There is a famous quote from the movie Forrest Gump that says, “Life is like a box of chocolates.
A dog park or dog off-leash area is a wonderful idea. Our four legged friends need to be able to run around and get some free-spirited exercise. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching two dogs romp together there is nothing quite like it. The play is sometimes a little boisterous and there may even be some scary growling noises done in the name of play but it’s all good fun.
For those of you who are fortunate enough to have a fenced back yard that allows your dog ample exercise room a dog park can still provide valuable socialization opportunities. For people who live in homes with no yards or people who are apartment dwellers, the dog park is a lifesaver.
But just like Forrest said you don’t know what you’re going to get at the dog park. If you frequent the park at a regular day and time you may run into other “regulars” as well. Even then, however, there will be new dogs every time.
Sometimes you are lucky enough to connect with another Chihuahua owner who goes to the park at the same time you do. This is an ideal situation where you can swap Chihuahua training tips, funny stories and even ideas on where to find the best Chihuahua clothes. You may find that your Chi is drawn to a different breed of dog altogether. Many Chihuahua owners end up making “play dates” with owners of larger breed dogs, such as Cocker Spaniels or even Huskies.
Dog parks allow your Chi to burn off some excess energy, exercise their bodies and improve their socialization skills. With a new mix of dogs every day it is a great way for your Chi to learn how to act correctly with dogs of many different breeds and temperaments.
All the positive social reasons for going to the dog park are also all the reasons to beware of going to the dog park. This type of off leash play is meant to be a supervised environment. As a dedicated Chi owner you will probably pay care and attention to how your dog is behaving at the park. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are as diligent.
As stated earlier dog play can be loud and energetic and it is sometimes difficult to tell when the play stops and a fight begins. When you own a toy breed like a Chihuahua it is very important to be aware of the interactions happening between your dog and the other dogs at the park. Chihuahuas are known to have big dog personalities in little dog bodies so they are more inclined than other small dogs to get into situations they are not able to handle.
The next time you go to the dog park remember to watch your Chi closely. Just because they think they can steal a ball from a Rottweiler doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. If situations get out of control and it looks like the Rotti might eat your dog for dinner, it’s time to head home. Enough socializing for one day.
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