I'm torn about dog parks. On one hand I think they're a great thing because the dogs get much needed exercise and socialization with other dogs. On the other hand, not all dog owners do the right thing when taking their dog to the dog park. Here are three things that humans do wrong at dog parks:
1. Unfortunately not all people pick up after their dog, even when poop bags are provided. Walking through dog poop is pretty gross, but what's even worse is that diseases and parasites often live in dogs' poop and if your dog comes in contact with it, it can make him/her sick.
2. Many people don't really know what good play between dogs actually looks like and this can result in one dog bullying another dog, which could easily end up in a fight. If you bring your dog to a dog park, learn what play looks like as opposed to bullying. If you know what to look for, it's not hard to spot. If you dog is the bully, give him/her a timeout to calm down. If another dog is bullying your dog, your best bet is to leave and come back another time. Reprimanding someone else's dog rarely ends well.
3. A lot of people treat taking their dog to the dog park as their own free time. For example, some people spend more time looking at their phone than watching their dog. With some dogs this isn't a problem because they just enjoy sniffing around and doing their own thing. With many dogs however, this is a problem because the dogs need to be watched so they don't get into trouble, for example, attempting to hump other dogs, pinning another dog to the ground, and acting possessive over toys. Think of going to the dog park as your your dog's time rather than yours.
When I bring my dogs to a dog park, I am on my feet following my dogs, stopping any inappropriate behavior, cleaning up after they poop, and making sure that another dog is not harassing them, and yes, I have left the dog park due to another dog's behavior and the owner's indifference to the situation. It's up to us, as dog parents, to keep our dogs safe and out of trouble. If you want information on what good play and inappropriate play look like, feel free to contact me.
Tip of the Month
January is often a time of New Year's Resolutions. A very common resolution is to lose weight. I know I've made that resolution more than once, but what about our pets? Did you know that almost half of the pets in the U.S. are overweight? Just like humans, this puts them at risk for heart problems, diabetes, joint issues, and many other health risks. If your dog (or cat) is in the heftier 50%, there are things you can do to whittle their waist. First, feed a high quality pet food that has real meat as the first ingredient. Second, save treats for training time. Third, be sure that your pet gets some kind of physical activity every day. Take a walk with your dog; it will do you good also. If you're following these guidelines and your pet is not slimming down, it may be time for a trip to your veterinarian.
Quote of the Month
"Tell whoever it is that I can't come to the phone because my dog is sleeping on my lap, and if I get up, it will disturb him." Charlie Brown
