How to Deal With Ticks – A Dog Hiker’s Survival Guide

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How to Deal With TicksThe snow is melting, the days are getting longer and spring is almost here. That means you’ll soon be spending more time outdoors with your dog. This is a good time to plan on how to deal with ticks this year, especially if you love hiking with your pup.

Has this ever happened to you? You return home from a long hike with your dog and sit down to relax with a cool drink. As your faithful trail companion rests beside you, you reach down to reward him with a calm belly rub or massage. You’ve got that “Life is Good” feeling going on, until you feel a little bump on your dog’s skin. You separate his fur to investigate and discover a blood sucking tick has embedded itself into your sweet dog. Yuk! Any kind of parasitic feeder gives me the creeps, but I especially hate ticks!

These eight-legged parasitic arachnids come in a variety of types and sizes and some carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. Where I live, the American dog tick is the most common and they are more active in the spring and early summer, but if you live in a warm, humid climate, ticks can be a problem all year long. Visit the Dogs and Ticks website to find out what ticks and tick related diseases are common in your area. Ticks climb up on blades of grass, twigs or shrubs where they hang out, waiting for you and your dog to come hiking down the trail. You’re likely to find more ticks in moist, shady areas like where a grassy field meets a section of woods, but deer and human trails are also a common place to find ticks.

Ticks

Photo by Fairfax County / CC BY-ND 2.0

When your dog gets close to or brushes up against tick infected vegetation, a tick can drop off and hitch a ride. It then begins seeking out a warm, dark feeding site before attaching its jaws and inserting a blood sucking feeding tube. Disgusting, right? Since ticks are usually found in hiking areas, here are some ways to protect yourself and your dog from these freeloaders.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Dog From Ticks When Hiking

Discuss tick prevention treatments with your vet.
Oral and spot-on remedies are effective but some dogs have had adverse reactions to these types of preventative treatments. I really hate putting toxic chemicals in or on my dog, so I opt for the minimum amount of treatment that will protect her. For Haley, that means giving her a monthly spot-on flea and tick treatment only for the two or three months of the year when ticks are most active in our area combined with routine physical inspections for ticks. Talk with your vet about whether these medications are right for your dog.
Consider a natural tick preventative.
Talk with a holistic vet about natural treatment options. Some dog owners claim to have success by feeding their dogs garlic or apple cider vinegar, but garlic can be toxic to dogs, so get a professional opinion before starting any natural treatment plan.
Evaluate tick shampoos, dips, powders and collars with caution.
Personally, I’ve never been a fan of these products. Some may be effective, but many are not. Some can also be toxic for humans, puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, cats and fish. Talk with your vet before using any of these to see if there’s a better alternative. If you decide to use these types of products, read and follow the directions carefully.
Protect yourself against ticks.
Wearing light colored clothing can help detect areas that are infested with ticks. By tucking your pant legs inside your socks and tucking your shirt inside your pants, you’ll have a better chance of seeing any dark colored ticks that attempt to crawl up your legs. You can easily flick them off before they get to your skin. Yeah, you might look a little weird, but you probably won’t run into the fashion police while out hiking the trails. Stop occasionally and check for any crawling ticks, especially when entering a new area of your hike. If you suddenly notice a lot of the little crawlers, change your route if possible. Permethrin spray is an effective tick repellent that can be used on clothing, but it can be toxic (especially to cats and fish) and should be used with caution. A better alternative might be to buy commercially treated pants if you do a lot of hiking.
Avoid off-leash hiking in areas where ticks thrive.
Dogs love to sniff and investigate along the edges of trails where ticks are waiting on blades of grass or brush. You can avoid picking up ticks by keeping your dog on a leash and by walking in the middle of the trail, especially during the height of tick season.
Inspect your dog after the hike.
Check your dog for ticks before getting in your car. I keep a fine toothed comb in our vehicle to remove any ticks that are still crawling around on Haley searching for a feeding spot. I also feel for any ticks that can be easily removed before heading home. Nobody wants to discover a tick crawling inside their vehicle a few days after hiking with their dog.
Inspect your dog when you get home.
How to Deal With Ticks

Photo by Aiko, Thomas & Juliette+Isaac / CC BY 2.0

Do a more thorough tick inspection of your dog when you get home, even if you use an oral or spot-on preventative treatment. Do a visual inspection and use your fingers to feel for bumps that may be attached ticks. Ticks can be found anywhere on your dog, but popular hiding areas are on the head, neck, legs, armpits, belly, chest, tail, between the toes, and in and around the ears. Since it can take several hours before an attached tick can transmit a disease to your dog, you can eliminate most of the risk by performing a thorough inspection and removing any ticks soon after arriving home from your hike.
Inspect yourself when you get home.
If you’ve been hiking in a tick infested area, first remove your clothes and put them in the dryer for 15 minutes on high heat, then head for the shower to thoroughly inspect yourself for any ticks. I also like to leave my shoes outside for awhile in case there are any ticks hiding in them. After my shower, I remove my clothes from the dryer, then wash and dry them normally. It’s not a guarantee, but it most likely will take care of any ticks that were on my clothes.

It’s almost inevitable that one day your dog will have a tick, even if you’re not a hiker. I’ve tried several methods of removing them, including covering the tick with petroleum jelly, dish soap or alcohol in hopes that the tick will back itself out, but I’ve never had luck with any of those methods. I have had great success with the method below.

How to Remove a Tick From Your Dog

  1. Once you discover a tick, don’t panic. It’s easy to remove and you’ll want to keep your dog relaxed during the procedure.
  2. Here’s what you’ll need: Fine-tipped tweezers (precision tweezers) and a small jar or plastic bag to put the tick in once it’s been removed. Latex gloves and a magnifying glass are also helpful if you have them on hand. Special tick removal tools are useful if your dog gets a lot of ticks, but they may not be effective for removing small ticks.
  3. Removing a Tick

    Photo by Stephanie Sicore / CC BY 2.0

    Separate the fur around the tick, then use the tweezers to grab the tick close to where it’s attached to your dog’s skin. Don’t grab or squeeze its body which could separate from the head or inject the contents of the tick into your dog’s skin.
  4. Gently and slowly pull the tick straight upwards. You may notice your dog’s skin pulling up just a little bit when you do this.
  5. Gently hold pressure on the tick while being careful not to twist or crush it. The goal is to remove the entire tick, so be patient as you hold pressure. After a few moments, it should release its grip.
  6. If the tick’s body comes off and the head or jaws are still attached, try to carefully remove the pieces left behind. If you’re uncomfortable doing that, check with your vet to see if a visit is required.
  7. Place and seal the tick inside the jar or plastic bag along with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to kill the tick. You may want to date and retain the container for analysis in the event your dog develops any symptoms of illness.
  8. Apply chlorhexidine, Betadine or an antibiotic ointment to the area where the tick was attached.
  9. Wash your hands and the tweezers thoroughly and give your pup a treat for being so cooperative.
  10. Keep an eye on the site for a week or two. Some mild irritation or swelling is normal, but contact your vet if you notice anything unusual or signs of infection.

Whether you enjoy hiking with your dog or not, being proactive and watchful for ticks can help prevent your dog from getting a serious tick-related disease. Ticks can be found almost everywhere, so check your pup often, especially if you notice any excessive scratching, head shaking or chewing/biting of fur. Make sure to discuss any questions or concerns about ticks with your vet and be watchful of any behavioral or health changes after you’ve removed a tick from your dog.

Hiking with your dog is a lot less stressful when you have a plan on how to deal with ticks. Before you head off on your next adventure, share your tick tips with us. Happy Trails!

Update! Rachele Baker, DVM and Jodi from Heart Like a Dog both offered their favorite way of removing a tick. It’s called tick spinning which causes the tick to release itself intact from your dog’s skin. I’m going to try this method the next time Haley gets a tick. Here’s a video of how to spin a tick if you want to see it in action, but you might want to grab a pair of latex gloves first. Thanks for the great tip, Rachele and Jodi!

Do Dogs Get Spring Fever?

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Do Dogs Get Spring Fever?How do you know when spring is about to arrive? Here in the Midwest, it’s been a long, cold winter and I’ve been searching for signs of life under all this white stuff covering the ground, but I haven’t seen a Grape Hyacinth or Daffodil bulb spouting through the soil yet.

Then it happened! I got the official word yesterday from my dog Haley, that spring has finally arrived, and it came in with a bang this year. Dogs love their routines and one of Haley’s daily rituals is to ask to sit in my lap in the late afternoon for a belly rub (aka the afternoon lovefest). She usually rests her chin on my leg as a reminder that “it’s time”, but yesterday, she sprang onto the couch where I was sitting, got in my face and reminded me with an intense stare and a demanding groan.

I was both shocked and amused because Haley’s normally a very mannerly girl, and then it hit me. Here I had been looking outside for signs of spring, forgetting that each year my dog is happy to inform me when it arrives by ushering in the season with an attitude. It’s a two week celebration of her being a bit pushy or cocky. When she was young and displayed this attitude in the spring, I laughed it off and joked about her having spring fever, I figured the timing was just coincidental. Now, after witnessing this phenomenon for eight years, I’m convinced that dogs get spring fever.

I’ve never heard any other dog owners talk about this before, but Haley definitely gets a bit of an attitude. The change in season stirs something inside of her (just like us humans) and she becomes full of life, full of energy and full of herself. I love observing this reawakening each year, that extra sparkle in her eyes, the spring in her step and even the feistiness that comes along with it. It’s a time to reinforce training and to remind her of the rules, even though I’m secretly laughing on the inside because it’s so unusual for her to act this way.

Do Dogs Get Spring Fever?I wonder what triggers spring fever in dogs. It makes sense that intact male and unspayed female dogs would behave differently in the spring since it’s a common heat and breeding season, but what about spayed dogs like Haley? Is she still influenced by the biological, breeding cycle clock? Is it triggered by a reduction in her melatonin level (the sleep-inducing hormone) that happens when the days start to become longer? Whatever the cause, it’s always funny each year when canine spring fever hits. Haley’s antics make me smile while I’m waiting for the last snow to melt and the tulips to greet the sun once again.

Do dogs get spring fever? I say, yes! What have you observed about your dog’s behavior in the spring? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

How to Stop Your Dog From Getting Into the Trash

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How to Stop Your Dog From Getting Into the Trash

Photo by AmazonCARES / CC BY 2.0

For a dog owner, there’s nothing more joyful than coming home to a happy, wiggling pup. Until—you walk into the kitchen and find that she’s knocked over the trash can, shredded papers and containers, and pretty much consumed everything even remotely edible from the can. Urgh! You know you’re not supposed to correct a dog after the fact because she won’t understand why she’s being corrected, but it’s pretty hard not to be mad while facing a refuse debris field while she’s looking up at you with a grin. What do you do? How do you stop your dog from getting into the trash?

This was one of my most challenging problems with Haley. She’s always listened well and responded quickly to training, but sadly, she was a trash hound. She would raid the trash when we were gone and at times would boldly sneak into the kitchen while we were at home to forage for goodies from the garbage can. Once, she even ate an entire turkey breast carcass!

Dog Getting Into Trash Can

Photo by CJ Sorg / CC BY-SA 2.0

Some dogs will get into the trash because of boredom, but most dogs smell something tempting and quickly learn from experience that the trash can contains a treasure trove of tasty tidbits and interesting things to chew on or shred. It’s frustrating when your dog does this, but it may help to know that your pup doesn’t do this out of spite. It’s instinctual for dogs to scavenge for food. They are opportunists (somewhat like us) and they would survive in nature by foraging for food or leftover scraps. However, since your dog is living inside your home rather than scavenging in the wild, you’ll want to keep her safe from ingesting anything dangerous from your trash. Here are some ways to prevent doggie dumpster diving.

6 Ways to Keep Your Dog From Getting Into the Trash

1. Keep your trash can inside a cabinet.
Yes, that’s a pretty obvious solution if you have the cabinet space, but many people must use free-standing trash cans.
2. Purchase a trash can with a tight fitting lid.
There are many types and brands of sealed or lidded trash cans, although some dogs easily master these and some have even figured out how to open cans with step-on pedals to raise the lid.
3. Create a homemade booby trap type of deterrent.
A common method is to stack some empty soda cans in a pyramid with one end of a string tied to one of the cans on the bottom of the pyramid and the other end of the string tied to a treat that is dangled on top of the trash can. If the dog takes the treat, the cans will fall and hopefully create a negative association with taking things from the trash. This has worked for some dog owners, but I would be afraid my dog might eat the string.
4. Purchase a deterrent device online or from a store.
Devices such as the Snappy Trainer can be safe and effective. There are also ScatMats and motion-activated devices that use compressed air or sound that can deter pets away from the trash can. Evaluate these devices carefully before purchasing to make sure they’re safe for your dog. Some products aren’t recommended for sensitive dogs that are easily frightened.
5. Train your dog to stay away from the trash can.
This is a good option for when you’re at home with your dog, but even a well trained dog may not be able to resist the enticing contents of a trash can when you leave the house.
6. Remove the trash can from your dog’s reach.
Placing the trash can in the garage or behind a closed door or baby gate is often the best solution.

What worked best for Haley were numbers 5 and 6 above. I wanted her to stay away from the trash can when we were at home, but I felt that it was expecting too much of her to ignore the can if she was left home alone, especially if there was something very tempting in the trash. Here’s how I trained Haley to ignore the trash can.

Teaching Your Dog to Ignore the Trash Can

Observe your dog’s behavior whenever she’s in the kitchen with you.
Any time your dog approaches, sniffs or looks intently at the trash can, give her a verbal correction such as “Uh Uh” or “No” in a stern voice.
If your dog knows the Leave It or Off command, either of those will also work well to let her know to back away or ignore the trash can.
Correct your dog as soon as she focuses her attention on the trash can.
Occasionally, reinforce the training by placing something she finds delicious near the top of the can to bait or test her. Be prepared to correct her if needed, but she may surprise you with her good behavior and ignore it.

I still keep a close eye on Haley around the trash can, just in case she ever needs a reminder, but she’s graduated from trash hound to trained hound! When we leave the house, I place the can behind a baby gate so we don’t have to worry about her being tempted or eating something that might make her sick.

Two Dog Getting Into the Trash Can

Photo by OakleyOriginals / CC BY 2.0

If your dog gets into the trash, even when there’s nothing edible inside the can, she may be bored or need more exercise. A good walk or some active playtime before leaving the house can release some of her excess energy. Also, giving her a frozen, food-stuffed Kong or toy that she can work on while you’re gone may keep her busy and out of trouble. Another reason some dogs get into the trash is to gain attention. They have learned that stealing something from the trash may result in an exciting game of chase.

When attempting to stop your dog from getting into the trash, prevention is the best approach and remember to only correct your dog if you catch her in the act. Have you had issues with your dog being a dumpster diver? What method worked best for you?

The Liebster Award

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The Liebster AwardToday’s post is something a little different. Kelley from Kelley’s Dog Blog recently nominated me for the Liebster Award. What a surprise! I have to admit, I wasn’t totally sure what the award was about, but after learning more, it’s a really cool way to recognize and learn a little more about our fellow bloggers. Kelley writes with the unique perspective of being an animal control officer and a true animal lover. Her posts are both interesting and refreshing, so head over to her blog when you’re done here!

Accepting the award means answering 11 questions from the person who nominated you, adding 11 random facts about yourself, then nominating 3-11 fellow bloggers while adding 11 of your own questions for them to answer. Sounds fun, huh? Here we go!

11 Questions Kelley Asked Me

1. Why did you start blogging?
I originally wanted to work on a book or mobile app about dogs, but my son Brandon suggested I try creating a blog first. After giving it some thought, it made a lot of sense. I love how blogging helps me “find my voice” as Brandon would say and it’s been an amazing way of connecting with a lot of interesting and helpful writers.
2. Where do you get your ideas?
My ideas are usually inspired by my dog or from the massive Word document of notes I’ve been jotting down over the years. I also use Evernote to save interesting articles I might want to write about in the future. It’s an easy way to create a library of ideas.
3. What blog-related goals would you like to accomplish in 2015?
Oh my gosh! My blogging to-do list is a mile long, but for 2015, I want to put more focus on social media, local interviews, creating infographics and producing more videos.
4. Besides blogging, what other hobbies do you have?
I love hiking with Haley, traveling, photography, do-it-yourself projects and I really hope to get started on (and finish) a kitchen remodeling project that’s been in the planning phase for years.
Duke the German Shepherd5. Who was your first dog?
My first dog was a German Shepherd named Duke. I was pretty young when we had him, but he created some interesting drama and stories, including when he ran off one day and arrived back home with a herd of milk cows that thought our garage looked a lot like a dairy barn!
6. What is your favorite dog breed and why?
If I had to pick a breed, it would probably be a lab or boxer but I prefer mixed breeds or mutts. Haley is a lab/boxer mix and it appears that she got the best qualities of both breeds. I think I could fall in love with almost any dog though.
7. What is your favorite dog product?
That’s a hard one! There are so many great products, but today, I would answer a large, soft-rubber squeaky ball. They’re kind of hard to find, and it’s one of Haley’s favorite winter toys so she can play indoor fetch when it’s below zero outside.
Dog Playing Basketball in the Snow8. Does your dog have a favorite toy or treat?
Haley’s favorite toy is a real basketball and her favorite treats right now are chicken feet. They’re weird looking and kind of gross to hold, but she loves them!
9. What is your favorite thing to do with your dog?
Without a doubt, that would be off-leash hiking. There aren’t many places where we can hike off-leash, but it’s our favorite thing to do.
10. What is your favorite dog themed book or movie?
I especially enjoy books about dog behavior. I’m currently reading “Dog Sense” by John Bradshaw.
11. What is the best training tip you ever got?
That would have to be how to get your dog to look to you for direction. I’ve highlighted it in the post “Getting Your Dog’s Attention“. It’s huge for creating a bond with your dog.

11 Random Facts About Me

  1. I love all kinds of music, from Willie Nelson to Eminem and almost everything in between.
  2. One of the most attractive qualities I think a person can have is a good sense of humor.
  3. Being born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I have no choice but to be a hardcore Steelers fan!
  4. I still hate pickles and mustard, just like when I was a kid.
  5. Off-roading somewhere in a Jeep is high on my list of thrilling things to do.
  6. I tried (and failed) at maintaining a healthy salt water aquarium. It was a sad day when I lost my happy yellow tang.
  7. I’m getting ready to try my hand at oil painting and hope to create something worthy of hanging over my family room couch. It’ll have to be an abstract painting, because I’m not that artistic.
  8. I’ve always loved new technology, but I’m uncomfortable with big brother lurking over my shoulder and robots kind of freak me out. Well, on second thought, I could embrace a robotic maid to clean the house.
  9. I suck at playing checkers, always have!
  10. I collect pens and resent losing my favorite one (a green, alien-shaped pen with a spring on his head). I know somebody has one out there. Put it on eBay, I’ll buy it!
  11. I usually say “right” when I mean “left” and vice versa, but I really do know where I’m going. Really, I do! 🙂

And, Without Further Ado—My Nominees!

Tenacious Little Terrier
No Dog About It Blog
Groovy Goldendoodles
K9 of Mine
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author

The Rules

    Should you accept this award, here are the rules:
  • Acknowledge and accept the Liebster Award by leaving a comment on the blog where you were nominated.
  • Copy and paste the Liebster logo onto your own blog.
  • Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
  • Answer the 11 questions put to you by the person who nominated you.
  • List 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate and link to 3 to 11 other blogs you enjoy that have less than 3000 followers or are less than 12 months old.
  • List 11 questions for your Liebster Award nominees on your blog.
  • Inform your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog.

11 Questions for My Nominees

  1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Just kidding! What’s your primary motivation for blogging?
  2. How would you describe your dog’s personality?
  3. What do you find most frustrating about blogging?
  4. What do you find most rewarding about blogging?
  5. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
  6. What have you learned from your dog?
  7. What was the hardest thing to teach your dog?
  8. What type of articles do you enjoy working on the most?
  9. If you could share only one piece of wisdom with novice dog owners, what would it be?
  10. What do you have planned in the near future for your blog?
  11. What makes you laugh?

Take a few minutes to check out Kelley’s Dog Blog and the excellent blogs of my nominees! They are all packed with entertaining and informative posts. You’ll have fun discovering some new blogs while you pick up some useful tips for your dog. Enjoy!

15 Helpful Dog Park Tips – Keeping Dog Park Visits Positive

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15 Helpful Dog Park TipsAfter getting some great feedback from last week’s post “Are Dog Parks Good or Bad for Your Dog?”, I wanted to follow up with some dog park tips and additional information I think you’ll find useful. If you feel the dog park environment is a good fit for exercising and socializing your dog, check out the helpful tips below.

15 Helpful Dog Park Tips

1. Pick the Right Dog Park
All dog parks should have separate areas for large and small dogs, since small dogs could easily be injured by large, energetic dogs. The park should also have double gates at the entrance so you can safely remove your dog’s leash before entering the off-leash area of the park. The larger the park, the better, because there’s more room for the dogs to exercise and spread out if they need some extra space. Large parks with a variety of land features such as ponds, hills and trees are ideal.
2. Check the Park Rules
Yeah, rules can be a drag, but following the park rules will help ensure your pup will stay safe and have a good experience at the park.
3. Choose the Best Time to Visit
When first exploring a new dog park, visit during off-peak hours when it’s less busy. This will allow you and your dog to get comfortable with the park without the added excitement of a crowded park environment.
4. Got Treats?
Have you ever visited a dog park and forgot you had a few treats in your pocket? Yes, you’re quickly reminded and hounded by the master sniffers at the park while you try to figure out how to get out of the awkward situation. Most parks have rules against bringing in food or treats and it’s best to leave the treats at home. Some dogs may have resource guarding issues with food and can become pretty insistent if they think you’re holding out on them.
5. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Your pup will probably work up quite a thirst while playing at the park. Be sure to take an adequate amount of water, if it’s not provided or if you prefer that your dog not share a community water bowl or doggie water fountain.
6. Toys or No Toys?
Some dog parks don’t allow toys, but most do and you’re likely to find several abandoned tennis balls scattered around the grounds. It’s best to leave high-valued toys at home to avoid any problems with resource guarding. If you do take toys to the park, expect that other dogs will likely want to join in on the fun and may snatch and lose your dog’s toys or engage you in a lively game of keep away.
7. Scope Out the Park
You want your dog to have a fun and positive experience at the park, so before entering, take a few minutes to observe the behavior of the dogs inside. Are the dogs relaxed and playing well together? If you notice a lot of tension or fights breaking out, come back another time.
8. Check Your Dog’s Attitude
Is you dog overly-excited, anxious or tense? Just as you don’t want to enter a park full of tense dogs, you also don’t want to take a tense or overly exuberant dog into a dog park. Exercise your dog first or linger outside the fence (away from the gate) and allow your dog to calm down before entering. Also, work on training good door and gate manners.
9. Collar and Leash Tips
Flat collars, that can easily be removed, are the best choice for your dog when visiting a dog park. Dogs often play bite while wrestling and playing and their teeth can become entangled in another dog’s choke collar, prong collar or harness and could cause an injury or escalate into a fight. Some owners are reluctant to remove their dog’s leash in off-leash areas because they feel that the leash gives them more control over their dog, but leashes can cause tripping or entanglement problems and many dogs become reactive when leashed around other off-leash dogs, as they feel they can’t defend themselves properly.
10. How to Enter the Park
Remove your dog’s leash once securely between the two closed gates, then open the inner gate and enter the park with your dog. Once inside, don’t hover near the entrance. Walk around with your dog while interacting and playing with her. It can be intimidating for a dog to enter the park when several dogs are hanging out around the entrance.
11. How to Enjoy the Park
Don’t force your dog to play or interact with other dogs. Instead, allow her to adjust and enjoy the park and other dogs at her own pace. Keep moving with your dog while you play and explore together.
12. Reinforcing Recall
Interrupt your dog’s play occasionally and call your dog to Come. When she comes to you, give her lots of praise and send her right back to have some more fun. There will be times when you’ll need to call your dog away from a tense situation, so having good recall is essential at the dog park and practice makes perfect.
13. Be Watchful
Stay focused on your dog at all times. You can still be friendly and chat with other dog owners, but don’t ignore your dog. Always be proactive when you see a situation that could escalate into a problem.
14. Poop Duty
Be a responsible dog owner by promptly picking up after your dog. Carrying a spare poop bag in your pocket at all times makes it easy to pick up after your dog quickly, instead of walking to fetch a bag near the park entrance, then wandering around trying to locate the poop. Kudos to those amazing dog owners that pickup after others who don’t.
15. Leaving the Park
Always be prepared to leave if your dog becomes aggressive with other dogs, is uncomfortable at the park or if the atmosphere becomes a negative environment. When it’s time to leave the park, call your dog to Come but then wait a short time before leaving so your dog doesn’t associate coming to you with immediately leaving the park and ending the fun.

What Should You Do When Playing Becomes Too Intense?

This is a common dog park debate that occurs often between dog owners while at the park. Some owners intervene and stop the play, while others feel the dogs should work it out on their own. Since dogs have different types of play styles, learning about canine body language can be helpful in determining whether dogs are playing and having fun together or whether a fight is about to break out.

Two Dogs at Water Dog ParkWhen dogs are playing, they can sometimes growl and expose their teeth to each other as they play bite, but their bodies are loose and wiggly with very fluid movement. You’ll notice lots of play bows and bouncy, puppy-like movements with open or smiling mouths. Dogs that are playing in a positive way take turns pretending to be the aggressor. They’ll occasionally freeze for a second or two before continuing to play, wrestle or chase.

It’s time to intervene if your dog is mounting other dogs, body slamming or rolling dogs, relentlessly chasing a dog (without taking turns being chased) or if you notice other types of bullying behavior. A dog that is being bullied normally has a tucked tail and is trying to get away, rather than acting playful. Also watch for stiff or tense body postures or play that continues to intensify without breaks in the action. If you notice any of these behaviors, call your dog to you or take control of your dog and have her take a short break to calm down. When intervening, try to avoid the impulse to pick up a small dog since the lifting action can trigger a chasing or treeing instinct in a dog with a strong prey drive.

How to Break Up a Dog Fight

Luckily, most dog fights sound much worse than what they are and it’s normally more about vocal posturing or trash talking than trying to inflict pain and injury on each other. Still, we tend to go into full panic mode when it happens.

The important thing to remember is that you can get seriously injured while trying to break up a dog fight, so try to stay calm and think before reacting. Many times dog owners get bit when trying to reach into the middle of a fight to grab their dog by the collar. While there’s no fool-proof way of breaking up a fight without risking injury to yourself, here are some suggestions.

  • Yell or clap loudly to try to distract the dogs. This seems to work better before the fight escalates in intensity; otherwise, it can aggravate the situation.
  • If you have water close by, throwing a bucket of water on the dogs or hosing them down usually works well to end a fight.
  • Miniature air horns or citronella spray cans can be very effective in breaking up a fight, but how many people carry these, right?
  • If you have another person to help, each of you can grab a dog by their hind legs (grab up high, near the body to prevent injuring the dog’s legs), then lift the hind legs off the ground, like a wheelbarrow. Pull the dogs several feet apart while rotating each dog in a circle until the dogs calm down. Keep them far apart and facing away from each other while you get them restrained on leashes.

I hope you find these dog park tips useful! I would love to hear your ideas about how to make dog park visits a positive experience. Also, have you ever had to break up a dog fight? What did you do?