{"id":1068,"date":"2014-10-31T09:30:24","date_gmt":"2014-10-31T14:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/?page_id=1068"},"modified":"2014-10-31T09:30:24","modified_gmt":"2014-10-31T14:30:24","slug":"dog-park-etiquette","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/?page_id=1068","title":{"rendered":"Dog Park Etiquette"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dog Park Etiquette<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>By Barbara Masi<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0When I adopt a Greyhound to someone who does not have a fenced in yard for them to run in, I recommend a dog park perhaps once a week or so to allow the dog to get out all his \/ her pent up energy and have a little fun.\u00a0 However, it is with trepidation that I do so, as there can be dangers in dog parks.\u00a0 There are certain cautions to take when going to a dog park \u2013 especially with a Greyhound.<\/p>\n

Remember that a Greyhound has been muzzled when he \/ she is in an area where they can run freely with other Greyhounds.\u00a0 It is not a good idea to muzzle your Greyhound at a dog park when there are other dogs there that are not muzzled.\u00a0 Take the introduction period slowly \u2013 give them time to meet the other dogs before they are turned loose together and obey all the \u201crules\u201d of etiquette for the park (as should others also) and you will have a successful time at the dog park.<\/p>\n

For an initial introduction to a dog park, perhaps take the Greyhound along with your next door neighbor\u2019s Golden Retriever (whom he has become familiar with) and let them play together first \u2013 before introducing them to the other dogs.\u00a0 Take them at a time when there are no other dogs there.\u00a0 Give them a chance to learn what it is to be loose and unmuzzled \u2013 and how to play nicely with others.<\/p>\n

Wear appropriate clothing for going to a dog park \u2013 and don\u2019t bring a purse.\u00a0 Fanny packs or your pockets are good places for your keys, cell phone and whatever else you feel you need while at the park.\u00a0 Cell phone should be used for emergencies only at a dog park \u2013 it is not the place to \u201cchat\u201d with friends. You need to be alert to what is going on at all times.\u00a0 Don\u2019t bring the latest novel to read. You should never turn your back on your dog and the activity that is occurring in the dog park.<\/p>\n

A few people who are unmannerly will ruin the experience for all \u2013 so watch that others are also attentive to their dogs and follow the rules \u2013 or leave and find another dog park or go back when that person has gone from the park.<\/p>\n

Do not bring an unvaccinated dog or puppy to a dog park.\u00a0 This encourages a rapid spread of disease which can sometimes be fatal.\u00a0 Do not bring a sick dog to a dog park.\u00a0 Bringing a female in heat is irresponsible, yet some people do not monitor their dogs for this.<\/p>\n

Do not bring young children into the dog park.\u00a0 You are there to be with the dog and other dogs can \/ may run and knock over the stroller or the child.\u00a0 This is not the place to go to babysit.\u00a0 Attention needs to be directed to your dog and the others he \/ she is playing with.\u00a0 Also, children should not be playing soccer (or similar games) right outside the fence of the dog park.\u00a0 This will encourage the dogs to run the fence line in order to join in on the game and may start a frenzy among the dogs inside the fence.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t bring too many dogs.\u00a0 Some dog parks have a limit on the number of dogs any one person can bring to a dog park.\u00a0 Your dogs form a pack at your home and this pack mentality may continue at the dog park.\u00a0 This may be detrimental to their interacting with the other dogs at the dog park and they may become aggressive as a pack.\u00a0 Also, you cannot be two places at once, so do not bring a small dog for the small dog park and a large dog for the large one, unless you bring a family member or friend to sit in the other fenced area with the other dog.\u00a0 Never leave a dog alone in the fenced area.<\/p>\n

Check to see that there are not an abundance of intact males in the dog park.\u00a0 If you see quite a few, do not bring your dog in the park until the number is reduced to just a couple.<\/p>\n

Observe the dogs already in the dog park before letting your dog loose among them.\u00a0 Do not put small dogs in bigger dog pens, nor should you put larger dogs in smaller dog pens.\u00a0 No matter how well the smaller dog gets along with bigger dogs (or vice versa) this is inviting disaster.\u00a0 Make sure the dog park you go to has pens for various sizes of dogs \u2013 small, medium and large (or at least small and large) \u2013 and make sure the Greyhound is in the large dog pen.\u00a0 That\u2019s where he\/she belongs (unless you have a teeny girl \u2013 52 lbs or so \u2013 who might fit in the medium dog pen.)<\/p>\n

When you enter the park, remember that a group of dogs may come to \u201cgreet\u201d you and the newcomer.\u00a0 This can be intimidating and may overwhelm the newcomer.\u00a0 It may cause a skirmish as the new dog enters, so take it slow and easy.<\/p>\n

If your dog digs a hole, fill it in.\u00a0 If your dog poops, clean it up.\u00a0 Supervise the dogs constantly and interrupt any rough play.\u00a0 Make sure there is clean water available for the dogs to drink.\u00a0 Beware of standing puddles of water at dog parks. Standing water breeds disease and a wide variety of parasites and their eggs.<\/p>\n

If you are afraid of certain breeds of dogs, don\u2019t go to a dog park.\u00a0 Your nervousness and concerns may be transmitted to your dog, thus encouraging a confrontation which could wind up with a dog getting injured \u2013 either your dog or another one at the park.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t bring highly sensitive dogs to a dog park where there are lots of dogs.\u00a0 This atmosphere will overwhelm them.\u00a0 The \u201crule of thumb\u201d is no more than 2 dogs per every 20 yards of space.\u00a0 But you still may overwhelm a sensitive dog, and it is highly recommended that you make play dates with friends with like dogs in the yard at home rather than force a sensitive dog into a dog park situation.<\/p>\n

Do not bring toys or treats to a dog park.\u00a0 These are two things that can \/ might create a disturbance and encourage possessiveness by your dog.\u00a0 If someone else is in the park with a toy or treats, wait until they leave if you feel that a situation might arise.\u00a0 (This also applies to snacks for you while at the dog park \u2013 eat before you go or afterwards \u2013 not while at the dog park).<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let a dog off lead in a dog park if he \/ she is not responsive to verbal commands.\u00a0 Dogs should be taught the elementary commands before they are permitted to interact in this type of community.\u00a0 (Training should be done to have a well mannered dog in any circumstance.)\u00a0 Dogs taken to a Dog Park should have a very strong Recall.\u00a0 Train them to Come when called.\u00a0 Train them to Leave It! DO NOT let dogs smell feces on the ground that may be loaded with worms and worm eggs.<\/p>\n

If your dog is being bullied by another dog (or dogs) remove him \/ her from the dog park.\u00a0 Conversely, if your dog is doing the bullying, take him \/ her away from the dog park.\u00a0 Most Greyhounds are not the ones doing the bullying \u2013 but I never say never when cautioning people about things that can happen.<\/p>\n

When at a dog park, there is a lot of advice passed from person to person.\u00a0 Use discretion as to what you absorb as these are dog owners and not professionals.\u00a0 If you need advice, go to a professional dog trainer with your questions.\u00a0 I have many professionals who I recommend \u2013 you need to watch out for people who say they are \u201cdog trainers\u201d and yet they have no credentials or education to properly train a dog.<\/p>\n

Watch for dog body posture or communication signals \u2013 on your dog and on the others in the park.\u00a0 Dogs can give a warning that something is \u201cwrong\u201d and you may be able to stop it before it escalates if you observe the body language for stress, fear, and tension as well as that which occurs for play and enjoyment.\u00a0 Know when your intervention is required and when the dogs are able to handle the situation on their own.<\/p>\n

I highly recommend taking a Greyhound on \u201cplay dates\u201d with other Greyhounds in their fenced in yard.\u00a0 Often I can put you together with another Greyhound owner in your area where these arrangements can be made.\u00a0 Please call me if I can help.<\/p>\n

When you take your dog to a dog park you need to be aware that there are certain risks involved regarding injury to your dog or that he \/ she may injure another dog at the park.\u00a0 Be vigilant \u2013 be careful and you and your dog will be able to enjoy the time you spend together at the dog park.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dog Park Etiquette By Barbara Masi \u00a0When I adopt a Greyhound to someone who does not have a fenced in yard for them to run in, I recommend a dog park perhaps once a week or so to allow the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1068","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1068"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1069,"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068\/revisions\/1069"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greyhoundinfo.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}