How often have you seen this? Someone walks into a dog park, fixates on his smart phone and stays that way, completely oblivious to whatever his dog might be up to.

I know, I know, it’s the uber-tech age and many humans want to be wired most of the time. But taking a dog to a dog park and not monitoring him just isn’t safe. It’s a bit like taking a four year-old child to an amusement park and letting him run amok with no adult supervision.

Dog guardians can go a long way to making sure that dog park experiences are safe and pleasant for humans and canines by keeping these tips in mind:

• You are responsible for Scrappy. Pay close attention at all times to what he’s doing and how other dogs are behaving towards him.
• Avoid doing things that take your attention away from Scrappy, like talking on cell phones, checking email, texting, or getting caught up in conversations with other dog guardians.



• Dog parks aren’t appropriate for dogs that are afraid of or don’t get along well with other dogs. If you don’t know if your dog is a good dog park candidate, or you’d like your dog to become more comfortable with other dogs, consult with a positive reinforcement trainer.
• Scrappy should be completely healthy and up-to-date on his vaccinations whenever he visits the dog park.
• Make sure Scrappy has a reliable recall before taking him to an off-leash park. Park rules typically require that owners have their dogs under “voice control.”
• Take Scrappy’s leash off as soon as he enters the park. This avoids him becoming frustrated by being leashed while other dogs are off-leash. It also avoids turning Scrappy into an easy target for other unleashed dogs.
• Take frequent obedience breaks with Scrappy. Call him to come to you, reward him when he does, and ask him to sit for the reward of resuming play. These breaks help Scrappy keep his impulses in check and are good practice for times when you may need him to come to you in a hurry. Rewarding him with something fabulous when he comes to you at the park teaches him that it pays handsomely to pay attention to and check in with you when he’s playing off-leash.
• Think of yourself as Scrappy’s advocate and ambassador. If he’s is being bullied or harassed by another dog, intervene. Call Scrappy to come to you and move far away from the other dog. Leave the park if the other guardian won’t/can’t get and keep his dog under control.
• If Scrappy is bullying or harassing another dog, step in. The other dog’s guardian may tell you not to worry, that his dog is fine and enjoys playing that way. But bullying and harassing aren’t polite play; they stress the targeted dog and can result in dog fights. If Scrappy won’t stop bullying, it’s best to leave the park.
• If Scrappy gets upset at other dogs who approach him when his toy’s around, don’t bring the toy to the dog park.
• Avoid bringing puppies younger than 4-5 months to dog parks. Some adult dogs are quite intolerant of puppies. Some dogs like to bully pups. It’s easy for puppies to get hurt by adult dogs due to size & strength disparities. A scary negative experience at a dog park could scar a puppy behaviorally and install a fear of other dogs. Instead, take puppies to trainer-supervised puppy playgroups where they can exercise safely off-leash, learn bite inhibition, polite play and dog-dog social skills.
• Avoid bringing young kids to dog parks. It’s just too easy for them to get knocked down or hurt accidentally by romping dogs. Other dogs are a big unknown when it comes to kids. You don’t know if other dogs may be afraid of kids, or if a running, shrieking child will stir up a dog’s prey drive.
• Always pick up after Scrappy.

We just got back from a lovely trip to Mendocino, one of our favorite getaways. It’s spectacular, tranquil, soul-refreshing and best of all, extremely dog friendly.

Here’s a short list of the best doggy fun activities on the Mendocino coast according to my dog Vinnie, a Mendocino-lovin’ mutt if ever there were one.

It was tough narrowing down this list. One of the best things about Mendocino County is the rugged unspoiled beauty that’s everywhere. If you’re a nature lover, a stroll down a country lane will likely become a breathtaking hike for you and a delightful adventure for your dog. Secret beaches abound, many restaurants and cafes welcome dogs, and dog-friendly fun lurks round every bend. That said, here’s Vin’s short list in no particular order:

MacKerricher State Park, Cleone. An enormous park right on the coast with dunes, bluffs, beaches, forest and miles of hiking and horse trails, many of which deposit you on a seemingly endless beach that stretches north for miles. Dramatic ocean views and humbling rock formations may inspire you to hike for hours.

Hiking the Mendocino coast

Cowlick’s Handmade Ice Cream, 250 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. A divine local-made ice cream in scrumptious flavors and hefty portions! All dogs get a free dog-size scoop of vanilla!

Mendocino County Botanical Gardens, 18220 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg. These vast gardens are an ever-changing living homage to the diverse flora of Mendocino County. In early spring, towering rhododendrons awe. In summer, the dahlia gardens dazzle. No matter how often you visit, the gardens are always splendid and never the same twice. You can hike though the gardens all the way to coastal bluffs, heavenly ocean views, and whale spouts. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the gardens and on the trails. The café near the entrance features Cowlick’s Ice Cream and generously dispenses a free vanilla mini-scoop to all doggy visitors.

Mendocino Headlands State Park, Mendocino. Tourists and locals, humans and canines – everyone loves this park. There may be no other park that puts you smack in the middle of two such odd neighbors – the neat fairytale village to the east and ominous rocky arches, crashing waves and the endless Pacific to the west. Miles of trails hug the coastline and are guaranteed to amaze you.

Frankie’s, 44951 Ukiah Street, Mendocino. This cafe has a cute outdoor patio with tables and chairs where humans and dogs can hang out and enjoy fresh organic pizzas, tasty sandwiches, salads, local beers  and wines, and sometimes, live music. They serve Cowlick’s ice cream here too! (Notice a theme here?)

Noyo Beach, at the end of North Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg. Locals call this the dog beach because it’s officially leash-free. It’s not the prettiest beach but it’s easily accessible and big. The dogs don’t care that the sand isn’t white and powdery. They love this beach. Vinnie likes to romp down the length of the beach, then hike north/northwest up and over the hill onto coastal bluffs for open ocean views.

Want to save some money, recycle seemingly useless stuff, and try out your crafty side on your pooch? Here are a few ideas for do-it-yourself dog toys that help the environment and provide easy enrichment and mental stimulation for your furry friend.

As is the case with any pet toy, think of your dog’s safety first. Supervise your dog when he’s playing with toys and regularly inspect them for damage. Discard or recycle toys that are deteriorating so your dog doesn’t accidentally swallow a piece.

Plastic Bottle Treat Toy: Oh the ubiquitous empty plastic water bottle. I know you’ve got some lying around waiting to be recycled. Before you dump them in the recycling bin, let your dog have a go at them. Put a few treats in a 16-ounce or larger size bottle, cap it, then toss it for your dog. He’ll chomp on it, bat it around, and do anything he can to get those treats out. Supervise your dog when he plays with this to prevent choking. Discard the bottle cap as soon as he gets it out.Take the bottle from him when he gets the treats out to prevent any injuries from splinters.

Sock It To Me: Put some dog treats in the toe of a sock and knot the sock on itself close to the toe end. Put that sock inside the toe of another sock and knot the second sock on itself. There you have it – a homemade treat puzzle toy!

Vin plays with homemade cereal box toy

Braided Tug Toy: Got old socks, old towels or old fleece blankets? Any of those can be used to make a strong tug toy. Fleece makes a particularly strong tug toy. Cut three strips of fleece. Each should be 2-3 inches wide and 15-24 inches long depending on the size of your dog. Braid the strips together as tightly as you can and knot the ends securely. You’re ready for endless tug matches with your dog! You can also braid three old sport socks together or lengths of old towels together to make this toy. Soaking the toy in beef or chicken broth (then letting it drying completely) will make the toy even more enticing.

Tennis Ball Fun: Drill a hole in a tennis ball and another on the opposite side. Thread a long piece of thick cotton rope through the holes so the rope goes through the ball. Knot the rope securely close to the ball and knot the other ends of the rope. Fetch or tug anyone?

Stuffed Stuff: If your dog’s like mine, it doesn’t take him long to practice his dissecting skills on new stuffed animals. One minute he’s racing around with the stuffed animal in his mouth, and the next, our living room’s a mess of stuffing and the poor teddy bear is decapitated. Save the stuffing and the squeaker, if it still works. Stuff an old sock with stuffing and squeaker, sew up the end, and your dog’s got a brand new stuffed toy. Instead of using actual stuffing, you can stuff the sock with the other old socks or leftover fabric. If you’re feeling extra creative, stuff scraps of fabric with the stuffing and squeaker and sew it up in interesting shapes. You can also restuff kids’ old stuffed animals. Remove plastic eyes, noses and other pieces that could be a choking hazard. Keep an eye on your dog whenever he plays with any squeaky toy and take the squeaker away from him as soon as he’s removed it from the toy.

Rover Recycles: take an empty cardboard box. Cereal boxes and egg cartons work well for this. Put a few treats inside, then tape the box closed with masking tape. You can also put food-stuffed Kongs in the box before you tape it up. Give the sealed box to your dog and watch him tear it open with gusto to get at the treats. When he’s finished, your box is already shredded/broken down and will take up a lot less room in your recycling container.

Got other ideas for homemade dog toys? Please share them in a comment.

On January 14, 2011, the GGNRA released its Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) and proposal to drastically limit dog-accessible areas throughout the Bay Area. Beloved leash-free areas like Fort Funston will limit unleashed dogs to small patches of land and beach, require dogs to be leashed on most trails, and ban dogs from the majority of the park. Other areas will ban dogs altogether.

Like many Bay Area dog guardians, I’m very upset about the proposed changes. Fort Funston is one of the few spots in the City where dogs can roam leash-free outside the confines and inherent challenges of an enclosed dog park. Funston is a unique option for dogs who don’t do well in cramped and often crowded dog parks. At Funston, dogs get terrific exercise and have plenty of room to negotiate the amount of space between themselves and other dogs.

Fort Funston, aka, Doggy Heaven

The loss of dog-access to GGNRA lands presents negative environmental impacts for Bay Area dogs and humans. Clearly, the restrictions will seriously hurt dogs’ quality of life. Our dogs live in a congested urban environment, frequently in small homes and apartments with no back yards or open space in which to exercise. Adequate off-leash exercise is crucial to dogs’ behavioral wellness and quality of life. A dog that isn’t getting enough exercise is a dog that will in all likelihood develop behavior problems ranging from destructive chewing and boredom barking to anxiety and aggression. Sure, the City has many off-leash dog parks, but they’re already often too crowded to be safe. The GGNRA’s planned restrictions will result in even worse overcrowding, less room for real exercise, and higher risk of dog fights.

The proposed restrictions won’t just harm dogs. The restrictions will result in negative environmental impacts on dog guardians and their neighbors. According to a 2007 estimate, there are 120,000 dogs in San Francisco – more dogs than kids, and approximately 1 dog for every 7 human City residents. A bored dog’s incessant barking disrupts his human family and anyone else within earshot.

Off-leash fun at Ocean Beach

What’s to be done? I have a few suggestions:

Woof up or forever hold your peace! The GGNRA will accept public comment on the Study through April 14, 2011. There are several scheduled meetings to which the public is invited to comment. Written comments can also be submitted to the GGNRA in writing. Go to the GGNRA’s site for information on meetings and to submit comments on the DEIS.

Make sure your comments are of the type that count. It’s not enough to simply protest or voice your displeasure. The comments should be related to the environmental impacts of the proposed dog restrictions, and the potential environmental effects that GGNRA is concerned about. SFDOG.org has put together a detailed and cogent list of suggested comments on the DEIS, and welcomes everyone to incorporate them into written comment letters to the GGNRA.

Contact your local political reps (congressional reps, senators, state senators and in San Francisco, the supervisor for your district), communicate your position on the issue and find out how they plan to address this. Let them know this is an issue that affects all of us, not just a handful of dogs or dog walkers.

Be a dog ambassador. Keep Fifi healthy, up to date on vaccines, and licensed. Pick up poop. Train her to be a model canine citizen on and off-leash. Keep her out of areas designated as dog-free zones, and don’t allow her to chase or disturb wildlife. Snappy recalls, leave its and off-leash stays are essential. So are polite human greetings. Off-leash heeling comes in handy for walking Fifi past distractions and keeping her close to you and out of wildlife protection zones.

Spread the word.
You’d be surprised how many people don’t know about this.

For more information on this important issue, visit www.SFDog.org, www.crissyfielddog.org, and the GGNRA website.

During a recent consultation, a client mentioned that though her 6 month-old shepherd mix loved to play tug, she’d decided the game was taboo. She’d heard that tug would make him “aggressive.” I’ve heard this concern from loads of dog owners. But fortunately, it ain’t so.

Aggressive behavior is usually caused by fear, stress or anxiety, not fun and games. In fact, many expert dog trainers (such as Jean Donaldson and Pat Miller) maintain that that tug, if played by a few simple rules (see below) is a fabulous game to play with your dog for lots of reasons.

Tug is a wonderful energy burner for dogs and something you can do inside to burn some of that doggy energy. Vinnie’s an especially high-energy dog; I suspect that on rainy days, if not for tug, we’d both go a little bonkers.

Tug is a great legal outlet for dogs’ natural predatory instincts. Instead of shutting natural dog behavior down, tug allows dogs to redirect their energies to the game.

If played by the rules, tug teaches your dog to control his jaws even when he’s really revved up, and is fabulous impulse control training. Your dog practices calming himself down when he’s in a state of high arousal.

Tug offers lots of lovely little real-life training moments for real life rewards – another tug match! It provides an appropriate safe outlet for puppies’ and adolescents’ natural desire to mouth and play bite. Perhaps best of all, tug is FUN for you and your dog and deepens the bonds you share.

Follow these simple rules to ensure you and your dog are safe whenever you play tug:

• Only play with 1 or 2 designated tug toys. They should be long enough that your dog’s teeth area far from your hand. Braided rope or fleece toys are best because they’re strong and won’t hurt doggy teeth or gums.
• Play begins only when you initiate the game by offering the tug toy to your dog. Don’t allow your dog to lunge/jump/snatch the toy from you. If he does that, say, “Too bad,” or “Uh oh,” matter of factly and put the toy away for 20 seconds.
• Take frequent obedience breaks. Ask your dog to sit (or do another easy behavior) every time you offer him the tug toy. After he sits, reward him by offering him the tug toy to grab onto.
• Teach your dog to drop the tug toy on your cue. Ask him to do so randomly during tug matches.
• Teeth on skin means an automatic time out. If his teeth make any contact with your skin even by accident, immediately say “Uh Oh,” or “Too bad,” and put the toy away for 20 seconds. This will teach him to be extra careful with his mouth during tug games.
• Avoid doggy injuries. Keep the tug toy level with his shoulders and don’t jerk it around. Move the toy side-to-side instead of up and down. Keep the intensity of tug games appropriate for his age and overall physical condition.
• Safety first. Don’t allow frail people or kids under 13 to play tug with your dog. Make sure that anyone who plays tug with your dog knows the tug rules and always follows them consistently. An adult should always supervise tug games between dogs and kids.

Do you need an excuse to play? Many humans probably do. In this age of constantly-evolving technology we’re expected to do more and more in less and less time. Sometimes just scanning my Monday to-do list leaves me feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

Unlike many of us dogs need no excuses to play. Dogs love to play. They may not all enjoy playing the same games or with the same toys. But where there’s a dog, there’s very likely some kind of playing to be done and much fun to be had.

Scientists are still trying to figure out why animals play. Theories include practicing survival skills, and learning and maintaining important social skills. If you’ve watched dogs playing with other dogs or people, it may have occurred to you that perhaps one reason dogs play is to have fun. They certainly appear to be having plenty of fun when they’re at it.

If you have a dog you also have a perfect “excuse” to play. Playing with your dog yields wonderful benefits. It provides your dog with mental stimulation, an essential daily requirement for a healthy happy dog. Some games (like fetch and tug) afford your dog a chance to exercise, another daily necessity that too many dogs get too little of. Exercise keeps doggy bodies in good shape, avoids obesity and its attendant health risks, gives your dog an appropriate outlet for his energy and helps ward off behavioral issues. Depending on the game, dog play means you get some exercise too. My dog Vinnie adores playing one-on-one soccer with my husband; whenever they play they both get a great workout.

Playtime offers up lots of little training moments that help dogs practice impulse control. Play is an excellent stress reliever for humans and dogs. Play can be an especially effective way of building a shy, fearful or anxious dog’s confidence.

Doggy soccer anyone?

Perhaps best of all, playing with your dog regularly strengthens your relationship with him. Sharing enjoyable activities is one way in which people bond. Studies have shown that couples that play together enjoy longer happier relationships than those that don’t play together. As a therapist friend explained to me, doing fun things with a friend or significant other puts deposits into the emotional intimacy bank. You feel closer and happier when you’re doing having fun together.

Playing games with your best canine bud involves doing an activity together in which you communicate, work cooperatively and develop mutual understanding — all hallmarks of good social relationships. So is fun. Whether you’re playing tug, Frisbee, hide and seek, Freeze and Go Wild, or another game you or your dog has invented, hopefully you’re both having fun. (Part of the fun for me is seeing how much my dog’s enjoying himself when he’s playing!)

Life is tough. We could all use a healthy dose of frivolity and fun. So go ahead. You don’t need any excuses. Play with your dog! Play with him regularly, safely and have loads of fun. If anyone scoffs, remember that play’s underrated. You’re doing something fabulous for yourself and your dog, and deepening your relationship while you’re at it.

Do you have favorite games you play with your dog? We’d love to read about them in a comment.

Brrrr! We’ve been having a cold snap here in the San Francisco Bay Area and rain’s expected for the next several days. At times like this, exercising my dog Vinnie outdoors can be a pill. Vinnie is a wet weather wimp. He hates going out in the rain. He’d rather hold it for hours than venture out into a drizzle. We’ve tried putting him in a raincoat and enticing him with meatballs to no avail. I haven’t worked to resolve this as hard as I could have because I haven’t been very motivated. I can’t stand cold wet weather either.

Given our aversion to bad weather, trips to the dog park and hikes on rainy days aren’t an option. Vinnie very reluctantly steps out for a walk just long enough for him to relieve himself, than turns and drags me back home. In the moment I’m glad to head indoors. But unless I find ways to get him some indoor exercise – mental and physical – I know it won’t be long before I have a bundle of over-the-top doggy energy to deal with.

Vinnie can be extremely creative in finding ways to amuse himself. He’s been known to turn the living room into his own agility course, leaping over the couch, racing around the coffee table, and bounding from couch to chair and back again. He might suddenly find Ted our cat, irresistible and will try his darnedest to get Ted to run, sheep style, so Vinnie can give chase. Every passerby or noise outside might be cause for a bark fest, especially when I’m on the phone or deep in a piece of writing.

Making his own rainy day fun

Vin’s creativity on rainy days sparked my own. We now have a list of tried and true indoor activities to keep him busy when the weather isn’t cooperating. These are no substitute for outdoor walks or off-leash exercise but they do serve to burn some of his energy any day, rain or shine. That’s always a good thing!

Tug. No, tug won’t make your dog “aggressive,” and it won’t make him want to control you. There’s zero scientific evidence to support these myths. Tug is a great doggy energy burner, a wonderful opportunity to get in a little impulse control training, and best of all, tug is lots of fun. To build impulse control training into tug games, ask your dog to sit or do any other behavior for the reward of you offering the tug toy. (Watch for a longer post on safe smart tug play soon.)

Hide and seek. If your dog has learned to stay while you’re out of sight, and if he comes when you call him, combine the two behaviors into hide and seek games. Ask your dog to stay as you hide in another room or behind a large piece of furniture. Then call him to come. Reward him with lots of praise and a yummy treat when he finds you.

Even if your dog’s stays and recalls aren’t yet solid, you can play this game with your dog and other people. As one person distracts the dog, the other person hides and then calls the dog’s name in a happy upbeat voice. As the dog scurries to find the hider, the other person hides. As soon as the dog finds the first hidden person and claims his reward, the second person calls the dog’s name. In no time, your dog will be racing around the house to seek out hidden humans.

Train new tricks. Pick a trick, any trick, get a bag of treats and start training your dog! Just five minutes at time, several times a day, are a fun easy way to get that doggy brain churning. Teach your dog to retrieve an old credit card to the cue, “Let’s go shopping.” Teach him to take a bow or to weave through your legs. The sky’s the limit.

Rocket recalls. Get some treats your dog loves and at least one more person to play this game. Stand about 10-15 feet apart and take turns calling your dog to come. Reward him when he does. Gradually increase the distance between the people and work up to positioning the people in different rooms of your home. How fast can you get that canine rocket to run those recalls?

Food puzzle toys. There are all sorts of food puzzle toys on the market in which you can stuff food treats. Your dog has to use his brains and sometimes his brawn to get the food out. Kong and Premier Pet Products make great food puzzle toys. Vin’s new favorite is the Tricky Treat Ball. He goes positively bananas when he sees that thing, so much so we have to keep it hidden when not in use.

For added fun, try tying a food stuffed Kong in an old sock, or hiding the toy in a room so your dog can have the pleasure of hunting it down.

Early Recycling Fun

Recycling helper. I need to think of a better name for this one. My husband came up with it shortly after we adopted puppy Vinnie, who made it known on Day 1 that he had a thing for shredding cardboard and paper. Use old egg cartons, cereal boxes or any cardboard box. Make sure no wires or staples are attached to the box. Put a few treats or a food stuffed Kong into the cardboard container. Use masking tape to tape the box shut, then let your dog have at it. He’ll have some dissection fun, burn some energy, and your recycling items will be broken down quite conveniently.

Do you have some favorite indoor canine games? Please share them with us in a comment.

This week I saw something that set off my alarm bells — a 4 month-old puppy at a local dog park. As soon as the human guardian took the puppy off leash several big adult dogs bounded up to the pup and surrounded it. The puppy retreated behind the person’s legs. The person pushed it towards the dogs gently and told it to go play. Whenever the puppy ventured onto the field, a big dog charged after it barking, other dogs joined in, and one of them inevitably tackled the pup. Each time, she yelped and scurried back to her person with her tail between her legs only to be told again to go play.

She certainly wasn’t the first person I’ve seen bring a pup to a dog park. I’m sure she meant well and thought she was doing the right thing. She probably thought it was a good way to exercise and socialize the puppy to dogs. Well-placed though those intentions may be, bringing a puppy to a dog park isn’t a good idea.

Vinnie Shows Off Puppy Teeth

Puppies are babies. Before the the age of approximately 16-20 weeks, pups are at the most critical and impressionable time in their lives. Bad scary things that happen to a young puppy have a good chance of traumatizing her for life.

My dog I are frequent fliers at San Francisco’s off-leash parks and beaches. I’m grateful that there are areas in our busy urban environment where my dog can run free and play with other dogs. However, I’m also well aware of the unpleasant things that can happen in dog parks, particularly where young pups are concerned.

Dogs at dogs parks are unknown quantities. Dogs who don’t get along well with other dogs are often brought to dog parks. Many adult dogs are impatient of and intolerant with puppies. Some dogs have a rough play style. Others like to bully and harass dogs. Dogs who visit dog parks may not like it when another canine approaches their toys or humans. A fleeing yelping puppy may trigger a dog’s prey drive; a dog chasing the pup may start to treat her like prey. Dogs who are playing together sometimes tip into fighting. Some dogs tip from playing into fighting easily and often. And some dogs at dog parks don’t come reliably when called.

Add to these factors the fact that all too often, humans don’t watch their dogs as closely as they should in dog parks and don’t intervene in doggy interactions when they should. The result? A puppy could very easily get hurt by an adult dog in any of these scenarios. Aside from the risk of serious physical injuries to a pup, a bad scary incident with an adult dog could leave the dog with a deep long-lasting nasty association with other dogs. Depending on the sensitivity of the pup, she could become fearful or wary of dogs for life.

Puppies don’t have all their defense mechanisms yet. Pups still have puppy teeth, not adult dog teeth. They have puppy jaw and muscle strength, not that of adult dogs. Puppies don’t have the stamina and power of adult dogs. Puppies are still figuring out how to “speak” dog and many puppies do so clumsily.

So what’s a well-meaning puppy guardian to do? Drop-in puppy playgroups and socials monitored by positive trainers give puppies opportunities to frolic with other puppies the same age. Interactions are supervised and controlled in a positive way. There’s a significantly lower chance of puppies getting hurt – physically or otherwise — in this kind of environment. And for an added bonus, playgroups mean plenty of time to practice doggy language and social skills with other pups.

Puppy Play

Besides playgroups, a positive reinforcement puppy class is another chance for supervised puppy play and a head start on manners. Puppy class is a also a great place to to meet other puppy guardians and set up puppy play dates in someone’s yard.

When pups reach the age of six months, providing they’ve been well-socialized during young puppyhood, they’re better equipped for interactions with other dogs. At that age, there’s more of a level playing field and supervised visits to dog parks are safer. Notice I say “safer” as opposed to “safe;” as I mentioned earlier dog parks aren’t risk-free. All dogs at dog parks should be monitored closely by humans to avoid scuffles and injuries.

No matter your dog’s age, doing a little homework ahead of time will go along way to making any visit to an leash-free area a more positive experience for you both. A rock solid recall and a really reliable “leave it” mean dog park outings are safer for your dog and more fun for everyone.

When people ask me what my dog Vinnie is, I say he’s a herding mutt, a term that up until this summer I’d been using loosely. When we adopted him from a shelter, all we knew of his past was he was found on a dairy farm and his mother was an Australian Kelpie. But as for the rest of his DNA, who knew?

As he grew, I became convinced that he was mixed with another herding breed because he acts like one. He’s got their intense energy, smarts, focus and drive; he LOVES to train; and well, he herds. He’s tried to herd our cat and sometimes rounds up other dogs. When he’s out for a hike with his humans and one strays, he runs back and loops around the person until he/she rejoins the group. If given the chance, he’ll also “herd” moving vacuums, mops, brooms or rakes. That’s funny stuff!

This summer I learned the reason for Vin’s compulsion to herd things other than livestock. He earned legitimate herding dog status when I took him to Willowside Ranch in Pescadero for a herding instinct test. To my delight, he passed.

Dog behaviorists and professional stock dog trainers say that herding isn’t something a dog can be taught to do. A dog is either born with a hard-wired instinct to herd livestock or she isn’t. A dog with the instinct automatically “knows” how to work stock without any prior experience or training, and without trying to kill the stock. And you don’t need treats to get a herding dog to herd; she works the stock for the sheer pleasure of doing so.

That’s not to say that working stock dogs don’t need or get training. A dog with the instinct can be trained to perform specific herding tasks under the direction of a human handler. Their natural herding skills are honed and refined through lots of training and practice.

On test day Vin was in the excellent experienced hands of longtime positive trainer Marian Pott, who trains, competes and judges in the herding world (www.miramardogtraining.vpweb.com). In the pen with Marian, me and three sheep, Vin, often a nervous guy, was unsure about the strange new situation. Though he showed interest in the sheep, he seemed far more worried about whether my husband, who was outside the pen, was going to leave.

After a break we tried again in a larger pen with different sheep and suddenly something kicked in. Vin’s ears went up and stayed that way and he began a high-pitched yipping I’d never heard from him before. He forgot about his humans and went to work on the sheep. Whenever one broke away from the flock, Vinnie raced after it, cut in front of it so it reversed direction, and drove it back to the others. He was energized in a way I’d never seen him before. I could practically see his neurons firing. My dog was herding!

When Marian had me walk away at one point he completely ignored me. Instead he stayed with the sheep, intent on their every move. I heard Marian say, “Those are his sheep now; he wants to stay with his sheep.” Later when we put him back on leash, he reared up and tried to go after the retreating sheep.

It was thrilling to see this completely different side of my dog and watch him do the work he was designed to do. He was still Vinnie but a revved up more vibrant version — Vinnie in all his dogness! When Marian told me he’d passed I couldn’t stop grinning. I know I had nothing to do with his passing the test but I felt like a proud mama anyway.

He can’t do competitive herding – that’s reserved for purebreds – but he can still take herding lessons. Those will provide another legal outlet for some of his energy and drive, and it might boost his confidence. I in turn, will learn what I’m supposed to do in the pen vis-a-vis the sheep and Vinnie. I suspect I will be the slower student. (Look for more on that later in Part 2 of this post.)

While we were at the ranch we watched some experienced herding dogs in action. Talk about awe-inspiring! A border collie moved a flock of sheep move from one pen to another through a narrow gate. Then he separated them into two groups and moved one group into yet another pen. It all took a matter of minutes and no sheep got away.

If you ever get the chance, watch herding dogs at work. That precise subtle choreography between handler, dog and sheep is nothing short of poetry in motion.

If your dog has had herding adventures, we’d love to hear about them so please share them in a comment below.

My dog Vinnie is a young Kelpie mix we adopted when he was a wee 4 months old. We’ve never had his DNA tested but I’d bet my last dollar he’s all herding mutt. He’s got the high energy, drive and smarts of a herding dog. And over the summer, he passed his herding instinct test with flying colors.

Vin checks out a dog park

Given his often maniacal energy, getting him plenty of off-leash exercise every day is a top priority at my place. Vin needs lots of room to run and play with other dogs or he makes his own fun in our home, usually in ways we don’t appreciate.

Thanks to Vinnie we’ve explored loads of off-leash spots in San Francisco. Here are his top 5 favorite play areas in no particular order. Four paws up for every one!

1. Fort Funston. Whether you choose to wander the trails and hike the dunes, or head all the way down to the beach, this is an enormous slice of doggy heaven. It’s a wonderful place for humans to visit too. While dogs galore race all about, you can admire gorgeous coastal views, check out weekend hang gliders, scout out sand dollars on the beach or watch for wildlife. I’ve spotted hawks, whales and dolphins here! This place is so big that you can’t see it all in a single visit. Visit often and choose a different route each time. You’ll feel like you escaped the City and your dog will adore you for it. A solid recall is a must as this “park” is unfenced. There are doggy water fountains on the main paved trail and in the parking lot.


Glorious leash-free Ocean Beach

2. Ocean Beach. You may not realize it, but two stretches of Ocean Beach are open to leash-free pooches. They are the area south of Sloat Boulevard and a much larger area north of Stairwell 21. The larger area is Vinnie’s favorite because there’s loads of room to break into a full out gallop. This beach is unfenced so make sure your dog is trained to come to you when you call him. Bring your own water and some for your pup as there are no water fountains.
3. Upper Douglass Dog Park. This park is tucked into the hills overlooking Noe Valley at Douglass and 27th. It’s fenced except for the narrow entrance. Besides a large flat 3-acre grassy field, there are steep rocky outcroppings at one end of the park where nimble and fleet-footed canines scramble up and down. Hike a hidden trail that ascends the rocks in one corner and weaves among the tall trees overlooking the park, and you’ll feel like you’re in a forest, far from the City. Big rocks and tree logs make nice spots to perch while your pooch plays. This park has a dog water fountain. The City and Bay views from just outside the park are lovely.

4. St. Mary’s Dog Park. If your dog is still honing his recall skills, this park’s for him. It’s fully-fenced so you can relax, big enough for chase, fetch and frisbee, but not so big that you won’t be able to find him. You won’t find gravel or hard-packed dirt here. Most of the park is lush grass where dogs love to roll and frolick. Shrubbery and trees create natural hide-and-seek pockets for dogs who are so inclined. This park is located at Murray Avenue & Justin Drive and has a dog water fountain.
5. Stern Grove. Many people don’t realize that Stern Grove’s not just for humans. It’s got a couple of leash-free dog parks. The best and largest is the Pine Lake play area, located off of Crestlake and Vale in San Francisco. At 3.3 acres,it never feels crowded even though it’s heavily-used by dogs in the know. A paved path that loops around the huge grassy expanse provides a nice jogging or walking route and a welcome alternative to standing around while your dog plays. This park’s not enclosed, but it sits in a deep natural valley and is far enough from streets that you needn’t worry about your dog running into traffic. There are two dog water fountains and free parking in the adjoining lot.

If you’ve never visited these parks, get out there now while the days are still on the longer side. Don’t forget to take poop bags. And if there are other “4 paw” SF dog parks your pooch loves, by all means, post a comment and let us know about it.