Dear Dog Diary,
Today it started to snow. I started to howl and told dad it was time to run around in the snow. I asked Dad if we could go to the riverfront dog park, but he told me it was closed due to the construction project that will extend the trail. Crawford then gave him the saddest pupply look so he said we could go as long as we were the only dogs.
The problems with all dog parks are the humans. . . us dogs know how to play, how to growl, how to send play messages and how to send warning messages. If any of these things are not recognized by their humans, the humans should not take their dog to a dog park. Crawford and I were having fun chasing each other around the dog park, despite our size difference, weight difference and age difference we know how to cover the entire outfield, sniff for smells and chase the tennis ball. We were minding our own business in the outfield, when along came another dog Crawford’s size, who had an owner who decided to keep their dog on a leash even though their dog wanted to play with Crawford.
Baby Boy sprinted over and then went into puppy play looking to get the same look from the pup, but the human still had the leash on and decided to pull the dog back instead of letting him dog.
If you are a dog owner, you already know how this will play out.
Instead of cursing out the human dog parent, I’m choosing to write this in hopes that some kind human will help this silly human out. Know what puppy play looks like, if you don’t know the difference between puppy play and an aggressive dog attack your lack of knowledge will only excite the situation.
Below is Vinnie’s guide to how to enter a dog park if you choose to expose your pup to the crazy lottery of humans that bring their dogs into the parks.
https://www.sayitoncedogtraining.com/blog/dog-parks-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly
https://www.sayitoncedogtraining.com/blog/dogs-and-body-positioning
I know when a new dog enters a dog park, I know dad will not let me and Crawford double team them. Dad will isolate one of us, based on size/age matchups to make sure the new dog is welcomed with the right amount of puppy play. This is really awesome because I get the most praise and best head rubs.
2 on 1’s are bad, 3 on 1’s are more bad, 4 on 1’s are asking for trouble. If you are the human don’t put your dog in the trouble scenario and if by some chance the two dogs are playing let them figure it out with a few barks. Us dogs will know the difference between being too rough and being playful.
Sincerely,
Phoebe
This message was dictated by mama dog Phoebe.
