I just adopted a half cocker spaniel half blue tick dog from the escondido humane society one month ago, i've named him dax and he's a wonderful dog. Very well behaved and well mannered he tells me when he needs to go to the bathroom and otherwise never barks. I took him to the dog park for the first time yesterday and he got along very well with all the other dogs wrestling and running around. Today I took him again and he even got to see two other dogs he got along well with yesterday. However about an hour in the dog park a lady came in with a black Labrador who at first hid behind her while the other dogs greeted him. My dog Dax started growling at the lab and got a bit aggressive which I had never seen him do before. The owner of the lab got angry and defensive saying my dog was attacking her dog and the others around him. I couldn't understand why Dax was freaking out so I tired to get him to stop by yelling no and tapping him on the nose but nothing was working. The lady kept making things worse by saying my dog was dangerous and telling me I should leave. I couldnt take the stress or ridicule from her anymore so I did. It was odd when we were leaving because as new dogs passed dax kept barking at them in the same manner he barked at the lab. I don't understand why he did what he did can anyone here explain? Or maybe give me some advice as to how to handle it better next time?

First of all, that other lady was very rude and impatient in how she dealt with the situation, and with you. People need to realize that just because a dog is having a bad moment, or behaving unexpectedly, that doesn't necessarily mean the owner is negligent. Dogs aren't born trained, straight from the womb! And furthermore, just growling and barking doesn't necessarily constitute an "attack." I reserve that word for an attempt at biting. That being said, don't beat yourself up about it. That lady overreacted.

I do agree with removing your dog from the park immediately the next time, and every time he begins to show this behavior again. Use the park as a reward for good behavior, not only at the park, but on your walks, on leash, and at home, and with obedience practice. Definitely walk your dog for at least 20-30 minutes BEFORE going into the park, if you aren't doing so already. This will help to calm him, possibly preventing aggressive behavior (sometimes dogs show aggression when they get overly excited/over-stimulated-- I suspect this may be what happened).

Thank you a lot for replying, everything you told me is really helpful. I actually didn't walk him because I thought he could just spend all his energy at the park running with the other dogs. But knowing that now I'll make sure to walk him for a good half an hour before hand. I think i did make a mistake in assuming he was going to attack the other dog. Thank you for all the advice. Its very appreciated. :-D

First of all if your dog is showing aggression towards another no matter who's fault it is you need to be alpha you need to flip your dog in their back and stand over them and hold them there for a minute or two to let them know that it's not okay to behave like that. From what you are saying it sounds like the lady's pooch was a submissive one which most dogs pick up on (especially the dominant ones) and tend to pick on them, furthermore that lab could have been neutered or spayed late or not at all which sometimes aggravates them.
But yes if the aggression doesn't stop after you flip him over then you should leave abruptly because you need to make your point.
Good luck let me know!

[lil mutt]

there are a lot of pet owners here willing to help you anytime... if you need any more help just ask around and someone will surely try to help you again with your pet problem.....

Originally Posted by Wrigleyroo

First of all if your dog is showing aggression towards another no matter who's fault it is you need to be alpha you need to flip your dog in their back and stand over them and hold them there for a minute or two to let them know that it's not okay to behave like that. From what you are saying it sounds like the lady's pooch was a submissive one which most dogs pick up on (especially the dominant ones) and tend to pick on them, furthermore that lab could have been neutered or spayed late or not at all which sometimes aggravates them.
But yes if the aggression doesn't stop after you flip him over then you should leave abruptly because you need to make your point.
Good luck let me know!

This is about the worst advice you could get. This is going to cause even more fear and aggression and its going to be aimed at YOU this time. You shouldnt ever flip your dog over on their backs and hold them there.

Instead, just leave. Dont reward him for the behavior.

Not sure where you got that info from but according to many trainers it "is'"
important to be the alpha and turning the dog over on its side is exactly what the alpha dog would do to a misbehaving dog, also give a quick easy poke to the neck with a firm pssst sound like a mother dog or the alpha dog would also do. The alpha dog would actually force the dog into a submissive position, growl and nip at the misbehaving dog so, laying the dog onto it's side, making a strong sound (pssst) and a quick poke to the neck is very much like what the misbehaving dog would expect from the alpha dog.
I makes sense to follow natures examples, For what it's worth...M

Alpha rolling: why it should be avoided with your dog

The Alpha Roll - LoveToKnow Dogs

Bouvier - Myths about the Alpha Roll

Don't Alpha Roll Your Dog - Dog Lovers - DigitalJournal.com: The Power of Citizen Journalism

And thats just a few links telling why its not a good thing to do. If you do it at all you should be properly trained in doing so or else you'll end up bit.

Originally Posted by Angel0607

Alpha rolling: why it should be avoided with your dog

The Alpha Roll - LoveToKnow Dogs

Bouvier - Myths about the Alpha Roll

Don't Alpha Roll Your Dog - Dog Lovers - DigitalJournal.com: The Power of Citizen Journalism

And thats just a few links telling why its not a good thing to do. If you do it at all you should be properly trained in doing so or else you'll end up bit.

-----
as for Angel's responses: Even Ceser Millan does this. And if you know what you are doing then you wont get bitten. If you flip your dog and other dogs are around harrassing it YES your dog MIGHT get aggressive, people at the dog park do this ALL THE TIME and have NEVER gotten bitten. If you know your dog has a fearful timid personality and is going to react badly then you know not to do that. But with majority of the dogs out there it works miracles. Dogs need to know their place in the pack and putting them on their side or their back for a minute or two is not going to cause your dog to turn into Kujo.. seriously Angel you do NOT need to be trained in order to dominate your dog. My dog trainer and family friend has always said it is safe to do this with a dog who's personality you understand. FOR EXAMPLE: A guy walks into the park wearing a hat and sunglasses and walks with a cane and limp.. your dog freaks out and starts lunging and barking aggressively. Why is your dog freaking out? (answer: Your dog is scared by this mans appearance because he is wearing clothes that are unfamiliar to him and he's not used to this type of walking.)
Angel you have a lot to learn about animal behavior and training..but I encourage you to go speak to dog trainers and get proper information instead of going off what the internet says.

lol I pay good money for the training I get with my dog and my trainer even says to never do it. It is not a part of nature and it will make your dog SCARED of you, not look at you like you're alpha.

And Ceser is not someone to quote lol MANY dog trainers and dog lovers hate him and know that what he does is not the right way to do it.