Dog Parks
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When I had my Basset Hound, Brownie, I took him to the dog park on a regular basis. Basset hounds are pack animals and, usually, love to be around other pups so I took him as often as I could. He would wander all over the fenced acres, greeting every other pup, every person, and, when motivated to do so, would run to his heart’s content with his long ears flapping in the wind. Every day when I walked him, it was tough trying to let him go at his own speed without me huffing and puffing to keep up. The dog park gave him a place to run free without me worrying whether I could catch him or not. Basset Hounds typically follow their noses more than listen to their ears and with the right scent, Brownie might not remember I exist until the scent went dry. Dog parks were a great way to give him freedom without worry. It also was a great place to meet other dog enthusiasts and make some great friendships.
Running off leash helps pups burn off a lot of energy.
Personally, I rarely make use of the dog parks in my dog-sitting business. I did in the beginning, but after several annoying instances of other dogs being nuisances and their owners refusing or unable to correct their own pups, I decided to call it quits on the whole dog park experience. I have what amounts to my own dog park at home for the social experience, so I don’t need to take a chance on irresponsible dog owners letting their out-of-control dogs cause harm or frustration to one of my guests. When at home, I oversee the full experience. Some people love them, though, and if you live near a dog park that has good, conscientious, quality people with well-behaved pups, then you might want to make use of them. The dogs may love it, too!
If you decide to use dog parks there are basic rules of etiquette to follow:
< >Only bring dogs you can handle and recall easily. Some dog parks are huge, and it would be nearly impossible to chase a dog down that did not want to be caught.Only bring well-behaved dogs that know how to socialize properly. You will not be able to make a pup dog-park-ready in the short time he is in your care. Work on training him at home and do not take a chance on a guest pup getting hurt by someone else’s grumpy pup.Watch your pups and clean up after them every time. And clean up after other pups occasionally, too! People might miss their dog relieving himself – be a friend and help them out. Also, if you bring more than one dog, bring your own bags even if the park supplies them. Do your part to keep the dog park going by not being a drain on their resources.Do not allow any dog to harass or harm another – but especially the dogs in your care. It is your job to keep them safe and happy.
Make sure all pups are getting along.
Do not spend more than an hour at the park. Yes, they would enjoy more time there, but after an hour they can become less patient and less well-behaved. Take them home to relax. You only want happy, tired dogs in your care.< >Ensure your pups are friendly with others and you should try to be friendly with other dog owners as well. Building a rapport between owners can make dog park time more fun and it helps resolve issues a lot faster with less defensiveness. It can also help build your business as you get to meet other pet owners who may need your services. Word of mouth doesn’t have to be via someone else’s mouth! Be sure to have business cards on hand to pass out as appropriate and always maintain a calm, leadership role with your pups to display your professional side. As Cesar Milan promotes – be calm and assertive around your pack. Be your best self while there (and as much as possible any other time) so that your reputation remains positive. Any display of temper will bring down your reputation and subject you to a long process of rebuilding it. Get to know the dog park organizers and take advantage of any well-run events and above-board fund-raising sales. If the dog park promotes paid advertising on their fences as a way to fund the park, don’t hesitate to add your own paid-for sign. Especially as you are building your business, advertising in the right places can pay dividends.
Loki is ready to go home.
Never leave a door open that could allow any of the dogs to escape. It is amazing how many people forget that one important rule. Most dog parks have a double-gated entrance and the correct way to use them is to only open the outside gate if the inside gate is closed and there are no loose dogs hanging out between the inner and outer gate. The same goes for the inner gate. Do not open it unless the outer gate is closed - and if there are any pups in between, they should be waiting to enter the dog park. Nothing short of an injury-induced dog fight is worse than having a dog slip out of a dog park and potentially into a street or lost. Prevent mishaps by following all rules of the dog park. Keeping the gates open and closed at the proper times is crucial.
Dog parks can be wonderful places to build your business, exercise and socialize pups, and make lasting friendships. If you use them, take advantage of all the opportunities visiting a dog park can provide.
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