Dog Parks – Part 2

Making the Most of Your Dog Park Visit!

Before you get into the park:

Are you prepared? Do you have all of you supplies, clean up bags, water and bowl (if necessary), treats and clicker for training? Take care of all your “business” before you get to the park so you can concentrate on your dog and what’s going on around you. If you bring a cell phone, use it only for emergencies.

Your dog park visit begins in the parking lot. Safety First, your dog should wait for permission to get out of the car. The walk from the car to the gate should be on a loose leash only. Use this opportunity to reinforce training so you don’t waste such a valuable reward. Discourage greeting other dogs on leash in the parking lot. Some dogs can be more nervous, and less friendly, when on leash and it’s too easy for the leashes to get tangled up, potentially causing a dangerous fight.

Before you enter, take a moment to assess the energy of the park. Are the dogs playing together, or just walking around with their owners? Are there dogs with similar play styles to your dog? Are any dogs playing too rough or bullying other dogs? Are their owners intervening to redirect their dogs to more appropriate play or playmates? Are there any high-speed chases going on, especially with more than two dogs involved? Make sure you feel comfortable before you go into the park. If you are calm, confident, and comfortable, your dog will be more calm, confident, and comfortable too.

At the gate your dog should be asked to perform some obedience cue, preferably one that he does very well, like “sit” or “down”. Don’t waste this powerful reinforcement opportunity. This also gives you the chance to see if your dog is able to pay attention to you, or is too excited or stressed to respond. If your dog can’t sit or down on cue, don’t go in, because chances are really good that once off his leash he won’t “come” on cue either. When you are ready to enter the park make sure there is not a gang of dogs waiting to meet your dog right inside the gate. Usually there are double gates, so if the coast is clear, go in the first gate, make sure to close it, then remove your leash (never go into the park with your dog on a leash!) and open the second gate. Then let the fun begin!

Next month we will discuss what to do with your dog once inside the park.

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