A Dog Park in Dundalk Would Be Amazing!

The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, working alongside the St. Helena Neighborhood Association and the Baltimore County Recreation & Parks Office, is hoping to create a Dog Park in the Dundalk Area.  At a promotion committee meeting of the DRC (if your interested in more, check out www.dundalkusa.org) a number of citizens suggested the idea, so the group went forward with meetings.

The Friends of Canton Dog Park and their President, Beth Christman, have been amazing to the committee working to put it together.  Check out Canton’s Dog Park at www.cantoncommunity.org

Canton's Dog Park Layout

So far, the St. Helena Neighborhood Association supports the idea of looking into the possibility of housing the Dog Park in St. Helena Park where the current Tennis Courts are.  There is a master plan for a complete renovation of St. Helena Park in the next couple of years, and the plan could be modified to include a Dog Park.

If you are interested in helping to start the Dog Park in Dundalk, email Mike Jankiewicz at mjankiewicz@baltimorecountymd.gov to let him know you support the idea!

I also know that the DRC is looking for Dog Park Sponsors, so if you are interested, check out their website!

So, what is a dog park?

Well…..from Wikipedia we have:

“A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs and their owners to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment. Parks vary in accoutrements, but a typical dog park is fenced; has separate, double-gated entry and exit points; a pond for swimming; hydrants for watering dogs; and tools to pick up and dispose of animal waste.”

What are good reasons to have a dog park?

Benefits Of A Dog Park

Some of the many benefits of enclosed dog runs/dog parks include:

1. Puppies and adult dogs have a safe(r), enclosed place to play.
2. Enclosed play areas prevent off-leash dogs from infringing on the rights of other community residents and park users such as joggers, small children, and those who may be fearful of dogs.
3. By their mere presence, groups of dog owners (and their dogs) help deter crime, and frequently act as the eyes and ears for the police.
4. A well-exercised dog is a happier and healthier dog.
5. An exercised dog makes a better next door neighbor than an under-exercised dog. Puppies and dogs which get enough excersize by playing in a dog run, are less likely to create a nuisance, bark excessively, destroy property, jump on passers-by, etc.
6. In an era where people are often reluctant or afraid to approach or converse with a complete stranger, dog runs bring people together and create a greater sense of community. Dogs help shy people “break the ice”. People’s love for dogs often creates an important common ground, which as if by magic, serves to break down otherwise impenetrable social and ecconomic barriers. Dogs (and dog runs) are in fact responsible for many a lasting friendship between those who might never otherwise have met.

So, what are we waiting for?  Lets get that Dog Park!

A Dog Park Is An Educational Opportunity!

As a proud owner of a Pit Bull (American Staffordshire Terrier), I laugh as people run to get across the street from me everytime I pass them.  A lot of people have stereotypes about Dogs, Breeds, and what they can expect.  People are also very ignorant training techniques, safety measures, and how dog ownership has changed throughout the years.  Take for example the dog pictured above (the greatest dog in the world) and what he is wearing on his head.  This is not a muzzle, but a new leash called a “gentle leader”.  Many people ask me, “Is that muzzle?”.  Well, the answer is no, it is not a muzzle, and here is a great explanation of why every dog owner should throw away their chains collars and spiked leashes for a great tool that will build a strong relationship between you and your dog:

I pulled this off a website I found online at http://bargraph.com/gentleleader/frames.html

It provided a quickie version and a more in depth explanation.

Why and How the Gentle Leader^® Headcollar Works
First of all, the Gentle Leader^® headcollar is NOT a muzzle. When fitted properly, your dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite – except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash.

The Gentle Leader^® headcollar features two soft nylon straps – the collar portion fits high at the top of the neck, and the nose loop fits loosely and comfortably across the base of the muzzle. Each strap has a distinct and important effect.

The Nose Loop – Dogs are naturally “pack” animals with a highly structured social order. One of the ways the “pack leader” will demonstrate his position is to gently but firmly grasp a subordinate’s muzzle in his mouth. This is a non-aggressive but very clear signal regarding who’s the boss! The Gentle Leader^®’s nose loop encircles your dog’s muzzle in this same manner,letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. Dogs feel more secure when they know who the leader is.

The Neck Strap – Have you noticed how puppies seem to melt in relaxation when their mother picks them up at the back of the neck? Gentle Leader^® applies pressure to the back of the neckrather than the front of the throat, working with your dog’s natural relaxation instinct with an amazing calming effect. Also, dogs tend to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at theback of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash-pulling forever!

So, consider this your first Dog Park Lesson!  Send us your thoughts!