So Cain and I went to the dog park earlier today and I realized why I have never gone by myself and why Bear has come with me. As a vet tech I have to deal with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments in the hospital, I don't want to have to do my job, veterinary advice or education when I'm not at work. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and educating and don't mind doing it when I'm not at work, but there are some dog people that you cannot reason with or even educate because they refuse to see anything but what they want to.
I'm sure you could find things similar on the web, but after I my last straw got tested today there are some things that I would like to point out, from pet owner perspective, and veterinary professional. I'm not trying to scare people, but there are things I have noticed that need to be addressed.
-There is always a small dog play area and large dog play area. If there is a single small dog in the "small dog area", and a few large in the "large dog area", ask all large dog owners if their ok with the small dog coming over, OR ask the small dog owner if he or she is ok with large dogs and invite the small dog over to the large dog area. As a small dog owner and having owed large dogs as well, and working with them on a nearly daily basis, small dogs can handle playing with large, they aren't as fragile as we make them out to be. Besides, the point of taking your dog to the dog park is to allow them to socialize and exert their energy in an attempt to tire them out. If pet owners work together everyone, including pets, will benefit.
-Don't skimp on your vet. There are infectious diseases out there that can ultimately kill your pet. Rabies and Parvovirus are two things you don't want to mess with. Rabies is basically a death sentence unless vaccinated prior to any potential exposure. Parvovirus affects the GI tract and can without treatment can lead to death. Treatment is typically a good 2-3K or more depending on where you are located. With an annual vet visit usually between $50-75 and vaccinations $25-40 each you can keep your own pet healthy as well as prevent to spread of the diseases. Kennel cough is another one, its easier to spend the few bucks on a vaccine then to provide the treatment.
-Your veterinarian only wants to keep your pet healthy. No one in the field is really in it for the money.....SERIOUSLY! As much as you may feel it is expensive, what you never see is the bills your insurance pay when you visit the doctor or emergency room and those are much more expensive. When your veterinarian recommends a fecal exam, its because you can also get those pesky little intestinal parasites that pets can pick up. They spread through fecal-oral route and when your at the dog park, I'm sure your bound to get those few pet owners that don't pick up after their pet. Talk with your veterinarian about running at least 4 fecal exams a year - depending on how often you go to the dog park, or interact with other dogs. Dog parks provide poop bags, grab a few extra, and hand them out if you notice an owner doesn't have one when his or her dog does it's 'business' and they don't pick it up. A simple "Here, I have an extra you can use" is polite, and doesn't make the other owner feel like you are telling them what to do so they don't get defensive.
-Spay and Neuter your pets and leave dog aggressive dogs at home. Intact dogs - both make and female - can be more aggressive. C-sections on dogs can go upwards up 5k if your dogs needs one, x-rays prior and prenatal care can add up, plus if you don't get any families interested in adopting a puppy, you now have, depending on the breed, anywhere from 1-15 puppies, that you now have to vaccinate, feed, house, care for, and train. As far as aggression goes, it depends on the area, but some towns and townships have law protecting those owners whose pets have been attacked. The aggressor's owner's may have to pay for all medical expenses, and the dog may have to be quarantined, or even potentially put down. It can be embarrassing to tell people your dog doesn't like other dogs, but its better to be honest, and keep everyone happy, then have a police report and a potential worse case scenario of losing your four legged companion. Arrive early when there is less likely to be any other dogs if your dog doesn't play well with others. Believe me, even the best dogs, have their faults, they may be perfect for us, and we love them, faults and all, but they like us as humans, aren't perfect.
-Leave the toys and food at home!!! Dogs can be like kids and not want to share. Even the friendliest dog can become aggressive over a toy or a kibble. If you offer your dog a treat, the other dogs are going to probably stick there noses in to see what you have and they may get defensive about what they consider is theirs and become the aggressor should the other dog or dogs chose to engage. I have noticed that the parks tend to have some tennis balls and maybe a rope toy or two scattered around. Utilize those and monitor your dog for any possessive behaviors they may develop.
-Take off everything. Let them play naked. It didn't happen at a dog park, it happened at home, and the owners came into the ER with one deceased dog, and another, very bloody, very shaken up, and terrified companion. What happened? We don't know, owners weren't home and they said they came home to find both choke chains entangled, one dog already gone, and the other absolutely terrified. It's not just choke chains, prong collars too - I've seen the prongs get lodged into the neck from them pulling, and again, not just prong collars, regular collars - the ones with the buckles or snaps. I had a very shaken up owner one night, again happened at home when no one was there, bring her small dog in, his tongue was basically dead, he had gotten the collar in his mouth and his tongue wrapped up in in some how that his tongue went for a long enough time without blood supply that it was basically dead. Now both of these happened at home, imagine when dogs are playing, rough and tumble, biting at each others necks, it could only then be worse. Don't risk your dogs life, or another dogs life. Remove all collars, head lead, and harnesses. If there is an owner that leaves it on, don't be afraid to ask them to remove it, explain it could be a hazard if another dogs jaw gets stuck and they panic, it could lead to broken teeth, jaw, or even neck. Most pet owners with understand and go ahead and remove it.
As I think of more or notice more things that could cause you and your four-legged children and family members harm I will post them
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