I just had my very first negative experience when approaching a biker with her off leash dog on this lovely day in August. I was doing my usual strategic sign placing, this time at the Orchard Trail bike path. I approached the mom reminding her that if we had a dog park, her dog being off leash would be allowed! She immediately stated her complete disgust with dog parks and swore that because of her previous negative experiences, she would NEVER go to a dog park. Well of course I gasped loudly, (inside, of course! lol) but did the best that I could assure her that our Township park would be different.

We just can’t blame pet parents for having some reservations about a large off leash play enviornment that is not controlled. This is part of what Wag ‘N’ Tails is proposing to the Township. Dog’s who have shown aggression. Not allowed. Dog’s who don’t pass a trial? Can’t come either. Un-neutred dogs or un-spayed? Not happening. Although….our goal would be with to eventually acclimate this fearful dog with plenty of training and behavior modification, so that a visit to the park would be a dream come true for both the family and their pet.

Part of what I’m proposing is to be the first Park in Michigan that has many rules before entry. Not all dogs are allowed, and certainly not bullies. We will not tolerate this the same way a school wouldn’t condone behavior like that. I have many details in the works including a seminar that’s included in the yearly fee for a dog park pass. This seminar would educate residents and non residents about many important aspects of carefully monitoring your dog. Examples would include the importance of safety, appropriate and inappropriate play postures and signals to watch for when a dog is stressed or over heated.

The size of the park is also something to talk about. It’s not the bigger the better here. The further away your dog is from you the more at risk they become in a safety situation. Having multiple controlled enviornments is much more important than running 1/4 mile to catch up with a dog who’s safety is being comprimised. It’s taken years for people to really and truly understand the importance of training, exercise, exposure the enviornment, and socializtion. This could be due to previous negative expereinces. “We don’t take Sparky on walks, he’s afraid of people that pass by”, or maybe “Rascal doesn’t play with other dogs anymore he was attacked by our neighbors dog”. Finally with better and more easily avaialbale motifvations and experienced trainers and better dog care centers, we are seeing a decline in fear and aggression in dogs.

It’s going to take time now for most pet parents to come around when it comes to a well designed dog park the same way folks have been spooked about training and socializating over the years. I’m working on our Township offering a dog park that is different. Different because it will be safe. Safe because the pet parents involved will have the basic skills necessary to communicate with their pets properly. Really, isn’t that what we all want?

 
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wagntails.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/author-image.png[/author_image] [author_info]About the Author Christine Fox, APDT, CTDI and a Pet Sitters International member, is the founder of Wag ‘N’ Tails Dog Activity Center with two locations in Michigan. She has been involved with many pet dog trainer certification initiatives, all based on learning techniques that involve humane practices and the latest in scientific research. Christine also raised a service dog for Paws With a Cause and plans to train her newest pup in therapy work. Through her work with dogs and their parents, Christine has developed many happy and healthy relationships with both humans and dogs in the community.[/author_info] [/author]