Is A Bird Watcher Born Or Created?

I wish I had a quarter (or even a nickel), for every time in the last 30 years, someone has asked me how I came to be so fascinated and captivated by birds. In other words, how did I become a bird watcher?

If you ask twenty-five birders how they got hooked on bird watching, I believe you will get twenty-five different answers. Everyone has a story about what motivated them, and most people love to share their personal experience. Be warned though, sometimes when birders start reliving their early birding days, they don't know when to quit talking. Those of us who get involved in this bird watching hobby think it's so great, we want to share the joy with everyone. Guess we can be an obsessive lot.

A great many bird watchers began birding in their childhood, perhaps blessed by a mother or father who pointed out birds to them. Others of my acquaintance found a series of bird cards inside a box of cereal and set out to find a bird to match a card. Still others received inexpensive little booklets with bird pictures and began a quest to find the birds pictured, in their yard or park. For many, a teacher shared his or her interest in birds, sparking an early interest in students. Others came to birding as a result of taking an ornithology course in college that spiraled into a life-long interest in birds.

I know several great birders who began to list the birds they saw at such an early age, that their first bird sighting records are printed in a very childish scrawl. These people have had a life-long awareness of birds. I think they are very lucky.

Suffice it to say there are as many ways to get hooked on birds and birding as there are people. Adults can fall under the birding mystique at any age, and under a diverse range of circumstances. I speak from experience on this one.

Unlikely as it may be, with one exception, I never remember noticing any birds until I was 40 years old. The exception came when I was a bored little girl one long ago Sunday afternoon. My father set me to the task of getting close enough to a robin to put salt on its tail. He assured me that salting a bird's tail would lull the bird into a state of trustfulness which would allow me to approach it, pick it up and examine it close up. I was a curious child, and couldn't wait to hold a robin in my hands.

In order to achieve this feat, a cardboard box was propped up with a stick, which had a string tied to it. The other end of the string was clutched in my hand. A few crackers were crumbled and spread under the box as bait. I lay on the ground a few feet away, holding the string, quietly biding my time. I can still remember my excitement when a couple robins landed in the yard. Occasionally they came close to the box, but alas never did they venture inside the box so I could toss salt on their tail, pull the string and capture one of them under the box. In retrospect, this activity probably killed an hour or so and allowed my father to read the Sunday paper in peace and quiet.

As I grew up, birds were not even a blip on my radar screen. They escaped my notice until I began volunteering at a local nature center. One of my first duties was to feed injured birds who were in the recovery and release program. It was not a job I enjoyed, especially if I had to hold them in my hand. When they struggled to get away, I became apprehensive and within a couple minutes panic would set in. I was responsible for the escape of several birds until the naturalist re-assigned me to preserving dead birds. Their stillness was a relief!

Surprisingly, I was fascinated by the lifeless birds I handled. The many colors, sizes, shapes, and the variety of bills and tails aroused my curiosity. I began learning their common and scientific names, and when that wasn't enough, the naturalist took me out, taught me how to use binoculars and my bird watching career began. Within a few years I was hired as a Naturalist at the center and began teaching classes on bird identification, leading bird walks, owl walks and managing a bluebird trail. Thus, I got hooked on birds and bird watching. So, that is my story, and it changed my life.

In my birding forays both in the United States and in other countries around the world, I make it a point to ask birders how they became beguiled by birds. I have never had a response that did not involve an interesting, sometimes funny story of one kind or another.

Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 2

On the Popular TV series "COPS" they play a song which says, in part, "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" Many people bring home an adorable, cute puppy. But without proper training, some dogs misbehave until the owners shrug their shoulders and say "Bad Dog, Bad Dog, whatcha gonna do?" Hopefully, those people will read articles like this, "Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1," and others like them before they do the unthinkable and call the "Dog Police" to take their beloved pet to the pound!

In "Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do? Part 1" we explain "Dog Pack" instincts and the "Alpha Dog" mentality, and teach you how to "reprogram" your dog so knows that you are the Alpha dog. You can find it in the Feature Articles Section of K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises. In addition to those "Alpha Dog" techniques, there are other things you can do to help alleviate your "bad dog behavior." This article will teach you ways to "deprogram" your misbehaving dog and retrain him properly, thus creating harmony between family and pet.

But before we proceed, if you suffer from "bad dog syndrome" with your family pet, make sure there isn't an underlying medical condition. Take your dog to the vet, explain your problem, and ensure he/she is healthy, and doesn't suffer from dental, intestinal, digestion, parasitic, or other problems. Once you find that your dog is indeed healthy, implement the following suggestions.

1. Read other articles, magazines, ezines, and books on dogs, training and behavior. The more you know the better trainer you'll be.

2. Be consistent. Just like a child, your dog will notice your inconsistencies, and will "test your mettle" by pushing the boundaries to determine who is really in control. Do it the same way every time.

3. Earn your dog's respect. Be firm and fair in training and discipline. Never resort to violence. Positive reinforcement techniques have always proven the more successful training method. Your dog's submission to you should always be out of respect, not fear.

4. Spend quality time with your dog. Interact with your dog. Quite often, the cause of misbehavior in dogs is similar to that in children. They are simply looking for QUALITY TIME, ATTENTION and LOVE. Remember all the love and attention you gave that sweet, adorable puppy? Well, your adult dog still craves that same love and attention. Just be careful when giving that attention to a problem dog, to always retain your alpha status.

5. During training sessions, always maintain eye contact with your dog until he turns away. That way he knows you are the master and he is submissive to you. I once maintained eye contact with a strong-willed Brittany for 12 minutes before he finally looked away. Demand your dog's attention during short training sessions. (A dog's attention span is a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes). As examples, command your dog to heel, and then look at you before commencing a walk. Or make your dog sit or lie down before getting treats.

6. Give your dog plenty of exercise. Take her for a thirty minute walk - the exercise will do you good, give her the attention she deserves, and tire her out so she prefers to rest instead of wreaking havoc! Dogs are a bundle of bounding energy. They can't help it, God wired them that way! Give them an outlet for that energy. If you live in the woods like I do, let them out to run and play. (However, I always pen them up at night either outside in a fence with dog houses, or I kennel them inside in cages and kennel crates with crate pads or beds). Take your dog to a park, or better yet, one of those fancy new dog parks where dogs are allowed to play and socialize. Let your dog out in a fenced yard, or if you don't have or don't like a fenced yard, get an electronic fence and containment system, so your dog knows the boundaries of where they can and can't go safely.

7. Feed your dog a high protein, well balanced diet. Sometimes, dog misbehavior is simply a result of hunger and/or malnutrition. I suggest looking for food with meat and rice as the first ingredients, rather than corn meal and meat by-products. I also suggest a protein content of 24-30% and fat content of 10-18%. This will ensure a strong, healthy dog with a shiny coat.

8. Remove temptation. Put trash cans and people food out of the dog's reach. If you have a destructive dog, put him in the yard or in a kennel crate or cage while you are at work or gone from the house. If you let him out to "do his business" in the morning before you leave for work, he will be fine in an appropriately sized kennel cage or crate with pillow pad until you return.

9. If needed, use appropriate training tools. Although choke collars should be a thing of the past because of the possible danger of injury to your dog's larynx, an electronic collar is a humane training tool that can provide an appropriate negative "signal," followed by your positive reinforcement for right behavior. With proper use, in a short time just wearing the collar brings appropriate good behavior. Very few things are more disturbing to a dog lover that seeing your beloved pet run out into the street and get hit by a car, or watching your $1000 bird dog run over the hill never to be seen again. However, if you know your limitations and feel you cannot handle the job yourself, you can find many reputable dog trainers who specialize in behavior problems. Your local vet can probably assist you if needed.

10. Finally, be patient. Positive training and dog behavior modification takes time. Your dog will soon begin to behave in a more positive manner if you follow these helpful suggestions.

Hopefully, these ideas and suggestions, along with a better understanding of who your dog is, will soon move you from saying "Bad Dog, Bad Dog, Whatcha Gonna Do?" to saying, "Good Dog, Good Dog, Oh How I Love You!"

Dog Food Aggression or Canine Possession Aggression

Dog food aggression

is one of those dog behavior problems that is difficult for us humans to fully understand. It just doesn't seem to make sense that your dog would consider you a threat to his/her food resource. I mean you gave him the food in the first place, and if you feed your dog's the same kinds of foods that I do, it's not all that appealing anyway!

But, what is your dog thinking?

If your dog glares at you, snarls, growls and positions himself between you and the food he is actually saying to you "this is mine, go away, find your own". He is basically telling you that he considers himself as the leader or alpha dog in your household. Dog food aggression (sometimes called canine possession aggression) is a dominance issue, it is serious and needs to be addressed immediately, it won't just go away.

We've all made the mistake of laughing and even encouraging our feisty little dogs when they first display the "cute" signs of dog food aggression. Don't fall into this trap! Food or toy aggression in dogs should never be tolerated as you never know when it can escalate into something more dangerous for you or a family member.

Why Does Your Dog Display Dog Food Aggression?

Canine possession aggression can be triggered by any number of factors but in most cases it can be attributed to one of these common causes:

1. Your dog is desperate for this food, in his mind he doesn't know if or when he will get more food. Therefore he protects or guards his food, just like he would have done in a pack situation in the wild.
2. Your dog may begin to see you as someone who is always taking good stuff away. He comes to view you more as a threat than a provider (you've got to turn this thinking around).
3. Dog food aggression can be part of the general confusion regarding who the leader is in your owner - dog relationship. Often it is not an isolated incident, it's something you need to rectify.
4. It's possible that your dog doesn't even understand that his dog food aggression is unacceptable behavior. In such cases there is an obvious communication breakdown between human and dog.

General Rules For Correcting Food Aggression In Dogs

• If your dog is directing his aggression towards other dogs the best solution is to simply separate them at meal times. Feed them in different rooms or in their crates.
• Involve all of your family members in this dog food aggression training.
• Take control of feeding time. You control the time and place of dinner time - own the food!
• Make your dog earn any food. Just simple tasks like sit or a down stay is fine.
• Make it clear to your young puppies that it's good to have people around when they are eating. If you do this from day one you will almost certainly prevent dog food aggression problems.
• If you encounter dog food aggression it is a good idea to feed your dog after you and your family eat. This again is a throwback to your dogs pack mentality where the alpha dog or leader of the pack (which is you) eats first - your dog will understand this technique.
• Don't let your dog "win" the food through his growling, this would reward the very behavior you are trying to eradicate. Don't bully or intimidate your dog though, it's much better to make him actually like having you around at meal time (follow the tips below to achieve this).
• Never respond to canine possession aggression with aggression of your own. In essence what this does is to lock you and your dog into a battle of wills. Your dogs next move will most likely be to step up his level of aggression to counter your action.

Dog Food Aggression Training Techniques

Firstly, be careful. If you believe your dog poses any real physical threat to you or family members I'd advise getting professional help. Speak to a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

Below is a list of training techniques which could help your dog overcome his dog food aggression. Remember all of these techniques are designed to work towards reconditioning your dog to enjoy having you around anytime. Mix it up, show your dog who is boss.

• Hand feed your dogs, even stick your hands into your dogs bowl while he is eating.
• Stroke and pet your dog while he is eating and at the same time talk to him in a calming tone. All you are doing at this point is showing your dog that it is a good thing for you to be around.
• Stand at a distance your dog is comfortable with, then gradually reduce this distance over time. You can flick a few treats in (or near) the bowl as you slowly reduce the distance.
• Put your dogs bowl down with nothing in it, your dog will look back at you as though you are crazy. He'll then literally beg you to come over and fill his bowl.
• Feed your dog as normal but hold back a few pieces of his meal. When he is finished licking the bowl, he'll look back up at you, then you can come over and give him the remaining food.
• Drop a few of your dogs very favorite treats into his bowl each time you walk past it. After a while of this your dog will welcome the sight of you approaching the bowl.
• When your dog is eating, call him over to you, when he gets to you reward him, make it worth his while then let him back to the food bowl.
• While you are preparing your dogs meal put him in a down-stay or sit position, only release him from your command once you have put his bowl down. By doing this you are controlling meal time and establishing (or re-establishing) your role as your dogs leader.
• Work with another family member on this technique. Put your dog in his collar and leash and have him sit with your helper while you prepare the food. When you are ready release your dog and allow him his food. Again you are controlling the situation.
• Try the "Trade Up Method". What you do is take away the food or toy your dog is guarding, and replace it with something better. You can use an obedience command such as "give" or "leave it" to encourage your dog to release the precious resource he is guarding. You then take this resource (the food or toy) and give the trade up item to your dog. Once your dog has finished with the new item, you can then give back the resource you took away. This technique proves to your dog that he will receive something great for giving something up, it will recondition his thinking.
• Every time you are with your dog have him in a pinch or prong collar with a leash attached. Whenever he displays any signs of dog food aggression you immediately administer a correction to your dog by snapping on the leash. What this does to your dog is build a negative association to the act of his food guarding antics.

How to Choose a Dog Walker that's Right for Your Dog

If you are like most working Americans you are low on time and high on tasks. You might put in long hours at the office. This shortens the amount of time you spend engaging in dog walking with your best canine friend every day. Different dog breeds have different daily exercise requirements, so your pooch might need extensive dog walking or run in the middle of the day.

How can you take your dog walking and be at work at the same time? You can hire a dog walker to be your dog walking replacement while you are at work. Often times a dog walker is more then just a necessity because many dogs that have limited dog walking time become irritable. Dogs need to have daily exercise and human connection through dog walking.

Your dog may even act out by chewing up your couch and favorite pair of heels when you are gone. In some instances, a dog in need of consistent dog walking will show aggression. This lack of exercise has let excess energy build up.

Dog walking during the day is also necessary for many dogs because they simply can't go a long duration without going the bathroom. You may be at work for 12 hours and this can be too long for dogs to go without relieving themselves and/or having a snack. Therefore, daily dog walking can be a great benefit to many dogs.

We have established that daily dog walking by a dog walker is great idea. The question now is how do you choose a dog walker? There are many things to consider when you choose a dog walker. Your dog is a member of your family so you need to go through many of the same considerations that you would when hiring a babysitter for your children.

When hiring a babysitter for your children you normally look to family and friends for references. Do the same when you are looking for a dog walker. You can seek out references from friends that have dog walkers, your veterinarian, and dog groomer. They may know of individual dog walkers or dog walking services.

Take time to interview your dog walker. Do they have dog walking experience? Can you speak with any of their clients? Do they have a business license? Find this information and investigate it thoroughly. The last thing you want to do is leave your dog in the hands of someone that is unprofessional or may harm your dog.

Feeling comfortable with a dog walker's references is also necessary because you will need to give them a key to your home so they can pick up your pooch. They will enter your home for daily dog walking, so you must trust them like you would trust a babysitter.

You need to assess the services your dog walker has to offer. Will they provide special assistance to your dog especially if it is an older dog that may be blind or has arthritis? What types of care services will your dog walker provide in addition to dog walking? For example, will they also provide water and feed your dog? Will they then cleanup any dog waste? You need to understand the scope of services your dog walker is willing to provide.

There are few factors to think about with regards to the actual dog walking. Will the dog walker walk your dog solo or with a group of dogs? A group of dogs may satisfy your needs, but this limits the amount of personal attention your dog can receive. You might have to pay more for a solo walk, but it could be worth the additional cost to keep your pooch happy.

You also need to determine what time your dog walker will come each time, how many times per week, and the length of the dog walk. It is a good idea to find a dog walker that can work around your schedule. They may be a great dog walker, but if they are too busy then they may not be able to meet your needs.

Where Can I Take My Dog? To The Beach?

It is hard to imagine many places a dog is happier than at a beach. Whether
running around on the sand, jumping in the water, digging a hole or just lying in the sun, every dog deserves a day at the beach. But all too often dog owners stopping at a sandy stretch of beach are met with signs designed to make hearts - human and canine alike - droop: NO DOGS ON BEACH. Below is a quick traveling tour of America's beaches with each state ranked from the most dog-friendly (****) to the worst (*).

DOGS ON ATLANTIC OCEAN BEACHES (traveling North to South)

The rocky coast of Maine (***) is mesmerizing to look at but doesn't leave much
room for sandy beaches. Dogs are generally banned from the beaches at the many
small state parks along the Maine coast, but dog owners will find more friendly
sands on the town beaches. Around Portland, the state's biggest city, and the tourist
towns of the Southern Coast dogs are often allowed on the beach anytime Labor Day
to Memorial Day and in the mornings and evenings during the summer. The
spectacular Acadia National Park is one of America's most dog-friendly national
parks but does not allow dogs on its beaches.

It is lucky for dog lovers that New Hampshire (*) has only 18 miles of coastline. State
beaches and parks don't allow dogs on the sand at all. If you must stop in New
Hampshire, try the Grand Island Common in New Castle or Foss Beach in Rye during
the off-season from October to late May.

Around Boston, the beaches of the North Shore are off-limits to dogs during the
summer but other towns in Massachusetts (****) are more generous - dogs are
usually allowed year-round with restrictive hours in the summer. Cape Cod,
however, is the best destination for beach-loving dogs in New England. Cape Cod
National Seashore, America's first national seashore, allows dogs on the beach
anytime outside the swimming areas (and not on the trails). The curviture of the
Cape limits sightlines down the beach and gives the park the impression of being
comprised of a series of dune-backed private coves. The two tourist islands off
southern Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, are both extremely dog-
friendly - on Nantucket, dogs can even take the shuttle to the beach.

The beaches of Rhode Island (**) are kept dog-free during the summer but if you
take the ferry to Block Island, dogs can enjoy the black sand beaches throughout the
year. In Newport, you can take your dog on the fabled Cliff Walk (poop bags are
provided at the trailhead) through the backyards of America's rich and famous. The
hike begins at Bailey's Beach, which welcomes dogs from Labor Day to Memorial
Day.

The sandy beaches of Connecticut (*) are not known for being dog-friendly. But
many aren't that friendly to people either, with restricted access being common. If
your dog is hankering to try the benign waves of the Long Island Sound, stop in
Groton. Dogs are not allowed to experience America's most famous beach at
Coney Island in Brooklyn.

The further east you go out on Long Island the more dog-friendly New York (**)
becomes but whether on the north shore or south shore you can find a place to get
your dog to the sea. Dog owners must pass on the prime destinations at Jones
Beach and Fire Island National Seashore until reaching the Hamptons, where the tails
of surf-loving dogs will start wagging. Many towns in the Hamptons offer dog-
friendly sand and at Montauk, on the very tip of Long Island, several beaches allow
dogs year-round, including Gin Beach on the Block Island Sound. The wide, white-
sand beaches of the Jersey shore are some of America's most popular and there isn't
much space for a dog to squeeze into in the summertime.

Most of the beaches in New Jersey (***), including the Sandy Hook Unit of the
Gateway National Recreation Area, open to dogs in the off-season. Summertime
visitors should take their dogs to Island Beach State Park, one of the last
undeveloped stretches at the Jersey Shore. Pets are allowed on the non-recreational
beaches in this ten-mile oasis. Dogs will never get to trot down the historic wooden
planks of the Atlantic City boardwalk, however - no dogs are permitted on the
beach or boardwalk of the Grande Dame of America's seaside resorts. Dogs are also
not allowed anywhere in the Victorian village of Cape May but dog lovers can travel
south of town to Sunset Beach, a sand strip at the southernmost point of the Jersey
shore that is actually on the Delaware Bay. In the water offshore of "Dog Beach" are
the remains of the Atlantis, a unique concrete ship built to transport soldiers in
World War I.

Off-season, the sandy beaches in Delaware (****) are a paradise for dogs. Two state
parks, Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore, both welcome dogs between October
1 and May 1. During the summer season dogs can also share the beach with their
owners on select stretches of sand in Delaware state parks. In Cape Henlopen, the
80-foot high Great Dune is the highest sand pile on the Atlantic shore between
Cape Cod and Cape Hatteras. The concrete observation towers standing as silent
sentinels along Delaware beaches were built to bolster America's coastal defenses
during World War II. Summer vacationers can take dogs on the Dewey Beach town
beach in the mornings and evenings. Along the Delaware Bay just north of Cape
Henlopen you can find several beaches that offer frisky wave action and wide swaths
of sandy beach - and best of all there are no restrictions against dogs on the bay
beaches.

The Assateague Island National Seashore is the prime destination for dog owners
heading for the beach in Maryland (***). The undeveloped dunesland permits dogs
year-round on the beach and in the campgrounds (but not on the short nature
trails). Keep your dog alert for the wild ponies that live on the island. Its neighbor to
the north, Assateague State Park, often celebrated as one of the best state parks in
America, is off-limits to dogs. If you are not roughing it on your trip to the Maryland
seashore, nearby Ocean City allows dogs on the beach and boardwalk between
October 1 and May 1. Traveling along the Chesapeake Bay, dogs are banned from
the thin beaches in Maryland state parks. Exceptions are the small beach in the
former amusement park at North Point State Park and the beach north of the
causeway at Point Lookout State Park.

The Facts on Dog Bite Lawsuits

While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can become aggressive and bite someone. A dog bite falls under the law in the personal injury category. Each state has various laws regarding the liability of the dog's owner. Following are things you should do if you are bitten by a dog.

Dogs that bite can do it for a number of reasons. Perhaps the dog has always had an aggressive nature and perceives you as an unwanted stranger. Historically, there are certain breeds that have been known to harbor aggression. The Pit Bull breed is a common example.

The dog's breed is only one factor and doesn't always mean the dog will be aggressive and prone to biting. You might encounter a dog that has been healthy in the past and free from offensive behavior. However, now the dog has suffered from a health illness such as rabies. Rabies can cause dogs to become disoriented and lash out by biting people. A classic sign of rabies is drooling and foaming of the mouth.

If you are bitten it is imperative that you have your bite checked out at the hospital as soon as possible. Dogs can be a host to several bacterial and viral infections that you can contract such as ring worm. Make sure however, that you remember the type of breed to help a doctor assess the extent of the wound. Write down the contact information of the dog's owner should you need to file a lawsuit.

Dog bite lawsuits arise when the dog bite is serious enough to cause injury, mental aggravation, and hospital bills. It was beneficial that you wrote down the dog breed and the dog owner's contact information because you will need it when filing a dog bite lawsuit. Should you choose to file a dog bite lawsuit, you will need to contact an attorney to understand your rights and requirements for filing.

An attorney will explain the specific dog bite lawsuit laws in your state. It is good to know that the majority of states hold the dog's owner liable for any dog bites. It will also need to be determined if the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's aggression. This is termed "dangerous propensities". Did the owner know in advance that their dog was of a certain breed that is prone to biting? Did they provide the required safeguards to control this unwanted behavior in their dog?

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Additionally, some states have enacted legislation that involves "strict liability". The owner is liable for their dog's actions whether they knew the dog was dangerous or not. Anytime their dog bites someone they are held liable no matter the situation or circumstances.

On the flip side of the coin is to view this from the dog owner's perspective. Let's say the dog owner had prior knowledge that their dog may be dangerous or may bite someone. The owner then took protective measures to keep his dog in a secure area. He also had placed "Beware of Dog" signs on his property and has warned others not to approach his dog as the dog may attack. The owner had done all this, but someone didn't listen or even provoked the dog on purpose.

If the owner has provided these safety precautions they are sometimes not liable due to "contributory negligence". "Contributory negligence" means that the person who was bitten understood the dangerousness of the animal, but proceeded to place themselves in the dog's environment anyway. This type of dog bite lawsuit often ends in favor of the dog owner.

If you do file a dog bite lawsuit you can sue for compensation regarding medical costs you will incur due to the dog bite, pain and suffering, property damage, and affected wages. A vicious dog bite can leave you unable to work for some time and you need a way to recoup your losses.

Private Dog Parks: Can Be The Safe Choice

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With an increasing number of serious incidents being reported at dog parks, I want to introduce the safe alternative that a well-run private dog park can provide. You will find that a properly designed and managed private dog park is a dramatically different experience than what you have read about or have witnessed in public parks. A privately run dog park can properly screen, staff and enforce park regulations. We do caution you that even with the information you will gain from this article, please know that any dog park is not regulated, so we encourage everyone to do their homework before visiting any dog park to ensure it is right for you and your dog.

The current trend is that community and homeowner associations are responding to community demand by setting aside a small plot of their land for a public dog park. Unfortunately these unmanaged and unregulated fenced areas often turn to that of neighbor confrontation, injury and horror, even with the best of intending groups and dog owners. Let's face it, without any oversight or enforcement, incidents are going to occur. Because I recognized the dangers in dog parks to the point that I would not take my dogs to one, I was motivated to devise the complex recipe for a safe off-leash dog park. Therefore; I conducted an in-depth investigation of many existing dog parks to establish the precise formula needed to create an off-leash haven.

I visited many, talked with visiting dog owners and observed many dog parks, both private and public. From my investigative travels and with my inherent understanding of dogs, I developed the complex operating matrix for a safe, off-leash dog park. Since that design work, we have successfully opened the first of our many private dog parks that thousands of qualifying dogs and their owners have already enjoyed. Our safety performance at the Royal Paws Dog Park & Doggie Day Camp facility speaks for itself with an impeccable safety performance and industry leading staffing ratio.

Benefits to your Dog with Off-Leash Exercise

The benefits to a dog at an off-leash dog park or any open area of land are immense. Unleashed running elevates heart rate, increases metabolism, improves gastrointestinal efficiency, and extends muscles and joints, all of which contributes to general overall fitness. It is known that maintaining such a healthy lifestyle for your loved dog will increase longevity and reduce risk of all associated conditions and diseases that obesity can cause. The experience for your dog in open field run is like no leashed exercise we can otherwise provide and the benefits will last a lifetime. When letting your dog run in an open field for exercise value, please consider that there are many risks to both you and your dog. You may be violating leash laws, the dog can track a scent or get lost, run into traffic or unwelcome neighborhood area, confront aggressive dogs or dangerous wildlife or foliage; which are all of the reasons as why I do not take my dogs to any open land without fences despite their excellent obedience.

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In fenced area designated as a dog park, in addition to fitness improvement, your dog can enjoy benefits from the social interaction with the other dogs IF experienced without incident. The advantage for a dog that is well exercised and socialized benefit the dog, the owner and the community ONLY IF they have somehow avoided traumatic incident. Well exercised and socialized dogs are much less likely to contribute to neighborhood nuisances like chronic barking or showing aggression to other dogs.

If public parks could operate as well-run private dog park do, these benefits would be maintained. Unfortunately, many dog parks are not continuously regulated nor do they have the resources or knowledge to accurately screen the dogs; therefore, odds are that incidents will occur. Incidents like your dog being attacked by another dog or even being bullied by another dog can cause regression in social skills, cause behavioral issues, invoke fear aggression or cause physical injury or death. Following any incident at a public park, without a safe and regulated choice of private dog park that can best create positive experiences to overcome the impact of the incident, your dog may never physically or emotionally recover from the past trauma. The likelihood of good experiences for your dog in a well-managed private dog park is the reason that many loved dog owners everywhere chose private over non-regulated public parks.