https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darwin-D ... 66?fref=ts
Thinking of going to a dog park with your puppy? A few things to keep in mind. Dog parks are safer for puppies than a place like Petsmart because sunlight kills a lot of viruses. The dog park is a good place for your puppy to get rolled by another dog like a burrito, and trust me, sometimes they need it (remember when you pulled your sister's hair and she punched you? Same thing.) When you are there, think like a lighthouse. A lighthouse is there if you need a break. It's a great place to feel safe if things get too stormy, but a lighthouse doesn't swim out to you. Be the same way for your pup. He may be overwhelmed the whole time; let him hang out by you, but don't coddle him. Just quietly be there to protect him. He may be adventurous... let him. He'll have more fun if he knows he can have a place to return and feel safe.
So, of course I responded...
I have a couple of questions.
"Dog parks are safer for puppies than a place like Petsmart because sunlight kills a lot of viruses. "
PetSmart mops with disinfectant, and sunlight doesn't kill Parvo.
"The dog park is a good place for your puppy to get rolled by another dog like a burrito, and trust me, sometimes they need it "
Yes, sometimes puppies need to be put in their place, but shouldn't that be done in a controlled environment, by a dog that you know and trust? What happens if the strange dog that just "rolled" your puppy follows that up by biting him? Your puppy may end up with a laundry list of behavioral problems from getting beaten up by one jerk at a dog park just for acting like a puppy.
"He may be overwhelmed the whole time; let him hang out by you, but don't coddle him."
Not coddling makes a lot of sense, if the puppy is actually safe. But if he's overwhelmed, what part of that interaction is good for him??
If you MUST take your puppy to a dog park, only allow your puppy to play with puppies of the same size (eventual adult size, not puppy size) and approximate age.