Using a Dog Park as a Training Space

What to do when you can't find dogs to practice with.

Here's one of Team Sonic's activities.

 

pardon the video quality, it's, um, literally, hand held

Walking with dogs, practicing great dog manners and leash manners while doing 'dog things' in the company of other dogs. There are a number of people who show up to walk their dogs around the reservoir for some low key 'just being a dog' fun that does not involve the rough and tumble that goes on within the dog park. You'll meet senior dogs, shy dogs, reserved dogs, slow dogs and a range of 'not a dog park' dogs.  Polite human and canine company is appreciated, Team Sonic included.

Activity two: play and train outside of the fence.  Having a dog that can focus and have fun, without fear or frustration in the vicinity of lively dogs is a goal for many, and absolutely necessary if competition or performance is a goal.  It's a great way to work toward or maintain good behaviours. For reactive dogs, this may be a distant goal, but if your dog is ready for the experience, a dog park is one of the few places where you (mostly) have control of Distance, Duration and Distraction. You can move away or toward the area with dogs.  I said 'mostly' as occasionally there may be a rude puppy run up in the leashed only zone, but mostly dogs are leashed or well-enough socialized to know not run up to an unwilling canine.

For those of you who have dogs that enjoy being inside of the dog park, the dog park can be an excellent place to practice great leash manners.  Use entry into the dog park as your dog's reward. Make walking up to the entry into the dog park contingent on good behaviour. If your dog puts pressure on the leash (pulls, even a little), stop moving or even turn around. Teach your dog, when outside of the dog park, that not all dogs want to say hi. The ability to ignore and/or be neutral to passing dogs is an important life skill for both safety and courtesy.

If you want some company practicing, just ask. I go there a few times a week. Sonic and I do not go inside the dog park but do enjoy sedate group walks around the park.

NOTE: If you go to the dog park to practice, expect your dog to 'forget' everything you think he knows. For most dogs, a dog park is one of the most distracting and difficult places to train.  Be prepared to start at the beginning, or possibly just work on focus and calm, or focus and fun (depending on your dogs temperament)--I do the latter.

NOTE:  Because not all dogs are under control in the 'leashed zone' regardless of the rules, this isn't a good place to train for all dogs. Use your judgement.  Generally, the crazy zone is between the parking lot and the gate, as a few people don't bother leashing their dogs for the short walk up to the park.