Dog Park/beach Safety

[lovemesideways]

So I've started making YouTube dog training videos, and I've been thinking about possibly making a video on dog park/beach safety.

Now I know a lot of you don't frequent off lead parks or beaches because they can be very unsafe, but in reality a whole lot of people do! Some of these people don't really know what's going on, they just want to take their dog out for a fun play with other dogs and have something awful happen. So a small video on some safety tips for the park would be really great.

So what are some rules or tips that you can think of to make dog parks safer?

Some of the things I've come up with are,

When entering a fenced in park, if there are dogs lingering around the gate, wait until the entrance is clear so that you don't accidentally let a dog out or cause a situation by pulling your dog into something they aren't comfortable with.

Stay close to your dog (or keep them close to you) and pay attention! It only takes 1 second for something to happen, and you don't want to be on the other side of a park when that happens.

Make sure you have effective recall! You don't want you dog to be playing off lead with a dog you aren't comfortable with and be unable to call them back to you. Or if somebody accidentally lets them out, you want to be able to call them back!

Do not let a on heat female off lead at the park, there could be entire males there! (Or better yet don't bring them)

Theres loads more, but I'm trying to think of a short list of the most important, and put them into a 3-5 minutes long video!

So, ideas anyone?

[Esky the husky]

Don't bring balls/toys, or if you do, only use them if you are the only one there.

Check that dogs inside the park are friendly before entering (ask their owner).

Be wary of the sizes of dogs in the park, a bigger dog could hurt your dog by accident. (didnt even see him there)

SUPERVISE!

[Staranais]

Yes, don't bring balls or toys.

Don't let your dog approach an onleash dog without asking the owner first, as it could be leashed for a reason.

& just because a dog is wagging its tail, doesn't make it friendly or mean it wants to play.

[Adnil444]

Good topic!!

I agree with what you and others have said. Also make sure your dog is well socialised with dogs of all sizes - if you have a small dog, don't let it go up to bigger ones in an aggressive or fearful way, it isn't cute or funny (look at the little one having a go at the big one).

There is one rule for all dogs - no separate rules for little and big dogs.

Supervise, supervise, supvervise.

[aussielover]

why no balls/toys?

I've been to many dog parks over the years and have always taken a ball for my dog and never had any problems. The parks that I visit always have several doggies that play with balls and I have never seen an incident.

My dog was not possessive of her ball, i would certainly not have taken the ball along if she was.

I think people should be very cautious when bringing treats or food to the park as i think this has more potential to cause fights between dogs.

Also, people should ask the owner before giving a unfamiliar dog a treat (dog might be allergic or on a diet or food aggressive etc)

People should carry a leash with them at all times, even in an offleash park, just in case.

[Bully]

This book Meet and Greet - Dog Park Etiquette is excellent and should be compulsory reading for anybody that uses a dog park IMHO My local library has it, but I bought my own copy.

This is a really good website Proper Dog Park Etiquette and so is this one Dog Park Etiquette

[corvus]

Avoid picking your dog up.

It's a good idea to walk them around the perimeter of the park on leash before letting them off.

You might not take toys but other people will, and if your dog gets between a BC and its ball there's a good chance they'll get told off. It's best to be able to call them away, but if you can't depend on them coming it's a good idea to have a toy or treats to distract them.

[poodlefan]

Avoid picking your dog up.

It's a good idea to walk them around the perimeter of the park on leash before letting them off.

You might not take toys but other people will, and if your dog gets between a BC and its ball there's a good chance they'll get told off. It's best to be able to call them away, but if you can't depend on them coming it's a good idea to have a toy or treats to distract them.

Sure beats having it attacked or flattened.

[ILK]

Making a video sounds like a fabulous idea and it is a great learning tool for someone like you to be out there promoting it to naive people.

I would like to see councils add to their existing signs. They generally have a sign up stating the dog park rules: Your dog must come when called etc, I would like to seen an additional sign: "Every dog is not as friendly as yours, you allow your dog to run up to others at your own risk" At least it might make people aware that everyone who visits a dog park may not have a friendly dog.

My dog is not friendly but he will never approach another. If yours approaches mine "lookout" (example only)

[Adnil444]

Oh I forgot this one - make sure you clean up after your dog(s) - so many people don't and it is a real shame.

[aussielover]

Oh I forgot this one - make sure you clean up after your dog(s) - so many people don't and it is a real shame.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

dont go to an off leash park if your dog doesnt recall effectively

[corvus]

Avoid picking your dog up.

Sure beats having it attacked or flattened.

That's why I said avoid rather than don't. Sometimes if you pick up a small dog that is being harrangued by a larger, excitable dog the big dog goes nuts and starts jumping up trying to grab your dog. It can turn a bad situation worse. I've seen it happen, had it happen to me, and saw the bruises on someone's arm when the bigger dog bit them trying to grab the smaller dog. Sometimes it's far better for everyone to leave the dog on the ground and body block instead.

I think it's a good rule of thumb because IME it's more likely to cause trouble than avert it, but there are always exceptions. If you think your dog is going to get attacked or flattened I doubt you'd be in the dog park in the first place.

Edited June 16, 2010 by corvus

[lovemesideways]

Oh, another one,

Do NOT feed someone else's dog without permission!!! You might think its nice giving a dog a treat but you don't know what they may have allergy's too.

My puppy is a example, he reacts badly to different kinds of food and gets very bad Diarrhea. (Which is not fun to clean up)

[ILK]

dont go to an off leash park if your dog doesnt recall effectively

I agree with that whole heartedly and it happens to be a dog park rule, although not many seem to follow it.

[poodlefan]

The irony of offlead parks is that many people use the fenced ones because they have no effective control over their dogs.

[poodlefan]

Avoid picking your dog up.

Sure beats having it attacked or flattened.

That's why I said avoid rather than don't. Sometimes if you pick up a small dog that is being harrangued by a larger, excitable dog the big dog goes nuts and starts jumping up trying to grab your dog. It can turn a bad situation worse. I've seen it happen, had it happen to me, and saw the bruises on someone's arm when the bigger dog bit them trying to grab the smaller dog. Sometimes it's far better for everyone to leave the dog on the ground and body block instead.

I think it's a good rule of thumb because IME it's more likely to cause trouble than avert it, but there are always exceptions. If you think your dog is going to get attacked or flattened I doubt you'd be in the dog park in the first place.

Unless you're clairvoyant, you won't know that trouble is coming until it happens. 364 days of the year, the dog park might be a fine place for your small dog. On one bad day, all you can do is act to protect them. I'd take a bite for one of mine.. happily.

[lovemesideways]

Don't bring balls/toys, or if you do, only use them if you are the only one there.

I don't think this will work, simply because a lot of other people will bring toys. (I understand resource guarding, and I have witnessed fights over things as small as sticks .)

Maybe, Don't let your dog harass or try to play with a dog who is playing with a toy. Eg. fetching a ball.

And, if you bring a toy for your dog, and your dog becomes aggressive towards other dogs over the toy, remove that toy.

And if you know your dog becomes possessive over toys, don't bring them.

[corvus]

I'm beginning to think dog park rules that go beyond "don't bring a dog on heat into the park, all dogs should be under effective voice control or on leash, and pick up after your dog" is asking a bit much of the average dog park frequenter.

I just go and look out for my guys and make sure they don't scare any other dogs. I generally find expecting anything at all from other owners is setting myself up for disappointment/frustration, so I don't expect anything from other owners and just act on my reading of the situation. It's pretty dynamic and variable and I think you have to be flexible, have a cool head, and be prepared for anything. If I'm ever uncertain the boys go on leash or I call them into a hang about. If I ever feel worried we leave. Short of reading one of those books, I think you just have to be dog park savvy.

[lovemesideways]

I'm beginning to think dog park rules that go beyond "don't bring a dog on heat into the park, all dogs should be under effective voice control or on leash, and pick up after your dog" is asking a bit much of the average dog park frequenter.

I just go and look out for my guys and make sure they don't scare any other dogs. I generally find expecting anything at all from other owners is setting myself up for disappointment/frustration, so I don't expect anything from other owners and just act on my reading of the situation. It's pretty dynamic and variable and I think you have to be flexible, have a cool head, and be prepared for anything. If I'm ever uncertain the boys go on leash or I call them into a hang about. If I ever feel worried we leave. Short of reading one of those books, I think you just have to be dog park savvy.

I tend to agree with you.

My idea for a video isn't going to contain complex explanations as to why to do things. Its just for the average pet owner.