DOG PARK ETIQUETTE
By Stacy E. Smith

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 and that’s good to see. 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 seen 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. 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 doggie argument 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.

Another big issue 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 a 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!