Let’s take the dog for some fun and exercise with other dogs! It’s safe because it’s all fenced in and- just as the title suggests- it’s designed for dogs!
Oh. My. God. No.
Hard No.
Absolutely not.
Don’t go there.
The picture featured on this post is a stock photo I found when I googled “dog park.” It features well-mannered, happy dogs, engaged people and grass. This is a viciously misleading fantasy. Dog Parks are not the utopian canine paradise others would have you believe. They are equivalent to an unsupervised after-prom party with plenty of alcohol.
Most dog parks are populated with dogs who don’t get regular, structured walks. Their parents often think that a trip to the park is exercise. Sure, it may tire them out but it’s no substitute for a structured walk. Dogs need exercise that will engage their bodies and their minds. Being asked to follow all of the rules for the entire walk is the important piece. This does not exist in the pup mosh pit.
The people at the park are often not paying attention to their dogs or they are grossly uninformed about what’s happening. It is not normal for dogs to be humping and acting as bullies. These are dominance establishing behaviors and have no business in a pack of domesticated dogs. If there are humans involved then the humans should be in charge. Ergo, there is no need to hump to determine the leader.
Those same people who don’t know how to manage their dogs? They don’t always clean up after them, either. After two days of rain, I went out into my back yard with my gloves on and cleaned up all the crap. Why? Because I don’t want my dogs running through their own waste and filth! At a dog park there is almost always piles and piles of poo just hanging around waiting for someone to step it in. No, thank you very much.
Free play is an amazing reward for a pup who has worked hard to earn it. I like to offer play time at the end of every group class and as often as possible on our regular outings. I am picky about whom my dogs play with because I want to know that their playmates are vaccinated and healthy. I want to know that their playmates’ parents are paying attention and prepared to step in if the need arises.
You don’t have to go to the extreme that I did and begin your own obedience school! You can just join mine. 😉
Love & Belly Rubs,
Zia
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