Are Canine Parks Really Good for Canines?

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A current opinion piece within the New York Occasions was titled “Canine Parks Are Nice for Folks. Too Dangerous They’re Horrible for Canines.” Perhaps it has you pondering twice about canine parks, however you’ve acquired a high-energy canine who requires loads of train. Whereas walks are fantastic and your yard is ok for fetch video games, you yearn to let your canine run free in a big, enclosed area. There’s a canine park close by. Do you have to go, or steer clear? As with so many issues, the reply is it relies upon. 

First, the nice. A big, enclosed area gives a superb alternative for canines to run full out. Assuming all of the canines current are social (we’ll get to that in a minute), frolicking with new buddies could be bodily, emotionally, and mentally stimulating. And canines aren’t the one ones who achieve social advantages. Spending time with different canine homeowners could be pleasurable, and oftentimes those that frequent a park regularly kind social teams the place they chat whereas their canines romp fortunately collectively. At my native park, the identical group of ladies meets every morning. It’s early sufficient that they’re often the one ones there. And even though their canines all get alongside, they’re consistently vigilant. They monitor physique language, give their canines breaks when arousal ranges get too excessive, and are capable of cease potential issues earlier than issues get out of hand. That, my buddies, is the best-case situation.

Now for the not-so-good. First, the overwhelming majority of canine parks are fully unregulated. I’m not speaking right here a few paid, non-public park however the typical public canine park. (Options embody the app Sniffspot, which lets folks lease out their backyards by the hour to canine homeowners searching for safe areas the place their pups can play. Most listings are priced at round $10 an hour for one canine or $15 for 2. And New York Metropolis gives an array of members-only canine parks, for annual charges starting from free to $2,200.) 

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At public parks, canines will not be screened for temperament, neither is there a monitor on web site to stop fights or to ask unruly canines or folks to depart. Mix that with the truth that many individuals don’t regulate their canines or don’t acknowledge when an issue is brewing, and dangerous issues can and do occur. Even homeowners who know that their canines could also be aggressive towards different canines could attend, which places everybody’s canines in danger. Though I might by no means take my very own canines to a busy canine park, I did spend loads of time gathering dog-park footage for my Dissecting the Dynamics of Canine-Canine Play seminar. Sadly, I used to be capable of movie many incidents of canines being bullied, with some being focused again and again. There have been additionally loads of fearful canines who, unbeknownst to their homeowners, weren’t having any enjoyable in any respect. And, after all, there have been quite a few skirmishes and even some full-out fights. It’s essential to grasp {that a} canine who’s attacked by one other canine could undergo not solely bodily injury, however emotional and psychological trauma as properly. Even a canine who has by no means had points with different canines can develop fear-based reactivity after a single incident. I do know many homeowners shrug this off, saying that it has by no means occurred to their canine. To these folks I say,
not but. 

{Many professional} trainers, myself included, will advise you to eschew canine parks altogether except they’re properly regulated, there are not any different canines current or, on the very least, you might be acquainted with the opposite canines and know that everybody will get alongside. But when you’ll frequent canine parks, I counsel the next: First, take a number of moments earlier than coming into to evaluate the scenario. Examine that every one the canines appear like they’re having fun with themselves, with unfastened, relaxed physique language. Preserve a watch out for any indicators of rigidity or snarkiness. As soon as inside, if one other canine bullies yours (or vice versa), step in and name your canine to you, away from the motion. Give your canine a break and permit them to relax for a couple of minutes. If issues get actually heated, otherwise you really feel uncomfortable for any purpose, depart instantly. As soon as an aggressive episode has taken place, your complete power within the park modifications. The ensuing rigidity typically causes additional altercations, whether or not between the canines who had been concerned within the struggle or others. In brief, be an advocate in your canine, whether or not meaning attending canine parks within the most secure manner potential or discovering other ways to supply train, reminiscent of play dates.

This text initially appeared within the award-winning Fashionable Canine journal. Subscribe at the moment!