My dog is a 2yr old Airedlale terrier. He's not got an aggressive bone in his body, but admittedly, he's full of energy and likes to play... sometimes rough if it involves bigger dogs. He's quite popular on the park though and lots of people have said how good he is with other dogs etc.
Anyway, I get there yesterday, and some bloke is there with 2 dogs and a "chuck it". My dog, Jackson, happened to go chasing after their ball, got it, and came running back to me with it. This other bloke was some distance away, but I saw it, got the ball, gave it back to the bloke, and duly apologised in a friendly kinda way...
He made some smart arse comment about having my dog under control, which I ignored, then he said something again about I should have him on a leash... so I told that was "enough" and he'd "made his point".

We both go our seperate ways, but my dog is running all the place. He charges back over to this guy and his dogs, wanting to play, so I tried calling him back. At this point, I notice Jackson is chasing after the ball again, so I start walking over... they're a 100 or so metres away.
Next thing, this guy runs at my dog with his stick in the air, threatening to hit him. I wasnt quite convinced someone would actually do that, so I sped up but then this idiot actually throws his "chuck it" stick at Jackson as he runs past.

I ran over (wife and two young kids following behind) and whilst I wont go in to details, let's just say it got a bit heated.

Anyway, I came away thinking if it was me in the wrong? If Jackson was aggressive and fighting, I could understand it, but trying to hit my dog over a ball? It's common to see dogs chasing other balls, and maybe mine is worse than others for it, but everyone who goes there is usually pretty friendly. Jackson is well known on the park, everyone says hello to each other, and there are no "problem" dogs. However, this idiot was going on about how Jackson is out of control etc. Well, he kinda is... we take him there because he can run and have fun. He has a lot of energy! He doesnt fight though, doesnt bark, he just plays.

So who's in the wrong? Me or this other bloke. Is he out of control, or is he just doing what dogs do?

OMG WHAT A JERK! (not you, the other guy lol)
There is definately nothing wrong with your dog running around and chasing the ball, that's what a ball park is for, right?
I take my dog to the local ball park here and he runs after all the other dog's balls and the owners just laugh at him.
That other guy sounds like a psycho to me and I just wouldn't worry too much more about it!

The bloke was a complete dick. I enjoy it far more when a 'pack' of dogs are all chasing after the ball together (providing they are not aggressive obviously).

I cannot believe that someone would get their knickers in a twist over a another dog chasing another dogs ball

If it's a legitimate off-leash area - and everyone's dogs are running around like lunatics - then the guy is just a bit of a prat really.

Surely that's the whole point of the (far too limited) off leash areas anyway - you want the wee buggers to burn off energy!

The out of control comment is probably kinda fair though and we have this issue with our stoopid Spaniel - but she's not aggressive, nor fights - but she does love a good jogger or cyclist to bark at

Just keep working on the commands thing with your dog anyway - eventually he'll calm a little and "just get it" - or that's my hope with ours.

Off leash areas are the perfect playground for dogs to interact, and if Jackson is harmless, just try to brush off this one guy.

This happens every single day either with my dog getting another dog's ball or vice-versa. So long as everyone goes home with the same number of balls they brought, ideally the same ones, it's just the way of things.

Wanker.

I completely agree with all the above comments - can't believe that guy acted that way. He's got some real issues! If you're walking in a dog park and chucking a ball about you've got to expect other dogs wanting to join in the fun. My dogs love to run and play with all the other dogs down the dog park (apart from my 13 year old who just trots along and grumps at any dogs that dare to get in her space!) and I love to see them all happy and interact together. Mine too will chase after balls and sometimes get them too. We always give them back and no one seems to take issue. That guy should really lighten up!

he sounds like a complete bawbag...ignore him...

Cheers all. That's what I thought.
The funny thing is, my dog doesnt even like playing with balls (ooh, er). I've bought chuckits before, but he's not interested. He just likes to chase/be chased, and stealing other dogs' balls is the best way to get chased.

Yup the other bloke was a tosspot! And come on how the dogs meant to know which is their ball eh? - ok some can but most are content to chase any ball that any one throws!

Next time order get your dog to bite his face off.

My dog is always pinching other dogs balls (after all he doesn't have his own any more!!!) the other owners just go oh well he's got it, and as long as all the balls are with the right owners at the end, as mentioned before, does it really matter? he obviously has some sort of complex!

Hope your dog walks go better from now on!

DC

Blimey! do yours actually chase balls then? I thought seafood was more their thing!!

At least the dog's aren't chasing skunks.......

We bought an e-collar a couple of weeks ago for Ash, although she's mostly good she has/had a tendency to run off once in a while (to some unknown spot) and come back 10mins later with her fur smelling of shit and, on the odd occasion, smelling of "death".

I still can't walk her on the leash so we had to do something and the e-collar has been a great solution.

She's literally become a remote control dog. And that's mostly with the buzz sound that the collar will make when you push the "bad behaviour" button on the remote control (rather than making it shock her).

I know a lot of people recommend these collars and many others think they're cruel but it's working and preventing her from doing things that might negatively affect her health as well as ours.. and this is in the wide-open countryside where pet dogs are free to roam, rather than a psycho-inhabited dog park.

Your dog is 100 metres away from you and you believe he is under control, can't say I agree with you there. I agree the other chap sounds like he over reacted, but I think you need to look at your own conduct too.