A typical scenario follows. Mr. and Ms. Smith have been at work all day and all Fido has gotten is a total of two, 10 minute walks to relieve himself and sniff the corner fire hydrant. So when the Smiths come home, they are understandably tired and ready to relax for the evening while Fido is understandably crawling out of his skin for a lack of exercise. The solution? Take Fido to the dog park.
Fido is understandably crawling out of his skin.
I really do understand the thinking behind this misguided decision. The Smiths want to give their dog some exercise while they relax. Maybe they have even developed friendships with other locals at the dog park so they can chat while Fido “socializes.” They believe this is a good solution for everyone in the household, but I would argue they do not understand some key things about Fido.
WHAT THE SMITHS DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT FIDO
First of all, a dog should only be put in social situations with other dogs if they are in a balanced state of mind, otherwise they are a problem waiting to happen. As you may know by now, a balanced dog is in a calm and submissive state of mind.
Dogs are GREAT at reading body language. If Fido is unbalanced when he enters the park, other dogs will accurately read his energy as unbalanced (in this case excited/submissive or excited/dominant) and may “correct” him in a an attempt to create balance. Fido doesn’t have to pick a fight to start the problem.
Fido doesn't have to pick a fight to start the problem.
Secondly, the Smiths did not take into account the fact that the Browns, the Greens and virtually every other family is at the dog park for exactly the same reason they are; and with dogs in the same excited state of mind! So now Fido, Fluffy and Socks are all running around like lunatics, practicing terrible behavior amongst each other. Eventually, in all the melee, a dog fight ensues and perhaps a dog or hapless person trying to break it up ends up needing medical treatment . All because the Smiths, Browns and Greens do not understand that, if not curbed, all that excitement will escalate into dominance. And unbalanced dominance will inevitably lead to aggression.
WHAT FIDO REALLY NEEDS
Fido, like all dogs, needs daily working exercise. Dogs are born with a “blueprint” that tells them to work for a leader approximately ninety percent of their waking hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with no holidays. No one can change what a dog’s needs are, so I can only state them and hope that people choose to get those needs met. But I feel very strongly that when you bring a dog home you have made an oath to take on all the responsibilities that come with sharing your home with that dog. Owning a dog is a privilege, not a right. We must get our dog’s needs met if we expect them to be balanced members of our household; it’s only fair.
Owning a dog is a privilege, not a right.
Working exercise is the exercise dogs receive daily in a natural pack, and it is the exercise all dogs need. Working exercise has three parts:
1. Dogs must burn energy while they,
2. Recognize a leader (you) and,
3. Practice a balanced state of mind.
While playing fetch with your dog or letting them race around in the backyard is fine, it doesn’t meet all three parts of the working exercise definition, so it is what I like to call “Twinkie Exercise.” You can give your dog Twinkie exercise after they have received working exercise, and in an appropriately proportionate amount.
Respect your athlete by providing them with working exercise every day.
Working exercise includes things like going for a walk or run, where the dog is required to focus and pay attention. Having your dog run alongside while you ride a bike, rollerblade or ride a skateboard would also be considered working exercise. A dog in a natural pack will practice working exercise approximately 90 percent of their waking hours, anywhere from 20 to 40 miles a day. When you get a dog, you have invited an athlete to live with you! Respect your athlete by providing them with working exercise every day.
SO, CAN I TAKE MY DOG TO THE DOG PARK?
Yes, in theory. But only if your dog is ready for the dog park.
IS MY DOG READY FOR ALL THE CHALLENGES OF A DOG PARK?
Remember this question from the beginning of this article? You need to be able to answer this question honestly before going anywhere.
In my opinion, there is no one better at dog handling than world renowned dog behavior expert, Cesar Millan. In his first book, Cesar’s Way; The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems, he writes, “While I’m running, most of the dogs will be off leash. If a dog needs to be leashed, and assistant will handle that. If there is any doubt about the dog’s ability to be an obedient pack member, he stays at home, and I exercise him in other ways” (p. 11, italics added for emphasis). Mr. Millan clearly uses common sense when exposing his dogs to new situations, and so should every dog owner.
The lesson to be learned from this excerpt; if you can’t control your dog at the dog park yet, don’t take him to the dog park. Instead, break down the challenge into smaller “exposures” you can work on more manageably with the goal of working up to a visit to the dog park. Similarly, if you can’t trust your dog off leash at the dog park yet, leave her on leash for now and use the leash as a teaching tool. There are no rules! Let your creativity and patience be the key to your problem-solving success! But use common sense, too.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
And speaking of common sense, let’s get back to the basics here. Remember to provide your dog with daily working exercise before going anywhere. It’s always best to drain the your dog’s energy before introducing any challenge, especially one as big as a dog park. The dog park comes after the energy has been drained and the dog is in a balanced state of mind, otherwise they are a problem waiting to happen. I will also repeat, ad nauseam, that a balanced dog is in a calm and submissive state of mind. So, (drum roll, please) your dog must be in a calm and submissive state of mind before going to the dog park. It’s as simple as that!
The dog park comes after the energy has been drained and the dog is
in a balanced state of mind.
If your dog is not 100% reliable, take a look at your dog’s energy and the energy of the other dogs before you enter the park. Is there a dog with dominant body language? Is he puffing out his chest, standing erect with ears and tail up, targeting other dogs? Is there an especially excited dog, being pushy and obnoxious, all the while ignoring her mortified owner’s pleads to come? Maybe this is not the day for introducing the park to your dog. Or maybe this is the perfect day to practice working on leash with your dog outside of the fenced area, that way your dog will get used to the energy of the dog park while practicing focus. If your dog has pretty good working skills you may want to practice with your dog on leash inside the dog park, taking this time to teach your dog that other dog’s bad behavior is to be avoided and ignored, and that she needs to remain calm and submissive no matter what state of mind the other dogs are in.
Finally, the dog park is the place to go only when you are willing to pay attention. It is not the time to ignore your dog while you sit and read a book or chat with neighbors. While at the dog park remain relaxed but keep your eye on your dog’s energy, and the energy of other dogs in the park. A balanced dog will avoid dogs with bad energy and engage dogs with balanced energy. An unbalanced dog will go looking for trouble.
An unbalanced dog will go looking for trouble.
Dog parks are absolutely a great place for dogs to be able to experience what it is like to be among their own kind.
This article was printed in the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of BellaDOG magazine.
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