MENACE TO (dog park) SOCIETY

Dog Parks. Love em? Hate em? Couldn’t care? Every one of my clients and I have had this alternating discussion. Should they (or shouldn’t they) bring their dog to the dog park?

With the number of dog parks and off-leash areas publically available in Montreal, it is an inevitable topic of discussion. Let me be transparent. I am not for or against dog parks. Nor, am I on the fence. I am both for and against them.

The nay or yay for off leash play areas is so multifaceted. There is no one answer. I can't (won’t) advise someone to do it or not if I haven’t met their dog. So many contributing factors that are at play; from the dog’s personality to yours (yep, you influence how your dog feels at the park). I can (will) however give you a few pointers on choosing the right park for you and how NOT to act while there.

DO’s

Here are 5 things to consider when choosing a dog park. 1) TICK-TOCK Do you prefer a 5 à 7 type vibe or a more zen, one-with-the-park type deal? Scope out your park at different times of day. At every park, there is a time slot where EVERYONE (and their dog) show up. If you or your dog aren’t big on crowds, try to go during the ‘off’ hours. I do suggest introducing your dog to a new park during ‘down times’. This will allow your dog to get the lay of the land and greet a few strangers before being forced to interact in a new place, with all new friends.

2) IS BIGGER BETTER? It’s not always the size that matters. Is your dog visible at all times? Are there any obstructions? Are their pockets or corners that make it difficult for a dog to escape (are they forced to use their fight instead of flight response? How about shade? These are a few things to consider when choosing a dog park. Does your dog like to run around? Choose a park that doesn’t use rocks/pebbles as filler. Does your pup hate the sun? Make sure you choose a place with ample shading.

3) GREAT THINGS COME IN ALL PACKAGES Ok, in this case, size does matter! Are the majority of the dogs big ol fluffers? Gentle Giants? If so, it may not be suitable to bring your miniature/teacup sized dog to that park. Are there a lot of puppies running about? Senior Sam (at 10 years old) may not be as playfully exuberant as the puppies are. Also, check if there is a designated area (closed off) for smaller breeds and little pups.

4) GOOD VIBRATIONS When you walk past the park with Buster, do the dogs inside seem rambunctious? Are they enthusiastic about Buster’s presence? Can you feel one dog mean-muggin or giving you stink-eye? If so, this may be an indication of the energy inside the park at that moment. Dogs choose their playmates and as a result, playgroups form naturally. Owners tend to frequent the dog park when their know their fur-kid will have fur-friends. See what doggos yours gravitates towards and ask if the other dog’s owners are more inclined to go at certain times. (segue approaching) 5) THIS IS FOR MY PEOPLE This is also a BIG determining factor for choosing a dog park. Just like dogs, people enjoy being among like minded individuals. When you arrive at the park, do the humans seem friendly? How are they (if they are) interacting with each other? How are they interacting with the dogs? If you aren’t feeling the good vibrations from the hoomans, then imagine how Buster is feeling.

DONT’s

Now the fun part. Here are 7 things you need to know so you can avoid being a dog park menace.

1) GET OFF YOUR BUTT When a new dog is entering the dog park, please, please PLEASE distract your dog. Almost all squabbles happen upon entry. Why? Because owners choose to ignore the fact that there are 3+ dogs charging a gate where one dog is trying to get in! Keep in mind, the dogs in the park are amped up and in play mode. They may forget their manners so it’s up to you to be the polite one and go get your dog!!!

2) SWIPE LATER Take your phone to the the dog park. (ahhh… cute photo ops & videos!) But NEVER be looking down at your phone if its not watching your dog through the camera. If you are distracted, you are reactive and not proactive (Ima trademark that one). Your dog is almost 6x faster than you. That means you are 6 seconds too late when a fight breaks out. 6 seconds into your dog choking on a stick. 6 seconds after your dog gets peed on.

Keep your (darn) phone away from your (darn) face.

3) EAGLE EYE Watch your dog. Like a hawk.If he is cowering in a corner or giving of signals (they are usually very clear at first) that he is uncomfortable, you will miss them if you are looking elsewhere. (be proactive, not reactive)The dog park is supposed to be a fun and positive time for your pet.This doesn’t mean you can’t chit-chat or enjoy other doggos. You just have to be constantly checking on your dog’s well being. Like humans, dogs have ‘off’ days too. Maybe the last 5 times you went they had the time of their life; it isn't a given that this time they will.

4) A TOY STORY Your dog and fur-buds may love playing fetch. Doesn’t mean every dog does.

There may even be a dog that decides that ball, at that time, should be theirs and only theirs. This is called resource guarding. And this goes for anything - toys, tugs, sticks, bottles and treats! OMG THE TREATS! Don’t feed your dog a cookie in the park… come on now. I’ve been known to throwdown for the last cannoli, imagine how animals would react! Even if you have enough for everyone… just don’t take em out ok? 5) IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES (OR IS IT?) Personally, I think it should be mandatory to have posters at every dog park with examples of stress and calming signals.

Other than having a clinically mentally unstable dog, every animal exhibits behaviour that conveys to others what they are feeling and experiencing. (I will add these signals on my website under ‘resources’). If your ‘friendly’ dog is all up in a dog’s grill and this dog is turning its head, licking his lips and sitting down… Remove. Your. Dog. If you see your dog get real still, seems to have frozen in time, get your dog out of there pronto. Being aware of this canine language will help Buster, his fur (or not) friends and even other owners! 6) ARE YOU NUTS? DON’T. EVER. REPRIMAND. SOMEONE. ELSE’S. DOG.

Just don’t. It’s not your dog. Unless your dog (or someone else's) dog is in immediate danger, mind your p’s and q’s. Tell the owner you are uncomfortable with their dogs behaviour. Reprimand the owner if you really think it’s worth the energy. But do not EVER scold or physically correct someone else’s dog. (unless you want to get bit- by either owner or dog) 7) SCHOOL YARD BULLY Squads, clicks, popularity contests? Nope. I get ‘gelling’ with certain people but that doesn’t mean you should huddle together like a bunch of minions with your invisible force-fields up (we can still see you). It is a public area and what right do you have to make other people feel unwelcome?. This is not your backyard. Don’t pop open a brewski or smoke a fat one or eat your bbq dinner. Don’t be mean or rude or condescending, no matter how cool you think it will look. Don’t ask intrusive questions and don’t insult someone's dog. You don’t have to befriend everyone that walks in but for the love of cheese, DON’T be a jerk-face!

I really hope this was helpful. The whole ‘dog park’ topic has so many,many layers. I obviously could not address everything in one post, but I promise that this is not the last you will hear about dog parks here! In the meantime, feel free to email me your questions or concerns about dog parks. Next week's post can be a question-answer format :) Toodle-loo!

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