A Howlin’ Good Time
(
River Park off-leash news
June 1, 2007
UPCOMING STUFF
Calgary Humane Society Dog
Jog and More
Sunday, June 24/07 - 11:00am
Fish Creek Park
Presented by Rupert and Buttercup
McRoberts (Bulldogs that walk at
River Park).
Dog Jog and More is a 5 km walk -
with a shorter loop for elderly dogs,
puppies, small breeds or tired
people.
Lend Your Expertise
Do you have a skill, contacts or
knowledge that can further FRPS’
cause? If so, please contact
Candice Lee at
leesmale@telusplanet.net
or 287-1029. Thanks for your
consideration.
Please feel free to share this
newsletter with friends. If at any
time you no longer wish to receive
communication, just let me know.
Candice Lee
287-1029 (home)
703-1671 (cell)
leesmale@telusplanet.net
Promotional Items
FUN AND PRACTICAL STUFF
Friends of River Park (FRPS) has been
busy coming up with ideas for dog-related
promotional items for our park.
Could you please provide some feedback
as to the item(s) that appeals most to you?
1. T-shirts (FRPS cartoon logo and text
‘Help Keep the Park Clean’)
2. Ball cap (text ‘Friends of River Park’)
3. Calendars (pics of us and our dogs with
quotes about how we feel about River
Park and keeping it clean)
4. Off-leash guide book (specs on off-leash
areas in Calgary)
5. Flashlight (text ‘Friends of River Park’)
6. Word Puzzle Fridge magnet (dog words)
7. Dog Collar Light
We will decide on an item based on your
feedback, then disuss going forward with
production once a plan is in place.
Please forward your feedback by
June 15. Contact Candice at
leesmale@telusplanet.net.
Farewell to Some Dog Members of River Park
River Park lost some
long-time members of
our dog circle.
Buster Lab passed
away in March, leaving
behind his loving owners, Sandra and Tom
and ‘brother’ Bear.
In April, Gary and his wife lost their faithful
))
))
(
!
Caring For Your Pet
Just For the Health of It
Here’s some timely information as
we plan and head off for vacation with
our pets.
Gale B was recently at the vet clinic
to get her dog’s annual test for
heartworm and medication and asked
about statistics on heartworm. She
was surprised to learn that reported
heartworm cases have escalated in
Alberta from 4 in 2005 to 16 in 2006,
which is more than reported findings
in British Columbia.
Her veterinarian said more cases are
expected, as people seem to feel that
heartworm is no big deal here and
don’t test or medicate their dogs. Her
vet said dog owners should consider
these preventive measures, particularly
if you take your dog into heavily wooded
areas or places that have a lot of
mosquitoes.
It’s a nasty disease and can easly be
spread by an infected dog. Medication
and testing is approximately $100/year,
for first couple of years, then each year
thereafter, $45 for medication.
Lab, Buddy. ‘Sister’, Maggie
has just begun adjusting to being an
only dog.
Dale lost her beloved Shepherd, Kash
on May 26 after a brief illness.
In a tragic incident, Jane lost her Shih
Tzu Cocker Spaniel cross, Olive, on
May 27.
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VISITING THE DOG PARK - Having Fun, Staying Safe
Many people believe it’s their right to use off-
leash areas and not a privilege. Please know
that we are always at risk of losing our access
as a result of competing interest groups’
complaints about owners not picking up and
poorly behaved dogs.
Susan S lent me a book on having a fun, safe
experience at the dog park. The book is
called, Visiting the Dog Park, by Cheryl S.
Smith. In it, many of the parks were
specifically designed for off-leash access
(fenced, with off-leash signage, rules posted,
a double-gate system, bag dispensers and
disposal bins).
Many dog owners may find some of the
content controversial. Here’s a review of
concepts covered in this book:
Dogs have three baic postures: defensive,
offensive and neutral.
Defensive behaviour occurs when a dog tries
to look smaller - often lowering itself to the
ground, ears flat, head lowered and tail down.
It often exhibits nervous signs: salivating,
snarling, showing teeth (lips pulled back).
Offensive behaviour is when your dog is up
on its toes, ready for conflict, ears up and
forward (ears will flatten to head when in
attack mode), tail held high (may be still or
waving slowly), body leans forward, tall and
stiff. Some hair may be raised. Does not flee
from trouble; doesn’t hesitate to start a fight.
May accept submissive behaviour from
others.
Neutral behaviour is typically noted by a dog
that stands tall, but in relaxed manner.
Reading your dog’s behaviour.
Calming signals such as blinking, yawning, lip-
licking, tongue-flicking, sniffing or looking away
are ways dogs tell another dog to back off.
Proper greetings occur when dogs approach
each other on a curve, not head-on. They
engage in butt sniffing, then often reverse
positions to sniff, lick and nuzzle faces. Play
signals include bowing, jumping from side to
side, darting in and out and whining.
Mounting is not just sexual (females do it too).
It usually occurs when a dog is excited,
stressed or anxious.
Growling and snapping in the dog world, is
often a polite warning to another dog to stop
being rude.
Special considerations for small dogs should
be noted in the park. Don’t pick it up - it gives
them a sense of control because of the
elevated position and close human back-up
and encourages the dog on the ground to
jump up to get a good sniff. Small dogs can
get overshelmed - be respectful of the owner’s
request to not socialize.
Unwelcome dogs in the park include puppies
that haven’t had their shots, female dogs in
heat, fearful dogs and aggressive dogs.
Problematic humans in the park, are those
who socialize and don’t watch their dogs,
those who don’t heed the rules and those who
can’t control their dogs. Stressed-out people
and those who yell at their dogs, raises the
excitement level in the park and incites bad
behaviour in dogs. People who gather in
clusters to socialize, results in too many dogs
in one area, leading to problems. People
should be respectful of another owner’s
request. Also be aware of those who insist
their agressive dog is suitable in the park
(they often say, “It’s okay, he’s friendly,” or
“He just wants to say hi” as their dog
smashes into another dog, mounts other
dogs or barks incessantly.
Typical dog park rules are in place so
that everyone and each dog has a
good experience.
Dog park rules include:
- All dogs must be licensed, spayed or
neutered, free of external/internal
parasites, free of contagious disease.
- Manners/skills must include good recall
and basic training: sit, stay, no jumping,
leave it.
- Females in heat and agressive dogs are
not allowed at the park.
- A handler must watch their dog at all
times, clean up after it and keep its
barking to a minimum.
- Specially designed parks suggest leaving
treats and toys at home - it promotes
guarding behaviour.
- No more than 2 or 3 dogs per person.
- Don’t bring a dog that is not your own
(you may not be able to predict its
behaviour).
- Leave immediately if your dog is unruly,
plays too rough, is nervous/stressed.
- Children, especially toddlers, should not
be brought to the park.
Breaking up a fight isn’t easy.
Although infrequent, occasional fights
between dogs do occur. Try spraying the
dogs with water, whistle loudly or carefully
pick up your dog by its hind legs or tail. Don’t
raise your voice; if you can’t control your
voice, be silent. Once the dogs have
stopped, leash each dog immediately.
Reminders for each visit.
Quickly survey the park before letting your
dog out of the car or off its leash. Make sure
it’s safe and not overly crowded.
Call your dog periodically to re-inforce its
recall and to make it easier to come to you
when it’s time to leave.
Help make the park fun for everyone. Be
respectful of other users, watch your dog’s
and other dogs’ behaviour and pick up after
your dog. Politely point out missed
droppings to a fellow dog owner.
Did the highlights of this book make you
think differently about off-leash walking at
River Park? Hopefully, you gained a tip or
two. You likely did not agree with everything -
but it’s always good to consider another
viewpoint.
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