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.

[Dee Dee & "Bentley"]

very well said.

[Toni Clayton]

Wow, what an interesting article and equally interesting discussion about it...I am a new not just to having a doodle in the family, but also a dog..I know there are a few dog parks in our area, and since George is still under six months, I haven't been to any yet. We also have a sizeable yard, and George is/will be on the small side. I will say that I was feeling a little nervous about it to begin with..for many of the reasons stated above, and I probably would not go the first time without my husband because of that. I do have a friend who took her dog to one of them and wasn't really pleased with the experience...it is a path around a wooded space, and she was worried that her dog would go in and come out the other side and not back to her ( he is not very good with recall she told me..). I may go scope it out one day just to see..no dog or anything with me. There is also another walking path that is not off leash. Thank you everyone for your comments, it gave me a lot to think about.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Toni, I'm glad you found some helpful information here.  It sounds like you're doing a good job of researching your local parks before deciding whether or not they are appropriate for George. I like your idea of scoping them out on your own first.  If you still feel uncomfortable with them then I would encourage you to go with your gut feeling! Good luck!

[Toni Clayton]

Also, after telling my husband about the article and discussion, he agreed it's not a good idea until George is well trained with good recall and responses...so they would probably be out for a while for us.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Glad you're putting George's safety first. : )

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Excellent article and I agree on all!  I've only gone twice and twice was too many!  I could not believe the way the owners let their dogs harass other dogs and act like nothing was going on, the filth of the park, and also the threat of my dog getting sick from the other dogs.  Our vet does not recommend dog parks either.  We do go for long walks in city parks and Libby stays on her leash and she very controlled as to where she goes.  Dog parks are not for us.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tara's never seen the inside of a dog park. But we were walking past one once when two pitbulls who were off leash in the on leash only area came running up to us. They were not aggressive but we didn't know that when we saw them heading our way and their owner did nothing. DH scooped up Tara  and one of the dogs tried to jump up and sniff her. I was so angry at that owner and she just ignored us and took them into the dog park. That is once they decided to obey her come command. :(  Dog parks are not for us either!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I am very fortunate to have found a dog park in my area that is (so far- knock on wood) an exception. It's like a magical dog park where all the owners are friendly and nice and the dogs all follow suit- granted there was one incident with a dog with a gaping wound and an owner on his phone, but the dogs were sweet and friendly. We go ALL the time and with very few problems and never with any aggressive dogs.

Recently there was a (dog) foster mom who brought her "foster fail" puppy to get her started with socialization and I was shocked she brought this 14 week old puppy to the park. I didn't want to seem rude and tell her the frightened puppy had no business being at the dog park, but I did make comments that skirted that. Fortunately it was just Ragley, myself, my friend, and her golden rescue at the park at the time. Ragley is extremely gentle and so is my friend's dog, Luna, so they were actually perfect for providing socialization and the pup really came out of her shell and gained a lot of confidence. STILL- NOT the place for a 14 week old to gain these skills. Plus she is a foster! Shouldn't she know these things?!

[Toni Clayton]

That sounds awesome Stephanie...if I found a dog park like that I might go...I think the whole concept is a little overwhelming...and bringing a 14 week old puppy...sigh, had that puppy even had all his vaccinations? 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 I'm glad you are one of the lucky ones Stephanie! But OMD! That foster mom is indeed a failure in my book!! That poor baby had no business there!  I can think of SO many ways that could have gone terribly wrong.  I'm so glad Rayley and Luna took such good care of the puppy.

If you're not comfortable saying things maybe you can just take copies of this discussion and hand them out to the unenlightened that show up at the dog park! LOL

[Camilla and Darwin]

I used to think we "needed" dog parks back when Darwin was younger. Luckily we've had mostly good experiences because we were selective about dog parks but we had a couple of bad ones. However, as time has gone on I have realized how much I agree with the views expressed in the article and we now only utilize public areas like hiking trails or nature parks that there are little to no other dogs at. That or arranging play groups. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That's the thing Camilla. The atmosphere in the parks is so changeable, almost from minute to minute. A person could have years of good experiences going to them and then..  For me, it's just not worth it. We do the same with Tara, taking her to nature trails and giving her a chance to play with dogs we know in other settings.