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Introduction
I love dogs. Big dogs, small dogs, compliant
dogs and dogs that don’t give a hoot about
pleasing anyone but themselves all share a place
in my heart.
I love parks. Whether the majestic Tetons in
Wyoming or the rugged beauty of the Grand
Canyon, parks are special. I even like the
corner tot lot - it is a great place for puppy
socialization.
I love walking dogs in parks. Whether hiking a
wilderness area in the high Sonoran Desert or
enjoying an impromptu conversation with a child,
going with a canine simply makes the trip
better.
Yet, I am against Dog Parks . I am not in favor
of fenced urban grasslands where numbers of
strange dogs are brought to frolic in unleashed
bliss. This is especially true when people are
oblivious to their dogs’ actions, in particular,
and totally clueless about canine behavior, in
general. With few exceptions, owners of both pet
and working dogs should avoid Dog Parks like the
plague.
Manure doesn’t move out of your way; you must
step over or around it. There are enough
problems with training and socializing dogs.
Without looking for them, some are bound to find
their way to your door. No need to invite them
in. When you come upon a situation that may land
you in deep doo-doo, like a Dog Park, use common
sense - avoid it.
Disease
I have yet to see a Dog Park that posts a sign:
“No one under 21 weeks admitted.” No puppy
belongs at a Dog Park. A pup’s immune system is
immature and cannot physiologically be expected
to repel a full frontal assault. Bringing a pup
into a Dog Park is playing Russian roulette with
its life. Yes, socialization is important. But,
you can’t train a dog that is either severely
brain damaged or dead.
Even when your pup is older, or if you have a
dog that is fully immunized, going to a Dog Park
is very risky business. Who in the park is
shedding Parvo virus or leaving giardia infested
stools? Which dog was just exposed to kennel
cough? Want to share fleas or ear mites? Is that
a hot spot or ringworm on the pooch walking by?
Dog Parks actively facilitate the exchange of
contagious diseases and parasites.
Socialization
The People
ü Macho Man – “My dog could take yours, if I
told him to.”
ü Little Person – Mastiff accompanied by
pre-teen and his friend.
ü Clueless – Drinking latte, dog’s hackles up:
“uh, duh…like, you know…?”
ü Show Off – “I can do anything to any dog and
it won’t bite…watch me.”
ü Know It All – “You can cure allergies by
feeding your dog Vicks Salve. ”
The Dogs
ü Hackles up, teeth showing, growling at each
new dog that enters.
ü Ears back, tail tucked, shaking like a leaf,
spending lots of time on its back.
ü Dig, dig, dig - - China here I come.
ü Jump, jump, jump - - on people, on other dogs.
ü Climb the fence, get pulled off; climb the
fence, get pulled off…
ü Mark the gate, mark a tree…oh, no…he just
marked ME!
Dogs learn from other dogs. Are you willing to
have your dog mimic these behaviors? In an ideal
world, only highly social dogs with stable
temperaments that are under voice control of
their handlers would be found at Dog Parks. The
world is not ideal.
To me, utilizing a Dog Park for socialization
makes as much sense as using a stick of dynamite
to light a cigar. Not only will you not get what
you want, you may get results you couldn’t
imagine - even in your worst nightmare. And, you
may have a big cleanup after the smoke clears,
plus a scar or two.
If any trainer advises you to take a shy dog to
the Dog Park and let it learn to play – get
another trainer. If any trainer tells you to
take an aggressive dog to the Dog Park where it
will meet dogs that are even more aggressive to
put it in its place – stop payment on your
check. If any trainer suggests you take a
fearful dog to a Dog Park for total immersion
with strange dogs, new people and a variety of
situations – cover your ears. And, should a
trainer say that you have a really nice dog with
good temperament and balanced drives – keep it
that way. Don’t risk training or socializing at
the local Dog Park.
A Dog Park is not the appropriate venue for your
canine companion to either learn obedience
commands or practice socialization skills. That
must take place under controlled conditions.
Control
Many control issues come into play the minute
you open the Dog Park gate. Even if your dog is
Lassie and fully obedient at all times, things
inside a Dog Park are not under your control.
People
You cannot control who comes through the gate.
Despite posted rules and regulations, you cannot
direct the behavior of other dog owners. You may
ask others to watch their dog more closely, but
what if they don’t? And, what if they take
offense at your request?
Size of Dogs
Many Dog Parks are divided into two specific
areas: one for dogs over 50 pounds and one for
smaller pets. Ever seen a forty-nine pound dog
shake a MinPin? When there is one owner for both
a toy poodle and a Great Dane, which area will
they use? Will you be happy with that owner’s
choice?
Physical Environment
You enter the Dog Park with an aging pet and
find several mud slicks. Will your dog be able
to maintain adequate footing with puppies
jumping up or other dogs playing chase? Slick
footing is dangerous for pups’ joint
development, as well as for senior dogs.
Is there a gap in the fencing? Are there holes
beneath it where another dog tried to escape? Is
poison oak growing up a tree? Why did the
groundskeeper leave a length of barbed wire
inside the fence and how many dogs will try to
chew or fetch it?
NOTHING is under your control at a Dog Park –
not the people, their dogs or the physical
environment.
If you believe your pup has issues socializing
with other animals or people, ask a competent
trainer for help.
To Treat or Not To Treat
I watched a man bring packages of “mystery” meat
into a local Dog Park, offering hunks the size
of my fist to any dog close enough to take them.
There were eight dogs present and only one pet
owner succeeded in getting to their dog before
it ate at least some of the meat. I prayed the
man was a generous butcher and not mentally
unbalanced or cruel.
A friend watched a woman place the contents of
two bags of dog bones into a huge pile and then
call ALL the dogs in the Dog Park to come for
“treat time.” Isn’t that a new and interesting
way to test dominance, aggression and food
guarding?
One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Some
dogs share food; other’s fight for possession.
What risks are you willing to take?
Authority
Who has authority at the Dog Park?
ü Owners who succeed at intimidation?
ü Aggressive dogs that snarl or bite?
ü Dogs that have formed a park pack?
ü Gang members looking for fun?
ü Regulars – who ask you to wait until they’re
finished?
ü Park Rangers who may patrol weekly?
ü Animal Control personnel who are a
30-minute-drive away?
The only authority you have is the ability to
take your dog and leave the Dog Park. But what
happens if your exit is blocked by any of the
first four on my list?
Setting the Stage
Each outing with your pet should be pre-planned.
Not only does this mean taking the necessities,
such as fresh water and a leash, it also means
having a training plan and setting goals.
Perhaps your visit to the park will be aimed at
walking on a different surface. Maybe a trip to
the tennis court is really a better opportunity
to try off-leash obedience in a fenced area.
Setting the stage means deciding what steps you
will take to make certain you and your dog reach
a specific training goal. The more controlled
your environment and the better prepared you
are, the less likely you are to need
remediation. It is much easier to set your dog
up for training success than it is to try and
fix a problem that you never saw coming.
A Dog Park cannot meet my criteria as a safe
place for dogs to play or learn. There are too
many risk factors working against a good
training or socialization plan.
To set your dog up for success, you must have
control of the training stage. This can’t happen
at a Dog Park.
True Stories
Can you dig it?
A neighbor takes her high-energy miniature
poodle to the Dog Park so that it may use those
facilities, rather than her yard, for digging.
As the dog dug its umpteenth hole, a woman
approached my neighbor and politely asked her to
remove the dog and replace the dirt. My neighbor
said: “I won’t leave and you can’t make me.” As
the woman turned to avoid escalating the
confrontation, she fell - - in one of the
freshly dug holes - - and broke her ankle. My
neighbor paid her medical bills and sent
flowers, too.
Who let the dogs out? Who? Who?
A good friend took her Shiloh Shepherd to the
local Dog Park early on a Monday morning. The
usual weekend crowd was absent and several
senior citizens were visiting with their pets.
My friend took her dog off leash and slowly
walked to the back of the park where she’d
spotted an empty bench. As she sat down, she
noticed her dog - - OUTSIDE the fence and
immediately commanded DOWN-STAY. Then, my
gal-pal proceeded to climb the fence and help
others call their dogs. Someone failed to secure
the gate and it was the owners who were securely
INSIDE the Dog Park, while their pets were
running free.
Truth is stranger than fiction
I haven’t told you about the 160-pound Mastiff
rescue brought to the Dog Park by new owner on
his way home from the shelter. What about the 3
Dobermans that were dropped off at the Dog Park
while their owner drove down the block to pick
up his girlfriend after work?
Exceptions to the Rule
Friends would accuse me of undue prejudice if I
failed to mention times when a Dog Park may
work:
§ You live in an access-controlled, gated
community that has a Dog Park for residents,
only. Your HOA Rules and Regulations or CC&Rs
specifically require that a current shot record
be kept on file prior to issuing you a pass for
the Dog Park. There is individual accountability
and responsibility with sanctions or fines for
those who do not follow the posted rules.
§ Your town allows private groups to reserve the
Dog Park and during those times access is by
invitation only, checked by a city employee.
(This will not lessen health risks, of course.)
Set you and your dog up for training success,
not failure.
Be smart. Be safe. Be in control.
Previously Published and presented w/ author’s
permission:
GSDCA Review, March, 2002
Dallas Morning News (exerpts)
Plano Dog Obedience School/Margaret Fitch, Owner
IACP SafeHands Journal
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