Dog parks have become a popular way to socialize dogs, but they can be a bit of a gamble. While some dogs do great in a big, open social arena, others do not. Depending on the dogs attending and the level of management (or lack thereof) by their owners at any given time, a dog park visit can be fun or not so fun.
I recently visited the new Del Monte dog park in San Jose, which has a beautiful green turf and a lovely iron fence surrounding it. There is a place for small dogs to play and a separate play area for larger dogs. I observed the play of a large group of small dogs and all seemed to be going well, for a while.
All the fun ended when a man began throwing a ball for his dog in the middle of the dog park. Many of the other dogs stopped playing with each other and got more interested in that ball. Soon some of the dogs started chasing the ball and the man’s dog began to snap and snarl as the others rushed up to him and his ball. A snafu ensued over the ball and the man left with his dog shortly thereafter.
For the record, this doesn’t mean that the dog snapping over his ball was an ill-behaved dog. He simply didn’t want to share when unknown dogs joined the game.
Good intentions can also go wrong when owners bring treats into a dog park to reward their dogs for good behavior. Many dogs are not interested in sharing treats and may feel competitive when other dogs approach. Even if they stay relaxed, when dogs know treats are present they often just sit around waiting for a sample, rather than engaging in play.
Throwing a ball or giving treats to your dog around other dogs are not bad things to do. However, in a public setting with unknown dogs present, these activities can encourage competition. Why not think of a visit to the dog park as an opportunity to let our dogs get to know, sniff, run, and play with each other in a non-competitive environment?
Here are some strategies that can make visits to the dog park safer and more fun.
Know Your dog’s personality
Some dogs are not as outgoing as others. Even though their owners may want them to be big partiers, that’s not the way all dogs are wired. It’s important to know if your dog is enjoying a given setting or situation. If he is not, take him to places he will enjoy instead.
Leave toys and treats at home
Toys and food are best used away from the park, at home or in situations where dogs don’t feel the need to compete. Use your time at the park as an opportunity for your dog to learn to interact positively with other dogs.
No Youngsters
The chaotic and often uncontrolled environment at dog parks can be frightening and traumatic for a young puppy. Until they build confidence in meeting dogs and develop some snazzy play skills, a puppy under four months needs a special, safe space to experiment.
Vaccinate
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations, for his own health and the health of others.
Assess the situation.
Before you enter the dog park, spend a few minutes observing the dogs in the park to see if there are any obvious behavior issues. An occasional trip to the dog park is the only exercise some dogs get. An overly excited or pent up dog may not be the best playmate for your pooch.
Supervise
Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior while she is playing. Remove her if you see her getting rough with another dog or if she is getting bullied. Be sure she isn’t learning unruly manners from other dogs and promptly leave the area if she becomes fearful or stops acting like she’s having fun.
Don’t Force It
It’s okay if your dog just wants to walk around and sniff and doesn’t play much. He’s still getting a chance to get out to explore different dogs and see and smell the world.
If your dog doesn’t enjoy dog parks, remember that there are other ways to socialize her. I prefer to introduce my dogs to new friends very gradually, perhaps at a backyard play date. Socializing with friends and their dogs gives me a chance to serve some wine and cheese while we enjoy watching our canine friends enjoy each other. That beats an unruly mob scene at a dog park any day.
Marthina McClay CPDT is a certified dog trainer and canine behavior specialist. She is the founder of Our Pack, Inc., a Pit Bull and Chihuahua rescue in the South Bay Area. Her work has included large-scale animal abuse cases around the country, including the Michael Vick case. For more info about Marthina and Our Pack, visit ourpack.org.
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