Campbell pet parents are lucky to have a dog park in town—the . I like to bring my Australian shepherd-mix dog there to play Frisbee or to just run off steam and play with the other dogs.
But what are some of the do's and don’ts when visiting a dog park with your canine companion? I asked dog trainer Stacy Braslau-Schneck of Stacy's Wag'N'Train to provide some guidance on dog park etiquette.
She advises checking out the lay of the land before entering the park. “Dog owners should treat the dog park the way surfers treat the shoreline: You should check out the conditions before you dive in,” said Braslau-Schneck. “If the conditions—the number, type and activity level of the dogs or people there—aren't what you want to deal with, don't go in.” Instead, take a walk and go back later or find another fun activity.
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So what about when dogs fight? Braslau-Schneck said most dog fights are merely “scuffles” and often end quickly with no harm done. She recommends letting the dogs end it if it lasts for a few seconds. However, if it’s more of a fight, she recommends pet parents break up the fight by grabbing the back end of any dog they can reach. “Don’t try to grab for collars because you might get bitten, even by your own dog,” she said. If Bowser is continually looking for a fight, Braslau-Schneck said owners should make an honest assessment of their dog's suitability for the dog park.
Puppies are welcome at a dog park, provided they’ve had all of their first series of immunizations and are healthy. If they are shy, or if the dog park is particularly busy or has rough dogs, Braslau-Schneck said it might not be a good experience for them. She recommends puppy social groups run by a professional as an alternative way to get your puppy socialized with other dogs.
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Above all, Braslau-Schneck said the purpose of the dog park is for fun and to “allow dogs to act like dogs.”
The pet of the week is Rodney, an exuberant shih tzu who loves everyone. He’s 1 year old and full of love and energy. Rodney enjoys riding in the car and walking on a leash and would most likely enjoy visiting the dog park with his new family.
For more information about Rodney and other dogs available for adoption from Toy Breed Rescue, call his foster mother at 510-579-5850.
