Dog Park Problems of the Canine and Human Kinds
A Suggestion for Resolving Issues During Off-Leash Play
Jun 1, 2009
Off-leash dog parks have major benefits including:
- the opportunity for dogs to obtain free-running exercise in a safe space
- the opportunity for dogs to socialize with other dogs. According to The Partnership for Animal Welfare, "Socialization is ongoing for the rest of your dog's life...To keep your dog socialized, he must continue to meet new dogs and new people".
- the opportunity for dogs to be dogs. Dogs are pack animals, and although well trained dogs adopt their human companion(s) as their pack, the pooches still enjoy sniffing and romping with creatures who exhibit their inborn behavior patterns.
- the opportunity for dog-loving humans to meet and converse with other canine enthusiasts
More than ninety percent of canines and humans at off-leash dog parks are models of excellent behavior, but problems do arise, and considering that the United States has an estimated 411 dog parks and Canada an estimated 353, the few clueless patrons can add up to a large number of problems.
Types of Problems
Problems occurring at the dog park results from both dogs' behavior and that of the humans as well.
- Example of a canine-caused problem -- An aggressive dog attacks well behaved dogs.
- Example of a canine/human shared responsibility problem -- An aggressive dog's human ignores, defends, or even applauds his/her dog's bad behavior.
- Example of an human-caused problem -- Someone considers an energetic, but non-aggressive dog to be "too rough" to play with his/her dog and demands that the energetic dog (who, by golly, needs the exercise) leave the park.
How might these problems be solved?
A Proposed Solution
A proposed solution for preventing some and resolving the remaining problems is for the park management to post--along with their list of regulations--a clear, specific definition of "aggressive canine behavior". The Alameda (California) Small Dog Park website gives the following description of not-so-friendly behavior: "Not so friendly greetings involve the dog making itself appear larger. Erect stance, head up, ears forward, tail up (possibly flicking tip), piloerection (hair up on neck/back, puffed tail hair), direct stare (pupils may or may not be dilated), raised lips, low tone growl, snapping, etc."
The park regulations need to also state specific consequences for dogs that behave in an unacceptable manner.
The clear, specific definition of unacceptable canine behavior should provide a yardstick for humans to resolve what behavior is too aggressive and what behavior is normal--albeit rowdy--canine play. The statement of consequences for disobeying the rules will allow human park users to demand compliance and exert the consequences for non-compliance.
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