June 15, 2005

Back to the Table of Contents Page

Back to The Almanac Home Page

Classifieds

Publication Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Family Almanac: Dog-park decorum

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Nestor is new, so everyone sniffs him. There are some uncertain moments: will he fit into the hierarchy? And where?

Before long, Nestor is bounding around happily in the cool shade under the redwoods with a Welsh springer spaniel and an English mastiff. Life is good for this German shepherd.

Next to the big dog enclosure, Bari Halperin watches carefully.

"Dogs tend to come and surround a new dog. It can be intimidating," says Ms. Halperin, whose Skyline-area business, Dog Days, provides canine day care, training and exercise.

While the situation can be nerve-wracking at first, canines mingling at a day care or off-leash dog park can reap great rewards, dog professionals and owners say. They become more comfortable with other dogs and people. And they get exercise and a chance to play while running free.

The key to a positive experience is proper dog-park etiquette for pets and owners, canine-lovers say. With the city of Menlo Park recently opening off-leash areas at Nealon and Willow Oaks parks, dog professionals and owners have offered up some advice.
Starting out

If you were ever the "new kid," you probably remember creeping into the crowded cafeteria, white-knuckling a tray and hoping a classmate would proffer an empty seat. Might have been nice to start out a bit slower, no?

Rather than throwing a dog into the wriggling, peak-time dog park when he's first starting to know other canines, an owner should move gradually, Ms. Halperin advises.

First set up play dates with a few friends' dogs, she says. That way you know the companions are friendly. When it's time to hit the dog park, go at a time when it's less crowded.

Canines at a dog park must be healthy and vaccinated, and female dogs must not be in season, Ms. Halperin adds. She and others also caution against bringing children under age 10.

"Children and dogs should definitely be separated," says Lynn Macy, who owns the Pet Place shop in Menlo Park with her husband, Marc. "There's always a potential for a dangerous situation."

City rules also prohibit puppies younger than 4 months in Menlo Park's dog parks.
Keeping an eye out

Several mornings a week, Lily Hurlimann of Menlo Park brings Charlie, her golden retriever, to the off-leash area in Nealon Park. Folks start arriving at 8 a.m., and in half an hour, she says, "There can be 20 dogs happily chasing each other around."

Ms. Hurlimann says that most people are friendly and vigilant about cleaning up after their pets.

"Everyone wants to keep the park clean and the grass healthy," she says.

Etiquette in the dog park is largely a matter of common sense and courtesy, she says. If your dog gets aggressive toward another dog, stop it right away. If your dog sets off on a barking spree, calm it down.

Overall, owners should keep a close eye on their dogs, many say. You can't drop off your dog and whiz off to Peet's, nor should you get distracted and neglect to notice that Fido is biting Rover or acting inappropriately with Fifi. Owners know their dogs and can sense when behavior might turn aggressive.

Back at Dog Days, Ms. Halperin watches two charges playing. The activity is spirited, but she isn't concerned. The dogs are both small, there's no mounting (typically an act of aggression), and both tails are down.

"People assume that when a dog is wagging its tail it's happy, but it's just stimulated," she says. "A low, relaxed tail wag is OK. A high wag with the dog up on its toes is a concern. And if a dog is staring, that disturbs me."
What to bring

Arriving empty-handed at a dog park won't make you popular. First in your bag of tricks should be three -- count 'em, three -- plastic bags for retrieving your dog's little gifts.

Looking over the Dog Days fence, Ms. Halperin insists that isn't overkill.

"The white poodle went three times since he's been in here," she says with a laugh.

Ms. Halperin advises putting a buckle collar with identification on the dog. Choke collars and pinch collars are a bad idea; wrestling dogs could get teeth stuck in them.

Owners should also bring plenty of water, and ice cubes are recommended by many for hot weather.

The proper attire for owners is also important, Ms. Halperin says as Annie, one of her enormous, gentle Newfoundlands, bestows a slobbery greeting.

"Dogs are messy," she adds, handing a magenta towel to a besmirched Almanac photographer. "Don't go to a dog park in your best white pants."

Some dog professionals also recommend bringing Rescue Remedy, herbal drops that are said to help calm nervous or aggressive dogs. Citronella spray can also break up potential dog fights.

In her Pet Place shop, Ms. Macy points out a section of health-care products and advises assembling a canine first aid kit in case play gets out of hand. Ingredients can include antiseptic towelettes, gauze, iodine swabs, eyewash, antibiotic cream and powdered styptic.

INFORMATION

Menlo Park has off-leash dog areas at Nealon Park at 800 Middle Ave. and Willow Oaks Park at Willow Road and Coleman Avenue. For rules and hours, go to the Community Services department section of the city's Web site, menlopark.org. Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley have no official off-leash areas.

Dog-park etiquette

These tips are from dog professionals and owners:

** For dogs that are not used to other canines, start off slowly. Schedule play dates with a few friends' dogs before bringing your pet to a busy off-leash area.

** Keep a close eye on your dog in the dog park at all times. You know your dog and can tell what behavior is aggressive.

** Bring three plastic bags with you to clean up after your canine.

** Assemble a canine first-aid kit in case of a dog fight. It can include antiseptic towelettes, gauze and iodine swabs.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.