kit-kit
07-15-2011, 03:29 PM
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July 15th, 2011 09:01am
Dog park survival (https://pets.blogs.sonomapets.com/1829/dog-park-survival/)
by Pets (https://pets.blogs.sonomapets.com/author/mcguire/)
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Overheard at the “Dog Park Survival Skills” workshop; “The people who should be at this workshop aren’t at this workshop.” The comment brought a knowing chuckle from the attendees. They deftly figured out that it’s not necessarily the dogs that are the issue at dog parks, but the dog’s people.
The “Whole Dog Journal” recently published a four page article, (a lot of type face for those who know the limited space in the Journal) about navigating dog parks.
People approaching the use of dog park often go in and let their dog loose without giving it much thought.
Attendees at the workshop were encouraged to think broader before using the dog park.
People: Regular dog park devotees say that at least half the problems at dog parks are the result of human behavior, not the dogs. The biggest issue our workshop attendees complained about was people you use the dog park as a time to take their eyes OFF the dog when they really should be keeping tabs on their dog so conflicts could be avoided.
Dog: Does your dog play well with others? Does your dog prefer people to other dogs? Not all dogs are good dog park candidates. People don’t know if their dog is good in parks they just think their dog should be with other dogs. Dog parks are terrible for young puppies and dogs who have not had a good history with other dogs. Can you get your dog’s attention and get them out of play? Oops…this goes back to the human and training. Dog parks are not great training places.
The dog park itself: The park should be several acres at the very least. Too small of a space with too many dogs is just asking for fights. The park should have an air-lock or double gating at the entrance. The gates prevent dogs from running out and people coming in, time to remove leashes. The park should be well maintained. The park should have clearly posted rules, but more importantly, a way to report violations of the rules and clear path to resolving conflicts, usually human.
For a successful dog park experience, watch the activity in the park before going in. If there are too many dogs in the park and not enough people paying attention to them, don’t go. If the dog park is full of water-filled holes, not enough fresh water and too much poop, don’t go. If there appears to be that “know it all” person whose dog is nailing the heck out of dog after dog, don’t go in.
Go for a walk.
Sue McGuire CPDT KA, this blogger, will be hosting a “Dog Park Survival Skills Workshop”, Sunday September 11,2011 at Ragle Ranch Dog Park sponsored by the Sonoma Humane Society. Pre-registration is required and it is for dog friendly dogs only. 542-0882.
July 15th, 2011 09:01am
Dog park survival (https://pets.blogs.sonomapets.com/1829/dog-park-survival/)
by Pets (https://pets.blogs.sonomapets.com/author/mcguire/)
( page all of 2 ) View One Page (https://pets.blogs.sonomapets.com/1829/dog-park-survival/?pa=all&tc=pgall)
Overheard at the “Dog Park Survival Skills” workshop; “The people who should be at this workshop aren’t at this workshop.” The comment brought a knowing chuckle from the attendees. They deftly figured out that it’s not necessarily the dogs that are the issue at dog parks, but the dog’s people.
The “Whole Dog Journal” recently published a four page article, (a lot of type face for those who know the limited space in the Journal) about navigating dog parks.
People approaching the use of dog park often go in and let their dog loose without giving it much thought.
Attendees at the workshop were encouraged to think broader before using the dog park.
People: Regular dog park devotees say that at least half the problems at dog parks are the result of human behavior, not the dogs. The biggest issue our workshop attendees complained about was people you use the dog park as a time to take their eyes OFF the dog when they really should be keeping tabs on their dog so conflicts could be avoided.
Dog: Does your dog play well with others? Does your dog prefer people to other dogs? Not all dogs are good dog park candidates. People don’t know if their dog is good in parks they just think their dog should be with other dogs. Dog parks are terrible for young puppies and dogs who have not had a good history with other dogs. Can you get your dog’s attention and get them out of play? Oops…this goes back to the human and training. Dog parks are not great training places.
The dog park itself: The park should be several acres at the very least. Too small of a space with too many dogs is just asking for fights. The park should have an air-lock or double gating at the entrance. The gates prevent dogs from running out and people coming in, time to remove leashes. The park should be well maintained. The park should have clearly posted rules, but more importantly, a way to report violations of the rules and clear path to resolving conflicts, usually human.
For a successful dog park experience, watch the activity in the park before going in. If there are too many dogs in the park and not enough people paying attention to them, don’t go. If the dog park is full of water-filled holes, not enough fresh water and too much poop, don’t go. If there appears to be that “know it all” person whose dog is nailing the heck out of dog after dog, don’t go in.
Go for a walk.
Sue McGuire CPDT KA, this blogger, will be hosting a “Dog Park Survival Skills Workshop”, Sunday September 11,2011 at Ragle Ranch Dog Park sponsored by the Sonoma Humane Society. Pre-registration is required and it is for dog friendly dogs only. 542-0882.