Park

June 22, 2023

Loki is finally old enough that I can start to train him to walk on a leash.  This was Zena’s favorite part of the day when we took our walks in the park.  She went into heat, and I stopped the walks to avoid other dogs.  I have tried to walk Loki several times, once with Zena and twice on his own, but he has not really been into the concept and tends to spend more time biting the leash than walking.  I ordered a new harness for Loki this week, so the leash does not pull on his collar.  It arrived yesterday and I was determined to take them both for a walk.  Zena knows the harness means getting outside and when I grab it, she will sit in front of my chair and even raise her paw to help me put it on.  I had to pull Loki to the chair and then fight to get the harness over his head.  At first the harness was too loose, and Loki was able to get his mouth under the front to try and bite it off.  I rearranged the harness, put on their leashes, and then we were off to the dog park so they could run and play in a larger space.

When I went online, I found the concept for the dog park started in Berkeley, California, in the 1970’s at a time when cities were making stricter leash laws.  In 1979, activists from People’s Park took over an empty lot in Berkeley that had been cleared for subway construction.  Along with the demonstrations and bail fund drives for arrested protesters common at People’s Park, the new space was frequently full of dogs playing and socializing.  Berkeley resident Doris Richards led much of the effort to circulate petitions in support of the dog park, organize residents, and deal with disputes around zoning and noise pollution.  The area eventually became the Ohlone Dog Park.  As interest in dog parks spread across the country and around the world, Richards became an important source of information and guidance for communities wanting to establish their own dog park.  Alissa Greenberg believes a dog park has had an impact on the urban landscape and development.  “Dog park proponents and designers are building on this private idea of a more-than-human family to envision a new kind of public city.  A family with children believes they deserve a playground; a family with dogs believes the same.”  There are three dog parks in our nearby city, but one park will soon be lost to airport expansion.

Zena has not yet taken to the idea of socializing with other dogs.  When we walked in our neighborhood she would lunge at the leash and bark whenever we encountered another dog.  As she got older, I began to take her to the city park to avoid these encounters.  Now she is good at seeing a dog from a distance, but still gets overly excited when the dog is close.  The dog park is a better way to initiate Zena to being with other dogs, but it is 20 minutes away.  Melissa got Loki to acclimate Zena to another animal, but Loki is a pup who likes to play fight as his form of socialization.  This week I began to take both to the dog park to let off steam and run free.  The wide space allows them room to explore and sniff all the different smells.  I have still separated them from other dogs, which is contrary to the notion of the park.  This is something both I and them will need to continue to work on.

Thoughts:  A dog park is designed to allow your dog to play and socialize with other dogs.  My son lives near Seattle, and they have a huge park where he takes his dogs.  They do play-fight with other dogs, but it is not real biting.  When I read up on how to get your dog to stop lunging and barking it suggested you distract your dog with treats.  Zena is a big foodie and that could help.  Ultimately, I know I need to let her go and work this out on her own.  My real concern may be that her behavior embarrasses me.  The same can be said about raising children.  We can train them to react properly and socialize with others but eventually you need to let them be on their own.  The child’s reactions may embarrass you at times, but you need to continue to love them and show them you care.  Act for all.  Change is coming and it starts with you.