By Janet McAfee
Dog parks are a place where people and their dogs can gather and have a great time. The humans get to socialize while the dogs meet and exercise with other dogs. They are a venue that allows a person and their dog to improve their mental and physical health. People talk to one another, allowing connections and friendships to form when they gather at dog parks.
Your dog makes new friends too. Dogs love to explore, and parks give them more space to do so. They love the freedom of racing around a beautiful park and sharing that experience with other pups. It’s a joyful sight to watch groups of them happily running and engaging with each other.
Back in the days when I only had one dog, Scarlet O’Hara and I loved our outings to the Civic Center Dog Park in Palm Desert. Scarlet enjoyed meeting and running around with the other small pups. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with other local residents who love dogs. Almost every city in the Coachella Valley operates at least one dog park. They are all securely fenced in, have separate areas for large and small dogs, and have comfortable shaded seating for the humans. You can google your city to locate available dog parks with their hours of operation.
Some veterinarians caution their clients about dog parks. Young puppies, frail seniors, sick animals and unvaccinated pets should never go to public dog parks. Determine your dog’s temperament when unleased around other dogs before you go. As we approach warmer weather, it would be a good idea to utilize tick and flea treatment before you expose your pet to the other animals. If your dog hasn’t seen your veterinarian in a while, this might be a good time for an exam.
Be cautious about taking unsterilized dogs to public dog parks. Other pet owners will not appreciate a male dog’s mounting behavior. Unwanted pregnancies for unspayed females can add to the pet overpopulation problem and cause problems for your household.
You need to be able to control your dog at these public venues. Make sure your dog knows basic obedience commands such as “come”, “sit”, “stay” and “leave it”. Don’t yell if your dog and another one start growling at each other as this could trigger a fight. Call your dog back to you, assess the situation and move on to another venue if needed.
Be prepared when you go. Most parks have doggie bags but bring extras just in case and be vigilant about picking up after Fido. Most parks provide water for drinking, but you may want to bring a collapsable dog bowl. Observe the activity in the park before you walk in. If you observe the area is congested with too many people and pups move on to the next park. Dog parks are double gated but be careful not to let anyone’s dog escape when you enter.
Take your dog off leash after you enter. Watch your dog but also keep an eye out for overly excited or aggressive dogs. If your dog appears fearful or overwhelmed, use a basic command to call him back. Don’t hesitate to call the authorities if a dog there is acting aggressively and it’s owner is being inattentive. There are usually rules of conduct posted on the dog park fencing with contact phone numbers. Problems are rare but can happen when unfamiliar animals gather.
Trips to the dog park increase the bond between you and your pup. Dog parks allow a community to be closer together. You and you pup will enjoy these happy places during our beautiful Spring weather!
