where there is likely more dogs than people LOL), and she gasped, rolled her eyes, and swore under her breath at me. Why? Well, Reyna was just sitting there, on leash, right beside me. This woman just hates dogs. I was somewhat stunned and shocked, almost apologized (for nothing) just because, then stopped myself because I was upset at her actions, thinking it was because Reyna is a 'big scarey doberman'. The gentleman beside me quickly said not to take it personally, she does that to ALL the dogs, even Pluto, a 5lb toy-poodle.
The dog park is similar. There are uneducated dog owners, unfortunately, some with very untrained dogs. I keep Reyna in my short radar at ALL TIMES because some people are not to be trusted. Some people are not fit to be parents... this applies to KIDS and DOGS. Fortunately, there are responsible breeders that interview their potential clients to ensure the well-being of their dogs. Unfortunately, anyone can 'purchase' a dog from anyone they wish. There's more to being a parent than just bearing children, a great parent is so much more. Dog ownership is the same. Anyone can purchase a dog...
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Post by dobermoms on May 13, 2011 5:15:45 GMT -5
Well said......you have stated everything very well. There is nothing more wonderful than to see a doberman running full-out...they are so majestic!
Joanne, you are lucky to have a good group of dog-parents around you.....it makes it so much better for all the dogs when everyone is on the same page.
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Post by ladydon on May 13, 2011 14:06:50 GMT -5
You are right, if ever Diesel gets into a scrap it would be his fault since he’s a Doberman and many owners in the park have told me that. People have so many misconceptions about this breed since they look ‘evil’ with that ready to kill look but all the fault lies on those stupid owners with their macho crap and think their dog is the “shit”. It gets irritating when I walk him and people who are walking their tiny dogs pick up their dog and move away. Granted some people are scared of dogs and I understand that, so I do keep him on a tight leash or I make him sit and stay until the person passes but some people just take it too far. They glare at him like he’s Satan’s spawn and there’s absolutely no need for it . The funny things is, Diesel never ever barks at them while these little doggies are about to have a spasm just from seeing him. He is very calm; he just looks and then we are on our way. Half the time, these same people can’t even guess his breed right. I’ve gotten Rottie, Great Dane, Canine ( uhh hello! that’s not even a breed) and believe it or not big Chihuahua ;D. I’ve had so many dog owners praise Diesel (and everyone knows him…he is such a star that one!) for having such a great temperament. As I said, I’ve never had any problems bringing him at the off leash park near me since it has always been uneventful. I do hope nothing happens when I bring him to High Park because I’m really looking forward to him meeting Reyna. You are absolutely right Joanne, regardless of what people may think about him I focus my attention only to him and make sure that he behaves and the situation is under control. I can’t control what people can and will say about this breed, all I know is that he is treated well and with all the love my family can give him .He is my baby and I feel like such a proud parent that he’s grown up into such a wonderful and sweet boy. I love him to death!!! And again, I do thank everyone for voicing their concerns…I do appreciate it.
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Post by dobereyna on May 13, 2011 19:09:48 GMT -5
LOL big Chihuahua!!! That's a first!! Svetlana I am so happy you are coming to High Park! I think Reyna and Diesel are going to love each other! Sounds like they have a very similar attitude & temperment thanks to their sweetie-pie parents! I can't WAIT to meet you both. Reyna & Dante are going to be the *STARS* of the meetup. Two best looking and sweetest puppies at the park haha!
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Post by hooligan on May 16, 2011 20:31:32 GMT -5
Rats! Would love to join you all but doubt that we'll be able to make it. Think we're scheduled to train on Sunday that weekend. Jack loves, loves, loves other dogs, but he usually plays with one dog at a time. It would have been interesting to see his response to the group.
Dyanne
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Post by ladydon on May 17, 2011 8:24:46 GMT -5
Dyanne...we can always set up another meeting Would love to see Jack.
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Post by dobereyna on May 17, 2011 9:20:23 GMT -5
sorry svetlana, just read my post... i meant DIESEL of course, but i am sure Dante would be a star too! LOL
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Post by ladydon on May 17, 2011 11:55:39 GMT -5
That's ok. I figured you meant Diesel but I'm pretty sure he and Reyna won't mind sharing the spotlight
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Post by dobereyna on May 17, 2011 14:26:16 GMT -5
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