Many of my fellow dog trainers advise their clients against using dog parks.
The theory is that dog parks are places where poorly trained dogs are let loose because they cannot be trusted off-lead anywhere else.
Such dogs may present a risk to other dogs as their owners may not have the skills to take charge of a difficult situation.
In general, I do agree with this advice but to be honest I also find visiting dog parks beneficial, especially when travelling.
Training my dog in a dog park among all the associated distractions and smells is also a good way to develop my dog’s reliability.
Seriously, is there anything more satisfying than seeing your dog cheerfully holding a stay while other dogs wander around him or calling your dog away from a pack of interesting playmates in a speedy recall?
So, yes, I do visit dog parks but I take precautions.
Generally, my dog Robbie and I will wander around the boundary fence to assess the body language of any dogs already in there.
If they appear happy and cheerful, then we will head inside.
A hint of aggression and we will either monitor the situation for a while or leave.
I do not think that taking an aggressive dog into a dog park is ever a good idea.
You may think you have the place to yourself and miss another dog’s entry through a distant gate.
On the other hand, a dog park can be a good resource for training a reactive dog.
Reactive dogs may have their fight or flight instinct triggered by another dog or a person.
To train your dog, you can keep at a safe distance outside the fence where your dog can see other dogs but not be approached by them.
Over time, maybe over the course of multiple visits, you may be able to get progressively closer and your dog may gradually become more confident.
If you search for ‘look at me’ and ‘look at that’ online, you will find some useful training approaches to help your dog improve his or her reactivity and maybe get right into the dog park scene.
Finally, remember to check in to the Facebook page at ‘Old Dog New Tricks, Australia’ – this month’s featured breed is the husky.