DOG PARK ETIQUETTE -- REDUX
By Stacy E. Smith

At the beginning of this month there was an “incident” at one of our local off-leash dog parks (of which we are huge fans – for the record). A three (possibly four) month old Chihuahua puppy was fatally wounded by a larger dog that, by all accounts, was not aggressive, but likely saw the tiny puppy as prey. Our hearts go out to the families involved and we wanted to take this time to reiterate some important things dog owners should keep in mind when they take their dogs to these doggie playgrounds.

Dog parks are fast becoming a popular thing in our dog-loving culture. Many of the larger cities around the country have been on board with this concept for many, many years already. The KC area seems to just recently be jumping on that bandwagon with more and more dog parks springing up all over the Metro. I personally know tons of people that visit dog parks regularly. Any of you that have never been should really check it out. Your dog will probably love it (although it isn’t for everyone). Just be forewarned that although it is great fun for your dog there is a downside. Well-socialized dogs playing in a safe, fence-in area is a great sight, and for many dog owners as well as their dogs the daily visits to the park have become a ritual. Good! Playtime for the dogs is highly beneficial to both the animals as well as their owners. Who doesn't like to come home with a dog that happily settles in and takes a long, content nap after a day of good, old fashioned fun?

The problems, when they arise, very often lie with the dog owners, not the dogs. Those of you that frequent the dog parks know what I’m talking about. Let's begin with the owners who are in utter denial about their dogs' behavior issues. I will be the first to concede that it can be difficult to distinguish between dogs playing and dogs fighting. I have two at home that wrestle around the house like two Sumo wrestlers. It is loud and might even appear like two wild animals going at each other just like scenes shown daily on the National Geographic Channel. There is a difference though, and it can be determined fairly quickly -- especially when an owner is accustomed to observing their dog in the midst of play behavior. It is hard to fathom, however, that there are owners that will say, "He's just playing" while observing a literally out-of-control, even aggressive dog tormenting a clearly more submissive one desperately trying to escape. That is called bullying and should never be allowed. It is simply not that case just because your dog is in play mode the other dog isn’t feeling tormented and scared. Granted, very often dogs take care of things themselves and scuffles between them can end as quickly as they begin. Hopefully the bully is put in his place by a more dominant dog and gets the message. But, if a “situation” between dogs is not being solved as nature intended it is time for its owner to step in. If the owner does not step in it may become necessary for a nearby observer to do so if a particular dog's behavior is truly concerning. That is a judgment call as it can be a dangerous move if the offending pooch does not see you as the Alpha dog (the one in charge). Most often the offending dog's owner is receptive to the recount of what happened and responds appropriately – for example, taking his dog home for a time out. Having to take your dog home is no disgrace. Just like us, dogs that are ordinarily well-behaved at the dog park can have an off day. Of course, there is also the occasional dog owner who insists that his dog is harmless and opts to put forth “attitude” instead of understanding. At some dog parks that type of behavior will get an owner and his dog expelled permanently.

Other serious issues may arise when owners bring very young puppies to an off leash dog park. According to my research, the rule of thumb at dog parks throughout the country is that no puppy younger than four months old should be in an off leash dog park. If the breed is a particularly small one, common sense should tell you that it might not be a good idea until the dog is quite a bit older, if at all, unless there is an area fenced off for small dogs to play safely with one another. Young pups are vulnerable to older, larger and/or more dominant dogs. Additionally, youngsters may not be fully vaccinated yet and that not only makes them susceptible to diseases, but puts other dogs in the park at risk as well.

Another big problem is when dog owners use their visit to the dog park as purely social hour for themselves. Equipped with coffee and newspaper they either sit down never to look up again to check on their dog, or they engage in small talk with other dog owners, again completely ignoring their dog. The reality is that, although a great social environment for dogs and their owners alike, the fact remains that dog owners are supposed to be responsible for their dogs – not only to monitor their behavior, but for cleaning up after them as well. Yes, it is bad manners and bad dog park etiquette to pretend to ignore your dog’s “business” at the dog park. And no, not seeing it is not an excuse. You should be watching your dog, see everything he’s doing and be responsible for it. Dog parks are not the place to stop paying attention to your dog!

So please, use common sense when visiting dog parks and if necessary, politely remind others to do the same. A few bad seeds can spoil it for everyone!