[nagdu] Countdown to NYC - 5 days!

[Tami Jarvis]

Debby,

I've spent a lot of time in off-leash dog parks and wish we had one 
here. We have a yard for the dogs to run, but for socialization, there's 
only a multi-use park just outside the city limits. It's a nice park, 
but more scavenging hazards for sure.

I like to scope out a park first to get a feel for the culture there, 
and I also listen to Mitzi. If she's not comfortable, we don't go in. I 
listen to the people more than the dogs, since they are a good indicator 
of how their dogs will behave. In my own orientation to the space and 
obstacles, I can also be checking for dangers. In a decent park, there 
won't be that many for the dog. It's real hazardous for a blind person 
unless one is willing to pay attention and can stay oriented in large 
open spaces where there is a lot going on. I can't bring myself to just 
sit while my dog plays, and she tends to just hang around with me while 
I sit anyway, so I've learned to navigate and stay safe for the most part.

My dog is trained for off leash parks and well socialized, so that 
helps. She's helping teach Loki, although with my paying attention to 
him more, she goes off the rails now and then. Also, I think her hearing 
may be less sensitive. I'm used to muttering a command and getting an 
instant result. When that doesn't happen, I panic, so I've been 
panicking a lot. I'm remembering to give her commands loudly, and I do 
want to do some refresher training with her without the pup when the 
weather improves. Her early socialization and her off leash training are 
our biggest safety factor.

I don't know anything about dog parks or the dog park culture in NYC. If 
it were me going, I would feel more comfortable if I knew someone who 
knew the park so I could get a feel for it. Don't know if that will work 
for you, Daryl. If it's a park where people are good with their own dogs 
and police themselves for poop pick up and looking out for other safety 
risks, that's a plus.

Have fun!

Tami
On 12/20/2014 05:21 AM, Debby Phillips via nagdu wrote:
> Hi Daryl, call me paranoid if you want, but I would NEVER do off-leash
> parks.  Especially in an unfamiliar area.  And for sure I wouldn't do
> them unless your husband is with you.  Wow, there are so many risks with
> off-leash parks that I just cringe.  Not all dogs are friendly to other
> dogs, so Jenny could be attacked. Also the health hazzards.  Like you
> don't know what other dogs might be carrying as far as disease and
> stuff.  And dogs being dogs, they will eat crap, literation.  Please
> really think about not doing off-leash parks.  I would hate for
> something to happen to Jenny.  Not only that but there are crazy people
> out there, people who might try to steal Jenny, either to try and sell
> her or because they belong to some extreme animal rights group and they
> think they are doing your dog a "favor" because after all, you're
> enslaving her.  other people on list may have different opinions, of
> course.  Maybe they haven't had any problems, but I've heard horror
> stories.    Peace,    Debby people Neena
>
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