Is a dog park safe for your Goldendoodle ?
Is a dog park safe for your Goldendoodle ?
Many Goldendoodle owners take their dogs to parks. But is it safe to do this ? We know that our Goldendoodle has had their vaccinations. We know that our doodle is healthy and none aggressive. But what about the other dogs that are brought to the park by their owners ?
Many canine owners mean well when they bring their pets to dog parks. They surely do not bring their dogs to the park to get into scruffles with other canine. As dog owners, we know how quickly a situation can happen. We are carrying on a conversation about our dogs and then in an instant, a fight begins between our dogs. Who knows why this has happened. Dogs are just simply being a dog. Maybe they didn't like the way the other one smelled that day.
A fight can happen with the blink of an eye. A dog owner can become injured trying to break up a dog fight. Who is responsible when this happens ? The dog owners were talking. Did they see the situation happen ? Of course it is a park. Who shares the blame ? What if there is no fight but you find yourself admiring another dog and reach down to pet it and you are bitten ?
If you take your Goldendoodle puppy to a dog park and within days, your puppy becomes ill with parvo or distemper or even kennel cough, who is to blame ? The park owner or yourself ?
Whether or not your Goldendoodle is having a good or bad day, many things can happen when you take your doodle to a park. It is a public place where many dogs congregate. You have no idea, as a dog owner, whether or not the other canine owners have vaccinated their dogs. You have no idea if their pets are healthy. You simply do not know.
Any time you take your Goldendoodle, of any age, to a dog park, you take the risk that your doodle will get into a fight with another dog or will come down with a communicable disease caused by another canine. That's the risk. Even if your Goldendoodle is the sweetest, most gentle dog on the planet, he or she is a dog. Like a person, they could have an off day. Or they may come in contact with another dog they simply do not like. They could come into contact with another dog that does not like them. They could come into contact with a canine who might be coming down with an illness. Perhaps a dog owner brought a puppy to the park that was not aware their puppy had parvo, distemper or kennel cough. What now ?
Communicable canine diseases take time to develop. Usually 7 to 10 days. The individual has the burden of proving that another dog caused their dog to become ill and by the time their dog becomes ill, it is difficult to pinpoint which dog caused the issue. Especially in a public park. Many dog parks have signs posted "At your own risk". Even if you take your female Goldendoodle to a public park and she happens to be in heat. If she unexpectly pairs up with some male dog at the park, it is not the male dogs' owner's fault your female has hooked up with him. More than likely, you will be paying your vet to spay your Goldendoodle and remove an unwanted pregnancy since she should have been spayed in the first place before being taken to such a public place while in heat.
Before taking your Goldendoodle to a public park, make sure to read the signs and know the rules. If your Goldendoodle has not been spayed or neutered, don't take him or her out to a public facility where you know other dogs are going to congregate and allow the dog to be off leash. That is simply irresponsible dog ownership. If your Goldendoodle doesn't know how to play nice around other dogs, take them first to canine obedience classes so they can learn how to act around other dogs. It isn't always their fault if a scruffle ensues. But many fights can be avoided if your Goldendoodle first learns some basic obedience skills.
If your Goldendoodle is at a dog park and has been bitten by another dog, don't panic. Assess the situation and immediately check your Goldendoodle for wounds.If you have a bottle of water, pour water over the wound and assess the bleeding to see if the wound is serious. Excessive bleeding means the wound could be serious and needs immediate attention. Just as you would a person, find something to place pressure above and over the wound to try and stop the bleeding and then take your doodle immediately to the vet. Have someone get the name of the other dog owner, their phone number and address for later contact. Arguing about what happened is not important. Getting the wounded dog taken care of is.
If you have been bitten by a dog, you may want to call a paramedic if the wound is serious or go to a hospital. Have someone obtain information from the dog owner regarding rabies vaccination dates, and their contact information. Again, arguing about the dog or what happened is not the time. Getting medication attention for the bite, is more important.
Keepcalm. Keep your head. Know the rules. Obey the rules. Stay safe.
Dog parks can be fun for both you, your Goldendoodle and your family if you do the above.
Time To Know About Cat Allergies Balanced diet for pets Dog Crate Pads For Relaxed Pet Transfer Hair of the Dog is Not a Suggested Hangover Treatment How to Remove Disgusting Skunk Smell from Pets Service Dogs Guide Pick Your Hunting Companion with World of WarCraft Hunter Pets Emery Cat Review – Is It Really Worth It? Pet Zoom Pet Park Review – Is It Really Worth It? Give Your Dog Added Comfort and Warmth With Raised Dog Beds Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training Dog names Are Essential to Give Your Pet a Personal Identity Get Plaque Attack Or Petzlife Dental Spray And Save Your Dog From Costly $1000 - Late-Stage Surgery!