The dog park…
a place created by people so that dogs can have contact with other dogs, run freely in a fenced-in area and play and have fun with other dogs.
So much for the theory!
I experience every day that the reality is unfortunately completely different.
There are situations where the dogs really have fun and romp around with their fellow dogs.
And then there are the other moments. In which I hear dogs growling behind the fence, others squealing in fear and pain. This is the case when people send their dog onto the meadow where other dogs have already staked out “their” territory and are not happy to welcome the newcomer. In order to make the start on the dog park a good one for everyone, it is important that dog owners show consideration for one another. By calling your dog to you and keeping him with you, you give the other human-dog team the opportunity to enter the meadow and arrive.
I often observe that the dogs do exactly what they were bred for. The German shepherd checks everyone who enters the dog meadow, the greyhound chases the other dogs, the Labrador shoots at everything that isn’t in a tree at the count of three without any distance… and their owners… watch. Watch as their darlings are bullied by other dogs without protection. It is up to the owners to offer their dogs the greatest possible protection… essential for a harmonious human-dog relationship.
I wish that people could read the body language of dogs better and knew that dogs cannot sort out these meadow situations among themselves. At least not in the way we humans imagine.
There is often a bang and one of the dogs is bitten, bullied or intimidated.
And then people react…are surprised, saying things like “he’s never done that before”. Such situations can be avoided if you show consideration for one another, don’t give the dogs treats (which can quickly become an object worth defending) and don’t throw toys into a group of dogs. Especially not if they don’t know each other well. A simple “dog park” acquaintance is not so solid that the dogs don’t go for each other’s throats when they see possible prey.
I can only warmly recommend attending a body language seminar and learning to read the exciting body language of our dogs.
I’d be happy to translate for you!
Take good care of yourself and your loved ones, and: avoid dog parks if possible.