[nagdu] Dog Parks

Sat Jun 20 01:48:12 UTC 2015

To my knowledge, there aren't any dog parks in my area so I haven't
had to seriously consider this before. Just thinking about it at the
moment, I probably wouldn't take my particular dog to a dog park. His
recall is fairly good: I can and have successfully issued the "come"
command while he was in the middle of playing with other dogs but he
has had difficulty obeying a few of the times significant quantities
of food were involved. Thai has also had a few bad experiences with
other dogs. He usually only shows suspicion of certain dogs while
working but I'm not sure I would want to risk making the problem worse
by having him interact with overly friendly or poorly behaved dogs. He
is very friendly and plays well with dogs who respect dog play
ettiquet; however, I have noticed over the past few days that he
doesn't appreciate the puppy jumping or biting.

Like others have said, I believe it mainly comes down to the
reliability of your dog's offleash recall and how she interacts with
other dogs.
My dog was taught recall using both "come" and a whistle at his
school, and I also think recall is something that should be taught by
all training programs.

Danielle, Thai, and Bonnie (GDF puppy in training)

On 6/19/15, Elise Berkley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Thank you everyone.  I will feel better if Becky and I work on her off leash
>
> "come" command before I trust it.  I am also going to get her a bell for her
>
> collar.  Becky really thanks all of you for giving her a chance to go to the
>
> park.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Julie J. via nagdu
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 5:30 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Julie J.
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dog Parks
>
> I agree with Daryl.  I do take my dogs to the dog park.  Usually they are
> the only dogs there, which I like and pick times strategically to increase
> the chances.  Jetta has been only a few times. Her recall is good, but not
> amazing.  Monty gets to go to the dog park more often because he has an
> absolutely incredible recall. He's also not so influenced by other dogs
> like
> Jetta is.  I have to be very careful about her dog interactions.  Monty I
> don't have to worry about so much.  The dogs we have encountered at the
> park
> have all been decently behaved.  The biggest problem is overly friendly
> dogs
> who invade personal space.  I also use collar bells to keep track of the
> dogs.  Usually I have a sighted person along, but not always.
>
> I'd stay away from the dog park if your dog isn't reliable off leash, has
> any difficulties with other dogs, will be easily traumatized by overly
> friendly dogs, would be overwhelmed by the space/smells/opportunities to
> eat
> unmentionables or if your dog has any health concern that makes possible
> encounters with contagions a serious threat.
>
> Julie
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
> available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elise Berkley via nagdu
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 6:33 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Elise Berkley
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dog Parks
>
> Wow, Darryl.  I love the idea of a bell.  She is still attracted to other
> dogs, and her come command is sometimes on, sometimes off.  Thank you for
> the advice.
> My husband is so into us taking her to a dog park, but I am very
> apprehensive and I keep telling him that I am not too sure about that.  We
> will see, with other ideas for her to enjoy.
> Thanks again.
> Elise and Becky
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daryl Marie via nagdu
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 4:29 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Daryl Marie
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dog Parks
>
> Elise,
>
> This is a VERY divisive issue among guide dog handlers, but here is my
> opinion on them:
> 1) If becky's off-leash recall is not consistent, DO NOT take her to a dog
> park, period. Too many things can happen to her if her off-leash recall is
> not good enough for her to consistently come back to you when there might
> be
> something/someone (dog?) more interesting than listening.
> 2) If her off-leash recall is good, do your research into local dog parks,
> and find smaller quieter ones.  Put a bell onto her collar so you can hear
> where she is.  Your husband being there, at least the first few times you
> go, is a good thing, but you can safely take your dog to smaller, familiar
> parks on your own provided her recall is good and your navigation skills
> are
> up to it..
>
>
> Others won't agree with me, but I think off-leash recall and dog parks
> should be taught by every guide dog school, if for no other reason than to
> give students the option to use them if they make an educated,
> well-informed
> choice to do so.
>
> Daryl
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: Elise Berkley via nagdu
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> To: National Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org> Cc: Elise Berkley
> <bravaegf at hotmail.com> Sent: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 17:08:33 -0600 (MDT) Subject:
> [nagdu] Dog Parks  Hey, everyone. I have heard yes and no on dog parks from
> different ones. I trust all of you because you have guide dogs. Do you
> think
> they are good for our guides or should Becky and I stay away? My husband
> would go with us, if you think they are alright. He is sighted. Tell me
> what
> you think. Elise and the Beckster
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