<!--StartFragment-->Temecula’s Two Off Leash Dog Parks Brand the City as “Dog Friendly”
Is a “dog friendly” community important to you? You will find the City of Temecula is not only “dog friendly”, it recognizes it’s K-9 population and has provided two off-leash dog parks to serve their recreation needs. How big is the dog population in Temecula? Based on a national survey by American Veterinary Medical Association some 37 percent of the community’s households are likely to have dogs as home companions and on average there are 1.7 dogs per household. Temecula has grown to a population of over 100,0000, some 30,000 households and approximately 19,000 dogs.
The City of Temecula has recognized that we must help our dogs learn how to cope and respond, in a healthy and acceptable manner, to the spectrum of people, animals, places and things they will encounter in life. They also recognize exercise and socialization are both important to raising a healthy and well-adjusted dog. While there are many places to walk with your dog on leash, there are few opportunities to socialize your friend. What is socialization – just what it sounds like – socializing.
Off-leash dog parks provide an ideal setting to accomplish this objective. Here they can meet and interact with other dogs and many types of people – tall, short, women, men, children, bearded men, people in sunglasses or wheelchairs, young and old. Here they can learn to accept being petted by strangers and learn to interact with other dogs.
The design of Temecula’s off-leash dog parks creates a great way to introduce your dog to new experiences in a controlled environment. While you may want to avoid a dog park for you puppy until they have all their shots, it is great for older dogs. Most importantly, it is a neutral location to meet other dogs where they don’t feel they have to protect their territory. And you can take their socialization step by step. For example, you can start socializing by allowing you dog to watch other dogs from a distance as they walk up to the park without having to interact. Give him some treats and praise him until he relaxes and can move closer. You can also sit outside the fence and watch other dogs play.
The fact your dog is off-leash is very important. Not only can he run and play, it changes the entire dynamics of meeting another dog. Think of entering a room full of strangers with you hands tied behind your back. Once inside the off-leash dog park, immediately take your dog off the leash and allow him to meet the other dogs. The leash doesn’t protect him, rather the leash excludes flight from his possible options, leaving only fight - and as he leans forward against the leash, the other dog sees the posture as threatening – he seems posed to attack. In addition, if you tighten the leash, your tension/anxiety is relayed to your dog, making the situation worse. My dog reacts to meeting other dogs when on the leash by barking and sometimes lunging, off the leash he goes over to say hello.
Once in the park, do pay attention to what is taking place and make sure your dog is not overwhelmed on entering a group. If you suspect he may not get along or be a negative influence, call him back. If he is a high-energy dog, give him a good walk to calm him down before entering the park. Temecula’s dog parks are great as the adjacent community parks include walkways and green areas to exercise your dog.
Dog parks also create social networks for community residents. A great place to meet other people with a similar interest and socialize while your four-footed friends play. Tables provide a place to sit and enjoy conversations with friends while watching over your dogs. Other people bring their chairs so they can congregate together. Many bring water dishes and water that they share with the always-thirsty dogs. It is a friendly environment.
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Temecula has two off-leash parks. One in Redhawk Community Park and one in Margarita Community Park. Both are divided into a small dog and large dog for your dog’s safety. Both have excellent parking and are central to Temecula’s residential areas. Look to my blog articles on Redhawk and Margarita dog parks to learn more.
Robert Deane is a real estate agent in the City of Temecula who is launching a new blog site http://temeculasneighborhoodexpert.com that is dedicated to providing neighborhood level information on sales, market trends and issues of community interest. Look to the launch of this website by the first of June 2010.
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