PRIVATE DOG PARK "Large field socialization class!"
A new revolutionary concept to dog parks! Large Field Socialization classes. While you still enter at your own risk, at least let us help cut the risk of unvaccinated dogs in the area, and wild dogs running loose with no supervision. Trainer supervised, owners allowed with defined rules and liability release, vaccinations and temperament test required.
I will be posting locations of our "Large Field Socialization" (Dog Park Etiquette) classes on our class schedule webpage.
Why do dog trainers dis-like dog parks? Many trainers feel dog parks are a recipe for disaster and are not a great way to socialize your dog should your dog be attacked because of an unsupervised, uncontroled environment. In addition many dogs can come in contact with viruses from other dogs who are not up to date on vaccinations. As a dog trainer myself I love dog parks! I can see the potential of proper socialization and I enjoy meeting new friends. Dog parks have become a large part of American society. People want to take their dogs out and let them run uninhibited. They enjoy watching their dogs have “friends” and most people love to watch their dogs play. But almost every day I hear of an “incident” at the local dog park. Why is this so? I think a key element in problems at dog parks is the fact that there are a lot of pet owners who are uneducated in the area of canine behavior and body language. Some are completely irresponsible with their dogs, or oblivious to anything going on around them. This leads to problems.
DOG PARK TIPS!
While I was at the dog park with a friend they told me of an incident. An owner decided to “drop off” his pit bull for a day of fun at the park and then he drove off leaving his dog…UNSUPERVISED! While the dog played well with some dogs, he was pushy with others. And he had nobody there to control him.
After hearing the story I was very conerned, as I had one of my favorite clients best trained dog attacked on two occasions at the dog park by dogs whose owners stood there and watched while he tried to separate the fight. Needless to say, the secret to training dogs is really 90% training and educating owners. I have created my own dog park situation, supervised, with trained owners, and all dogs are required to have their vaccinations before entering with my “Large Field Socialization classes”. However, If you want to go to a local dog park, Please follow a few simple rules to make the most of it.
1. keep moving! When owners stand still it creates “territory” areas for their dogs. Many dogs become possessive of these areas and their owners and will challenge other dogs that come into the area. This is eliminated if you keep moving.
2. try to keep your dog OFF of the entrance gates as other dogs enter the play area. Many fights are created by the excitement at the gates. If you see someone coming in, and your dog has run up to the gate to say hello, either call him back or go and get him.
3. have a leash with you. I have seen incidents at dog parks grow worse because owners do not have a leash to separate dogs as needed.
4. don’t bring food or toys into the park area. Even if your dog is not possessive of these valued items, another dog may be.
5. Don’t allow your dog to guard the water bucket. Some dogs will guard anything, and I’ve seen fights result over one dogs perceived possession of the water bucket.
6. keep big dogs on the big dog side, and little dogs on the little side. Even if you think your dog is friendly with larger or smaller dogs, don’t put either your dog, or others at risk.
7. Do not bring small children into the dog park. While it may be fun to watch the dogs play, a group of large dogs can erupt into a full play fest pretty quickly and small children are likely to get knocked over or jumped on, and some unfamiliar dogs may not like children, or perceive them as prey. Plus, if you have a dog at the dog park, your attention needs to be focused on the dog, and not your child.
8. Learn to read canine body language. A dog that keeps putting his head on every other dogs shoulders, or runs around trying to mount all the other dogs is a risk factor. It’s a good idea to pay close attention to what the dogs are saying, they don’t ALWAYS just want to play. Just because your dog has been friendly with other dogs at a park before, does not mean that he will always love ALL dogs in the future.
9. Keep your cool! Just because a dog growls or even lightly snaps does not mean that a full war is going to break out. By the same token, learn to read when a dog is warning your dog to back off, and enforce that rule for your dog. If YOUR dog growls, try to diffuse it by drawing their attention calmly away and try to figure out what prompted it. Speak to a trainer if you need to.
10. be aware of how the spay/neuter status on your dog can affect the dogs around him/her. Do NOT bring a female in heat to the dog park, and be aware that an intact male is more likely to fight with other intact males.
Hopefully by following the above rules, you’ll be one of the lucky ones that can have continued success with your dog at the dog park. It IS a fun place to be if everyone gets along!
If you wish to be a part of our Large Field Socialization classes. Please call us for a FREE consultation. Two private sessions and proof of vaccinations are required brfore joining our class. While you still enter at your own risk, at least it cuts risk of unvaccinated dogs in the area, and wild dogs running loose with no supervision.
If you would like to be a part of our "Dog Park Large Socialization Field Class" please contact Grumpy Puppy Training at Toll Free 1-866-996-7040
