Every dog needs a mission in life.
I was given this maxim long ago by a dog trainer, and I have found it to be very helpful in dealing with behavior issues as a veterinarian as well as helping to keep my own dogs happy and healthy.
Not everyone has the time, though, to compete with their dog in obedience, or get them involved in agility, herding events or other canine competitions. In that case I highly recommend regular visits for you and your dog to a local off-leash dog park.
Here on Whidbey Island we are fortunate to have five different parks that offer a variety of environments.
There is even an off-leash dog park on a beach down at Double Bluff on Useless Bay. Additional information, including maps, can be found at the FETCH! Website (www.fetchparks.org). FETCH! (Free Exercise Time for Canines and Humans!) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to work with Island County officials to establish and maintain off-leash parks on Whidbey Island.
Dog parks have been a growing trend throughout the country over the last decade. City and county planners have discovered that by creating these community areas for dogs to exercise and socialize they were also creating community areas for people to interact with one another.
Good behavior and manners on the part of dog and human alike will go a long way to ensuring that your time at the park is enjoyable.
To help ensure that your experience is a positive one consider these recommendations:
Follow the Rules
They may seem arbitrary or heavy handed, but often rules have been created in response to past problems or in order to maintain continued support for the existence of an off-leash area. Keep your dog’s vaccinations current and have them licensed.
No People Food
Some dogs can be food obsessive and food you bring for yourself can result in unwanted attention from other dogs or even aggression and dogs fights.
Watch Your Dog
It’s easy to get caught up in talking with other dog owners, but always keep an eye on what your dog is doing and be ready to intervene if their play is becoming too aggressive.
Stop Rough Play
Don’t allow your dog to be a bully. Try and distract your dog with other play activities such as playing fetch or taking them to another part of the park. If necessary, you may need to leave for the day.
Pick up the Poop
Picking up your dog’s waste is important and it is the law. It helps maintain the cleanliness of the park for everyone else, it helps keep freshwater and salt water resources clean and it is a public health issue. If you see someone else not picking up after their dog it is proper etiquette to let people know — they may not have noticed their dog defecated.
Give your local off-leash dog park a try. Both you and your dog will be happier for the experience. You may even discover ways to support the work of FETCH! in keeping this valuable resource for dogs.
Dr. Kiel is the U.S. Army veterinarian currently supporting NAS Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett. His columns appear the first and third Friday of each month. Please send questions or comments to Dr. Kiel at joseph.kiel@navy.mil.
