Membership Orientation and Registration

Membership Orientation and Registration

Introduction and Welcome Parks and Recreation Staff History General Info Health & Safety Requirements Membership Rules

History Formerly Cook Tract Turnpike widening project / Walsh Construction Feasibility Study, research, and more research Dog Park Steering Committee

General Information Whitpain Dog Park is located in Centre Square Park, 1527 Yost Road Three acre off-leash park including a small dog area (for dogs under 30 pounds), and a large dog area (for dogs 30 pounds and more) Registered member access only Keypad and key fob member access Amenities include doggie bags and double gated transition areas

Health & Safety Requirements Current Vaccinations DHPP Rabies Canine Bordetella Valid PA Dog License Age & Sex Must be older than 4 months Spayed or neutered by 7 months Good Health Members are required to stay up-to-date with vaccinations and dog license.

How to Join the Whitpain Dog Park First Step: You re Here! Mandatory orientation Second Step: Obtain Copies of Required Paperwork Vaccination Records (Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella) Valid PA Dog License (County Treasurer s Office) Third Step: Register Register immediately following orientation, or Register online (send in proof of vaccinations and allow 1-2 business days for key fob and access code to be activated), or Bring all required paperwork and register at the Whitpain Township Building, weekdays, 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Please call ahead to ensure someone from P&R is available!!

How to Join the Whitpain Dog Park (cont d) Annual Membership Fees Whitpain Township Resident - $35 (for 2 dogs) Each additional dog - $15 Non-Resident - $50 (for 2 dogs) Each additional dog - $20 Memberships expire on 12/31 of each calendar year August 1-December 31: $20 R / $30 NR

Key Fob and Access Code Fob or code is required when using Dog Park! Create UNIQUE access code when registering (can be used if you forget your key fob) Non-transferable sharing code or fob is prohibited! Replacement of lost key fob: $25

Respect the Rules Whitpain Dog Park is open dawn to dusk Inclement weather Maintenance Notification: Email, www.whitpainrec.com, Whitpain Dog Park Facebook Page The dog park is for dogs and their handlers Use of the Dog Park is at your own risk No smoking, alcohol, food, or glass containers permitted

Respect the Rules (cont d). The dog park has two separate areas: Large dog area for dogs 30 pounds or more Small dog area for dogs under than 30 pounds Keep your dog in the size appropriate area. Even if your small dog likes to play with big dogs, there may be a big dog that doesn t do well with small dogs. It is unfair to that dog and their owner if you put your small dog in the big dog area!

Respect the Rules (cont d). No more than two dogs per member are permitted at one time If two dogs are in different weight categories, then one member must accompany each dog Do not tether dogs by the leash to objects in park Dogs younger than 4 months, unneutered/un-spayed, aggressive, unruly, fearful, and under socialized dogs are not permitted Dogs with a PA Dog Law Citation are not permitted or eligible for membership

Respect the Rules (cont d). Children under the age of 14 are not allowed in the park Dog parks are for dogs to play, not children Children can be easily knocked over and injured by dogs Children ages 14 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult

Respect the Rules (cont d). Anyone found leaving the gates open, tied back or unlatched will have their membership suspended (1st offense) or membership revoked (2nd offense) without refund Members must leash their dog(s) and exit the Dog Park if their dog(s) is/are acting aggressively or fearfully towards people or other dogs Members are responsible to ensure their dog(s) do not dig holes or cause damage to park plants or property

Respect the Rules (cont d). Members must monitor dogs closely Do not be distracted on your cell phone! The park may not be utilized for any private use or gain, including instruction/ training activities or events of any type without the written approval of the Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Department

Respect the Rules (cont d). Canine couture Collars Prong, pinch, choke or spike collars are not permitted in the dog park Remove harnesses or any type of slip collar Dogs should play wearing flat buckle collars only Dogs are mouthy when they play and often mouth each other around the neck. Collars inappropriate for play can cause injuries. Dogs can become tangled and result in a panic or injured dog.

Respect the Rules (cont d). SCOOP THE POOP from your own dog and even scoop the poop that someone else inconsiderately did not pick up Always bring an extra bag or two Feces may carry bacteria and parasites and is frequently a way diseases are transmitted dog to dog It is everyone s responsibility to keep the dog park as clean as possible Dispose of dog waste bag in vault system not in trash cans!

Failure to comply with rules and regulations will result in revocation of your membership without refund and/or fines!

Member Training Trainers from Cubby s Canine Castle

Topics Covered Dog Park Overview Pros/Cons Etiquette Canine Communication General Body language Meet & Greet Appropriate Play Stress Signals/Calming Signals Inappropriate Behavior/Arousal Level Possessive Behavior/Resource Guarding Fence Fighting Fights Health Recommended Reading

Dog Parks Are Like Alcohol When used responsibly, they can be a highly enjoyable experience Used irresponsibly, they can be a disaster Be Smart! Know your dog. Understand some behavior basics Observe React & Intervene when necessary

Owner Responsibilities Follow the rules Watch your dog! Intervene if your dog is behaving inappropriately towards people or other dogs Know what is/is not appropriate!

Know Your Dog & Be Your Dog s Advocate Not all dogs are social Not every dog enjoys playing with other dogs Some dogs may do well with a select few friends but large groups may be overwhelming If you are uncomfortable with the behavior or the dogs at the park, LEAVE

Dogs Inappropriate for Dog Parks Under-socialized, fearful or anxious dogs While socialization can help dogs with these personality traits, the dog park is not the appropriate venue and may actually WORSEN the problem Aggressive dogs Trying to work on aggression issues in a dog park setting again may WORSEN the problem as well as put other dogs and humans at risk Bullies Dogs who bully other dogs make the dog park unpleasant and can inadvertently cause fights Dogs that exhibit possessive behaviors

Possessiveness/Resource Guarding Dogs can become possessive over: Food Toys People Other dogs Sticks Leaves Vomit Poop Space Etc, etc, etc

Dogs Inappropriate for Dog Parks Socially Awkward dogs Want to play but lack social skills Do not have ability to understand cues from other dogs that they don t want to play with them If you find yourself uttering the phrase oh he s not aggressive, that s just how he plays, you may want to reconsider taking your dog to the dog park Dog parks are for socializing NOT to LEARN social skills

How to Determine if Play is Appropriate Are both dogs enjoying it? How do you understand if dogs are enjoying it? Reading their body language & understanding some basics of canine communication

Canine Communication Body Language Dogs don t speak English, but they DO SPEAK! We just have to learn how to listen differently Dogs tell us a lot with their body Ears Tails Facial Expressions Posture Overall body posture desired at the dog park is loose and relaxed! *From Off-Leash Dog Play, Bennett & Briggs

Body Language - Tails The higher the tail, the more confident the dog is. Low tail or totally tucked tail, may mean it s time to intervene, or even call it a day! *From Off-Leash Dog Play, Bennett & Briggs

Body Language - Ears Ear position can be the indication between a dog that is confident or concerned about the situation around them *From Off-Leash Dog Play, Bennett & Briggs

Canine Communication Meet & Greet Humans Shake Hands, Dogs Sniff Butts Sideways approach - NOT head on Sniff muzzles, neck, genitals Averted eyes Nose to rear circling

Canine Communication Meet & Greet Rude Greeting Behaviors Head on approach Stiff posture Direct staring Muzzle over shoulder Barking in face Pouncing on dog

Entering the Dog Park Keep your dog on-lead until inside the gated area One dog family in the entry way area at a time Close the gates behind you Wait to go in if there is a crowd of dogs at the gate

Entering the Dog Park (cont d) The gate area can be a bevy of conflict - new dogs entering and dogs crowding can cause conflict Help your dog when you are entering If your dog is doing the rushing & crowding call them back! Don t make your dog walk into this...

Set Your Dog Up For a Good Entrance Wait until the crowd disperses Put your dog in a sit a couple feet back from the gate Putting some distance between the new-comer can help dogs inside the park already to refocus their attention back on the park If your dog is doing the crowding Call them back to you or Physically pull them back away from the gate and hold them with you

Set Your Dog Up For a Good Entrance (cont d) Use Body Blocking Dogs use splitting to get between two dogs You can use the same technique to get your dog some space to enter Enter park in front of your dog Take the space away from the dogs using your lower body

Calming Signals Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas coined the phrase calming signals to describe the social skills, sometimes referred to as body language, that dogs use to avoid conflict, invite play, and communicate to other dogs & humans. $6.47 on Barnes & Noble.com

Looking Away May be quick & dog turns it s head to the side and then back May be longer duration, dog turns head and holds that position Dogs frequently use to tell approaching dog to calm down if dog approaches to quickly or approaches head on *From On Talking Terms with Dogs, Rugaas

Yawning Doesn t necessarily mean they are tired, but it may mean it s time to go home Sometimes a yawn is just a yawn & they are tired But if the yawn is in response to another dog s behavior or pressure, it is probably a calming signal

Lip Licking Dogs will flick their tongue to either calm themselves or to calm other dogs down This dog is definitely crying Uncle

Stress Signals Clawing/Jumping at people and/or other dogs Closed Mouth Drooling Half Moon Eye Lip Licking Look Away Raised Hackles Scratching/Sniffing/Stretching Shaking off Yawning Dog s don t just shake to get the water off, sometimes they try to shake off the stress! Moon eye

Canine Communication - Corrections Dogs do correct other dogs to communicate They are telling the other dog Too much knock if off you are bothering me you are making me uncomfortable Corrections can be Growling Barking Snapping Grasping dog by muzzle Bumping dog Corrections should be quick & only directed at dogs with whom they were interacting not directed at dogs that aren t bothering them Video https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jvacsgupqee

Leave Me Alone Video Don t let your dog get picked on Don t let your dog bully others https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=z18_tayooho

How Dogs Initiate Play Video https://youtu.be/oh4g4vvyekk Play bow Pawing Low, wagging tails Leaping Repetitive lateral jumping movements

Appropriate Play Loose, relaxed body postures Starts & stops Trading positions Jaw-sparring/Neck biting Dogs are not overly-aroused Hackles up Excessive vocalizations Stiffening postures

Trading Positions & Taking Breaks

Assess the Full Picture

Red Flags High tails Stiff, rigid body posture Hard Stare Hackles up Slinking, crouching Stalking Multiple dogs ganging up on smaller, submissive dogs Excessive, high-pitched vocalizations and growling

Fights Squabbles Fights Letting the dogs work it out philosophy NOT wise in an off-leash playgroup Escalation & the Mob Mentality Squealing dogs

Fights How to Break It Up Use water to startle them A squirt bottle, dump a water bowl over them or spray a hose at them Throw a blanket, towel or jacket over top of them DO NOT reach in between two dogs fighting to grab them by the collar or around the neck. This increases the risk of the dog biting you!

Fights (cont d) Grab dogs by the back legs to pull them apart and swing them away from each other Most dogs will release if they do not, lift the dog up from under their back hips so that they are off the ground Once dogs are separated, leash them up ASAP Dogs involved in an altercation can quickly re-start the fight if not kept under control If your dog isn t involved, or you are not assisting in breaking up fight, get your own dog leashed up or under your control This helps prevent the mob-mentality and other dogs jumping into the fray

Fence Fighting Result of frustration Sometimes referred to as Barrier Aggression Dog can t get to what it wants Can result in Redirected Aggression Dog turns aggression on dog/person next to them they DO have access to instead of original target of aggression

Health Dogs Get Sick Sometimes Too Just like people, dogs get sick sometimes and pass it along to other dogs Do not take your dog to the dog park if they are exhibiting symptoms of being sick Diarrhea Vomiting Coughing

Recommended Reading & Other Resources Off-Leash Dog Play by Robin Bennet & Susan Briggs Visiting the Dog Park by Cheryl Smith The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas YouTube! Veterinarians 24 hour, emergency vets: Hickory Veterinary Hospital, Plymouth Meeting Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, Conshohocken

In Summary, Dog Parks Can Be Great If People obey the rules We are all responsible owners and Know our dogs Recognize if our dog is a good fit for the park Understand the basics of dog play & canine communication Watch our dogs when they are playing React and intervene when necessary We can all go home at the end of a fun day in the park and get some much needed rest!!!

Thank You!!