Cesar's Dog Park Tips | Cesar Millan

While Cesar encourages everyone to exercise their dog on a regular basis, he also reminds you to keep in mind that a good pack leader maintains leadership even at the dog park. Here are 5 tips Cesar has for dog owners who want to demonstrate good pack leadership.

1. Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered, has all her shots, and is in good health. Under no circumstances should you bring a sick dog to a dog park!

2. Do not use the dog park as a substitute for the walk! If you drive to the park, leave your car a block away and take your dog on a vigorous walk of at least thirty-five minutes to drain some of her energy. Never take an over-excited dog to the park.

3. While at the park, don't "punch out" on your calm-assertive leadership. Be aware of your dog at all times, and take responsibility for her behavior.

4. A calm-submissive dog will not attract another dog's aggression--but an excited dog, a weak, timid dog, or an aggressive dog can become a fight-magnet.

5. Know your dog! If your dog has poor social skills, is overly fearful or is dog aggressive, or if you have not yet established your calm-assertive leadership with your dog, find a more controlled way to introduce her to the company of other dogs, such as "play dates" with one or two other dog owners.

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Sun, 2010-02-07 07:09 — Daisy

dog park behaviour

I wrote in awhile ago for help dealing with my Anatloian Shepherd while at the dog park. She is 18mo and still learning how to be polite. She had developed a bad habit of rushing dogs at the gate as they first entered the park. Not only is this rude, but at 110lbs this is unacceptable to me. I thought I had tried everything. I tried to block her as she would crouch in stalking mode, but she would just scoot around me. I tried following up and making her sit after she did the behaviour, but it seemed that by the time I got her settled the lesson may have been missed. Then I saw an episode that clicked!

This was the park that I have been bringing her to since I got her at 8wks. We came there at least four times a week, and now at 18mo she thinks she owns the joint! The very next day I took her to a different off leash park and the change was immediate. We arrived at the new park and I went for the tour to let her get to know the place. She didn't leave my side for a second, she walked slowly and slightly hunched with her tail somewhat tucked. What a difference. She eventually began to feel more comfortable and found some friends to wrestle with. This was a great lesson though for me and since then we have been mixing it up going to different dog parks. we have even returned to our original park and she seems to be over the rushing thing there!