Dog Parks

I am writing about this craze or activity that a lot of people are taking their dogs too, and I just want to make sure that you have a sound basis and facts before you take your dog to one.

I hate Dog Parks, why because I think they are a disaster waiting to happen. To either your dog or someone else dog. For one thing most owners do not have a clue how dogs think and react around other dogs and people. And most owners do not have the control over their dogs that I do. And if something should happen, they could not call off their dog in a dog fight if their lives depended on it. But mainly Dog Parks are un-natural for a dog in the first place. People have this idea that their dogs need play dates like our children do, in order to be healthy and happy. Wrong wrong wrong.

Dog's are pack animals and belong in a pack, that means you, your wife or hubby and kids, and any friends that may come by on a real regular basis. But that is it. And Certain breeds esp. your sentry dogs, take this very seriously of who is in the pack and who is not. In the wild the pack is strength, power, and territory. Any stray dog that come upon the pack is a threat, to the Alpha, male or female as a potential breeder, as a threat for the food source in the area, and a threat to the territory itself. So when a stray comes upon the pack the Alpha’s decided whether to accept this new comer or run it off. And if that does not work they will hurt or kill the intruder. And the underlings of the pack take their cue from the Alphas whether they should accept or run off the strange dog. No decision is made by the underlings, but by the Alpha’s of the pack. They take their cue from them. So now that you know that dogs do not naturally like or accept strays or strange dogs in to their environment.

But wait a minute I did not say that they had to go around killing or attacking them either. What I said is that it is not natural for them to like every dog they see. Now they can be conditioned and trained to accept or tolerate other dogs, and esp. if their dog is aggressive, he or she can be taught to ignore the dog in question. By taking control over the situation as the Alpha to instruct your dog, what you expect his behavior to be. Socialization is great, and should be done early and as often as possible. I like to take my dogs around other dogs as much as I can, with the health of the pup in consideration of course. I like parks, beaches, training faculties, pet stores as long as you know. That as the pups or dogs leader IT IS YOUR JOB TO LOOK OUT FOR DANGEROUS DOGS AND PROBLEMS THAT ARE A HEALTH HAZARD TO YOUR PUP OR DOG. If you do not be on the look out and be able to prevent problems from happing you can actually cause sever to permanent damage to your dogs mental health. When I am out with a dog, that I am training or just letting him see the world. I make real sure that he is never in harms way. I protect him, and he knows I am his protector. That way he can be calm, and relaxed knowing that nothing can happen to him. So that out of the way, he know no harm can come to him with you in charge. In Dog Parks you can not guarantee that all the dogs there are thoroughly trained, non aggressive, not having a bad day, or under control by their owners if something should happen. . And in Dog Parks there are times when a dog will just look wrong at another dog and the fight is on. And dog will and do pack up and attack other dogs esp. dogs that are low end in the ranking order. Another problem with Dog Parks is that there is never the same dogs there every time you go, so you dog has to go threw this pecking order which can be and is very stress full for you dog.

So as the Alpha you should protect your dog at all times. And since you can not guarantee his safety in a Dog Park it should be off limits.

The other reason I do not like Dog Parks is that when your dog in happily running around playing with these other dogs. He is on their level bonding with them and not you. This is a time that should be spent in training with your dog. Or on long walks or fun activates with your dog. There are numerous games that you can play with your dog that will help you get better control over him. And it also help to make that connection between you and him even better. If you rely on him to get his release of energy threw the Dog Parks then you are missing out on a very important phase of his life. Now do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with him playing with your neighbors or friends dogs on a regular basis. That is a control or should be a control situation. But do not rely on him playing with other dogs outside his pack your family to burn off energy and to get tired out. The more the dogs rely on each other the less they listen and pay attention to us humans. When ever I get a new dog or puppy, I try and have them spend as little time with my other dogs where they will depend on them and not on me. I am the leader, but they soon learn that threw me, comes walks, obedience work outs, excursions in the car to place unknown and excitement. Especially if the dog is listening to me less and paying attention to the other dogs in my household more. I just spend that more time with that dog.

Then there is the question of health and illness, that you have no idea what other dogs may have, carry or pass on to your dog. Are all the dogs there been vaccinated for all health problems and virus. If they have worms, or a virus that you do not want your dog to be in contact with. And there are bad habits that your dog can pick up on esp. if he is a young dog that watch’s other dogs bad behavior. Dogs learn by watching and you should be teaching your dog good behavior not behavior you have no control over. And if your dog is not actually in a dog fight at the park. He can witness one, or witness the greeting ritual that goes on every time a new dog comes into the park. And this itself is very very stress full for a young dog, or any dog for that matter. As his leader and safety person it is your job as his pack leader that your dog is not taught bad behavior, stressed or put into harms way in any form. And it is your job to be his teacher, play mate and companion of your dog, not some strange dog you do not know, or will most likely not meet again. I hope this gives you the information you needed reference Dog Parks.

MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE LIKE A GSD.