#025 - The Problem With Off-Leash Parks With Natasha Mazac

Most pup parents believe that visiting off-leash parks with their canine companion is a right of passage. But, what if I told you that dogs suitable for attending public off-leash parks may actually be the exception, not the rule?

Today’s guest is Natasha Mazac. Natasha is a certified professional dog trainer and head of behaviour at Dogma Training in Calgary, Alberta Canada. 

In this episode, we’re going to discuss the many reasons why visiting public off-leash parks may not be a good idea for your pup, and some of the things you can do to better understand how to visit them responsibly, should you decide to take them anyway.

Natasha’s qualifications include:

• CPDT-KA Certified Dog Trainer (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through CCPDT)  
• Head of Behaviour at Dogma Training

In this episode you'll learn:

• The best age for puppies to start visiting the dog park. 
• What a "fear stage" is and why it's so important. 
• If dog parks are good for socializing your puppy. 
• If dog parks are a good choice for "shy" dogs. 
• What to do if your dog gets injured at an off-leash park. 
• What signals to look for from your dog at the off-leash park. 
• How to tell if your dog is suitable for public off-leash parks. 
• How to prep yourself and your dog for an off-leash visit. 
• How long and how often you should visit an off-leash park. 
• The biggest problems with public off-leash parks. 
• About alternatives to visiting off-leash parks. 

Resources from this episode:

Episode 025: Resources
Everything Pup Podcast Community on Facebook

Find Holly on Social Media:

Facebook
Instagram