Sunday, April 26, 2009

You, Too, Can Think Like A Dog!



One of our daily joys in life is taking Zack and Zanna to the dog park. (I’m being facetious, but, really…it’s not bad.)


Our dogs have so much fun playing with the other dogs! They get plenty of exercise, and you get to meet all the cool dog owners. There’s a pretty cool social strata out there at Hogan’s Run. People from all walks of life congregate there, and they all have one thing in common: they love their dogs.

We play in the “Over 30 Lbs.” park – aka the Big Dog Park. Sometimes, a teeny tiny specimen of the species canine will wander in, and hilarity often ensues. You see, these small dogs think they are just as big as a Great Dane. Last night, a young couple allowed their 4 lb 4 month old Yorkie, Vince, to come in and play. It was too funny!


Little Vince, though a pup, was not scared. He acted appropriately when a bigger dog came to sniff him, by rolling onto his back and letting the big dog check him out. It was obvious Vince had a great personality. We did have to pull Zanna away from Vince – she was pouncing on him and slapping him with her paw to try and get him to play…and sometimes, as a puppy, she doesn’t know her own strength. (45 pounds vs. 4 pounds was not a recipe for success with Zanna and Vince. Heck, she has stuffed toys that are bigger than Vince!) Little Vince the Yorkie was definitely the highlight of the evening, everyone fell in love with him.


Dogs need to be socialized, and the dog park is a great place to do so. One thing I say often – “Think Like A Dog” and you’ll have a great dog. Likewise, think like a dog at the dog park, and you'll have a great experience! You have to understand the species. I say that as an introduction to my next statement. There are a few rules at the dog park, and some are unwritten. For example, Do Not Bring Your Dog Into The Park When She Is In Heat, or even ending her heat cycle. Talk about a recipe for disaster…male dogs, whether spayed or intact, will react, and start one-upping each other. Taking on territory. Even if they don’t get close to the dog in heat.

If your dog is overly aggressive with certain dogs, you probably need to pull him aside and give him some time-out, or leave. For a while, Zack would run up to any new male dog and start having a dominance throwdown. We would have to pull him aside, or leave the park. He finally chilled out, and doesn't do that anymore, thank God. And Zanna is a social animal, she loves to play!

Another potential problem can arise from keeping your dog on a leash once you're in the unleashed area of the park. Leashes are made to restrain and control a dog. However, in a social dog park situation, a leash can get you and your dog in trouble. A dog on a leash surrounded by unleashed dogs may feel insecure and threatened. Or, even worse, the leashed dog may feel the need to protect his master. If that happens, you’ll find yourself, attached via the leash, in the midst of a dog fight. When a person tries to break up a multi-dog fight, he’ll most likely be hurt, himself.

And if you bring treats for your dog, please don't share them with the other dogs without the owner's permission. Some dogs have dietary restrictions.

If you ever need cheap entertainment, come on out to Hogan’s Run. It is so much fun to watch the dogs playing. When they get hot, they’ll go jump in the swimming pool (aka horse trough). The dogs play ball, and steal the ball from each other; a chase will soon ensue. Frisbee dogs are great fun to watch! If a dog from the herding breed is around, like a Border Collie or Queensland Heeler, you’ll probably see that dog on the perimeter, herding the entire pack of dogs. It is hilarious!


Hogan’s Run is the place to see all sizes and shapes of dogs playing together and having fun. It’s a great place to meet dog people, as well. And you know - dog people are great people! Or, at least, we think we are...

15 comments:

Warped Mind of Ron said...

LOL... yes don't get in the middle of a dog fight. A friend I knew had his two dogs get in a fight and he jumped in to break them up. Let's say the tip of his finger found a dogs mouth and it never came out. Of course the dog didn't even know they bit him because it was just snapping at the other dog.

♥ Braja said...

30LB PARK??? How discriminating. I wouldn't wanna go in there. If I was a dog, I mean...

:)
xx

Wunderwoman said...

Looks like a lot of fun, but I don't have a dog (gasp) everyone needs a dog right? Have a great day!

Michelle said...

I don't know why, but big dog park made me giggle!!!

Anonymous said...

Ain't it great seeing dogs running, smiling and happy.... free to be dogs.

Do they have an over 100 lb area? Just saying.

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Pam said...

What, no pics of Vince? I am shocked and dismayed. The Queen is NOT amused. I am thinking the Queen would be somewhat like Vince, only less social...she probably would need to stay in the under 10 pound area! Sounds like a great time was had by all.

Chatelaine said...

We really need a place like that in my little town.

Lol at that first pic :-D

Debz said...

And another important rule - Clean up after your dog! It really irritates me when some owners let their dogs do their duty and then walk away. Heck in our dog park they even provide the baggies and there's a trash can in spitting distance of wherever in the park you may be.

jill jill bo bill said...

Now if they had like a shaded bar area for the owners, I would be interested. Tell Wunderwomen up there, I have deal for her on a dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That's quite a sophisticated dog park you have. I truly believe we can all learn a lot from dogs and probably are more like them than not.

btw, that first picture cracked me up! LOL

Jackie said...

It's been a while since I've had my "fix" of your dog tales! My computer crashed and I'm just now beginning to get around to my reading 'habits'. Great post!

Vodka Mom said...

just wanted to stop and say i love ya.


heifer.

Gwynne said...

Looks like fun! Now that we only have one dog, I think a dog park is in order. I wonder if there are also dogs who lie about their weight to get into the Under 30 Pounds park? Vince sounds like a real daredevil. :-)

Tiffany said...

I wish we had a dog park around here. My fatso Tink needs to play. Even though she's an English bulldog, she's WAY overweight. Gee could snoozing on the sofa all day have something to do with that? LOL

i beati said...

Meeting and photogging super fun