DOG PARK ETIQUETTE

by Rusty Westeren, dog trainer at Bark Avenue, Colfax

The local dog park can provide a wonderful adventure for your canine friend, if you take the necessary steps to ensure success. Your dog can get her necessary physical exercise, experience some psychological challenges, and make new friends. Here are some important things to do to create a great experience for both of you:

BEFORE

• Check dog park hours and cleaning closure times.

• Make sure vaccinations are up to date and the rabies tag is on her collar.

• Find out if the dog park has licensing regulations and other rules specific to that park. This can vary between cities and counties.

• Be sure your dog is feeling well on the day of your visit. Some illnesses can be easily spread.

• If you have a high energy or high play drive dog, exercise her prior to getting in the car to go. Draining her of some excess energy will help to ensure she enters the dog park more calmly.

DURING

• Stay calm in your interactions with your dog prior to arriving. Building up her excitement level can create issues for her inside the park.

• Make sure your dog exits the car when you invite her to do so. Allowing her to bolt out of the car is not only dangerous; it can put her in an excited state that may interfere with a successful experience.

• If this is your dog’s first visit to the dog park, introduce her slowly. This can be done by walking around in the parking lot and then working your way closer to the enclosed area and/or walking the outside perimeter.

• If you are anxious or unsure of how your dog will behave with the other dogs, those feelings will go right down the leash to your dog. Chin up, be confident, allow your dog to rise to the occasion!

• Even if it is an off-leash park, consider leaving her leash on and letting her drag it. This can be helpful when your dog needs to be corrected if inappropriate behavior occurs. It’s also helpful if you have a dog with “selective” hearing, particularly when it’s time to leave. Stepping on the leash is quick and effective.

• Pay attention to your dog! Stay in proximity to her so that you can respond quickly should the need arise. Another good reason to stay close is so that you can pick up and dispose of her waste.

• Don’t assume every dog that comes to the park will be friendly and well-behaved and that his owner will be responsible. Now that doesn’t mean you need to be fearful, you just need to be aware.

• Leave treats at home or in the car. Food can present problem interactions with other dogs that may have food aggression issues.

• Walk around so that your dog can visit the whole area, use her nose, find favorite spots, and meet other dogs.

AFTER

• Many dog parks have hoses available to rinse off dogs that may have gotten muddy during times of inclement weather. Whether or not this is the case with your dog, rinse her paws off upon exiting. Keep a towel in the car to dry them off before getting in. This will help to prevent any germs she may have come in contact with from going home with you. If water is not available near the exit, antibacterial wipes can be used to wipe her paws. Rinse her paws again with water when you get home.

• With a positive experience your dog should be tired and ready for quiet time when you get home. And you might be ready for a nap too!

For more information, contact Bark Avenue by visiting our website at http://www.BarkAvenueWesteren.com.

DOG PARK HEALTH CONCERNS

by Dr. Ed Fritz, DVM - Colfax Veterinary Hospital

Just like going to a sports event or even kids going back to school, a dog park can be fun however also carry risk for exposure to bugs or parasites not usually contacted! Rusty has covered behaviosr at a park. I want to consider the health issues.

Getting unrestricted exercise at a dog park is great for the general health and mental well being of most dogs. I have two areas of concern. Exposure to unfamiliar dogs opens up possibilities for them carrying an infection which may not be yet apparent. Upper respiratory infections such as Bordatella (kennel cough) or Influenza can be easily transmitted by nose to nose contact, coughing, or sneezing. Viral diseases like Parvo virus are spread through infected feces. So, keeping current on basic vaccinations is very important and adding immunizations for Bordatella and Influenza is also recommended.

Another worry is from fecal exposure passing intestinal parasites. Most parasites are transmitted by microscopic eggs or cysts in the stool. Tapeworms are an exception. The head of the worm embeds in the wall of the intestine and develops a chain of segments which break off and pass in the feces. These can be easily seen and each segment is a packet of hundreds of eggs. More frequent fecal exams help detect problems sooner.

Finally, the spread of external parasites is also possible, especially fleas. This has been a banner year for fleas so keep up on flea (and tick) treatments. Fleas also carry tapeworms! The gold standard of flea and tick topicals is Frontline or Advantix. The active ingredient in Frontline (fipronil) recently came off patent protection so you will see several new products with similar claims. They are much cheaper but do they work as well? Time will tell!

If you try any of these, please let me know your opinion

We want you and your dog to have a fun and safe experience at the park!!