Dog parks are becoming more popular all across
the world. They range in size and design but all
share the same purpose: to provide a place where
dogs can run freely off-leash and socialise with
other dogs. Although they’re not for everyone,
dog parks can benefit both people and their pets
. Read on to find out if a trip to the off leash dog
park is right for you and your dog as well as what
to do before you visit and once you’re there.
To Go or Not to Go
Benefits
Many behaviour problems in dogs are caused by a
lack of physical and mental activity. Dogs were
born to lead active lives. They’ve worked
alongside people for thousands of years, hunting
game, herding and protecting livestock, and
controlling vermin. Dogs’ wild relatives lead busy
lives, too. Their days are full of hunting,
scavenging, avoiding predators and complex
social interaction. Most pet dogs, on the other
hand, spend the majority of their time alone at
home, napping on couches and eating food from
bowls, no hunting or scavenging required. Many
become bored, lonely and overweight. They have
excess energy and no way to expend it, so it’s not
surprising that they often come up with activities
on their own, like unstuffing couches, raiding trash
cans and gnawing on your favourite shoes.
To keep your dog happy, healthy and out of trouble, you’ll need to find ways to stimulate her brain and body. If she enjoys the company of her own kind, visits to your local dog park can greatly enrich her life. Benefits of going to the dog park include.
Physical and mental exercise for dogs
Your dog can zoom around off-leash to her heart’s content, investigate new smells, wrestle with her dog buddies and fetch toys until she happily collapses. Many dogs are so mentally and physically exhausted by a trip to the dog park that they snooze for hours afterwards.
Opportunities to maintain social skills
Dogs are like us, highly social animals, and many enjoy spending time with their own species. At the dog park, your dog gets practice reading a variety of other dogs’ body language and using her own communication skills, and she gets used to meeting unfamiliar dogs on a frequent basis. These valuable experiences can help guard against the development of fear and aggression problems around other dogs.
Fun for pet parents
Dogs aren’t the only ones who enjoy dog parks. People do, too. They can exercise their dogs without much effort, socialise with other dog lovers, bond and play with their dogs, practice their off-leash training skills, and enjoy the entertaining antics of frolicking dogs
Dog Park Downsides
Despite the many benefits dog parks provide, it’s important to be aware of the risks before you decide to become a dog-park devotee:
Health risks
Healthy, vaccinated dogs are at low risk of becoming ill as a result of visiting the dog park. There are health risks any time your dog interacts with other dogs, just as there are for us when we interact with other people. Talk to your veterinarian about the risks and whether she recommends vaccinating for Bordatella if you become a regular park user. Fleas are everywhere-including on squirrels, rabbits key to flea control is providing adequate protection on your pet. Your furbaby could get injured in a fight or during overly rambunctious play. It’s highly unlikely, but small dogs could even be killed at a dog park because larger dogs sometimes perceive smaller dogs as prey.
Dog problems
For some furbaby's, especially those who are naturally shy or easily overwhelmed, a visit to the dog park can be stressful. If your dog has unpleasant experiences with other dogs-if they bully or fight with her, intimidate her or just play too roughly-she might decide she doesn’t like them at all! She could start growling, snarling, snapping and lunging to drive other dogs away, and even biting if they approach.
Everyone has a different perspective, and some people have strong opinions about dog behaviour Pet parents don’t always agree about what’s normal dog behaviour what’s acceptable during play, what kind of behaviour is truly aggressive, which dog behaviours are obnoxious, whether or not one dog is bullying another or who’s at fault in an altercation. People might argue about how to respond when problems between dogs arise. Since there’s rarely an authority figure to appeal to at a dog park, disagreements can get heated and result in bad behaviour problems!
Many people feel that the benefits of dog parks
outweigh their risks. Others decide that they’re not comfortable going to dog parks. To make the best decision for you and your dog, consider the pros and cons above, read the guidelines below, and visit local dog parks without your dog just to watch and learn more. Talk to some other people and ask if they have had any problems with other owner's or local dogs, Some times its good to join a Facebook group that has furbaby playdates,
Miss Mildred and I Miss Squeak are in a group on Facebook. The Chihuahua Lovers {Perth Western Australia} and its a wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen so very supportive and kind hearted people who bring their lovely little chihuahuas and their furry brother's and sister's to come and have a great funny running barking and licking time!
So lets all remember to do the right things when
we go to the off leash dog park
with our furbabys I hope some of my tips and
tricks have helped you out and once again thanks
for reading my blog all about our furbaby's
Dog Park Behaviour and Etiquette Tips
xx Miss Squeak and Little Miss Mildred xx
Once again I would like to thank you all for coming back time after time, to read my little blog
Miss Squeaks Truth About Dogs, I love writing and sharing with you, all the fun and interesting things, that happen in and around my sweet little house, And sometimes I am unable to blog as much as I would like to I aim to have a new blog for you all a least once a week but I strive to have two each week,
Yet sometimes my medical condition with my eyes makes it difficult to do so.
As the last few weeks I my eyes have been giving me grief the condition I have is called inter cranial hypertension. As I have lots of liquid in my skull that surrounds my brain as we all do but my my problem is the fluid doesn't drain away like normal and it has left my with very bad eyesight and high pressure on my optic nerves that causes me to have very bad headaches and blackouts! Its like having a brain tumour with out the tumour that is the easiest way to explain it,
So when this happens and I have episode I am unable to blog as I can't handle light or see very well so thats why sometimes you may not get a blog from me, I thought I would let you all know this as I am having a very hard time at the moment, But rest assured Miss Mildred knows when I am unwell as she looks after me and won't leave my side.
Miss Mildred is always with me but when I am feeling poorly she will not leave me even to eat its amazing how our furbabys just know when your not at your best and they want to be with you, Thats what I have noticed anyway, Do you have a furbaby that does this too?
Let Miss Mildred and I Miss Squeak know in the comments below what kind of things your furbaby's do to let you know that they are trying to cheer you up and shower you with love and affection, Well that was a little off subject and a bit of information about me that you didn't know. I should be back to normal in a few days as this only last about a week or so then I am okay again for a few weeks and it flares up again,
So if you enjoyed hearing about my little crazy life the tips and tricks that I give to you all!
Please Like Comment Share and +1
See You Again Soon
xx Miss Squeak and Miss Mildred xx
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