Name: Cherry Park No-Contact Dog Stroll
Start: 2024-10-10T07:30:00-07:00
End: 2024-10-10T08:00:00-07:00

This meetup is designed to help our dogs acclimate to being near other unknown dogs and people. Some dogs are overexcited around other dogs. Some are afraid, anxious, or shy. They all need extra space to learn to be calm. To attend this meetup, you must agree to the following rules and guidelines:

1. All dogs must be on leashes no longer than 6 feet. No flexi or retractable leashes.
2. One dog per person. But feel free to bring two people and two dogs if you want.
3. You *must* be able to control your dog and not release the leash or be dragged by your dog. Make sure collars and harnesses are fool proof.
4. Muzzles are welcome if you think your dog needs it.
5. No dog-dog greetings. If you make a friend and want to introduce your dogs, great! Do it somewhere else as this session is for a specific training purpose.
6. Determine your dog’s level:
a. Reacts to dogs 21 feet away or more.
b. Reacts to dogs at 10 - 20 feet (about the distance of a two lane side street).
c. Reacts to dogs who are under 10 feet away.
7. Wear a shirt or use a dog bandana or leash wrap to show people how far away they need to stay from your dog
a. 21+ feet = Red
b. 10 - 20+ feet = Yellow
c. 10 feet = Green

Some dogs are dog-specific in their reactivity. For example, a dog may react to larger dogs, but not smaller dogs, fluffy white dogs but not black dogs. Do your best to assess your dog’s ability level.

We will bring our dogs to the park and remain at the distance indicated by the color you or your dog is wearing. Some of us may walk our dogs around, some may sit in one place with our dogs, or alternate between the two.

The goal is to keep your dog under threshold. If they are reacting, you are too close to another dog. Move further away until you find a place where your dog is calm in the presence of other dogs. If it is totally boring, then you are doing it right. If your dog is constantly over threshold, barking, lunging, jumping, straining on the leash, or even just tense and staring, then this can have the opposite effect that you want. Move further away from other dogs until they calm down. Other people will give you space.

I recommend you use rewards to help your dog associate being around other dogs with something they like. Rewards can be treats, pets, praise, or a favorite toy that your dog can play with on-leash. Whatever best motivates your dog.

Some dogs may feel overwhelmed, so keep the session short, depending on your dog's tolerance level. Feel free to drop in just for 10 minutes or so.

Bixby Knolls Reactive Dog No-Contact Meetup

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Every week on Thursday until December 12, 2024

Cherry Park No-Contact Dog Stroll

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Cherry Park No-Contact Dog Stroll

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