Report Aggressive Dogs at the Dog Park

Dog parks are parks designed for dogs to run and play off leash. Some dog parks are public parks operated by city or county park systems, while others are private parks, some owned and operated by veterinarians or dog trainers. Dog parks are meant to provide safe places for dogs to run off leash, which is especially important to dog owners that live in apartments or homes with small yards. While they do provide protection from traffic, though, dog parks do not always protect dogs from other aggressive dogs.

Rules may vary from park to park, but most dog parks have posted rules requiring all dogs to be fully vaccinated and excluding excessively aggressive dogs. Unfortunately, rules are not always enforced, especially in public dog parks. If you take your dog to dog parks, chances are you will run into aggressive dogs with owners that don’t have proper control over them.

If a dog approaches your dog in an aggressive manner, growling, barking, or simply displaying aggressive body language, you should not assume the dogs will work it out themselves. If you’re not sure if the dog is being aggressive or merely being friendly, watch your dog’s reaction.

Ask the owner of the other dog to call off his dog, if the owner is around. Unfortunately, dog parks can be large areas and the owner may not be nearby. If the owner does not call off his dog, you should remove your dog from the situation if possible. Some dog trainers recommend carrying pepper spray or a big stick when you visit dog parks in case you must defend yourself or your dog from an overly aggressive dog that is out of control.

Contact the agency responsible for the dog park. Most dog parks will post the phone number of the person (or organization to call in the event of a problem). Give a description of the aggressive dog and the dog’s owner, including the owner’s name if you know it. Let them know you were concerned for your own safety and the safety of your dog. You may also want to file a police report; you should definitely do that if the dog physically attacked you or your dog.

Volunteer at Your Local Dog Park

Dog parks present a great opportunity for pets and their owners to bond in a safe environment. In large cities and residential areas, letting your canine companion loose just isn’t an option. Regardless of the laws that restrict this behavior, allowing a dog to roam around vehicles and unknown pedestrians is dangerous.

In a dog park, there are fences that create a closed off atmosphere away from the perils of automobiles and the allure of kitties. When you register with a dog park, you can be assured that the other pooches have been vaccinated for the safety of your pet and everyone else’s.

If your dog is usually cooped up inside all day, a dog park will give him the opportunity for exercise and socialization with non-human comrades. These aspects are very important to the health of your dog and his relationship with other dogs.

That’s why it’s a great idea to volunteer at your local dog park. Dog parks are often not run or owned by the city. Instead, private owners and non-profit organizations are what propel dog parks forward. Without the generosity and passion of private citizens, dog parks wouldn’t exist.

As a volunteer, there are many things you can do to help support your dog park. As expected, dog parks always require cleaning and maintenance. Dog parks can also use help getting noticed. A large percentage of people own dogs, but many may not even know there is a dog park in their community. As a volunteer you can help spread the word by posting fliers, and messages on social media websites.

By volunteering at a dog park, you can also get involved with proactive efforts to rescue dogs, cats and other animals in your community. Shelters are constantly being bombarded with stray and abandoned animals in need of good homes. You can help these animals get adopted while promoting the positive influence of dog parks.

Dogs are companions that remain enamored with humankind. We have so many different outlets of entertainment to indulge in. It’s only fair that dogs get a sanctuary to themselves. With your help, you can make sure these havens stick around.

Video: Bark for Your Park Coming Soon

Check out this video from PetSafe that provides details about the upcoming Bark for Your Park contest the company is sponsoring. It’s a great way you can win $100,000 to fund a local dog park in your community!

Local Dog Park Fundraising Ideas

Here are some creative ways to raise money to build a dog park in your neighborhood or city

Dogs are more than simply animals and pets, they are members of our families. They are incredibly loyal companions that bring untold joy to our lives. Dogs love to run around and play but unfortunately, many owners don’t have large yards for their dogs to exercise in. Having a local dog park nearby would provide many advantages to both dog and owner. A dog park would supply exercise and social interaction for both. But what if you don’t have one near you?

If you aren’t lucky enough to be a winner in the PetSafe Bark for your Park contest, you could join with other neighborhood dog owners to have a fundraiser in order to raise money to build a dog park. A dog park fundraiser would be a fun event, and there are many activity options available to have a fun fundraiser. Here are a few suggestions:

Have the fundraiser on a warm sunny day and take the time honored tradition of a car wash a bit further. You could hold a doggie wash in nearby suburbs or towns. Pass out flyers a couple weeks prior to the dog wash and entice people by adding a bake sale to the event featuring homemade goodies for both human and canine.

Another fundraising idea centers on dog health, featuring a local veterinarian. The vet would get exposure for his or her business and provide great tips for taking care of your furry friend. You could divide this fundraiser into several events, with each event focusing on a different aspect of your dog’s health. For example, one weekend might have a teeth and oral hygiene theme while the next weekend focuses on diet and nutrition.

Walkathons are popular fundraising events. Why not have one where owners walk their dogs? Each participant would sign up sponsors and collect pledges. Walking is great exercise and something both you and your dog would enjoy. Make sure to have plenty of water along for both of you.

A neighborhood dog talent show would be exciting. A panel of judges would award prizes based on the performance of each dog/human team. You could charge admission and raise plenty of money on a Saturday afternoon guaranteed to be full of laughs and fun.

Photo: Flickr

PetSafe ‘Bark for Your Park’ Contest

Can a dog park transform a community? One pet-loving company believes so.

PetSafe, a leading innovator in pet behavior and lifestyle solutions, is offering its second annual “Bark for Your Park” nationwide contest. Last year, Huntington, W. Va., was named “top dog” and won a $100,000 dog park. This year, in addition to the $100,000 grand prize, two additional pet-passionate finalist cities will receive $25,000 to put toward their dog park plans.

“In these times of economic distress, and minimal civic resources, it is a great relief to have a member of the corporate sector step up to not only fill a void, but to help make dreams come true by helping communities in need,” said Kevin Brady, executive director of the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District. “That’s what PetSafe did. We were ‘barking’ for a dog park, and PetSafe heard us.

“But we gained a lot more than winning an off-leash park for our dogs. We gained a source of pride, more green space to enjoy, a place for socialization and fellowship, an opportunity for increased healthy activity for owners and their pets, and a resource to encourage responsible pet ownership in our community. It was a win-win-win all around.”

Dog parks enhance the pet ownership experience in a community, which helps encourage pet adoptions and foster healthy pet-owner relationships, according to Randy Boyd, president and CEO of PetSafe.

Boyd added, “We strongly believe that dog parks can help decrease animal homelessness and euthanasia in that community. Not only are dog owners across America asking for off-leash parks to encourage play, exercise and socialization, we know these dog parks have a positive and lasting effect on the communities as a whole.”

While the contest kicks off May 1, PetSafe encourages community members to start planning early as the contest will be largely driven by community support. Citizens and pet owners across the U.S. are encouraged to visit the PetSafe website to nominate their city starting May 1 and to vote every day for their favorite city to move forward in the contest. For the best chance to become a finalist, a city should excel in all three categories of land availability, support from civic leaders and community votes.

On June 15, PetSafe will select 15 finalist communities to produce a video and continue “barking” for their park. The finalist city with the most votes will receive $100,000 to build a PetSafe dog park. The runner-up and the city with the highest percentage of votes to its population will each receive $25,000. Winners will be announced on August 3.

For more information, visit PetSafe.net or check out PetSafe on Facebook.