As a dog owner, we like to take our dogs to area dog parks. we go to the Dog Fancier Park, which is at the end of E. Flamingo, The Park Park and Acia Park in Henderson. We go 3-6 times a week and so we have seen some things that shake my head, but an article in the Green Valley/Henderson View caught my eye:
Kathy Bethke, owner of Kathy?s K-9 Training, is flanked by Mollie, left, and Roo as she takes them for a walk at the Bark Park in Henderson. Bethke says training is just as important for owners as it is for their dogs.
Kathy Bethke has witnessed too many times when people come up to her 90-pound German shepherd, Mollie, to hug or pet her without asking permission.
"You never run up to a dog you don't know and pet them," Bethke said.
Bethke, who owns Kathy's K-9 Training, said people need to be trained on pet etiquette just as much as dogs need obedience training.
When she is with her dogs in the park, whether it is the newly opened Bark Park in Henderson or a dog park in Boulder City, she said unattended children often run up to her dogs.
"The other day, I had a child run from one side of the park over to me (by herself)," Bethke said. "I couldn't really say anything to the parents because they weren't with her."
http://www.viewnews.com/2010/VIEW-Sep-14-Tue-2010/Henderson/37914544.html
Umm, No, Ms. Bethke, if your dog may strike a child, your dog doesn't belong at a dog park. A dog park is for dogs that are well trained and will not strike out. If you dog cannot handle some child coming up to it with out striking out, then take your dog elsewhere.
She says further: "Not all dogs are the same," Bethke said. "Just because your dog at home acts a certain way doesn't mean all dogs act that way. The basic rule of thumb is, never approach a dog you don't know. I don't care if it is sitting under a sign that says, 'Bruno: The friendliest, happiest dog in the world.' Dogs are like people. They have personal space. They have good days and bad days. You do not enter their space without permission."
While this may be true at your home, it should not happen at any dog park you take your dog to. If you don't think your dog will behave or need it's personal space, the dog park is not for you.
In Clark County and the cities inside Clark County, we have some excellent dog parks and most everyone and their dogs who go to a dog park has a good time.
But people have to realize that dogs are going to get very close to other dogs, especially when they sniff each other's butts.
And dogs will interact with people and if your dog cannot handle it, stay home or take your dog somewhere it will behave.
Dog parks are for dogs to have fun and interact with other dogs and people. Some dogs can do this and the others need to stay away.
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