Alexandria Living Magazine
It’s common for dog owners to say that their dog starts whining, barking or wagging their tail in excitement as soon as their owner’s car pulls into the parking lot of their favorite dog park.
Usually a fun place for dogs and their humans, the City of Alexandria has 17 dog parks and nearby southeastern Fairfax County has 11. These spaces provide room for dog owners to exercise their dogs off-leash. However, not all dog parks are the best place for all dogs.
Sandy Modell, founder of Wholistic Hound Academy, a dog training center in Alexandria, has concerns about dog parks because many dog owners lack proper etiquette and knowledge of dog body language.
To make dog parks a safe and healthy place for everyone, the City of Alexandria code lists the following rules for all city dog parks on their website:
• Dogs must be attended at all times
• Only three dogs per person in these areas
• Dogs must be 4 months or older
• Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination
• Dogs must be licensed
• No female dogs in season
• Owners must clean up feces
The American Kennel Club website has a few more tips for dog owners to remember including not bringing ill or infectious dogs, monitoring your dog for any aggressive behavior, leaving food and treats at home and not allowing your dog to run in a pack with other dogs.
Unfortunately, not everyone plays by those rules. Dog parks in Alexandria are self-policed, which can cause problems with rule enforcement.
Modell believes it would be beneficial to have a registration system for dog parks with key-card access (some other states have this), plus free seminars on dog park etiquette offered to potential users.
Terra Michelle, who takes her dog to Westgrove Dog Park off of Fort Hunt Road in Fairfax County, said the two biggest challenges to her are “dog owners missing when their dog poops and not picking it up,” and “adults bringing children under the age of 9 into the park, which can be dangerous, as it is against the off-leash dog park rules in Fairfax County.”
Shanese Hermas thinks distraction is the biggest culprit for owners at the park. “I try not to be on the phone at all at the dog park, so I’m able to be more aware — no distractions while I interact with my dog,” she said.
The most important issue to dog owner Ira Peppercorn is that “people should pay attention to their dogs and be ready to step in if there is a fight.”
Michelle does not want the public’s focus to be on the list of rules and the occasion-al negative experiences that can occur at the dog park. “Dog parks are fun places and just watching dogs play can relieve stress and make us laugh and helps us get outside and talk to other humans too, which we sorely need right now,” she said.
Peppercorn added that “the vast majority of people who go to Westgrove are loving and responsible dog owners.”
Modell said that around 40 percent of households in the City of Alexandria have dogs but the number and size of dog parks is not sufficient to welcome them all. Overcrowded parks contribute to hyper-excitability in dogs, which can quickly lead to aggressive behavior. She said that dog parks can be a great, fun place for already socialized dogs, but all it takes is one provoked dog or a distracted owner to ruin the experience.
Ultimately Modell says not all dogs enjoy going to the dog park. As an alternative, she suggested owners take their dog on a walk or putting them a 50-foot long line in an empty field or park. It is important for owners to know their dog’s temperament and to be able to recognize when their dog is not comfortable at the park, especially as dogs age.
For more information on City of Alexandria dog parks visit alexandriava.gov/Dogs. In Fairfax County visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rules/dog-park.
Modell provided this advice for dog owners to make their experience as pleasant as possible:
About half of dog park altercations hap-pen at the entrance to the park, so Modell encourages owners to call their dogs away when a dog is entering the park, allowing the new dog to acclimate without being overwhelmed.
Most owners call their dogs and leash them when it is time to leave the park but Modell recommends calling them, leashing them and then unleashing them a few times before it’s time to go so, they do not associate the leash with the end of their fun.
Modell suggested that users visit dog parks in off hours when there are fewer people and dogs around. And, try to go at the same time every week, as dogs tend to play better with dogs they are familiar with and see regularly.
Modell also recommended owners stay standing and close enough to their dogs to intervene when their dogs are overstimulated to redirect their attention.
It is not safe for small children and very small dogs at most dog parks, because their presence can enhance the prey drive in larger dogs or lead to accidents.
Modell emphasized how essential it is for dog owners to know the difference between negative and positive dog behaviors. It is good when dogs engage in balanced play where they take turns initiating contact but some warning signs to watch out for are listed below:
• One dog being chased by multiple dogs
• Stalking or shadowing
• One dog dominating during play
• Jumping up on owners
• Tail wagging that is fast and low (this can signal anxiety or stress)
• Tail wagging that is fast and high (this can indicate too much excitement)
• A dog trying to make itself small, tuck-ing its tail and hiding
• Bullying, pinning, rolling or broadsiding
• Excessive mounting or humping which signals too much arousal
• Snarling or raised lips, fixed gaze or hackles up.
Be safe and have fun!
To find out more working tips on the dog ownership visit dog-gear.com.
