Pandemic Pups Hit Canine Parks

When many people in the United States were forced to work from home in the early days of the coronavirus health crisis, they chose a dog.

People say a dog offers society and a reason to move. After all, dogs need to go outside and run.

Adriana Magarin is a new dog owner based in Houston, Texas. She said she got a dog because “you can only read so many books, you can only listen to so many podcasts”.

In most cases, dog owners will take their animals for a walk rope. But in some places there are open spaces where dogs are allowed to play with other dogs without a leash. These places are called dog parks.

Expert dog trainers say that social activities that can take place in dog parks are important for the animals, especially young animals known as pups. However, it can be scary for both of them to put a young dog and a new dog owner in a completely new situation – like a dog park.

Some owners worry about letting their dogs off the leash. What if the dogs don’t come back when called?

A woman, Josslyn Shapiro, came up with the idea of ​​getting her dog Appa to come when he gets a call. “If I bring the chicken, it’s fine,” she said.

Darris Cooper is Head of National Education for domestic animal Petco supplier. He said Shapiro’s idea was spot on. The chicken pieces act like a magnet for the dog.

Here are a few steps to help your dog come when called.

Put one to treat near the dog’s nose. Then go away.

Call the dog with a repeated sound, e.g. B. whistling or other sound with the mouth.

When the dog starts in your direction, be happy to praise him like “good girl!” Then give the dog a food reward.

Tim Steele is a dog trainer based in Sacramento, California. He suggests practicing such steps repeatedly and giving the dog a reward for following them. When this is repeated several times a day, Steele said, “You should have a firm body recall in about three weeks. “

New dog owners also have other problems in the dog park.

A common question asked is how to tell if your dog is playing or fighting with other dogs. How can a new owner tell the difference? Experts say it is important to try to learn the dog’s body language.

For example, Cooper said that when a dog has its tail lowered, “it is best to cut off all contact with other dogs”. He added that if your dog jumps or bites another dog or person, you should contact a trainer.

All of this seems like a lot of trouble and concern for a pet. However, one expert notes that dogs are like family members to Americans.

Ashley Valm is the director of animal internships for the Humane Rescue Alliance, an animal welfare organization based in Washington, DC

“What people value about their relationships with their pets is unconditional love, right? That comes with no strings attached. No judgment, no Hesitate, right? That you come home and your animal is fair excited see you. And it can be this sheer camaraderie that can be hard to find. “

And if you feel like your dog is a family member, it makes sense that you should be careful offering a new situation to a young dog.

Valm said many people came to her organization to bring a dog into their lives at the beginning of the pandemic. However, some feared that dogs might take on too much responsibility. At the same time, her organization feared that she might have to help dogs whose owners did not have the money to keep them because of the problems caused by the pandemic.

But Valm said she later realized that most people are willing to sacrifice things in their own lives in order to remain dog owners.

“Become people find out. They have a pet in their home and they love it. They do everything they can to make sure they don’t have to give up their pet. “

They also do everything possible to protect their dogs in the dog park. Once new dog owners and their dogs are comfortable, the dog park can be a great way for both of them to make new social contacts.

Ted Hausman said he looks forward to new owners bringing their dogs to his local park in Brooklyn, New York. “It’s nice that people experience that joy of dog ownership, ”said Hausman. “It’s a good one Silver lining to the pandemic. “

I am Dan Friedell.

Beth Harpaz of The Associated Press wrote that story. Dan Friedell adapted it for English learning. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

What would you do to make sure your dog is safe in the dog park? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the comments and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in this story

domestic animal– n. an animal (such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish) that people keep primarily for pleasure

society– n. the good feeling of being with someone else

rope –N. A long, thin piece of rope, chain, etc. that is used to hold a dog or other animal

to treat– n. something that tastes good and that is not eaten often

recall– n. the ability to remember what has been learned or experienced in the past

no strings attached– n. something that has no special conditions

Hesitate – n. a pause before during something

excited– adj. very excited or happy

find out –V. understanding or finding through thinking (something like a reason or a solution)

joy– n. a feeling of great happiness

Silver lining– n. something good that can be found in a bad situation