FAQs
What does 'Good Play' look like?
When dogs play, they often play-bow, paw at each other and bounce around like puppies. Their bodies look relaxed, rather than stiff, and they might make “play faces”-they hold their mouths open and look like they’re smiling. During play, the dogs might growl playfully and open their mouths wide, exposing their teeth and pretending to be ferocious. They might switch roles so that one dog’s sometimes on top when wrestling and sometimes on her back, sometimes chasing and sometimes being chased, sometimes pouncing and sometimes getting pounced on. The dogs might also frequently switch games, alternating between stalking and chasing each other, wrestling and rolling around on the ground, mouthing on each other, playing with toys, and taking breaks to drink water or sniff around. As the dogs run and wrestle, you might notice them pausing or freezing frequently for just a second or two before launching back into the game. These little pauses and breaks in play help ensure that play doesn’t get out of hand. Learn more about your dogs body language!
What are some Signs of Trouble?
If possible, watch for warning signs and step in before a fight happens. Your first clue that things aren’t going well during play might be the absence of all the signs of polite play described above. Instead of those signs, you might notice the dogs’ bodies becoming stiffer and more tense. Their movements might seem faster and less bouncy. Play might become louder and build in intensity, without any breaks or pauses. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to separate the playmates. You should also interrupt play if you see a dog who’s pursuing and playing too roughly with a playmate who’s trying to get away, or who’s repeatedly knocking down or standing over another dog. Intervene immediately if a number of dogs start to chase a single dog-especially if that dog is small.
Damage Control: What do I do if there's a fight?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts to monitor playtime, dogs get into fights. These scuffles often look and sound ferocious. The dogs might growl fiercely, snarl at each other, bark, snap and show their teeth. However, most dog fights don’t result in injury to either dog. They’re usually the equivalent of getting into a brief, heated argument with a friend or family member. Even so, if a fight lasts more than a few seconds, the dogs’ pet parents should separate them. Doing this can be dangerous. If you grab a dog who’s in the middle of fighting with another dog, she might startle and reflexively whip around to bite you. To reduce the likelihood of injury to all parties, follow these guidelines:
õ Prevent fights from happening in the first place by actively watching dogs during play. If you think things are starting to look a little tense, end play for a while by calling your dog to come to you.
õ Have a plan and don’t panic. Remember that most dog fights are noisy but harmless. If you stay calm, you’ll be able to separate two fighting dogs more safely and efficiently.
õ Before you try physically separating two fighting dogs, make lots of noise. Clap and yell. Consider carrying a mini-air horn or two metal pie pans to bang together. A sudden loud sound will often interrupt a fight.
õ If there’s a hose handy, you can try spraying the dogs with water.
õ If you’ve tried briefly (3 seconds or so) making noise but the dogs are still fighting, you and the other dog’s pet parent should approach the dogs together. Separate them at the same time. Both of you should take hold of your dogs’ back legs at the very top just under the hips, right where the legs connect to the body. (Avoid grabbing the dogs lower on their legs, like by their knees, ankles or paws. Doing so could cause them serious injury.) Like you’d lift a wheelbarrow, lift your dog’s back end under his hips so that his back legs come off of the ground, and move backwards away from the other dog. As soon as you can, turn your dog away from the other dog.
õ DO NOT grab your dog by the collar. It seems like the natural thing to do, but it might startle your dog and cause her to turn and bite you. This kind of bite is like a reflex that’s done without thinking. Many pet parents get bitten this way-even when their dogs haven’t shown any signs of aggression in the past.
õ After a fight stops, put both dogs on leashes and end the play session. Avoid giving the dogs another chance to fight. If the dog park is large enough, you can walk your dog to another area, far away from the dog she squabbled with. After she’s calmed down and relaxed again, try letting her off leash again to play with other dogs. If the park’s not that big, just call it quits for the day.
õ Prevent fights from happening in the first place by actively watching dogs during play. If you think things are starting to look a little tense, end play for a while by calling your dog to come to you.
õ Have a plan and don’t panic. Remember that most dog fights are noisy but harmless. If you stay calm, you’ll be able to separate two fighting dogs more safely and efficiently.
õ Before you try physically separating two fighting dogs, make lots of noise. Clap and yell. Consider carrying a mini-air horn or two metal pie pans to bang together. A sudden loud sound will often interrupt a fight.
õ If there’s a hose handy, you can try spraying the dogs with water.
õ If you’ve tried briefly (3 seconds or so) making noise but the dogs are still fighting, you and the other dog’s pet parent should approach the dogs together. Separate them at the same time. Both of you should take hold of your dogs’ back legs at the very top just under the hips, right where the legs connect to the body. (Avoid grabbing the dogs lower on their legs, like by their knees, ankles or paws. Doing so could cause them serious injury.) Like you’d lift a wheelbarrow, lift your dog’s back end under his hips so that his back legs come off of the ground, and move backwards away from the other dog. As soon as you can, turn your dog away from the other dog.
õ DO NOT grab your dog by the collar. It seems like the natural thing to do, but it might startle your dog and cause her to turn and bite you. This kind of bite is like a reflex that’s done without thinking. Many pet parents get bitten this way-even when their dogs haven’t shown any signs of aggression in the past.
õ After a fight stops, put both dogs on leashes and end the play session. Avoid giving the dogs another chance to fight. If the dog park is large enough, you can walk your dog to another area, far away from the dog she squabbled with. After she’s calmed down and relaxed again, try letting her off leash again to play with other dogs. If the park’s not that big, just call it quits for the day.
Why do dogs bark?
Barking is one of many forms of vocal communication for dogs. People are often pleased that their dog barks, because it alerts them to the approach of people to their home or it tells them there’s something that the dog wants or needs. However, sometimes a dog’s barking can be excessive. Because barking serves a variety of functions, you must identify its cause and your dog’s motivation for barking before you can treat a barking problem. Learn how to curb excessive barking.
How do I get my dog to come to me when I call him?
Letting your dog play uninterrupted in the park can be one of the quickest ways to lose control over your adolescent dog. Allow him to play uninterrupted and you'll quickly lose his attention and have no control over him whatsoever. On the other hand, if you integrate training and play, you'll soon develop reliable, off-leash distance control over your dog. Check out this article to see how to train your dog to come when called!
Why is getting a Dog License important?
1. If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog’s collar is the fastest way to reunite you and your dog. Even if your dog is micro-chipped, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn’t require a scanning device to read it, like a microchip does.
2. Licensing, unlike micro chipping, lets people know that your pup has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies and other diseases.
3. The fee you pay for your Dog License and license renewal keeps your town’s animal services going. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for Animal Care and Control, so it can continue to provide its services to residents, from finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets to keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs, from caring for pets whose owners have died to teaching good pet care to school children. (NYS Dept. Of Agriculture and Markets)
4. Your dog’s Dog License shows you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you are with your dog in public areas, people will notice the license on your dog’s collar and know that you really care about your dog’s welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
5. It’s the law. Owning a dog brings many rewards but also carries some obligations. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services. Good citizens get their dogs licensed.
2. Licensing, unlike micro chipping, lets people know that your pup has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies and other diseases.
3. The fee you pay for your Dog License and license renewal keeps your town’s animal services going. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for Animal Care and Control, so it can continue to provide its services to residents, from finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets to keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs, from caring for pets whose owners have died to teaching good pet care to school children. (NYS Dept. Of Agriculture and Markets)
4. Your dog’s Dog License shows you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you are with your dog in public areas, people will notice the license on your dog’s collar and know that you really care about your dog’s welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
5. It’s the law. Owning a dog brings many rewards but also carries some obligations. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services. Good citizens get their dogs licensed.
What are the dangers of kids in an off-leash park?
õ Not all dogs are child-friendly. Never allow your child to approach or pet a strange dog without the owner’s permission. All dogs have the potential to bite.
õ A running, squealing or screaming child may become a target for many dogs, because a child resembles an injured animal or prey - KEEP WITHIN ARMS DISTANCE.
õ Direct eye contact is confrontational to dogs. An interested child wants to stare into a dog’s face and this may provoke a dog unintentionally.
õ Never let your child have toys or food in an off-leash area. Dogs may knock down your child to get at a ball or cookie. In addition, the tools, fences, fountain, hose, air horns, sticks, and any other equipment in the park are not for the entertainment of the children. Please use only for the purpose intended. Children should BE TAUGHT proper behavior in a dog park.
õ Adult to supervise several children and the family dog is not sufficient to ensure everyone’s safety and control. Be sure you can take care of everyone you bring to an off-leash area.
õ Do not bring infants into the park. Adults holding an infant can be knocked down to the ground by playful dogs or adults holding an infant cannot step in to physically control their dog if the situation arises.
õ Children are more susceptible to contracting intestinal worms and other infections from touching grass where urine and feces are present.
õ A running, squealing or screaming child may become a target for many dogs, because a child resembles an injured animal or prey - KEEP WITHIN ARMS DISTANCE.
õ Direct eye contact is confrontational to dogs. An interested child wants to stare into a dog’s face and this may provoke a dog unintentionally.
õ Never let your child have toys or food in an off-leash area. Dogs may knock down your child to get at a ball or cookie. In addition, the tools, fences, fountain, hose, air horns, sticks, and any other equipment in the park are not for the entertainment of the children. Please use only for the purpose intended. Children should BE TAUGHT proper behavior in a dog park.
õ Adult to supervise several children and the family dog is not sufficient to ensure everyone’s safety and control. Be sure you can take care of everyone you bring to an off-leash area.
õ Do not bring infants into the park. Adults holding an infant can be knocked down to the ground by playful dogs or adults holding an infant cannot step in to physically control their dog if the situation arises.
õ Children are more susceptible to contracting intestinal worms and other infections from touching grass where urine and feces are present.