To Dog Park Or Not To Dog Park in Philadelphia…
It’s no secret that Philadelphians love their dogs and want to give them their best life. To that end, many Philly four-leggeds find themselves at the dog park. But are dog parks all that they are cracked up to be? A study by the National Recreation and Park Association found that “91% of Americans believe dog parks provide benefits to their community.” The top 3 benefits stated are:
1. 60% gives dogs a safe space to exercise and roam around freely
2. 48% allows dogs to socialize with other dogs
3. 36% allows owners a chance to be physically active with their pets.
An article in the New York Times entitled “The Dog Park Is Bad, Actually” begs to differ. As a professional trainer, I agree with the NYT. Many feel that the dog park is a great way to socialize with their dog but that isn’t the case. Owners may love dog parks but not all dogs do. They are an especially bad place to try to socialize puppies because you can’t ensure that all their interactions will be positive. When a puppy has a negative interaction, it can change the way they view all dogs.
And the truth is, not all older dogs want forced socialization. This can lead to dogs developing bad habits in a very arousing environment. It can also lead to dog fights. Most dogs are “dog selective” and that’s okay. You can’t be expected to want to interact with everyone you meet and neither do dogs. Usually, they are more comfortable with a few doggy friends they can have playdates with rather than being thrown into the fray at the dog park.
There is also a case to be made for the fact that there are no canine professionals at the dog park to monitor body language and diffuse aggressive situations. Often, a visit to the dog park is a social hour for the owners. When that’s the case, no one is keeping a watchful eye on the dogs.
There are health risks involved in going to dog parks. Injuries and bites are common occurrences. They are also a breeding ground for various illnesses such as Bordetella, leptospirosis, and canine influenza.
Some dogs just prefer to be with humans; listen to what your dog is telling you by its reactions to other dogs. I always advise my clients to find a couple of dog friends to socialize with. They can be sure that the other dogs are immunized and on flea, tick, and heartworm preventative.
It may just be that your Philly dog prefers outings with you and occasional playdates. Your dog can still live its best life without visiting the dog park.