Discover Cottage Country PETS & VETS
Dog Parks! The Good, the Bad & the Ugly! In these days of strict leash laws, doggy parks have become a necessity for some city dwelling dogs. So just how good are dog parks for your pet? The good thing about dog parks is the opportunity it provides canines to run freely and sniff the world at will. We all know that dogs really and truly love to do this. Dog parks also provide your dog a chance to socialize with other dogs. This can be a good thing but can also be a dangerous experience for your pet. Dog parks should not be equated with a mobile coffee shop. You are there for a reason ... exercising your dog. Use it that way. When you get to the park, keep moving. Walk around the perimeter of the yard. Movement is calming for dogs ... even those that are not your own. Don’t stand in a small group with friends. That encourages too many dogs to hang out with you
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and your group and can lead to some bullying between the dogs. The bad part is the people who simply can’t manage their dog at all so they choose to bring the dog to the park to burn off some energy instead of training their dog. Beware of the dogs who walk around stiff legged with a tail that is high and wagging stiffly. They may be showing the whites of their eyes and have the hair standing up along their spine. These dogs are powder kegs ready to blow up at any moment. The ugly can be the parcels left on the ground. Please pick up. Things like whip worm and lung worm are showing up more and more these days. Trust me, you don’t want these in your dog so make sure poop gets disposed of safely. Submitted by Pat Robertson, CDT, Due North Kennels www.duenorthkennels.com
Cottage Country Connection ~ May 10 - June 6, 2016
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