Dog Parks.
Every Dog Trainer's worst nightmare. Unregulated Doggy Fight Clubs is the one most often coined as the preferred term by trainers.
Can they be used effectively and safely?
Most would say no. And I completely understand why.
You don't know the training, tolerance, or temperament of the other dogs at the park. There are people that use the dog park that absolutely shouldn't, or they use it inappropriately.
So how can you use a dog park safely?
The most important and non-negotiable rule of the Dog park, is make sure your dog actually enjoys the company of other dogs enough to enjoy going to a dog park. Not all dogs enjoy other dogs and they shouldn't be forced to go, just because you think they should.
Of my two dogs, only Scythe goes to the Dog park. He likes other dogs, enjoys socializing, and likes meeting and making new friends.
Raz is Dog reactive on a good day, sliding into dog aggression on her bad days. She doesn't go, we do other things together to bond and work through her energy.
The second and arguably, by some, the most important is recall. Your Dog NEEDS to have an excellent recall, on top of having secondary commands that you can use from a distance to control interactions. Secondaryvcommands such as, leave it, enough, gentle, no, and yes. If your dog does not have recall and if you do not have distance control over your dog, DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE DOG PARK.
Now to the part that is probably going to get me yelled at by other trainers, how I use the dog park safely and effectively.
1. I drive or walk by the park I'm thinking of using for about a week, before I even think of bringing Scythe in. This allows me to observe the park at different times of day, and see how the dogs and people interact. And then I will walk Scythe around the outside of the park to see how he reacts to the dogs through the fence. From a bit of a distance so as not to disturbthe other dogs too much. Then i will walk him around the inside on leash, to see how he and the dogs react together. If it get any bad vibes or I don't feel he's ready yet, I don't let him off leash.
2. I honestly prefer the dog parks that I can see both ends of, so I can see all dogs exiting and entering the park. This allows me to watch Scythe approach, get him to back up if I'm too far from him, or take a hold of his collar and have him sit and wait for the dogs to enter/leave the park.
3. This is my big rule, the one that I find most important for not only my comfort, but most importantly Scythe's safety. If there are 5 dogs in the park already, I DO NOT GO IN. If Scythe would make #5, I will watch the dogs for a bit before going in. If they're all getting along and coexisting I'll go in. If a 6th dog enters the park, I will leave, as quickly as I can without rushing, i don't want to cause excitement. I will not go in or stay in a park with more than 5 dogs.
I will also leave if I see an owner not controlling their dog.
4. When I enter the park I have Scythe sit and wait while I take off his leash and prong, and he has to wait until I release him. This helps him calm himself down before going to greet the other dogs.
5. I talk to Scythe often while he's loose in the park. Praising his good choices and interactions, calling out when he needs to calm down, and recalling him randomly throughout our time in the park. You'd not only let's owners know that I'm managing my dog, but also keeps Scythe engaged with me, even at a distance.
6. Lastly, Ido not use the park as a way to burn Scythe's energy. I walk him to the park, and do obedience on the way to get his brain slowed down first, before setting him loose in the park. This not only burns his energy out, but it also allows him to think and make good choices. Dog parks are meant to as a supplement to help exercise your dog, not the main way you should be burning out their energy. We play and train before we go on our morning walk to the park as well.
Dog Parks should be used to supplement your dogs exercise needs, both mentally and physically, and not the only way they get their needs met
Now these are my basic rules that I use personally to be able to use our cities dog parks effectively. If you're not doing or willing to do MOST of these things with your dog, I highly advise you to find other outlets to exercise your dogs.
Some of my Favourite parks to use are the Pierre Radisson, Caswell Hill, and Paul Mostoway. These are decently sized parks, that you can easily see all around in, allowing you to keep an eye on your dog at all times.
If your dog can't do a dog park or you prefer to not use them, the private rental parks around Saskatoon are a great way to let your dogs run without having to worry about altercations at dog parks.
Herec are two I've both used and heard good things about.
Sirius Unleashed: https://www.unleasheddogsports.ca/
Camp Paws Republic: https://www.pawsrepublic.ca/camp
Dog Parks CAN be a great way to supplement your dogs exercise requirements as long as you can use them responsibly, keep control of your dog at all times, and respect the other park goers and their dogs.
Be safe and happy training!!
Becky Preiner
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