 |
| Off leash: Adam Day watches his dog, 'Louie' (far left), mingle with other canines at a dog park in Cambridge, Mass. Nicole Hill |
Plenty of tails are wagging at dog parks
More than 700 parks now dot the American landscape. Debates over leash laws and proper use of open spaces just come with the territory.
from the July 11, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
But dog expert Turrid Rugaas disagrees with policies barring pit bulls or other breeds deemed aggressive. Ms. Rugaas, who authored a book on canine body language, says the US should look to Finland for a dog park system model. Helsinki alone has about 250 dog parks, and she says the city's dogs are calm and social because of their frequent park exposure.
Owners should refrain from yelling, throwing toys, or invading another dog's space, Rugaas says. In addition, parks should be landscaped, with a variety of trees and bushes where dogs can hide if they feel uncomfortable. "Dogs are very good at avoiding conflicts," she says. "It's only when we mess it up that [fights] happen."
Dog park advice from the Dog Whisperer
Dog trainer Cesar Millan, who also hosts the "Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel, offers dog owners these ideas before a visit to a dog park:
•Release some energy by going on a walk before taking dogs to a dog park.
•Dogs have three states of emotional reactions: "fight, flight, and avoidance." You should always have control over their reactions and make sure your dog is submissive to your wishes. A submissive dog is not nervous or tense, but rather in a deep state of relaxation and appears to be "happy-go-lucky."
•Never bring a dog in heat to a park.
•If a confrontation occurs, remain calm and confident. If you become afraid of what just happened, the dog's fear only becomes stronger.
•Choose which dogs you want your dog to play with. Guide your dogs to positive situations.
•Generally stay away from unfenced leash-free zones. Fences at least give some level of relaxation.
RSS feed
