Today was TWill's inaugural trip to the dog park. It was brief, but very telling! While both of the guys were cautious and slightly anxious at first, they loosened up very quickly and seemed to really enjoy themselves! I'm thinking they will be more and more playful in a couple of trips. Jess was there with her two dogs, and they came SO close to some real playtime with them. Don't get me wrong; these boys are SUPER playful and often give Brugge a run for her money here at Lace & Twill Headquarters. I think when they were on their own in the elements they were used to being run off by strange dogs protecting their turf. Once they realized their fellow dog park compatriots were friendly, they relished in tush sniffs and running around like wild men.
We were lucky to go on a weekday morning when there was a small, relaxed crowd there. It was an ideal situation for dog park newbies. In fact, in honor of their first trip to the dog park, I figured I would post some tips for other dog park newbies. Brugge has graciously offered to illustrate.
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| Brugge, demonstrating how fun a dog park can be! Photo courtesy of Bronco's Mom. |
First off, let me say that not all dogs are ideal dog park dogs. Some dogs have intense fear issues, others have been inadequately socialized (and no, a dog park is not the place to socialize your dog who has never had interaction with other dogs... start with a training class or a pack walk first!), some are too ill or frail to enjoy a trip out there, and some dogs simply enjoy their personal space too much to share it with others. Unlike doggy daycare establishments who often have temperament tests, the assessment of which dogs attend public dog parks falls completely on their owners. This brings me to my cardinal rule of dog ownership; Know Thy Dog.
When I say "Know Thy Dog," I mean really spend time trying to objectively assess your dog's likes, dislikes, boundaries, and limits. The idea of truly knowing your dog affects every part of your relationship and every activity you enjoy together. For now, I'm going to focus on knowing your dog in a dog park setting. Dogs are like our children, so it's no surprise we always want to think the very best of them. However, we've all encountered a situation where a kid was acting out and their parents were in denial or refused to do anything about the child's ill-mannered ways. It's frustrating, isn't it? It isn't the kid's fault, and everyone would be much happier if the parents had set the child up for success instead of letting a situation escalate to where their little darling is affecting the enjoyment of others. The same goes for people and their dogs.
The first steps I would suggest for preparing for a trip to the dog park is assessing your dog. If your dog hasn't been to the vet in a while, consider scheduling an appointment to make sure your dog is physically healthy, up to date on her shots, and able to tolerate vigorous exercise. Taking a dog to a dog park isn't quite like taking a kid to a playground. Dog-and-dog play is often a contact sport; dogs have the potential to run like a crazy and bounce into each other and wrestle with each other. It's all in good fun (usually), but it's not always gentle! You owe it to your dog to be aware of any physical issues that can cause her discomfort. Additionally,
a recent study has shown a link between pain and aggression. Think about it, if you were in pain, would you want other people coming up and asking you to play a game of football by repeatedly jabbing you in the ribs? Probably not. Pain makes dogs cranky, just like it does with humans.
Very young puppies and very old dogs aren't the best candidates for all dog parks. Young puppies who haven't had all of their shots are at risk of catching very serious, life-threatening illnesses if they play around other dogs. If you would like to socialize your puppy, consider a puppy training class. They are also fabulous opportunities to form a strong, lifelong bond between you and your dog. As for very old dogs, if they are dog park veterans and they enjoy being out there taking it all in, I say go ahead and let them enjoy it in their senior years. However, I would be cautious when it comes to introducing an old dog to a dog park for the very first time. Their limits are much lower than younger dogs and can overdo it faster. Watch your dog closely and see if she's enjoying her trip, and watch out for any signs of fatigue.
Once you've established that your dog is physically healthy enough to take part in the controlled chaos that is dog park play time, you need to take a good hard look at her personality. Does she try to make friends with every dog she meets? Does she cower when another dog tries to sniff her backside to say hello? Does she try to bulldoze other dogs? Watch her reactions to seeing another dog on a walk, or while waiting at the vet's office. I would recommend taking a basic manners training class before heading to the dog park, again to set up a strong bond, but also to see how she does just being around other canines. If all goes well in these situations, try some private playtime with a friend's dog in an enclosed, controlled setting. Try to tune in to your dog's body language. See what she enjoys and what stresses her out. See if she takes advantage of other dogs who are more uncomfortable than her. Observe her like a scientist; it's for her own good!
Finally, I would suggest taking her to a doggy daycare establishment. They should perform a behavior assessment (which is usually free) to see how your dog fits in to group play. Additionally, the staff at these places are trained to moderate play to keep it safe and positive. It might be a bummer to have to drop your dog off and miss attending her first group play, but some facilities even offer webcams where you can tune in and watch while you're at work. Attending a doggy daycare is a great way for a dog to learn the vital cues from other dogs to interact safely and respectfully in group play.
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| Brugge's daycare even has a pool. We had to board her for a week earlier this summer, and I called it "summer camp." I don' think she missed us! |
When you feel that you've assessed your dog and she seems comfortable playing with other dogs, you can make the decision to graduate her to dog park play. This brings us to the things you can't control, but you can take steps to minimize risk and maximize enjoyment! First off... Follow. The. Rules. Rules is capitalized here because they are Very Important. The Rules are there to help ensure everyone stays safe and happy! In addition to regular closing time information and maintenance information, the Rules usually include some sort of list like the following:
- Pick up your dog's poop.
- Nobody wants to step in it. Nobody wants their dog to eat it. Nobody wants to smell it. Just pick it up.
- Keep your dog on a leash until you get into the park.
- Ugly things can happen when your fresh, raring-to-go dog runs up to a tired dog that's over the whole playtime thing. Not to mention you don't want your dog to get run over in the parking lot.
- If you have a female dog in heat, she should not be leaving your property, let alone attending a dog park for playtime.
- Nature can take over and cause issues here. Not to mention that I believe it's best that all pets be spayed and neutered to curb behavioral problems as well as lengthen the lifespan of your beloved pooch. Most fights I've seen at dog parks have involved at least one in-tact male.
- Your dog should be fully vaccinated, and her rabies tag should proudly be displayed on her collar.
- There's no sense in putting your dog at risk! Get those vaccines! Not to mention it's not only unsafe for your dog to not have a rabies vaccine; it's also illegal! Most vaccines can be administered at home, but a rabies vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian.
- Handlers must carry a leash and remain inside the fenced area within view and voice control of their dogs at all times.
- This is just common sense, but it's amazing how uncommon it can be. I find watching my dog play at the dog park to be extremely relaxing and enjoyable most of the time. However, dog park time is not the time to be napping, burying your nose in a book, or yakking away on a cell phone. You must always be aware of your dogs whereabouts as well as her behavior. You need to be ready to spring into action and remove your dog if need be, which brings me to the next Rule.
- Acts of aggression against other dogs or people are prohibited. Dogs must be removed if uncontrollable.
- This is another one that shouldn't even have to be written down, yet people can be startlingly clueless. I've been a part of a mass exodus when a black lab attacked (not a fight, an all out attack) a small dog, then another when his handlers failed to remove him right away. At the time, all I could think of was getting my dog and getting her out safely, but if my mind had been just a little clearer, I would have marched back up to those owners and told them to leave. If they'd given me trouble, I would have called the cops.
- No more than [number] dogs per handler permitted.
- Usually it's three, but I've heard of parks where the number is two or four. It should really be more like "no more dogs than you can control," but that would give people too much license. That said, some people can't control one or two dogs. That's usually tolerable, unless they're bullying other dogs or starting fights.
- Choke, prong, pinch, and spike collars must be removed inside park area.
- Personally, I'm not a fan of choke, prong, or pinch collars. I've seen them abused far too often, I've seen too many ugly pictures of injuries from these collars, and I'm a believer in patient, positive training. They're not illegal (here... some countries in Europe have banned their use), so it's totally up to an individual's prerogative as to whether or not they use them, but they have absolutely NO place in a dog park. A dog can be killed if they become entangled. Spike collars that are just for show can be dangerous to other dogs. My advice is to use a quick release plastic collar, or a break-away collar such as the Keep-Safe from Premier.
- Handlers must stop dogs from digging and must fill any hole created by their dogs.
- Two words; turned. ankle.
- Close Adult supervision required for children under the age of 12.
- This one is absolutely key! It is extremely unsafe for children to be unsupervised around even the friendliest of dogs, especially when there are several of them around. So many dogs love kids, but express their love by jumping up and giving kisses, sometimes even mouthing. All of this can scare or injure a child. And it goes both ways. A child approaching a dog in the wrong way can cause the dog to react defensively, resulting in a bite. Click here for some fabulous information from Dr. Sophia Yin on teaching children to interact safely with other dogs (it's good for adults to keep in mind too!). Also, please don't let your kid run with sticks (dogs WILL chase them and attempt to get the stick), dig in the dirt (thousands of dogs have used that same dirt as a place to relieve themselves), or scream (it will draw a crowd of concerned four-leggers who want to smother your child with comfort). Also, don't bring snacks for your kid. Bottom line, a dog park is for dogs. It is not a playground for children. You wouldn't want an unruly dog running a muck around the jungle gym, so extend the same courtesy to our four-legged friends.
- No food or dog chews are allowed.
- Some dogs are totally fine with play time but do not do well when food becomes a part of the equation. Some dogs resource guard and a fight can ensue. Also be careful with bringing toys; don't bring a favorite (there's a good chance it will get trashed) and if you see dogs becoming possessive to the point of aggression, get rid of it (even if it's not your dog causing the problem). Also, when it says no food, it means no people food. If you decide to pick up some cheesy monstrosity from Taco Bell on your way to the park, expect furry faces trying to join you for lunch. My one exception would be bottled water in the summertime, but be very careful; some dogs are given water bottles to play with and could view your drink as a toy. Your safest bet is to leave it in the car. Additionally, in the vein of no treats, dog park time isn't ideal training time. Use praise as a reward for good behavior, and wait to really work your dog until you're at home.
- No littering.
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| Brugge says, "Follow the rules so everyone can be as happy as me!" Photo by Bronco's Mom. |
That's usually the gist of the real rules. A couple of additional pieces of advice I would add are:
- Don't wear cute clothes. There is a 99% chance you will get dirty. There is also a 99% chance that you will be laughed at if you come in wearing your finest, get dirty, and freak out about it. Sorry.
- Don't get upset when a dog jumps up on you if it only happens once or twice. It happens. It's a dog park. Dogs are super excited and happy to be there and happy to be alive and oh my goodness is that a tennis ball?! WHEEEE!
- Wear shorts and flip flops at your own risk. Steven learned this the hard way when a boxer mistook his hairy man leg for a tree.
- Even if your dog is just playing, go get her if she's making a person or a dog uncomfortable. Some dogs can get overly excited and become a nuisance even if they don't mean to. It's OK to take a beat and keep your dog at your side for a minute so she can regroup and find her center.
- If your dog knocks over a water bucket, refill it. If your dog finishes off almost all the water in a bucket, refill it. If your dog pees in a bucket, refill it. If your dog makes a bucket filthy, refill it. Just refill the stupid buckets.
- Be nice to people! Most dog park people are super friendly and willing to talk, especially about their dog. Don't be a Debbie Downer.
UPDATE 4/5/12
Jess brought to my attention a couple of crucial tips I had forgotten, and I thought of another couple as well:
- As soon as you are in the park, remove your dog's leash. Few things are more anxiety-inducing in a dog than being swarmed by a bunch of fellow canines and being restricted in her movements. Not to mention you, your dog, and other dogs can all become entangled. Leash up to lead your dog out when you're done for the day, or if you're one of the lucky ones, allow your dog to follow you to the gate and leash up just before exiting.
- Do not pick up your dog unless it is absolutely necessary. Other dogs will ambush you, and it will make your dog a target. She has legs; let her use them!
- Remove all harnesses and head collars upon entering the park. Dogs love a good handle when wrestling, and leaving these items on your dog can put them at a disadvantage during play and put them at an increased risk of injury. You also don't want to let their walking tools get trashed by a friend gnawing on them.
- Avoid dressing your dog in clothes. If you've ever seen a dog bark at someone wearing a baseball cap, you know that clothing can change a dog's perception of others. Clothes can also turn your dog into a target.
Finally, a word of warning. Even if you do your very best, there is a chance your dog will be in a fight. While it is true that dogs are pack animals, it's not natural for them to deal with a large group of ever-changing individuals. If your dog is attacked or is part of a fight, first diffuse the situation (yell in your best James Earl Jones voice, clap your hands, dump a nearby bucket of water on them. Call for help. Breaking it up yourself is a last resort, but if you have to, enlist help and attempt to grab the dogs by the back end instead of their collars to reduce the risk of a bite. Breaking up a dog fight is extremely dangerous and there is a good chance you will get bitten in the confusion). Assess your dog for injuries. If you can take the time, get contact information from the other dog's owner so that you can make sure their dog is properly vaccinated. Take your dog to the vet to get checked out. Sometimes dogs fur can hide puncture wounds, and some fights can also result in serious internal injuries.
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| Brugge's worst injury to date after a literal run-in with a picnic table. Yes, my dog is a spaz. |
Every trip to a dog park is a calculated risk. For that reason, some owners do not go to them at all. There have been times after witnessing particularly scary situations when I have questioned my own decision to frequent them. Additionally, it is a sad fact that if your dog is a breed that is prone to discrimination (Pit Bull, Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd), think carefully about your attendance. Your dog could be the sweetest dog in the world, but if it is attacked by say, a golden retriever, and forced to defend itself, guess who everyone will blame? For that reason, a local pit bull rescue has even put it in their adoption contract that their adoptees are not to be taken to dog parks.
To minimize the risk, it is also a good idea to go during an off time. Weekday mornings are a good idea because most people are working and/or would rather take their dog in the afternoon or evening. Weekend afternoons are the busiest. Weekends are also when a lot of newbies and infrequent visitors attend. Generally, the environment is much higher energy, the dogs are more amped up, and there are more people who are clueless about proper dog park etiquette on weekends.
Last, but not least, don't let your dog overdo it. If your dog isn't used to long periods of vigorous exercise, limit her time at first and let her build up endurance. Make sure she drinks plenty of water. Monitor the temperature and avoid going midday during the summer if it is sweltering outside.
Whew! Sure is a lot to consider, isn't it? Still, if you're vigilant, follow the rules, and practice the tenet of Know Thy Dog, a dog park can be a lot of fun, and result in dirt-filled smiles like this one!
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| Photo Courtesy of Bronco's Mom. Also, if you look closely, Brugge isn't sporting her rabies tag! Rule breaker! Steven had taken it off her collar to switch and lost it, and this was before we could get to the vet for a replacement. Always carry proof of vaccines with you in case the same happens to you! |
