Adena Dog Parks

DOG PARKS 101
The Public Has Questions...Generation Pets Has Answers

Due to the nature of my business I have been to many dog parks in the tri state area.  Many dog owners ask the same questions.  All are validated concerns that need to be addressed in order to enjoy a safe and fun dog park for you and your canine(s).  Below are some questions from the public and responses from Generation Pets.  Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to contact Generation Pets with any further questions.

Q. Do you find with most of your clientele, or with people in general, that they treat their canines like they are human?
A. One sentence that I repeat over and over again to dog owners:  "we think as humans and they react as dogs".  Due to the contrast in how we think vs. how a domesticated animal behaves, communication is often confused from the start.  Humans reward canine behavior the same way they would reward their own children, which is on a physical basis (hugging, rubbing).  The most important question an owner should ask him or herself before giving physical praise to any dog is, "am I rewarding the behavior I ultimately want for this particular scenario?"
Example:  You are in the dog park.  You own a Standard Schnauzer or an Anatolian Shepherd.  You are engaging in a conversation with the person next to you not really paying attention to your dog interacting with the other canines.  Now both of these breeds have been bred to guard.  That means guarding a house, a car, a fenced in backyard and yes…you.  Other dogs begin approaching you.  Your dog begins to bark at them and begins chasing them away.  You finally notice what is going on and begin to laugh thinking it is cute.  Your canine exhibits this behavior again a few moments later and you begin petting him/her while you are still engaging in your conversation. What just happened?  In your mind, you feel you are just giving your dog attention and this is just the way your dog plays with other dogs.  What did your canine interpret from this particular scenario?  You just rewarded your dog being protective over you.  What happens next?  Now he feels this is what he should be doing every time a dog approaches his owner.  If you do not seek professional help while your canine is still an adolescent once they reach social maturity it is harder to backtrack on an "ingrained" behavior.  It can be done; it just takes more time, patience and work!

Q. In your interpretation, what does it mean when a canine sniffs, mounts another dog or marks uncontrollably even if they are spayed/neutered?
A. Many of my clients feel much more comfortable for me to go with them the first time they experience a dog park setting.  It is scary at first!  I remember 10 years ago when I brought my puppy to his first Puppy Kindergarten class and the trainer told us to let our puppies off leash.  I almost fainted!  I chased him around like a paranoid mother thinking he was going to get hurt or he was going to hurt another puppy.  He just wanted to play with the other puppies and they wanted to play with him.  I just didn't know how to read canine communication back then so I didn't know what was considered normal play behavior for canines and what wasn't. I always try and remember how I felt in that moment of time so I can relate to how my clients feel with their first time experiencing off leash play with their dogs.  I explain different behaviors and what they mean, such as:
Sniffing:  The best way I can explain it to a human.  Think about how we download information into our computers on a daily basis.  We are inputting information.  That is what is happening when dogs get "lost" on a scent or they smell the genital area of another dog.  They are absorbing information as to whether that dog is male or female, aggressive or non-aggressive, in a home with other canines or cats, neutered/spayed or intact, whether they are alpha or beta.  That is a lot to take in! For a human it is like shaking someone's hand and telling him or her your name, where you live, what you do for a living, etc.
Mounting: 95% of the time it is not sexual.  Canines view life in a hierarchal system.  It is innate for them to know their role in a social system -- whether that is within the confines of your home with humans or in a dog park setting with other canines.  Even if you are having your next-door neighbor's dog over for a play date with yours, you will see mounting.  Males mount females and females mount males.   I have seen canines mount other canine's heads as well as their back ends.  It is their way of trying to dominant the other canine trying to take that alpha status.  Now if the other dog is a stronger alpha, that behavior is not going to last too long.  An alpha will never accept that kind of behavior coming from a beta unless they are raised in the same home together.  If they are in the same home then the alpha will let the beta mount on him/her.  They take on a motherly role realizing they are just dealing with adolescence so there is no challenge.  A true alpha will never lick the muzzle of a beta.  Licking muzzles is a sign of respect as well as a calming signal if two canines become "over heated" in a play session and it got to a level where it should not have. This happens all of the time.  It is like two boys wrestling in play at first.  The arousal heightens and they actually begin to fight.  This was not intended obviously it just went too far.  Once they separate and cool down, they get over it.  And yes, it may happen again.
Marking: There are various reasons why dogs mark.  First and foremost is to have their scent in that area.  My Anatolian Shepherd will urinate only 1 time any new place I bring her but will never do it again at that location.  Every new class location, someone's home for the first time or a new facility she will urinate 1 time.  I have learned to accept that this is what she needs to do as being an extreme alpha female.  Males mark more with defecation than females do and generally urinate more often as well.  If a male is intact or has gotten neutered later on in life he will urinate more than a male that has been "fixed" at 6 months of age (sexual maturity).  Most people are not aware that males are not born to lift their legs;  it is a learned behavior.  They are born to squat like female canines do.  A male will begin to lift his leg on objects if you expose him to other males that lift their legs or walk them around an area of town that you know male dogs reside.  Also, males do not have to urinate on everything they come in contact with.  Owners generally allow it to happen and it becomes routine for the dog.

Q. Should owners intervene if they feel their canine is being too rough or aggressive?
A.  The answer is YES!  First off, if your canine has a behavior issue I strongly recommend contacting a professional first before you bring your canine to a dog park and let them go with you.  Dog parks are not for all canines. If you are unsure how your dog is going to react at a dog park, it would be extremely dangerous on many different levels for a professional not to be there.  If you attend the dog park frequently then you basically know how your canine is going to behave. But not all dogs like all dogs.  Just like humans, sometimes different temperaments will clash.  If you notice that your dog is fixated on another dog and you see that the other canine is becoming more and more agitated, it is your job to tell your dog to "leave-it" before it gets to a level where it shouldn't have.
Then you have some canines that are just "bullies."  Whether it is their genetic make-up or a learned behavior from another dog he plays with regularly, or a dog he grew up with, he needs to learn how to play appropriately.  If you do own a canine that likes to be the "bully" I recommend contacting a professional and have very small play sessions (2-3 other dogs) so you can learn how to curb this behavior and teach your dog how to play nicely.  Your canine should always look to you for their next move.  Easier said than done, I know.  It takes a lot time, patience and effort on your behalf.  Training a dog is a process like anything else in life.  It does not happen over night. After reinforcing these managed play dates then bring your canine back into the dog park when there are only a few other dogs so you are not "flooding" him or her out.  If your canine reverts back to his old ways, he leaves the dog park and you try again another time.

Q. With all of the varying breeds what do I need to know or expect about their behavior?
A.  Dogs are bred for hunting, herding, working and sporting.  This is their genetic make up.  Many of the behaviors that canines exhibit in a dog park setting stem from what they have been bred to do in life.

WORKING & HERDING GROUP
Examples:  German Shepherd/Border Collie/Corgi/Schnauzer/Rottweiler
These groups were bred to herd and protect the land and/or flock from varmints all the way up to bears.  Depending how "hard wired" their genetic drive is, most of these breeds really do not "play".  It is their job to control the pack and keep all the dogs "in check".  They will circle the playgroup continually and herd them if necessary.  In their minds they are there for a job and a very important one at that!  Personally I feel the American Staffordshire Terrier (aka Pit bull) should be labeled under the Working Group.  This particular breed was also bred to come to America to protect the home and land from varmints up to bears.  They exhibit many of the same behavior traits as the Working Group.  The only difference is that they like to chase rodents.  After all they are in the Terrier Group!  American Staffordshire Terriers have had a bad "rap" for a long period of time.  I have written many articles, held seminars and educated and will continue to educate as many people as I can about this breed.  Trust me, they would not pick the owners that pick them.

SPORTING & HUNTING GROUP
Examples:  Retrievers/Pointers/Spaniels
These groups were bred to help man find and retrieve game.  These canines have innate instincts to the field, the water and the woods.  Pointers and Spaniels are a little more into the hunt where retrievers think that everyone was put on this world to play with them!  That is why they make such good family dogs.

Q. How humans should act in a dog park where there are lots of dogs and do you feel that children should be allowed in the dog park?
A.  I know when I bring my son to the playground I never let him out of my sight.  My eyes are always on what he is doing and getting himself into.  The same scenario needs to be put into play with your dogs.  I recommend that when you do go to the dog park you always keep your eyes on them, stay close to the fence and definitely do not bring your children into the dog park.  It is too dangerous for them for many different reasons.  What if your canine gets into a fight?  Now you have your dog and your child in the mix.  What if your child winds up in the middle of a dog fight by accident and gets hurt?  I recommend that both adults and children stay along the perimeter of the fence instead of hanging out in the middle of the park.  When canines start running, they are in the moment.  Sometimes they are not paying attention what is in front of them.  That could be you!  And you are going down.  I have seen many people seriously injured by being hit by a running dog or pack.  Back surgeries, knee surgeries, it is very serious and something not to take lightly.

Q.  Would you ever have a  class/seminar/workshop in how to understand dog park dynamics?
A.  I sure would!  I have help seminars in the past educating owners in a dog park setting.  I would be more than happy to schedule a date and time so I can answer any and all questions that the public may have!  It would be fun as well as informative!  Thank you for your time

Adena
Generation Pets
Certified Canine Behavior Counselor & Trainer
973.930.8491
www.generationpets.org
generation4pets@verizon.net

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