Aloha! New with a big question!

[Whateverist]

Boys....



I like you guys so much.

Prove it.  Next time you're in the SF bay area stop in and let me serve you tea English style in my garden, you can meet my missus and doggies.  If you throw the ball for Smokey in the park behind us with the chucker, he'll put you on his very short list of trusted and favored humans.

*Cyber hugs*

[ignoramus]

Guys, completely unrelated but while I got you dog people, I want to ask a dog psychology question.

Around the corner from home, the council segregated part of the parklands into a doggy specific park play area.

It's so popular! Anyway, the wife was late getting her haircut, so I got some subway and parked under a tree there and just watched all the doggies having their fun. There would have been 20 of them, all shapes and sizes, all wagging their tales and running and playing. Except one. It happens to be one of my favourites. It was a bull terrier.
He was walking around slowly and completely oblivious to all other dogs. No eye contact with them at all.
Like they weren't even there. Like he/she was just staring into space the whole 20 minutes I was there.
I actually took some photos but they didn't come out too well.

What do you think is going on? Is it the breed? Only child? No social skills? Naturally unsociable?
I actually felt sorry for it. It just seemed so lonely. But it wasn't making the slightest effort to fit in.
Was never interested in chasing any balls or interacting whatsoever!

I never eben saw the owner approach it in all the time I was there. It couldn't be a stray because the area is gated.

[Whateverist]

Guys, completely unrelated but while I got you dog people, I want to ask a dog psychology question.

Around the corner from home, the council segregated part of the parklands into a doggy specific park play area.

It's so popular! Anyway, the wife was late getting her haircut, so I got some subway and parked under a tree there and just watched all the doggies having their fun. There would have been 20 of them, all shapes and sizes, all wagging their tales and running and playing. Except one. It happens to be one of my favourites. It was a bull terrier.
He was walking around slowly and completely oblivious to all other dogs. No eye contact with them at all.
Like they weren't even there. Like he/she was just staring into space the whole 20 minutes I was there.
I actually took some photos but they didn't come out too well.

What do you think is going on? Is it the breed? Only child? No social skills? Naturally unsociable?
I actually felt sorry for it. It just seemed so lonely. But it wasn't making the slightest effort to fit in.
Was never interested in chasing any balls or interacting whatsoever!

I never eben saw the owner approach it in all the time I was there. It couldn't be a stray because the area is gated.

Could be badly socialized or cautious or maybe just more focused into his owner?  I guess you couldn't tell which was his owner.  (Might have been someone on his cell phone, the worst dogs are always with that guy.)  Some dogs seem overwhelmed in  social settings that are too crowded.  There is a smallish gated dog park near me which I bring my young one to for socializing with other dogs.   While there, I never throw a ball for him.  He is pretty cautious by nature and will check other dogs out throughly (lots of sniffing involved) before getting playful.  When I take him to the park behind our place (not gated and not a designated dog park) I throw the ball so he can get exercise.  He loves this.  I'm pretty sure this is a substitute for real herding work with animals for him. When engaged in this 'work' he ignores invites from other dogs and even squirrels, looking only to me.  People are all pretty suspicisous in his book and mostly just make him uncomfortable.  Anyone who reaches to pet him will get either a pissed off sounding growl or barking intended to curtail their 'aggression'.  But he does permit those he knows to pet him, but even those do better not to surprise him by reaching out suddenly to pet the top of his head.  A hand held out low palm up (where he can inspect for deadly weapons) before starting by stroking his throat will be more successful.  I don't think he enjoys being petted very much even by me. He accepts it but all he really wants is to be close by.

[Minimalist]

I stopped bringing my dogs to the local dog park.  Not too many pit bulls but every time a fight breaks out there is a pit at the bottom of it.

[Clueless Morgan]

I stopped bringing my dogs to the local dog park.  Not too many pit bulls but every time a fight breaks out there is a pit at the bottom of it.

My dad's dog was almost raped by a dalmatian at the dog park the last time I took him.

[Whateverist]

I stopped bringing my dogs to the local dog park.  Not too many pit bulls but every time a fight breaks out there is a pit at the bottom of it.

My dad's dog was almost raped by a dalmatian at the dog park the last time I took him.

We only go to the one regular sized, fenced and gated suburban dog park and that is the only place Smokey tries to win the "I'm a top, you're a bottom" game.  Maybe urban crowding is making them all gay?  (Not that there is anything wrong with that of course. )

[brewer]

Guys, completely unrelated but while I got you dog people, I want to ask a dog psychology question.

Around the corner from home, the council segregated part of the parklands into a doggy specific park play area.

It's so popular! Anyway, the wife was late getting her haircut, so I got some subway and parked under a tree there and just watched all the doggies having their fun. There would have been 20 of them, all shapes and sizes, all wagging their tales and running and playing. Except one. It happens to be one of my favourites. It was a bull terrier.
He was walking around slowly and completely oblivious to all other dogs. No eye contact with them at all.
Like they weren't even there. Like he/she was just staring into space the whole 20 minutes I was there.
I actually took some photos but they didn't come out too well.

What do you think is going on? Is it the breed? Only child? No social skills? Naturally unsociable?
I actually felt sorry for it. It just seemed so lonely. But it wasn't making the slightest effort to fit in.
Was never interested in chasing any balls or interacting whatsoever!

I never eben saw the owner approach it in all the time I was there. It couldn't be a stray because the area is gated.

Another thought is medical, especially if older (ya, like no one knew I'd go there). If over weight they are prone to hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. If in pain it may purposely avoid other dogs and any extra activity. They are also prone to deafness (especially the whites). Plus, any/many older dogs can get cataracts or PRA, so maybe blind. No wonder they will isolate. Last, the breed is prone to cardiovascular disease. It may be physically unable to interact.

Dogs that are not physically fit are often "stoic". They don't want to be perceived as the unfit one in the herd opening them up to attack.

Edit: If you're taking your dogs to public dog parks or dog events make sure they are current on their vaccinations. Even then they are a greater risk to catch communicable disease (i.e. kennel cough).

[Clueless Morgan]

My dad's dog was almost raped by a dalmatian at the dog park the last time I took him.

We only go to the one regular sized, fenced and gated suburban dog park and that is the only place Smokey tries to win the "I'm a top, you're a bottom" game.  Maybe urban crowding is making them all gay?  (Not that there is anything wrong with that of course.  )

My dad's dog is definitely not gay by the reaction he had to that dalmation.

But maybe he just doesn't like when there's no foreplay?

[vorlon13]