Dog Park Safety Project Aims to Educate

The International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) recently announced the launch of their Dog Park Safety Project. The series of posters are a result of the collaboration between the IAABC, Dr. Jessica Hekman and artist Lili Chin. 

The goal of the project is to promote safety in dog parks and dog play through community education. The posters illustrate dog body language and communication in different situations, and how owners can manage these interactions in ways that are positive for everyone involved.

Founded in 2004, the IAABC believes in the study and science of behaviour consulting. They provide networking and education opportunities for members through on-line discussion groups, guided studies, webinars and conferences. Their 2016 Animal Behaviour Conference takes place April 9th and 10th in Anaheim, California and has cat and dog behaviour tracks.

Top Notch Dog Parks

Have a look at these 5 Fantastic U.S. dog parks. Are there top notch, noteworthy dog parks in your municipality? What elements make a fantastic dog park? The Association of Pet Dog Trainers outline a list of what's needed for a great dog park: 

• Materials for cleaning up after dogs
• Drinking water and shade
• Enough space to avoid crowding
• Separate areas for small and large dogs
• More than one entrance and exit 
• Agility equipment, natural visual barriers and other interactive features

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or visit the Urban Animal Program LinkedIn Group to join the conversation! 

Designed for Dogs: 5 Fantastic Dog Parks Across the U.S.

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Karen Stintz Luncheon Guest at 2013 Central Regional Conference

Karen Stintz will be joining the delegates of the 2013 Regional Conference as their luncheon guest on Wednesday. Karen who is also a dog owner, was featured in the recent CBC/Bountiful Films production of DOG DAZED. She will briefly address her experience as the elected official in the middle of the Ledbury Park neighborhood war over off-leash dogs.

Karen is a city councillor in Toronto, Canada. She represents Ward 16, one of two municipal wards enclosed within the federal-provincial riding of Eglinton—Lawrence. She is also the current Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, the third busiest public transit system in North America.^[1]

Karen grew up in North York and attended St. Joseph's Morrow Park. After receiving a BA from University of Western Ontario, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University and worked briefly as a journalist. Returning to school, she received a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University, and launched her present career.

"As a politician I have learned that there are two things that you never do. You never change parking restrictions and you never get yourself involved in a dog park."

Karen learned the hard way not to get between voters and their dogs. But it has becoming increasingly more difficult for politicians to get away from dog debates. Canine ownership has doubled in Canada over the past decade and all those dogs need somewhere to run, play, and evacuate. 

A positive pet experience includes understanding how dog owners and other citizens can live together in neighborhoods that serve the purposes of all. Karen's segment of the Conference will set up the Pet Experience Project workshops, directed by Dr. Jason Coe during the afternoon.

Canine Conditions in Dog Parks

With summer right around the corner, dog owners and their canine companions will begin to frequent dog parks, but pet owners should be aware of the risks it could impose on their pets.

According to a recent Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) report, there has been a 34 per cent increase over the past five years of people and their dogs attending these parks in the U.S., which has led to an increase in related medical conditions.

In the same report, it was revealed that VPI policyholders spent over $8.6 million U.S. on medical conditions associated with a visit to the dog park in 2011.

A few common dog park-related medical conditions included:

• Sprains and Soft Tissue Injuries
• Lacerations and Bite Wounds
• Kennel Cough/Upper Respiratory Infections 
• Insect Bites 
• Head Trauma 
• Hyperthermia or Heat Stroke
• Parasites
• Parvovirus             

View the News Release

Anti-canine side is getting a leg up in Vancouver

Battle between Vancouver’s dog-owners and non-owners heating up.

The city says it will move this year to a zero-tolerance policy for rule-breakers, and the park board considers major restrictions on dog-friendly areas – with the issue emerging just ahead of the November civic elections.

Check out this Globe article