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Dog Parks - A chance for our dogs to teach us
about life!
One of the greatest gifts of sharing your life with a dog is seeing
the pure joy of your pup running through a field or encountering a doggie
friend with wagging tail. Dogs run with total joy in the moment loving
every scent and sight they feel. After a good romp they sleep in peaceful
bliss. Sometimes you can see their paws moving in their sleep as if
they are go over in their dreams the joy of running. An older dog can
take a slow stroll and seem to be tuned in to every scent and the warmth
of the sun with no need to hurry to get anywhere in particular. Dog
parks are a chance for well-trained dogs to experience off leash freedom.
Dog parks are a chance for us to learn from our dogs about the pure
joy of life's simple pleasures.
Dog Parks - Exercise, Fun, Friends
An exciting trend is sweeping the country. Local communities and
dog owners are working together and creating dog parks - safe places
for dogs to run, play, socialize and just plain have fun in the great
outdoors:
Part I What you need to know before you go -(as seen in your
Charlee Bear Training Tip Package Insert)
Part II What are the benefits for you and your pooch?
Part III What is good etiquette for the park?
PART I -- What you and your pup need to know before you go!!
Dog parks can be amazingly fun places. However, they can be an unsafe place
if owners bring unruly, untrained and unsocial zed dog. As owners, it is
our responsibility to ensure our dogs are well trained and will interact
well with others.
How do you know if you pup is a good candidate for going to a park?
- Is your dog well versed in the basic signals, such as come, sit,
down and stay?
- Is your dog reliable with these signals around distractions such
as other dogs and people?
- Is your pup polite around people of all ages, shapes and sizes?
- Is your dog polite with other dogs of all ages and breeds?
- Is your dog current on all vaccinations?
- Is your dog licensed?
If you can answer yes to these questions, you are ready to go have
FUN!!
PART II -- Benefits for you and your dog
BIGGEST BENEFITS - DOGS
Most people agree… off-leash exercise in a safe environment is one of
the greatest, if not the greatest, benefit of dog parks. Most animal behaviorists
and trainers agree that a lack of exercise is a primary cause of behavioral
problems in dogs. While many people believe taking their pups on a mile or
two walk on-leash is sufficient exercise, from a dogs perspective this is just
scratching the surface of what many may need.
Off-leash exercise allows dogs to romp, sniff, run, walk and play
at their own pace, engaging both the dogs body and mind. Simply put,
few activities as good for a dog as off-leash romps.
Another key benefit of dog parks is the chance for dogs to play and
socialize with other dogs. Few activities are as tiring for dogs as
playing with other dogs. Remember to make sure your dog is polite with
other dogs before going to the park. After a visit to the park, you
are almost guaranteed to have a very tired and happy pup.
BIGGEST BENEFITS - PEOPLE
Dogs are not the only ones who benefit from dog parks. Dog owners do to. The
benefits for people are many and include:
- Having fun watching your dog at play
- Exercising with your pup as you hike around the park
- Interacting with other dog people, sharing laughs and fun
- Having a tired, well-exercised dog at the end of the visit
- Experiencing reduced problem behaviors in your pet that can be
attributed to the lack of exercise
Part III -- DOG PARK ETIQUETTE (practicing good dog
park manners)
Ok, you've got a well-socialized, polite pup. Your dog knows all the basic
signals, is current on vaccinations, and is licensed to be at the park. Now
it's time to head to the park.
There are a few rules you should know and follow to make sure everyone
has a great time:
- Read the park rules and obey them. Each park can have its own set
of rules. It's our responsibility to know them and follow them.
- Never leave your dog unattended. They are your responsibility and
it's important to make sure your dog is safe. This is also true if
you bring children.
- Make sure your dog is not acting unruly with other dogs or people.
If they are, take them home immediately so as to not ruin the safety
or park experience for others.
- Clean up after your dog! Many parks provide items to pick up after
your pets. However, make sure to keep baggies in your pocket or tied
around your leash so you always have one available.
- Keep your dog up-to-date on all veterinary care. If you have a
young dog [4 months or younger], it's too early to take them to the
park. As such a young age, they will not have all the necessary health
care to play safely with other animals.
- Don't bring a female dog in season. This can lead to a wide variety
of problems.
- Keep your dog safe and make sure they are on-leash until you get
to the off-leash area.
- Don't let your pup crowd the entrance area of the park when other
dogs are entering. This makes it hard for other owners to enter the
park and your dog can escape out of the fenced safe are.
Dog parks are a wonderful new trend. Make sure your pup is friendly
and well socialized and make sure to obey the park rules. With a little
help from all owners, we can help the trend continue to grow. It's
important to remember that dog parks are a privilege, not a right.
Follow the rules of the park and you'll both have a blast! And remember
to reward your pups with plenty of love and Charlee Bear treats.
Love from,
Charlee Bear |
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