ones. Finally, dogs that display aggression toward people or dogs are not candidates for the dog park. Does your dog come when called? Practice calling your dog to come. Start in your living room, and gradually work up to practicing across several rooms and in the backyard (as long as it is fenced!). Reward your dog generously each time he comes to you. Why is this important? Knowing your dog will likely come when called is a safety issue. What if play gets too rough, or a fight breaks out? What if you simply would like to leave and can’t get your dog to follow you? Wait until your dog will come to you most of the time before introducing her to off-leash play. Children at the dog park Keep children close by and under direct control: they should not run around, scream or encourage dogs to chase them, as this could result in serious injury. Not all dogs are familiar with children and may perceive running and screaming as prey behavior. Small children allowed to wander among groups of playing dogs may be knocked over or stepped on, possibly creating a long-term fear of dogs in general. Dog park manners There’s no delicate way to say this: not all owners who attend dog parks show good judgment about their own dogs’ behavior. Many people have difficulty distinguishing normal play behavior from bullying and may not realize their dog is being rude. Others may mistake arousal for playfulness, allowing a potentially dangerous situation to develop.
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