Off leash park etiquette
Happy times at the off leash park
All dog owners know that according to council rules, only dogs that are under "effective control", ie come back immediately to the owner when called, should be allowed off leash. Another reason to train a rock solid recall!
Fewer people are aware that on-leash and off-leash dogs don't mix well.
Dogs normally apply a complicated greeting ritual when meeting another dog, carefully introducing themselves (never straight from the front), and communicating many other signals to defuse any tension. A dog on leash is unable to communicate freely, and is also aware that he is unable to flee if necessary. To further complicate matters for the dog, many owners immediately tighten the leash when an off-leash dog approaches, further stopping the dog from moving freely, and communicating their own fearfulness. This makes the leashed dog either more fearful or potentially aggressive. In addition, a leashed dog potentially experiences are large degree of frustration at seeing other dogs play freely, yet being unable to join in.
There are a great many more on-leash parks available for walking dogs than off-leash ones. Walking leashed dogs inside an off-leash park only makes both the lives of the leashed and off-leash dogs much harder. So if you are currently unable to let you dog off the leash, please try to avoid walking your dog in off-leash parks, while you are working on improving your dogs recall (or any other issues that make you keep him on the leash). If you have any problems training a solid recall, or need help in any other way with your dog, contact me, or one of the other positive dog training schools, clubs or trainers (see here for a list of Melbourne based resources).
Helping other park-users understand dogs
Unfortunately, the cards are currently stacked firmly against dogs and their owners when it comes to responsibilities (and liabilities) in a shared off leash park. Owners are meant to have their dogs always under "effective control". Even though it is understandable that that be the requirement, it is just as unlikely that any more than 2% of the dog population will actually have a recall in place that is always effective.
Further to the "effective recall" requirements, there are rules such as "not to go closer than 5m to a shared pathway" etc. These rules are virtually impossible to train for (one reason I personally avoid going to off leash parks with shared bike paths running straight through the middle ... yes they do exist!).
Dog owners are also told their dog is not to allowed to "aggressively approach" anyone, or give chase, or jump up on anyone.
(The problem with "aggressive" is that a dog simply approaching at speed can be deemed aggressive.)
I agree in principle that of course we as dog owners need to ensure our dogs don't bother people who don't want any contact with the dogs.
However, I would suggest that if people without a dog would know how to behave if they don't want a dog approaching them to come and try to greet them, or jump up etc., it would make our co-existence a whole lot easier.
If you don't want a dog to jump up, chase you, or say hello, simply turn sideways as it approaches. If you are a jogger, and notice a dog starting to chase you, slow down or momentarily stop (again turning away from the dog), and it will more than likely lose interest. Children in particular need to understand that "being a tree" is the best way to get rid of a dog. Any squealing, shouting or waving of arms is only going to encourage and excite the dog. Hitting the dog (as has recently happened to my dog when he approached a man with a baby in a pram) could potentially lead to being bitten.
Whilst we as dog-owners need to work on a good recall, and be mindful of our dogs behaviour and other people's fears, please help educate people (and councils) whenever you can, to try and reduce the current adversarial mindset in shared off-leash parks.
Fewer people are aware that on-leash and off-leash dogs don't mix well.
Dogs normally apply a complicated greeting ritual when meeting another dog, carefully introducing themselves (never straight from the front), and communicating many other signals to defuse any tension. A dog on leash is unable to communicate freely, and is also aware that he is unable to flee if necessary. To further complicate matters for the dog, many owners immediately tighten the leash when an off-leash dog approaches, further stopping the dog from moving freely, and communicating their own fearfulness. This makes the leashed dog either more fearful or potentially aggressive. In addition, a leashed dog potentially experiences are large degree of frustration at seeing other dogs play freely, yet being unable to join in.
There are a great many more on-leash parks available for walking dogs than off-leash ones. Walking leashed dogs inside an off-leash park only makes both the lives of the leashed and off-leash dogs much harder. So if you are currently unable to let you dog off the leash, please try to avoid walking your dog in off-leash parks, while you are working on improving your dogs recall (or any other issues that make you keep him on the leash). If you have any problems training a solid recall, or need help in any other way with your dog, contact me, or one of the other positive dog training schools, clubs or trainers (see here for a list of Melbourne based resources).
Helping other park-users understand dogs
Unfortunately, the cards are currently stacked firmly against dogs and their owners when it comes to responsibilities (and liabilities) in a shared off leash park. Owners are meant to have their dogs always under "effective control". Even though it is understandable that that be the requirement, it is just as unlikely that any more than 2% of the dog population will actually have a recall in place that is always effective.
Further to the "effective recall" requirements, there are rules such as "not to go closer than 5m to a shared pathway" etc. These rules are virtually impossible to train for (one reason I personally avoid going to off leash parks with shared bike paths running straight through the middle ... yes they do exist!).
Dog owners are also told their dog is not to allowed to "aggressively approach" anyone, or give chase, or jump up on anyone.
(The problem with "aggressive" is that a dog simply approaching at speed can be deemed aggressive.)
I agree in principle that of course we as dog owners need to ensure our dogs don't bother people who don't want any contact with the dogs.
However, I would suggest that if people without a dog would know how to behave if they don't want a dog approaching them to come and try to greet them, or jump up etc., it would make our co-existence a whole lot easier.
If you don't want a dog to jump up, chase you, or say hello, simply turn sideways as it approaches. If you are a jogger, and notice a dog starting to chase you, slow down or momentarily stop (again turning away from the dog), and it will more than likely lose interest. Children in particular need to understand that "being a tree" is the best way to get rid of a dog. Any squealing, shouting or waving of arms is only going to encourage and excite the dog. Hitting the dog (as has recently happened to my dog when he approached a man with a baby in a pram) could potentially lead to being bitten.
Whilst we as dog-owners need to work on a good recall, and be mindful of our dogs behaviour and other people's fears, please help educate people (and councils) whenever you can, to try and reduce the current adversarial mindset in shared off-leash parks.