Dog Club Newsletter, March, 2008

Welcome to those of you who recently signed up to receive this electronic newsletter. Please let me know if there are any problems with it. I've had some issues with typos in addresses but am working through that. Please forward this to your friends who are dog lovers. They can get on our distribution list by signing up on our website.

Look for us in the St Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 15th in Old Town. We will be walking with The Fort Collins Dog Network which is a network of local dog-related businesses. Have a safe and happy St. Pat's Day!!!

If you’re like me you cringe every time you hear this phrase shouted in your vicinity because what it really means is, “he’s loose, headed your direction, and untrained.” What is left unconsidered by the party shouting out the dreaded “he’s friendly” phrase is that perhaps the leashed party the dog is headed for is not so friendly. Perhaps that benign-looking mixed breed the dog would so love to meet has absolutely no interest in meeting him. When the leashed dog chooses to express her disinterest by way of teeth, who is responsible for the vet bill?

It is up to us, the responsible dog owners of the world, to be sure that our dogs are both safe from harm and not wreaking havoc on the parks we frequent. Here are some tips for both sides of this all-too-common story.

Leash your dog! When in an area where leashes are required by law, keep your dog on leash. It sounds simple enough but we want our dogs to have the freedom they desire and often unsnap the leash in areas where we know we shouldn’t. But remember that it is not only the rangers and police officers who care whether your dog is leashed — it is the other people using the outdoor space. If a person has a dog that would rather not meet any other dogs, then that person has a right to walk their dog, on-leash, in a public area without being bombarded by dogs running loose. If your dog is one that adores other dogs, dog parks and daycare facilities are great options.

Train your dog! If you choose to let your dog run free at times (whether at a designated off-leash area or not) it is your responsibility to train her. She should have a reliable recall, and a good distance sit or down. Classes at The Dog Club of Fort Collins cover both of these behaviors. A trained dog is a dog that is welcome anywhere, and you owe it to your own dog to be sure she is welcome wherever you take her.

Protect your dog. Both dogs in the above scenario are in danger. The one running loose could be hit by a car or attacked by an unfamiliar dog. The leashed dog is in danger of attack by the loose dog, and if the leashed dog in not social she is in danger of starting a fight that could end in multiple injuries to everyone involved (humans included). An excellent way to protect your leashed dog on walks (especially if your dog is reactive or aggressive toward other dogs) is to carry an umbrella. The umbrella can be opened with your dog behind it, thus creating a barrier between the two dogs and giving you time to get out of the situation. The umbrella not only acts as a shield but also removes eye-contact between dogs (the beginnings of conflict) and often frightens the loose dog away as it is opened.

Of course not all dogs are unfriendly or untrained, but it is in your best interest (and your dog’s) to assume that they are. Do not be afraid to inform another dog owner that your dog is NOT friendly whenever you hear the “he’s friendly!” phrase, and please contact me at The Dog Club if your dog is having issues with dog-dog aggression, because your dog can be helped.

Happy walking!

Many of you may have noticed the new door we installed entering the front play room. The old door going into the reception area, behind the desk, was damaged beyond repair. Davin, our evening maintenance employee, got a new door installed quickly and minimized disruption to the daycare operation. Thanks to Davin!! While many of you miss the window, the solid door is proving to be good for the dogs. When new people come to visit and observe, many dogs react and get somewhat anxious about the stranger on the other side of the door, peaking through the window. The solid door is providing a good shield and the dogs are calmer when visitors arrive.

As many of you head out for spring break vacations, please make sure to let us know if you will be changing your daycare reservations at The Dog Club. This will help us staff correctly and provide your dog with a fun and safe visit. Enjoy your time off!!