Once we have a
strategy in place, we need to consider our goal. Are we going there for exercise, dog socialization, human socialization, playing a game between dog and human, exposure to an interesting environment, practicing recalls, or another reason? Are all of these reasons a good reason for the dog park? How can a dog park help us reach those goals?
Human Socialization
Anyone who has attended a dog park before has seen this. Folks sitting on benches, gabbing on their cell phone. Or gabbing to another human while the dog does its own thing. It's understandable - we enjoy interacting with other people, especially when it involves talking about our dogs. After all - our dogs are well behaved and they have this big dog park - they'll occupy themselves and stay out of trouble, right?
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| Visiting with each other is great, but we all need to watch our dogs. |
Sometimes. We are at the dog park for our dog. We can socialize with other humans, but our first priority is watching our dog. I frequently don't socialize at the dog park because I'm constantly moving and encouraging my dogs to do the same. At special events like the rat terrier meetups I socialize quite a bit, maybe more than I should, but I try my best to pay close attention to my dogs.
Human socialization is not a great goal for the dog park - socialize if you wish but never at the expense of paying full attention to your dog.
Dog Socialization
Here is a tricky one. All dogs need socialization. Dogs meet other dogs at dog parks. This seem like a no-brainer, right? Sorta. Socialization is about creating positive exposured to stimulus. Positive exposures are based on how the dog feels about the stimulus, not us. Many dogs love visiting new dogs at the dog park, while others can be overwhelmed either from over-excitement or fear.
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| What are those dogs doing over there? |
A dog may like dogs, but be nervous if they come too close, are too loud, too big, too rough, etc. With dog parks we never know what dogs will be there, so we have to scan the park as much as possible and identify any dogs we absolutely want to stay away from. I know of a pair of basenjis at one park that I actively avoid to their rude, pushy nature and clueless owner who spends all his time on a cell phone, for instance.
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| Nina, Tripp, and Moon socialize. |
Any exposure your dog has to other dogs should be positive. Dog parks can be great for socialization - if we control the exposures. We have limited ability to do this at dog parks since all dogs are off leash, and if you are not having positive exposures at the dog park then consider coming at a different time, different day of the week, different weather conditions (bad weather = quiet parks), or even going to a different park or none at all.
Exercise
One of the best arguments for a dog park! Those of us who have spent years in an apartment know how hard it is to not have a space for off-leash run.
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| Lets go run! |
Consider carefully how you want your dog to exercise. If you expect your dog to play with other dogs at the park, then ensure you are close by to call your dog off and give him a break if the dogs aren't pausing enough on their own. Watch to make sure your dog isn't being bullied or being a bully!
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| Run pups, run! |
If you are bringing a ball or frisbee, be prepared to have other dogs compete with your dogs for the ball. For those of us with little dogs, this may mean a dog many times your dog's size racing for that ball. This creates a risk of collision (which the little dog will lose, hard) or intimidation if the little dog isn't comfortable competing. Consider finding a quiet place without other active dogs playing ball, or save the balls for home.
"Brain Drain"
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| Quite an interesting smell! |
It's hard to say anything bad about activities done to stimulate your dog's brain! Mental exercise is as efficient at tiring a dog out as physical exercise, and the best exercise plans include lots of both over the course of a week!
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| Maya works brain and body on the dog walk. |
The same general caveats apply to this - keep moving to avoid stasis and to continually expose the dog to new scents. Be aware of dog interactions if your dog isn't comfortable with other dogs, be they big dogs, dogs up close, barking dogs, etc.
Recall
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| If I called Cody he wouldn't return. I need to strength his recall. |
Now we're talking! This is a great use of a dog park as you can get distance, plus a whole lot of distraction! Just make sure you set your dog up for success - recall just outside the dog park on a long line. If your dog won't recall outside the dog park she won't recall inside the dog park. Work up to it!
