Keeping the peace at the dog park
Ever get into a tiff with another owner at the dog park? I haven't, but I've sure witnessed some doozies.
I actually saw two guys rolling around on the ground in a real fist fight one day at a local dog park -- the dispute apparently was over whose dog started a fight. The dogs by that time had settled matters between themselves, of course, and were off playing as their owners created quite the spectacle. Police were called to break it all up, believe it or not.
I thought of that as I was reading an article in the October 2008 issue of Your Dog, a publication put out by the veterinary school at Tufts University.
Titled "Following bark parks' rules of engagement," the article is a primer on how to keep the peace when you and your dog enter an off-leash dog park.
Education and peer pressure, the article stresses, are the key to avoiding problems.
Among the suggestions:
- Visit the park without your dog at least once to observe park culture and practices.
- Obey all posted park rules, even if you disagree with them.
- Limit your use of toys or food treats as necessary to avoid dog-dog conflict.
- Keep puppies under 4 months old at home.
- Consult with your veterinarian about your dogs overall condition.
- Be realistic about your dog's potential as a park playmate (not all dogs are good dog park candidates).
- Watch park play for several minutes before you take your dog in.
- Remove your dog's leash as soon as you enter.
- Supervise your dog's play at all times.
- Apologize if your dog has behaved inappropriately, and leave if your dog is being toor ough or not having a good time.
- Avoid disciplining another person's dog.
- Honor posted hours.
- Clean up after your dog religiously both inside and outside the park.
Remember to be courteous and aware of other owners' tolerance levels. They may be different from your own. From my own observations, I find there are lots of gray areas at dog parks. Some owners love for their dogs to engage in some rough-and-tumble play, for example, while it makes others very uneasy. You may think the dogs are having fun, but the other owner may not agree.
Try to "read" other owners to figure out their limits, then pull your dog back if the other owner appears to be getting nervous, even if you feel it's for no reason.
One-on-one dog wrestling is fine; but once two get into the act, teaming up on a single dog, things can get out of control very quickly. Break it up.
Vigilance over your own dog's behavior -- along with some humility and sensitivity for other owners -- will go a long way toward keeping the peace.
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
Awesome post Donna! Very good points made to keep the energy level at the dog park nice and comfortable for all.
:-) this should be blown up poster size and hung at the SP Dog Park entrance.
We have been avoiding the Park for more than one of the above rule breakers.
Friendship Park is an awesome place to walk :-) and they get tired there even if on leash.