Pet Chat

Bark Park

Yep, it’s fun to say so let’s all say it again – bark park, bark park. The great news is that we all get to say it a lot more because Kingston now has its own mini bark park. It is located at Country Pet Shoppe on the third Saturday of each month. We call them Play Days.

Many dogs really enjoy the opportunity to get out and play with their own kind. I mean sure, you’re fun to play with but do you really run around, roll, wrestle and sniff bottoms as well as another dog? Probably not. Country Pet Shoppe’s Play Days provide your dog the opportunity to play real dog games with real dogs.

Getting dogs together to play is a lot like the first day of preschool. Some kids are very gregarious and know how to dive right in and make friends with the other kids. Some kids are more timid and uncertain about exactly how to engage with the others and some cling to their mom’s leg and will barely even look at the other children. Ultimately, they all learn their social skills and benefit from being with the other children.

It’s much the same with dogs. They have their own personalities and differing levels of social experience. Dogs that were socialized (exposed to many other dogs during their puppyhood) know how to meet and greet other dogs and engage them in play. Dogs that weren’t taken out to meet many other dogs as a puppy frequently haven’t developed those friend-making social skills.

When they come across other dogs, some will show signs of nervousness and fear, others will seem to act aggressively, still others will just seem bewildered or disinterested. Dogs that didn’t have the opportunity to develop those skills as a puppy can learn them; it just takes them a bit longer to warm up to the whole situation.

To help the doggie introductions go smoothly and for people to understand the dogs’ communication behaviors better, either Dianne Canafax or Uta Kramer of Kitsap Animal Rescue & Education will be on hand for the Play Days. Play Days are a great opportunity for all kinds of dogs. Regardless of your dog’s age, if it needs to develop more social skills, this is a great chance to do that. If your dog is usually kept on leash, this is a fantastic opportunity to run around off-leash. If your dog is young and energetic, play days are a perfect chance for them to run and play off their energy.

Play Days have limited space, so call to register. Dogs need to be healthy, current on their vaccines and be spayed or neutered if they are over six months old. There is a $5 fee, which will be donated to local rescue efforts. Call Country Pet Shoppe at (360) 297-4165 to reserve a play spot for your pooch!

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