Dogs 101: How do I keep my dog safe in dog parks in Atlanta?

June 16, 7:46 AMAtlanta Dogs ExaminerSandy Weaver Carman

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     Dog buddies enjoying the day - Pat Thomas photo

Dog parks are popping up all over the country.  There are at least thirty in the Atlanta area, catering to those with no yard, a small yard, or the desire to allow their dogs to socialize with other dogs.  Dog parks are a great idea, in theory.  Problem is, many dog owners don't understand that the theory needs a rigid set of rules in order to work correctly.  Too often, there's a breakdown in communication and it's often the dogs that suffer.

Most dog parks are fenced areas for dogs to run.  The main rules are to clean up after your dog and to keep the gates closed.  These are the types of parks where an incident is most likely to occur, since there's no set of rules which governs the temperament of the dogs allowed to play there.  Some parks are run by organizations which require proof of vaccines, temperament testing and also require that all animals be spayed or neutered before being allowed to join the fun.  These kinds of parks are the safer ones, and are worth the extra expense and travel time for you and your dog, because they tend to be safer for your dog.

If you take your dog to dog parks, here are some things you should do to ensure his safety:

1. For at least the first 5 to 10 minutes, keep your dog on-leash outside the fences of the park and observe the dogs and their interaction.  When you feel that all is safe, then you can let your dog loose to play inside the park.  Watch the body language of all of the other dogs present while your dog is leashed.  If you see a dog stop, become stiff and focus intently on your dog, this is a warning of the danger to come if you don't step in.  In such a situation, it might be wisest to not allow your dog to be unleashed, at least until that dog and it's owner leave the park.  Keep your leash handy at all times, and at the first hint of trouble, leash your dog.
2. Take a pet first aid class.  The more times you visit a dog park, the more likely it is that a dog, maybe yours, will be injured while you're there.  Knowing pet first aid could make a life-or-death difference for that dog.  Have first-aid supplies with you or in your car while you're at the dog park.
3. Dogs can escape from dog parks, just as they can escape from a fenced back yard.  Have a plan in case your dog gets out, or in case you find a dog running loose outside of the dog park's fences.
4. If a fight breaks out, know how to safely break it up.  Don't go wading into the fight grabbing for your dog, as you will probably be bitten.  Dogs can't land and hold a bite if their hind legs are off the ground, so if possible, use your leash as a sling and lift the aggressor's hind end off the ground while someone else douses the dogs with water.  Hopefully this will cause the aggressor to back off.
5. Know where the closest vet is, and have that phone number programmed in your cell phone.
6. Have a pen and paper with you, so you can take down names, numbers and license plate numbers of those whose dog was involved in an altercation.  Much of the time, when a dog fight happens at the dog park, the owner of the dog that started it gathers their dog and leaves while others are attending to the injured dog. Be prepared to get all of the information you can.
7. Many people carry pepper spray to use in case a dog fight breaks out.  If you do, please also be prepared with a large supply of fresh, clean water to use on the faces of any dog caught in the spray.  Pepper spray is much more noxious for dogs because of their acute sense of smell.

Dog parks would be a perfect utopia for your dog, if everyone was a responsible pet owner.  There would be no out-of-control dogs, there would be no dogs carrying diseases, and there would be no dog fights.  Unfortunately, utopia for dogs doesn't exist, just as utopia for humans doesn't exist.  Therefore, as your dog's keeper, you need to be prepared and pro-active if you use dog parks.

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