Dog Parks: A Politically Incorrect View

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I know that many of you have had very good experiences with Dog Parks and I am very glad that this is the case!!!  I also know that there seems to be more and more stories surfacing on DK about dogs and puppies being attacked and/or injured in public dog parks. We have also had some stories of the same thing happening in private dog parks.

I think it is good to keep this subject in the forefront on DK as more first time dog owners and new doodle owners join our group.

 

This article makes some very good points. The author obviously is not in favor of these parks and I am mainly just posting this to  raise awareness about Dog Parks and their possible hazards so that each of us can make an informed decision as to whether or not we want to take our Doodles to one.

 

Any additional input is appreciated! Let's keep our doodles safe!!!

DOG PARKS. A Politically Incorrect View

S. Greene

Previously Published:
GSDCA Review
Dallas Morning News
K9Coach.com

Introduction

I love dogs. Big dogs, small dogs, compliant dogs and dogs that don't give a hoot about pleasing anyone but themselves all share a place in my heart.
I love parks. Whether the majestic Tetons in Wyoming or the rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon, parks are special. I even like the corner tot lot - it is a great place for puppy socialization.

I love walking dogs in parks. Whether hiking a wilderness area in the high Sonoran Desert or enjoying an impromptu conversation with a child, going with a canine simply makes the trip better.

Yet, I am against Dog Parks. I am not in favor of fenced urban grasslands where numbers of strange dogs are brought to frolic in unleashed bliss. This is especially true when people are oblivious to their dogs' actions, in particular, and totally clueless about canine behavior, in general. With few exceptions, owners of both pet and working dogs should avoid Dog Parks like the plague.
Manure doesn't move out of your way; you must step over or around it. There are enough problems with training and socializing dogs. Without looking for them, some are bound to find their way to your door. No need to invite them in. When you come upon a situation that may land you in deep doo-doo, like a Dog Park, use common sense - avoid it.

Disease

I have yet to see a Dog Park that posts a sign: "No one under 21 weeks admitted." No puppy belongs at a Dog Park. A pup's immune system is immature and cannot physiologically be expected to repel a full frontal assault. Bringing a pup into a Dog Park is playing Russian roulette with its life. Yes, socialization is important. But, you can't train a dog that is either severely brain damaged or dead.

Even when your pup is older, or if you have a dog that is fully immunized, going to a Dog Park is very risky business. Who in the park is shedding Parvo virus or leaving giardia infested stools? Which dog was just exposed to kennel cough? Want to share fleas or ear mites? Is that a hot spot or ringworm on the pooch walking by?

Dog Parks actively facilitate the exchange of contagious diseases and parasites.

Socialization

The People

• Macho Man - "My dog could take yours, if I told him to."
• Little Person - Mastiff accompanied by pre-teen and his friend.
• Clueless - Drinking latte, dog's hackles up: "uh, duh+like, you know+?"
• Show Off - "I can do anything to any dog and it won't bite+watch me."
• Know It All - "You can cure allergies by feeding your dog Vicks Salve. "

The Dogs

• Hackles up, teeth showing, growling at each new dog that enters.
• Ears back, tail tucked, shaking like a leaf, spending lots of time on its back.
• Dig, dig, dig - - China here I come.
• Jump, jump, jump - - on people, on other dogs.
• Climb the fence, get pulled off; climb the fence, get pulled off+
• Mark the gate, mark a tree+oh, no+he just marked ME!

Dogs learn from other dogs. Are you willing to have your dog mimic these behaviors? In an ideal world, only highly social dogs with stable temperaments that are under voice control of their handlers would be found at Dog Parks. The world is not ideal.

To me, utilizing a Dog Park for socialization makes as much sense as using a stick of dynamite to light a cigar. Not only will you not get what you want, you may get results you couldn't imagine - even in your worst nightmare. And, you may have a big cleanup after the smoke clears, plus a scar or two.

If any trainer advises you to take a shy dog to the Dog Park and let it learn to play - get another trainer. If any trainer tells you to take an aggressive dog to the Dog Park where it will meet dogs that are even more aggressive to put it in its place - stop payment on your check. If any trainer suggests you take a fearful dog to a Dog Park for total immersion with strange dogs, new people and a variety of situations - cover your ears. And, should a trainer say that you have a really nice dog with good temperament and balanced drives - keep it that way. Don't risk training or socializing at the local Dog Park.

A Dog Park is not the appropriate venue for your canine companion to either learn obedience commands or practice socialization skills. That must take place under controlled conditions.

Control

Many control issues come into play the minute you open the Dog Park gate. Even if your dog is Lassie and fully obedient at all times, things inside a Dog Park are not under your control.

People

You cannot control who comes through the gate. Despite posted rules and regulations, you cannot direct the behavior of other dog owners. You may ask others to watch their dog more closely, but what if they don't? And, what if they take offense at your request?

Size of Dogs

Many Dog Parks are divided into two specific areas: one for dogs over 50 pounds and one for smaller pets. Ever seen a forty-nine pound dog shake a MinPin? When there is one owner for both a toy poodle and a Great Dane, which area will they use? Will you be happy with that owner's choice?

Physical Environment

You enter the Dog Park with an aging pet and find several mud slicks. Will your dog be able to maintain adequate footing with puppies jumping up or other dogs playing chase? Slick footing is dangerous for pups' joint development, as well as for senior dogs.
Is there a gap in the fencing? Are there holes beneath it where another dog tried to escape? Is poison oak growing up a tree? Why did the groundskeeper leave a length of barbed wire inside the fence and how many dogs will try to chew or fetch it?
NOTHING is under your control at a Dog Park - not the people, their dogs or the physical environment.
If you believe your pup has issues socializing with other animals or people, ask a competent trainer for help.

To Treat or Not To Treat

I watched a man bring packages of "mystery" meat into a local Dog Park, offering hunks the size of my fist to any dog close enough to take them. There were eight dogs present and only one pet owner succeeded in getting to their dog before it ate at least some of the meat. I prayed the man was a generous butcher and not mentally unbalanced or cruel.

A friend watched a woman place the contents of two bags of dog bones into a huge pile and then call ALL the dogs in the Dog Park to come for "treat time." Isn't that a new and interesting way to test dominance, aggression and food guarding?

One man's meat is another man's poison. Some dogs share food; other's fight for possession. What risks are you willing to take?

Authority

• Who has authority at the Dog Park?
• Owners who succeed at intimidation?
• Aggressive dogs that snarl or bite?
• Dogs that have formed a park pack?
• Gang members looking for fun?
• Regulars - who ask you to wait until they're finished?
• Park Rangers who may patrol weekly?
• Animal Control personnel who are a 30-minute-drive away?

The only authority you have is the ability to take your dog and leave the Dog Park. But what happens if your exit is blocked by any of the first four on my list?

Setting the Stage

Each outing with your pet should be pre-planned. Not only does this mean taking the necessities, such as fresh water and a leash, it also means having a training plan and setting goals. Perhaps your visit to the park will be aimed at walking on a different surface. Maybe a trip to the tennis court is really a better opportunity to try off-leash obedience in a fenced area.

Setting the stage means deciding what steps you will take to make certain you and your dog reach a specific training goal. The more controlled your environment and the better prepared you are, the less likely you are to need remediation. It is much easier to set your dog up for training success than it is to try and fix a problem that you never saw coming.

A Dog Park cannot meet my criteria as a safe place for dogs to play or learn. There are too many risk factors working against a good training or socialization plan.
To set your dog up for success, you must have control of the training stage. This can't happen at a Dog Park.

True Stories

Can you dig it?

A neighbor takes her high-energy miniature poodle to the Dog Park so that it may use those facilities, rather than her yard, for digging. As the dog dug its umpteenth hole, a woman approached my neighbor and politely asked her to remove the dog and replace the dirt. My neighbor said: "I won't leave and you can't make me." As the woman turned to avoid escalating the confrontation, she fell - - in one of the freshly dug holes - - and broke her ankle. My neighbor paid her medical bills and sent flowers, too.

Who let the dogs out? Who? Who?

A good friend took her Shiloh Shepherd to the local Dog Park early on a Monday morning. The usual weekend crowd was absent and several senior citizens were visiting with their pets. My friend took her dog off leash and slowly walked to the back of the park where she'd spotted an empty bench. As she sat down, she noticed her dog - - OUTSIDE the fence and immediately commanded DOWN-STAY. Then, my gal-pal proceeded to climb the fence and help others call their dogs. Someone failed to secure the gate and it was the owners who were securely INSIDE the Dog Park, while their pets were running free.

Truth is stranger than fiction

I haven't told you about the 160-pound Mastiff rescue brought to the Dog Park by new owner on his way home from the shelter. What about the 3 Dobermans that were dropped off at the Dog Park while their owner drove down the block to pick up his girlfriend after work?

Exceptions to the Rule

Friends would accuse me of undue prejudice if I failed to mention times when a Dog Park may work:

• You live in an access-controlled, gated community that has a Dog Park for residents, only. Your HOA Rules and Regulations or CC&Rs specifically require that a current shot record be kept on file prior to issuing you a pass for the Dog Park. There is individual accountability and responsibility with sanctions or fines for those who do not follow the posted rules.
• Your town allows private groups to reserve the Dog Park and during those times access is by invitation only, checked by a city employee. (This will not lessen health risks, of course.)

Set you and your dog up for training success, not failure. Be smart. Be safe. Be in control.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

$^%$*&*+_()+*%&#$@$&_

That is what I wanted to say....what I actually said was "I could not be more disappointed in your facility, I hope you figure out who the culprit was and take care never to allow him in again.

There is much more to the story of her doggy daycare. They used to be great, they only took 8 dogs at a time...then she got a divorce, moved to a bigger facility and needed more income I guess. Her standards went way down, she was no longer all about the dogs. One time I didn't leave Daisy because there were 18 dogs and only 1 human.  I should have stuck with my instincts and just stopped going but Daisy and I had to learn the hard way.

I know there are wonderful daycare's out there, they just aren't here.

She called me 3 or 4 times in the next week to see if Daisy was alright and if she was coming back, I think my silence might have told her what the answer to that was.

Seriously it just broke my heart. I know longer trust anyone.

Daisy is most happy with her family and circle of dog friends....that's enough for us.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ha! I'm with you on the first thought of what to say!!! Eighteen dogs and one watcher is very irresponsible!!  We are the same way with Tara. She is so overprotected but I just can't bear the thought of her being attacked and injured physically or emotionally.  She is such a trusting soul, I see Daisy that way too, and doesn't really know that there are things "out there" that could hurt her.  I think doodles can have a great life without dog parks or care! :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is horrendous.  I hope they keep a better eye out at my daycare. Yikes.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I have no experience with doggie day care personally but I have not heard of any serious issues involving them. The few that I have some knowledge of screened the dogs and weeded out those with antisocial tendencies. They also had staff whose only purpose was to watch the dogs. The facilities were sanitized at the end of the day. I would think that this would be a far better choice than some of the dog parks out there.

 

Does Ginger Snap go to doggie day care?

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

every now and then....I totally agree about dog parks...They scare ME...all those dogs and Ginger just stands by me the whole time anyway. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ginger's just thinking her mom is a  lot more fun than any old dog!!! LOL!

[Adina P]

I like this article a lot too and mostly agree about dog parks in general.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

The last time I took R&B to the dog park they didn't want to be there.  They were so not interested in any of it and just kept looking at me like let's get outta here!  They loved their doggy daycare and hopefully we will find something as good or better in TX!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ha! Suzann I remember seeing that same look on my dogs' faces years ago! The first and last time they went to a dog park (this was before Tara). They kept looking at me like "Why are we here?????"

 

Nice to see you on DK!! :)

[Ann ~Oliver & Rosie]

Thanks for this article, it validates why I won't take my dogs to the dog park. I think doggie day care is better supervised, and often the same dogs are present so potential problems are less apt to occur.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ann, that is a good point about day care being pretty much the same group of dogs. I think that is a big part of the problem with the parks-the "pack" keeps changing and it creates a lot of instability.

[Leslie and Halas]

I just wrote this long response, and then accidentally deleted it.  Stupid left-handed typing!

 

I'm not retyping all of it, but here are the main points.  We can go on the small dog side of our local dog park, which has a 30 lb limit.  We haven't had any problems there, but there are still some annoyances, mostly involving the people.  A lot of the people will just sit and chat instead of walking around with their dogs.  Then you end up with a bunch of people and dogs standing in this small area.  Use the whole park, people!  Halas and I will usually just walk around the whole park, and he can sniff, play some chase if he finds a partner, or just wander.  There's a rule allowing only dogs that are 6 months or older, but people still bring puppies, sometimes under 3 months old.  That's just a bad idea for an unvaccinated puppy.  And one time last summer, a woman came in with 1 or 2 dogs, and 7 kids, all looking under the age of 6 or 7.  At least if another dog starts humping your dog, you can push him away.  If an unsupervised kid is bothering your dog, you can ask him to stop, but pushing him probably wouldn't go over well.  Oh, and kids don't seem to understand the gate thing, and the grown ups with them often don't remind them to close the gates.  Whenever I see little kids coming in, I grab Halas' collar and hold onto him until I see the gates closed and latched.  For us, these annoyances are either rare, or avoidable by just walking to another section of our small dog area.  It has always been a good experience for us, except for the occasional person yelling, "Your dog is too big to be on this side!"  It's not my fault Halas looks gigantic compared to other dogs under 30 lbs.

 

All of that being said, we probably wouldn't go if there wasn't a small dog side of the park.  I have heard about and seen a few fights there, and the vast majority of them have been on the big dog side.  Halas is submissive, and I'm sure other dogs can sense that.  A lot of the big dogs like to wrestle, and Halas doesn't like that.  He likes to play chase.  So the couple of times we've been on a big dog side of a dog park (one a couple of towns away), he's been bullied a little bit, and just hasn't had a good time.  And I see that happen to other dogs on the big dog side of our park occasionally.

 

I see the author's points.  If you want to go to a dog park, I think you really have to know your park, and be comfortable with the people and dogs that go there.  You have to be alert the entire time, and be willing to leave right away if you see anything that makes you uncomfortable or uneasy.  By now, we know a lot of the dogs and people that come on the small dog side of our park.  I wouldn't be as comfortable going to another town, and walking into a dog park with a bunch of dogs/people that I wasn't familiar with.  I guess for us, there is limited risk on the small dog side of our park, so we do go to the park sometimes.  If the big dog side became our only choice, I would most likely decide the risk was too high, and we'd stop going.

 

Oh, and we also love the big forest preserve dog park up by Karen.  It's not like typical dog parks.  Halas likes to explore and swim there.  Even with 44 acres to explore, he never strays too far from his mommy.