The sun is shining - I should be happy

What a great weekend. The weather gods have teased us with spring-like weather. It's been cool, but perfect for long walks at the park. I should be happy, but...

This kind of weather brings many people to the off leash dog park at Minto. The parking lot is frequently full to overflowing. Dogs bound around the park woofing "free at last! free at last!"

Along with the good weather, though, I'm reminded of my pet peeves (pardon the pun) about the dog park - or, more fairly, about the people at the dog park. Here's a list, in no particular order:


1. Pick up after your dog. The signs say to do it. Others provide the example to do it. There are free poop bags everywhere. So why can't you pick up after your dog?

2. Put the full bag in the garbage can. Yes, I suppose if you own a 200 pound animal, it could be quite a burden to pack a bag of dog poop around the park. Happily, the city of Salem has placed numerous garbage cans at either end of the park for your convenience. If you've gone to the trouble to scoop the poop, please take the extra step of depositing it in the garbage can.



3. Attend to your dog. The park is not a free day care center where you can drop off your dog and then sit in your car unaware. Your dog wants to spend time with you too. So go with him on the walk.

4. Socialize your dog. If this is Fido's first trip (or even second or third), help him adjust to all the new sights and smells. If you're not sure how he'll interact with other dogs, take him off on his own for a while until he can get his bearings. Introduce him to one dog at a time. Stay away for the larger packs of dogs near the parking lot if your not sure how he'll respond. Ease him in to the fun at the park. You'll both have a better time.

5. Parking is for dog park users. Nothing makes me "grrrrr" more than seeing a runner or bike rider use the gravel parking lot as a starting off point for their adventure. Their are two other larger parking lots in the park. Use them.

6. While on the topic of the runners and bike riders, Minto-Brown has miles of paved and barked trails for runners and riders. Why must you use the trail in the off leash area? You are there without a dog and then fuss when a dog chases after you. (See Pet Peeve #7)

7. Small children running through the park. Nothing engages a dogs prey drive like a small critter (animal or human) dashing in front of them. Keep an eye on your kids. If you're going to let them run pell mell through the dog area, make sure they know what to do when a dog wants to join in the play. (Screaming is probably not a good option.)

My most profound observation about life at the dog park is simply this: the dogs behave better than the humans. They play without reservation and when they are done, they go their separate ways, no hurt feelings, no gamesmanship. Lets all resolve to watch our dogs at the park and see if we can't learn to be better humans. And, please...pick up the poop!