Dog parks are very popular in cities it seems for various reasons, not all correct in my opinion. The biggest reason I object is because of behavior. Dogs learn through association, and just like Mom said, be careful of the friends you associate. Dominance is the greatest factor for not going to a park. In the social pecking order of dogs there is only one #1 and one #2 and so forth. That means if there are twenty dogs there someone has to be #20. Where would your dog be in this factor? How about where would you like your dog to be? This leads to the other big issue in parks and that’s dog owners. Some think they should get along with everyone. How many of us are that way? But dogs are different they don’t think like us and I thank God for that difference. Some owners have dogs as an extension of their personalities; they want to be tough and can’t be so they pick a dog that will be tough for them. Or others believe they are their children. If you don’t have kids this can be okay as a surrogate but keep in mind the reality that they aren’t children and shouldn’t be treated as such. Much as you wouldn’t treat a baby as a dog.

Another major factor is health. You need to know everyone doesn’t take care of their companions in the same way. Not everyone really cares about another’s companion much as we see in society how we behave towards each other. Common drinking fountains are very questionable. Puppies should never be at a park as there are better ways to socialize. Timid or aggressive dogs shouldn’t be expected to get along there. You are setting them up to fail and exacerbate their issues even more.

I have had numerous clients who have taken dogs of very normal temperament to a park and wonder why they become aggressive. They get mugged, they get rolled and dominated, so much that they strike out saying stay clear of me I’m dangerous. Then the wrong dog may take issue with that and you have a dog fight.

Another thing is toys or balls. They do not want to share, they want to possess and in whose mouth has it been? This creates competition too. Whose dog should have it, yours or the other dog? How do you imagine the other owner might feel about who should have the toy? A touch of reality through this type of thought might be provoking and useful, won’t you agree?

Then there is always the do-gooder who brings treats. First I don’t want my companion eating some garbage someone brought. I care about what they eat and when. Changes in diet or water can have unpleasant and adverse reactions to the sensitive stomach that dogs have. It’s also like trick or treat, I don’t trust everyone even though I look for the best especially in dog owners. We do have a symbiotic relationship because of them and its one not to always be trusted, just a very unfortunate reality.

Written by Steve Estrada 2003 for Gone to the Dogs