Saskatoon dog trainer says great caution must be used in off-leash dog parks

There has been a lot of discussion about Saskatoon’s off-leash dog parks in the past few weeks.

Recently city council made a proposal that dog owners could only bring a maximum of four dogs to the parks at one time.

That proposal was pulled after council got pushback from pet owners and professional dog walkers.

At least one local dog trainer and breeder thinks off-leash parks can be dangerous for dogs because their owners try to convey human qualities on their pets and forget they are still animals that follow animal instincts.

Barry Gay has heard stories about smaller dogs being attacked and even killed by older, bigger dogs at off-leash parks.

“The problem is human beings perception of dogs,” said Barry Gay.”

Gay told Gormley, people think their dogs need socialization the way human children do, but that’s not always the case with pack animals like dogs.

He said taking a dog into an environment with dozens of other dogs can create a terrifying experience for an animal.

“In a dog pack, there is a very clear and very well established pecking order. The dog needs to know where it stands in the pack, so there is anxiety.

“If you have a dog who is worried and you take it to a dog park to get socialized with other dogs, it could be the exact opposite,” said Gay. “A dog who acts worried is a target at a dog park. If you show weakness as a dog, you’re going to get attacked. It’s the way nature clears off the weak ones in the pack.”

Gay adds, if your dog comes over and asks me to pet it, then my dog is going to be jealous.

“My shepherds don’t go to dog parks because they’re guarding breeds and if another dog comes over to say hi to me, they want to drive it away.”

Gay said another risk at off-leash dog parks is illness.

“The signs say ‘no unvaccinated dogs.’ Do you know that? Honestly, I have never seen anybody at the gate checking vaccination certificates,” said Gay.

He said if you really feel the need to give your dog off-leash exercise, then take it out into the country by yourself or with your family.

“For your dog, this is happiness. They’re in their own pack and they don’t have to worry about other intruders coming in for attention,” said Gay.