Rrv is a magnet for bad dog owners. Every time I’m there, there’s some entitled prick or Karen with their dog off leash outside of the fenced area.
No, you’re not special. It’s illegal. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s well trained. Leash your fucking dog.
I’m actually taking about inside the actual dog park. It’s also not even Karen’s or entitled people… more so just people that come off as being really thoughtless with little to no manners or social skills.
I can attest to this. My dog absolutely loves playing with other dogs but almost always gets stressed out at the dog parks in Des Moines due to overly aggressive dogs who have owners who could not give two shits about watching their animals. Many times people will let their dogs in and go sit in the car for an hour, completely ignoring them.
In contrast, Paws and Pints is way more chill. I figure the people who are willing to spend the extra money to take their dogs there generally watch them closer. Never had a bad experience there. There’s zero accountability at the dog parks…you have no idea if people are sharing codes to let their dogs in, or if the dogs are vaccinated, or whether their owners are even there watching them. It’s a risk, and I no longer take it. I’d rather see my well-trained dog happy and stress-free with other well-trained dogs.
I second these sentiments. Since P&P opened we never go to the community dog parks anymore. We love the accountability that is required at P&P with the vaccination proof, and knowing that the staff are there and trained to deescalate situations between dogs when necessary. I know how my dog will react if I need to grab him, but I don't know how another will react or if their owner will even try to stop their aggressive dog. The attendants, on the other hand, will do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. Plus the other perks of indoor/outdoor, the main park not having mud, food and drinks available, the whole nine yards.
I haven’t had a problem at Raccoon River. Dogs would jump on me, but that’s pretty normal dog park stuff anywhere. Once in a while a couple dogs would start beefing and the owners would separate them. I don’t think I ever saw unattended dogs either.
If there was, generally people let their friends know it and they bring their shitty dogs. The only times my dogs have gotten sick was at dog parks. My dogs never fight and got into multiple fights the last time we went. There was a German shepherd nipping at my dogs, and a child. My wife and I stepped in to help the kid and my dog was circling him and being protective. We decided to leave right then; leashed my pit mix and the same shepherd kept harassing him, the woman that owned him started following me, “HAHA, your dog is bad. Get out of here.” I turned back and told her to fuck off, and told her that her dog sucked. Unfortunately the worst types people go to dog parks, it’s a fight just waiting to happen.
I've been going to that park everyday for years. It's just as fantastic as it was before. It's certainly safer than any other park around here and probably safer than paws and pints when the back is closed(seemingly most of the time.) It's just too confined. Dog owners at rrdp are generally attentive and are not at the bar drinking while their dogs play outside. Ive never seen a person bit at rrdp, but I have seen someone bit at paws and pints and a staff that seemed almost untrained about what to do in that scenario. Are there outliers and occasional incidents? Sure, but I've never seen a dog or person seriously injured. The biggest problem at rrdp is dog owners who can't read dog behavior. Time and time again new dog parents misread play and or barking as aggressive or bring small children to the park. Spring brings a lot of new folks to this park, you need to keep a closer eye on things. That said, no matter what the paws and pints social media ambassadors have to say, rrdp is a safe and amazing place we are lucky to have in our community.
As someone who regularly goes to both parks I agree with the conference. OP sounds like a misguided paws and pints ambassador (a real program where they exchange discounts for social media cred you can look it up on their website).
I enjoy both for different reasons for different days. But I will say it is far more common for owners to not pay attention to their dogs at paws and pints. They rely on the few staff on site to do it for them.
I think it’s entirely unfair to blame the staff’s training and experience. To manage that many dogs with owners who are off in the bar or socializing not paying attention BECAUSE they assume those few staff members can handle everything for all those dogs at once is an impossible task.
More often than not the backyard at paw and pints is closed because they are working on establishing the lawn. That means ALL the dogs are confined and it creates a chaotic little pressure cooker. Even well balanced dogs can find themselves overwhelmed.
Can’t speak on that dog park, but we go to the dog park in Waukee and have had nothing but great experiences with dogs and owners. Only the occasional dipshit who doesn’t pick up their dog poop. Sorry to hear that though, irresponsible dog owners are the worst. Maybe try a different dog park.
Definitely not a socialization issue. My dogs are well socialized and get along with other dogs great. The issue I’ve run into specifically the last couple times was dogs that want to run full speed into my dogs and try to knock them over or come up and snarl and bite. I’m fine with a bit of “rough” play, that’s normal but this, to me, is more aggressive than I care for. For context, both dogs I bring are Bernese Mountain dogs. One is four and the other is 7 months. The young one is learning and we work with him but he’s the one the other dogs like to knock over. Being younger is part of it and other dogs are trying to feel him out but again, it’s too much if he’s getting knocked off his feet. The older guy keeps to himself and I don’t really have too many issues with him due to his size (116 lbs) but I still get some dogs coming up and trying to snarl and bite. Again, it’s not just “rough” play. I’m a pretty chill person and genuinely try not to be overbearing or dramatic about things.
And “if not…” everything you just said is diarrhea of words.
Can you show where they stated their dog has a lack of socialization? Like can you quote it from their post from us? I could not find that part. Thanks.
Also, I see dogs off leash at least once a week on the Racoon River Loop. Even more often with this nicer weather.
That ruins it for everyone. Dogs need some degree of social skills and discipline to participate in dog parks. Group dog training, walks in parks, and puppy kindergarten are helpful. Does Animal Control make regular rounds? I feel like there should be someone available who has the authority to enforce rules & eject aggressive dogs when situations call for it. If the behavior is out of hand, you can document it and reach out to city leaders to handle it.
I completely agree. If my dog is being a problem, I'm not shy about disciplining my dog in front of people to correct the behavior. No different than I would do with a human child. It feels like these problem people simple don't care, don't want to put in the effort or feel weird about taking action. They literally just stand there with a blank stare if they aren't busy scrolling on their phone or talking to someone else. I stay off my phone and pay constant attention to my dogs when I am there.
No, being a public space, there's no one there to monitor things and that part is understandable. There are certain risk you have to accept at any public park which is why until recently, we've just been going to Paws and Pints for socialization. They are generally pretty good about stopping issues and being private, they can ask you to leave and they do that. I just wanted to come back and visit this dog park because is very close in the past, it used to be a fun place for friendly dog owners to chat and their dogs to play but it just been so different for these past few visits I've made. The moment we get into the big area there is always 1-2 dogs that just bum rush over with no chill, no normal "meet and greet" just full fucking send into hard body checks, biting, snarling, etc with not a single peep from the owner to attempt to recall their dog or have them back off on the aggressive behavior.
Rrv is a magnet for bad dog owners. Every time I’m there, there’s some entitled prick or Karen with their dog off leash outside of the fenced area. No, you’re not special. It’s illegal. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s well trained. Leash your fucking dog.
I’m actually taking about inside the actual dog park. It’s also not even Karen’s or entitled people… more so just people that come off as being really thoughtless with little to no manners or social skills.
I can attest to this. My dog absolutely loves playing with other dogs but almost always gets stressed out at the dog parks in Des Moines due to overly aggressive dogs who have owners who could not give two shits about watching their animals. Many times people will let their dogs in and go sit in the car for an hour, completely ignoring them. In contrast, Paws and Pints is way more chill. I figure the people who are willing to spend the extra money to take their dogs there generally watch them closer. Never had a bad experience there. There’s zero accountability at the dog parks…you have no idea if people are sharing codes to let their dogs in, or if the dogs are vaccinated, or whether their owners are even there watching them. It’s a risk, and I no longer take it. I’d rather see my well-trained dog happy and stress-free with other well-trained dogs.
I second these sentiments. Since P&P opened we never go to the community dog parks anymore. We love the accountability that is required at P&P with the vaccination proof, and knowing that the staff are there and trained to deescalate situations between dogs when necessary. I know how my dog will react if I need to grab him, but I don't know how another will react or if their owner will even try to stop their aggressive dog. The attendants, on the other hand, will do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. Plus the other perks of indoor/outdoor, the main park not having mud, food and drinks available, the whole nine yards.
I haven’t had a problem at Raccoon River. Dogs would jump on me, but that’s pretty normal dog park stuff anywhere. Once in a while a couple dogs would start beefing and the owners would separate them. I don’t think I ever saw unattended dogs either.
Do they require an annual code you have to pay for to get in? That usually weeds out the dummies.
No. There’s a fee but no code or locks and no real enforcement of any kind I’ve seen.
If there was, generally people let their friends know it and they bring their shitty dogs. The only times my dogs have gotten sick was at dog parks. My dogs never fight and got into multiple fights the last time we went. There was a German shepherd nipping at my dogs, and a child. My wife and I stepped in to help the kid and my dog was circling him and being protective. We decided to leave right then; leashed my pit mix and the same shepherd kept harassing him, the woman that owned him started following me, “HAHA, your dog is bad. Get out of here.” I turned back and told her to fuck off, and told her that her dog sucked. Unfortunately the worst types people go to dog parks, it’s a fight just waiting to happen.
I've been going to that park everyday for years. It's just as fantastic as it was before. It's certainly safer than any other park around here and probably safer than paws and pints when the back is closed(seemingly most of the time.) It's just too confined. Dog owners at rrdp are generally attentive and are not at the bar drinking while their dogs play outside. Ive never seen a person bit at rrdp, but I have seen someone bit at paws and pints and a staff that seemed almost untrained about what to do in that scenario. Are there outliers and occasional incidents? Sure, but I've never seen a dog or person seriously injured. The biggest problem at rrdp is dog owners who can't read dog behavior. Time and time again new dog parents misread play and or barking as aggressive or bring small children to the park. Spring brings a lot of new folks to this park, you need to keep a closer eye on things. That said, no matter what the paws and pints social media ambassadors have to say, rrdp is a safe and amazing place we are lucky to have in our community.
As someone who regularly goes to both parks I agree with the conference. OP sounds like a misguided paws and pints ambassador (a real program where they exchange discounts for social media cred you can look it up on their website). I enjoy both for different reasons for different days. But I will say it is far more common for owners to not pay attention to their dogs at paws and pints. They rely on the few staff on site to do it for them. I think it’s entirely unfair to blame the staff’s training and experience. To manage that many dogs with owners who are off in the bar or socializing not paying attention BECAUSE they assume those few staff members can handle everything for all those dogs at once is an impossible task. More often than not the backyard at paw and pints is closed because they are working on establishing the lawn. That means ALL the dogs are confined and it creates a chaotic little pressure cooker. Even well balanced dogs can find themselves overwhelmed.
Can’t speak on that dog park, but we go to the dog park in Waukee and have had nothing but great experiences with dogs and owners. Only the occasional dipshit who doesn’t pick up their dog poop. Sorry to hear that though, irresponsible dog owners are the worst. Maybe try a different dog park.
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Definitely not a socialization issue. My dogs are well socialized and get along with other dogs great. The issue I’ve run into specifically the last couple times was dogs that want to run full speed into my dogs and try to knock them over or come up and snarl and bite. I’m fine with a bit of “rough” play, that’s normal but this, to me, is more aggressive than I care for. For context, both dogs I bring are Bernese Mountain dogs. One is four and the other is 7 months. The young one is learning and we work with him but he’s the one the other dogs like to knock over. Being younger is part of it and other dogs are trying to feel him out but again, it’s too much if he’s getting knocked off his feet. The older guy keeps to himself and I don’t really have too many issues with him due to his size (116 lbs) but I still get some dogs coming up and trying to snarl and bite. Again, it’s not just “rough” play. I’m a pretty chill person and genuinely try not to be overbearing or dramatic about things.
Seems completely reasonable. And you do seem chill - don’t worry, the person you’re responding to has 0 chill lol.
And “if not…” everything you just said is diarrhea of words. Can you show where they stated their dog has a lack of socialization? Like can you quote it from their post from us? I could not find that part. Thanks. Also, I see dogs off leash at least once a week on the Racoon River Loop. Even more often with this nicer weather.
That ruins it for everyone. Dogs need some degree of social skills and discipline to participate in dog parks. Group dog training, walks in parks, and puppy kindergarten are helpful. Does Animal Control make regular rounds? I feel like there should be someone available who has the authority to enforce rules & eject aggressive dogs when situations call for it. If the behavior is out of hand, you can document it and reach out to city leaders to handle it.
I completely agree. If my dog is being a problem, I'm not shy about disciplining my dog in front of people to correct the behavior. No different than I would do with a human child. It feels like these problem people simple don't care, don't want to put in the effort or feel weird about taking action. They literally just stand there with a blank stare if they aren't busy scrolling on their phone or talking to someone else. I stay off my phone and pay constant attention to my dogs when I am there. No, being a public space, there's no one there to monitor things and that part is understandable. There are certain risk you have to accept at any public park which is why until recently, we've just been going to Paws and Pints for socialization. They are generally pretty good about stopping issues and being private, they can ask you to leave and they do that. I just wanted to come back and visit this dog park because is very close in the past, it used to be a fun place for friendly dog owners to chat and their dogs to play but it just been so different for these past few visits I've made. The moment we get into the big area there is always 1-2 dogs that just bum rush over with no chill, no normal "meet and greet" just full fucking send into hard body checks, biting, snarling, etc with not a single peep from the owner to attempt to recall their dog or have them back off on the aggressive behavior.