An Aggressive Intact Male Shiba at the Park with My Female Shikoku
I took our 5-month old Shikoku to the dog park yesterday, and we ran into a male 3-month old Shiba. The Shiba started acting very aggressive towards Rosie (our Shikoku) by humping her and try to bit her crotch. This is the first time she's met an intact male but considering his age, I don't know if that makes a difference? I told her owner that's too rough, and we broke them up. After a while, we put them back again, and it still happened. They also pretty much wrestled and tustled/tumbled around biting each other everywhere (limbs, ears, etc..). I know dogs can get rough with each other, but this is too much no? Ended up just moving to a different spot, and played tag with her myself.
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Granted, only you can decide what is "too much" for your own dog. Shikoku, in general, can escalate their play to much rougher than what other dogs can handle.
If it was like something else... well, it's your call in the end.
BUT- the important thing is how your dog feels about this play, and what she is learning about other dogs by continuing it. If she (as an individual) hates it or is overwhelmed, and is learning that other dogs can be jerks and IF there is no way out except to be a bigger jerk back to them to make them stop, then by allowing it you are creating very difficult work for yourself in the future undoing it. I say trust your gut and let her know she doesn't have to be subjected to that.
We say this all the time that dog parks are not appropriate for shikoku and the other NK breeds, but people seem to need to learn this on their own anyway. It is okay- more than okay!- to not go to the dog park. So playing with her in another area by yourself is a fine thing- especially if she lights up and is happy doing that
I think you made a good choice.
You can usually tell if your dog is having fun if they are diving right in, too -- and even if they separate they go back to play more. If they aren't interested they usually try to get away, and if the other dog is persistent (continues jumping/chasing) then it can be an issue.
http://www.akita-inu.com/japanese-akita-owner-resources/raising-ja-puppy/bite-inhibition/
Instead of the dog park, puppy classes are grea!! Your puppy can make new friends and the atmosphere can be a little more controlled. If you believe you'd like your dog to be freinds with the Shiba pup invite the owner to the classes also. It may be easier to guide your puppy in proper dog etiquette in a more structured learning enviroment. Also in this enviroment other owners may be more apt to try guide their dogs with the instructors help. You can also invite Shiba puppy owner (if your confortable around the owner) to meet other places for dog walks, mini training sessions etc. instead of the chaos of the dog park. Having structured work and exercise to do before having free play time can also reduce stress and anxiety between dogs.
Doggie daycare is a good alternative, assuming there's a well-run one in your area. They're supervised by experienced people and they kick out the aggressive dogs. Sosuke's enjoyed doggie daycare a couple times. I would never take Rakka, though.
It's not so much the dogs that I have problems with at the parks, it's the owners. Ones that treat the park like their own personal gossip corner or spend more time texting on their phone than interacting with their dogs. My favorite were a group of toy poodle owners that brought their own chairs and tables to play cards and mingle with each other while all their dogs wreaked havoc with endless barking, gate rushing, humping, and ninja pooping.
Also, @Heidi, some dog owners are just a-holes... I can't believe the jerk said that to you!
I also support dog parks though (I know it's an unpopular opinion here). If your dog can handle it and you don't rely on it as your sole source of socialization it's fine (really, dog parks are good for the occasional run around with other dogs, sure, but also good for training). Thing is you have to find a park that's relatively quiet (like four dogs at a time), with responsible owners. Our oldest dog has always loved dog parks, and Kaja is only a year and a half but so far is on the same track. I know the dog park history of other NK owners here though, so I do think it's important to keep an eye out for signs of change as they mature.
A setup where they throw a bunch of dogs into a yard isn't much better than a dog run.