In my area, the public dog park areas have been closed for almost two months due to the pandemic. I live in a pretty thickly populated (people AND dogs) area in downtown Toronto. Dog parks are pretty much the only free exercise the local dogs get unless you are lucky enough to have a back yard. It’s been a challenge for me to walk my young shepherd mix as she is go go go and I’m most definitely….not. I’m sure it’s been even harder for those that have not trained a decent loose leash or who have mobility or health issues that prevent them from doing longer walks. Add in extra stress for those that have leash reactive but social dogs. It’s been HARD.
Now, some have flouted the bylaws and still did off leash running in the city green spaces and parks, to the chagrin of the other people who do not want or need loose dogs in their faces and some have managed to “borrow” a friend’s backyard for a quick run. There are canine boarding and training places that have spaces to run in outside of the city at a nominal price, but even then if you don’t have a vehicle or the time to drive there it can mean your dog has had on leash only potty breaks and exercise for a pretty long time.
The Province just announced that during the “soft opening” of the economy dog parks will be opening up. After some worry that the City of Toronto would not concur (the city of Vaughn north of Toronto has decided to keep their parks closed to anything but walk thru and dog parks are still locked) they have announced they will allow it as of next week.
Is this a good thing? I am not sure. Maybe? Jury is out on that one.
I am torn between relief at the thought of Shebang having a run and the fear of it being a circus of clowns not following social distancing rules and crowding the parks with pent up and under-exercised maniac dogs.
It’s a recipe for aggression, injuries and the ever present soupcon of COVID-19.
I sincerely doubt the parks, or anything else, will remain open for long. My professional dog walker friends are also conflicted. Many are waiting another couple of weeks before they “open” back up for work and even then are unsure if they can manage the infection protocols necessary to maintain safety for themselves, their families and their clients while coming and going from their homes.
But, and it’s a big but, if the parks DO remain open for our dogs to go run I have a few suggestions for the dog owners to think about before lettin’ em rip.
Don’t take Puppies or Older Senior dogs to the park. This is a recommendation even under regular conditions, but there is likely to be a lot higher risk of injury for the first several weeks at least while everyone gets their ya yas out.
If YOU are a high risk individual, either for COVID-19 infection or of injuries you should also wait due to the same reasons as above. No one needs to go the emergency room with a blown out knee or broken leg right now and your dog’s freedom is not worth taking home an infection to your family.
Make sure your dog is mentally and physically exercised BEFORE you hit the park. Yup. I mean it. The park is no place for couch surfing dogs that have not warmed up their muscles and tired out their little brains. Eight weeks. Chances are high your dog will start a fight, run over several people or dogs AND blow a cruciate all in their first run. Don’t be that person, set your dog up to succeed.
Don’t stay too long. There are going to be many people wanting to run their pups and keeping the crowding down as much as possible means taking turns, not hogging the park and maintaining social distancing rules. Remember, it’s not all about YOU.
Now for the serious COVID-19 talk.
Pretend you have poop on your hands that you don’t want to get anywhere else. This is the dog version of the sticky hands analogy. Don’t touch anything and for Dog’s sake do NOT touch your face.
Take hand sanitizer. Use it frequently while there. Gloves are neither necessary nor as sanitary as one may think.
Use a doggy poop bag to open and close the gates and maybe even bring alcohol wipes to clean up the gates for others.
Don’t touch other people’s dogs if you can, as much as it’s unlikely they are fomites it is not known for sure. It’s not worth the risk to touch them or their collars and harnesses.
Bring a bag to put your leash in, don’t hang the leash on posts or leave it sitting anywhere as IT could be a potential source of infection. When you go home sanitize your leash, collar and harness, or have several and do a “clean” and “exposed” area for each for later cleaning. The same with the full poop bags, when you pick up (and you ARE PICKING UP, RIGHT???) immediately walk to the waste containers and get rid of it. It’s now a fomite because YOU touched it. Don’t leave it for anyone else.
If your dog is one who jumps on people, rushes other dogs or gets into fights do NOT TAKE YOUR DOG to the park as YOU will have to get close to others to get your dog out of there. Social distancing MEANS 6 feet at all times, masked or not. You put others at risk by coming close to get your dog. The risks are small (see the reference article links below) but it’s up to you to protect yourself and others.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS AT ALL: Don’t go. It’s simple, really. Your dog has gone 8 weeks or more without it and they will not DIE with out a park run. Go for a walk, play some tug, do some training or even just cuddle on the couch. If we do our part to stay safe, others will also be safe. It’s a communal effort we all need here and it’s going to be this way for a while, this “New Normal”. Be a Good Neighbour.
Stay Well. Stay Safe. Stay Sane.
https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/China-study-suggests-outdoor-transmission-of-15229649.php?fbclid=IwAR2yzSGuHPMlZPlgnILSqfXini7iajZ77HCtvchR5zgP3KRe-Vv7RC9oEFQ