Dog Park/beach Safety

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I always get my dog to greet new dogs when she's on lead, and I do pay attention because some dogs are aggressive to dogs that are on lead.

I talk to the other owners about what level of play is ok with them. My dog matches her play to the other dog - but some dogs don't play gentle with little dogs or old dogs - so make sure you keep them away if they're too rough. I also talk about whether or not to give treats and what standard of behaviour is required (no jumping).

I watch my dog, to make sure she's not in trouble or causing it (she likes to steal other dogs' toys, it's fun when the other dogs chase her).

I pick up after my dog. I also pick up any crap that is where I'd walk or Karma says - I will step in it, next time around. I let people know if their dog is crapping and they haven't noticed because none of us are perfect, and I'd hope they do the same for me if I get distracted.

Most dogs in an off lead park have crap recall. Most dogs have crap recall (Busy now, I'll come when I'm good and ready). If your dog doesn't like the speedy approach of other dogs, best not to enter an off leash park if there are other dogs there.

I wish all dogs in off lead park had good recall but I've yet to see it enforced, except by dog attack and then it's the attacker (defender) that always gets blamed.

It is nice to help someone who is having trouble catching their dog or recalling it. My dog is quite good at fetching other people's dogs or leading them astray if we're headed in opposite directions.

Don't let your dog jump all over another dog that is on lead or that the owner is trying to put on lead to go home (I've had to talk to several owners about this - I can't believe they can be so stupid or oblivious).

Do not let your dog jump on people or children or anybody. Don't abuse anyone who defends themselves from your dog jumping on them, it's your fault not theirs.

Don't let your dog pee on other people's stuff. Why do I even have to write this? On the flip side - don't have a sit on the ground picnic in a dog off lead area. See bit about crap recall.

Don't bring an unvaccinated puppy to a dog park.

Don't bring a dog that hasn't been flea treated to a dog park - unless you want it to have fleas.

Don't let your dog eat things it finds lying around on the ground in dog parks or at the beach.

[Steve]

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=198595

Great book being Auctioned here.

[pipsqueak]

That is such an excellent book. I wish all dog owners were given a copy when they got their dog - be it from breeder, shelter, etc.

[GregW]

Hi,

Can I add,

"Don't leave your dog unattended"

As silly as this sounds, I have witnessed owners dropping off their dog like its some sort of Doggy day care while they nip up the road to get coffee or take their kids to the adjoining playground.

Post a link to the video when you have made it : )

Cheers

Greg

[BCPuppy]

I always get my dog to greet new dogs when she's on lead, and I do pay attention because some dogs are aggressive to dogs that are on lead.

I talk to the other owners about what level of play is ok with them. My dog matches her play to the other dog - but some dogs don't play gentle with little dogs or old dogs - so make sure you keep them away if they're too rough. I also talk about whether or not to give treats and what standard of behaviour is required (no jumping).

I watch my dog, to make sure she's not in trouble or causing it (she likes to steal other dogs' toys, it's fun when the other dogs chase her).

I pick up after my dog. I also pick up any crap that is where I'd walk or Karma says - I will step in it, next time around. I let people know if their dog is crapping and they haven't noticed because none of us are perfect, and I'd hope they do the same for me if I get distracted.

Do not let your dog jump on people or children or anybody. Don't abuse anyone who defends themselves from your dog jumping on them, it's your fault not theirs.

Don't let your dog pee on other people's stuff. Why do I even have to write this? On the flip side - don't have a sit on the ground picnic in a dog off lead area. See bit about crap recall.

Don't bring an unvaccinated puppy to a dog park.

Don't bring a dog that hasn't been flea treated to a dog park - unless you want it to have fleas.

Don't let your dog eat things it finds lying around on the ground in dog parks or at the beach.

Hear Hear

I use the beach mostly and there are lots of cars driving on the beach,

[BCPuppy]

I always get my dog to greet new dogs when she's on lead, and I do pay attention because some dogs are aggressive to dogs that are on lead.

I talk to the other owners about what level of play is ok with them. My dog matches her play to the other dog - but some dogs don't play gentle with little dogs or old dogs - so make sure you keep them away if they're too rough. I also talk about whether or not to give treats and what standard of behaviour is required (no jumping).

I watch my dog, to make sure she's not in trouble or causing it (she likes to steal other dogs' toys, it's fun when the other dogs chase her).

I pick up after my dog. I also pick up any crap that is where I'd walk or Karma says - I will step in it, next time around. I let people know if their dog is crapping and they haven't noticed because none of us are perfect, and I'd hope they do the same for me if I get distracted.

Do not let your dog jump on people or children or anybody. Don't abuse anyone who defends themselves from your dog jumping on them, it's your fault not theirs.

Don't let your dog pee on other people's stuff. Why do I even have to write this? On the flip side - don't have a sit on the ground picnic in a dog off lead area. See bit about crap recall.

Don't bring an unvaccinated puppy to a dog park.

Don't bring a dog that hasn't been flea treated to a dog park - unless you want it to have fleas.

Don't let your dog eat things it finds lying around on the ground in dog parks or at the beach.

Hear Hear

I use the beach mostly and there are lots of cars driving on the beach, not all of them are good at keeping to a slow speed, so a good recall and good stay are very important, also hate those people who make their dogs run after the car, lazy and not good for some dogs, have seen some very stressed trying to keep up with the car, also makes every other dog want to chase after them.

Edited June 16, 2010 by BCPuppy

[lovemesideways]

I have heard 2 conflicting ideas when it comes to this,

I think you should keep your dog on lead until you're in the park, keep them under control and when they are sitting, you then let them off lead.

But I've heard you should take your dog off lead before entering the park to prevent fights?

[corvus]

I have never seen a fight break out because a dog is on leash... but I've seen fights occur because a dog on leash was unable to get away and felt defensive as a consequence. I always approach a dog park with the dog on leash and don't let them off until we are in the park and I have asked them to sit and they are doing it and I am confident they are listening and won't just bolt off or something. If it's a park I don't know with dogs I don't know I like to walk them around on leash to keep them at the edge of things until I've made an assessment of the dogs in the park. I've never ever had a dog come up to us while we've been walking the perimeter of an unfenced park. Fenced is a different matter.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Is tricky about the on lead, off lead.

I've seen some dogs deliberately attack other dogs that are on lead, but are fine if both dogs are off lead. I also have seen some dogs that will try to attack anything that comes near them if they are on lead - but are fine off lead. This is usually caused by over protective owners who have the lead so short that the dog cannot approach to greet properly or back off if it feels threatened - so it always goes on the offensive.

But the bottom line is, if your dog is being attacked you have the most chance of protecting it if you can keep it close to you. For me - even though my dog has good recall - I haven't proofed it against dog attack and I'd find this difficult to achieve (I don't think I'd want to practice recall during dog attacks) so on lead is best. Otherwise she runs and that makes it impossible for me to help her. And if she's cornered she will defend herself, and she could kill a small dog (based on what she does to marrow bones).

A dog that attacks based on dog leads - probably shouldn't be in a dog park either. But you have the best chance of leaving with your dog in a hurry if it is still on the lead.

I also find it hard to supervise greetings if my dog is off lead. It's not impossible - I can tell her to leave certain dogs alone and direct hellos where I want them but other owners, especially of small dogs feel more secure if your dog greets on lead.

Although some people are so naive, they think any dog on lead in an off lead park - is aggressive. Personally I think those dogs should be muzzled and on lead. My dog is on lead when there is organised sport (cos that's the rule and I'd be mortified if she stole the football/baseball for a game of chase me). She is on lead when there are dogs I don't know around. She is on lead when the oval lawnmower is going too fast (eg 30km/h instead of 10km/h) because she tries to tell the driver off. And she's on lead if there is a lot of food around because discarded hotdogs beat roast chicken at the moment. (How do people teach food refusal).

[megan_]

A few random thoughts:

i) Overall, you need to set your dog up for success. This means being really honest about your dogs tempremant, your leadership and the amount of control you have over your dog. A dog that displays aggression in some circumstances isn't a bad dog, it is a dog that needs to be managed. Putting a dog with issues, however minor, with 12+ other dogs that you don't know in a small fenced area is setting your dog up for failure.

ii) Never go at peak time, especially if there is good weather. This is particularly true in winter. This is when the idjits come out to play and dogs that haven't been walked in 2 weeks are let off leash. If you go at dawn or dusk you tend to get a better class of owner IMO.

iii) In Melbourne, there is no such thing as a dog park. There are public areas that allow off-leash dogs. I think this is important to remember as you are sharing a space with the community. People without dogs are allowed in these areas, people are allowed to go for a jog, ride a bike, kids are allowed to run around etc. If your dog can't handle this, then you need to do more socialisation before putting them in the park.

iv) I don't go to fenced parks unless I'm the only one there/with dogs that I know very well. Why? I think fencing dogs in seems to change behaviour. Dogs tend to rush to the gate to greet new dogs. Dogs can't get away from others etc. All of the off-leash parks in my area are unfenced and I have never witnessed most of the behaviours described in anti-off leash park rants.

v) Most people arrive at the park, let the dog off leash and it runs away as fast as it can. This adds risk to the situation. Teach your dog to focus on you as soon as the leash comes off. You can do this by playign with a tug, giving a treat etc. Practice this and get it down pat before you go to the park. Basically, you want a "leash comes off, dog focuses 100% on you" response. Then you release your dog to play.

vi) When we arrive at our park (not a dog park, a park that is used for sport, games and allows off leash dogs) we walk around the perimeter first. Somtimes this is on leash, sometimes off. I do a bit of training and focus exercises with my boy. He doesn't get released to play until we've had some calm, focused time. Only after I know that he is listening does he get released. If he is having a bad day and he isn't listening (which is very rare) we go for a leash walk. I still make it fun but I don't risk letting him run off if he is in a silly mood.

vii) Know the dogs at your local park. Know the owners who stand and babble while their dogs wreaks havoc. Don't go when these people are there. There are a few dogs that I don't trust at our park and I leave if they come. If they are there when I pull up, I simply drive to another park.

viii) Pay attention to your dog at all times. Always keep them within calling range. Practice calling them for no reason, reward and free them. Watch their body language. It is much easier to diffuse a situation early on than it is to stop a brawl.

I assume that the on/off leash scenario that people are talking about is for fenced dog parks?

[Adnil444]

A few random thoughts:

i) Overall, you need to set your dog up for success. This means being really honest about your dogs tempremant, your leadership and the amount of control you have over your dog. A dog that displays aggression in some circumstances isn't a bad dog, it is a dog that needs to be managed. Putting a dog with issues, however minor, with 12+ other dogs that you don't know in a small fenced area is setting your dog up for failure.

ii) Never go at peak time, especially if there is good weather. This is particularly true in winter. This is when the idjits come out to play and dogs that haven't been walked in 2 weeks are let off leash. If you go at dawn or dusk you tend to get a better class of owner IMO.

iii) In Melbourne, there is no such thing as a dog park. There are public areas that allow off-leash dogs. I think this is important to remember as you are sharing a space with the community. People without dogs are allowed in these areas, people are allowed to go for a jog, ride a bike, kids are allowed to run around etc. If your dog can't handle this, then you need to do more socialisation before putting them in the park.

iv) I don't go to fenced parks unless I'm the only one there/with dogs that I know very well. Why? I think fencing dogs in seems to change behaviour. Dogs tend to rush to the gate to greet new dogs. Dogs can't get away from others etc. All of the off-leash parks in my area are unfenced and I have never witnessed most of the behaviours described in anti-off leash park rants.

v) Most people arrive at the park, let the dog off leash and it runs away as fast as it can. This adds risk to the situation. Teach your dog to focus on you as soon as the leash comes off. You can do this by playign with a tug, giving a treat etc. Practice this and get it down pat before you go to the park. Basically, you want a "leash comes off, dog focuses 100% on you" response. Then you release your dog to play.

vi) When we arrive at our park (not a dog park, a park that is used for sport, games and allows off leash dogs) we walk around the perimeter first. Somtimes this is on leash, sometimes off. I do a bit of training and focus exercises with my boy. He doesn't get released to play until we've had some calm, focused time. Only after I know that he is listening does he get released. If he is having a bad day and he isn't listening (which is very rare) we go for a leash walk. I still make it fun but I don't risk letting him run off if he is in a silly mood.

vii) Know the dogs at your local park. Know the owners who stand and babble while their dogs wreaks havoc. Don't go when these people are there. There are a few dogs that I don't trust at our park and I leave if they come. If they are there when I pull up, I simply drive to another park.

viii) Pay attention to your dog at all times. Always keep them within calling range. Practice calling them for no reason, reward and free them. Watch their body language. It is much easier to diffuse a situation early on than it is to stop a brawl.

I assume that the on/off leash scenario that people are talking about is for fenced dog parks?

Well put megan - very sensible, smart ideas and a great way of appraising dog parks.

[GeckoTree]

At the beach don't let the dog in the water during a tidal surge, and don't swim the dog in rips or where an under current is.

Sounds like a no brainer but you never know someone might not give it a thought.